AUSTIN (Talk1370.com) -- Hours after the Supreme Court decided to overturn Roe v. Wade and return the decision on allowing abortions to state legislators, Austin City Council member Jose "Chito" Vela is proposing a measure that would effectively decriminalize abortion inside the City of Austin.
Vela, along with District 2 councilwoman Vanessa Fuentes have called for a special meeting for the council to consider Vela's GRACE Act, which stands for "Guarding the Right to Abortion Care for Everyone."
The special called meeting is set to take place the week of July 18th. Council members are currently in the middle of a scheduled summer break, with the next regularly scheduled meeting set for July 28.
Related
“Unlike the conservative Supreme Court or the Texas state government, the Austin City Council serves the interests of our people," said Vela in a statement. "Banning necessary medical care like abortion endangers women’s health. The City of Austin will not be complicit.”
According to a release from Vela's office, the GRACE Act is a policy recommendation that aims to prevent city funds from being used to surveil, catalog, report, or investigate abortions; and that the Austin Police Department should make investigating abortion their lowest priority.
Related
“The importance of the GRACE Act cannot be overstated," co-sponsor Fuentes said in a statement. "By introducing this resolution during a special session, City Council is doubling down on fighting back for reproductive health. Items like the GRACE Act will promote essential healthcare while enabling individuals to exercise their bodily freedom.”
In addition to Fuentes, Paige Ellis and Kathie Tovo are joining the measure as co-sponsors, along with Mayor Steve Adler.
"It is tragic that women have lost the human right to make their own healthcare choices, including as to abortion," said Mayor Adler. "With this opinion, the Supreme Court puts women and so many others at risk and in danger. Austin will, to the best of its ability, do all we can to protect our values and our people."
Vela says he expects to see pushback from state leaders, including a potential challenge to the GRACE Act if it passes. “We know this resolution is legally sound, and Austin is not alone in this fight,” said Vela. “We are working with several other cities who are equally horrified by the prospect of an abortion ban and want to do everything they can to protect their residents.”