AUSTIN (1080 KRLD) — Governor Greg Abbott took to Facebook Live to sign Senate Bill 8, the Texas Heartbeat Bill into law. It bans abortions after the detection of a fetal heartbeat, even in cases of rape or incest. It would also impose civil penalties on abortion doctors and those assisting.
"Our creator endowed us with the right to life, and yet millions of children lose their right to life every year because of Abortion," said Abbott surrounded by dozens of State lawmakers. "In Texas we work to save those lives." Abbott also credited the State House and Senate members that helped carry the bill through the legislature. "They worked together on a bi-partisan basis to pass a bill that I'm about to sign that ensures that the life of every unborn child, who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion."
Abortion rights groups were quick to respond. The ACLU of Texas released the following statement:
"Governor Abbott just signed into law the most extreme abortion ban in the country, effectively outlawing abortions before most people would know they are pregnant. Not only does this ban violate more than half a century of Supreme Court case law, it paves the way for anti-choice extremists to use our court system to go after anyone who performs abortions or considers supporting a person that has one. But make no mistake, abortion is both legal in Texas and supported by the majority of Texans. The governor's swipe of a pen can't change the Constitution."
Back in 2016 Amy Hagstrom Miller, the CEO of Whole Woman's Health successfully fought against abortion restrictions put in place in Texas all the way to the US Supreme Court. After Governor Abbott signed the Heartbeat bill she released the following statement:
"Every legislative session, Texas lawmakers pass laws that make it harder for our patients to access abortion care, and harder for us to provide it. They are determined to legislate abortion out of existence. At Whole Woman's Health and Whole Woman's Health Alliance we believe people deserve trust, compassion, and accurate information when facing an unplanned pregnancy. Our clinics are open, and we are committed to providing compassionate, professional abortion care in Texas."
The law takes effect on September 1. Abortion rights groups have said they would fight this law in the courts.
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