Abortion Funding and Access in Texas
Anti-abortion advocates are urging lawmakers to ban taxpayer funding to groups that help women cross state lines for such care, while opponents of the proposal say doing so would amount to government overreach.
Rep. Candy Noble, R-Lucas, presented the proposal in a Texas House committee on Wednesday saying it was a “clean-up bill” to close a loophole on a 2019 bill that bans local governments from partnering with abortion providers.
“Tax dollars should not facilitate travel to another state for an act that is not allowed here,” Noble told the committee.
Background of the Proposal
Senate Bill 33 passed through the Texas Senate in mid-April and was then referred to the House Committee on State Affairs, where it is pending. The bill was authored by Sen. Donna Campbell, R-Bulverde.
Many speakers in Wednesday’s hearing noted the bill is a response to Austin and San Antonio, which have established reproductive justice funds. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has sued both cities over the funds.
Current Abortion Laws in Texas
Texas law bans municipalities from partnering with abortion providers. The bill would extend that ban to abortion-access organizations, which provide assistance to people seeking such care but do not directly provide abortions.
Texas has banned abortion in nearly all circumstances except for medical emergencies. Texans seeking such care often turn to medication prescribed by out-of-state doctors or in-person care across state lines.
Arguments For and Against the Proposal
John Seago, the president of the anti-abortion group Texas Right to Life, told the committee that Texans are still receiving abortions, even with the state’s strict ban.
“Abortion is an act of violence,” Seago said. “It is a bigger, stronger party killing a smaller, weaker party. And we oppose that whether it happens in Texas or on the other side of a state border.”
Yaneth Flores, public policy director at abortion advocacy group Avow Texas, said at the public hearing that the legislation, if passed, would make her more scared to be pregnant in Texas.
“Without a doubt, this bill will worsen reproductive health outcomes in our state,” Flores said. “The way that I see it, SB 33 is an unnecessary attempt to bully my city council into submission.”
Local Control and Government Overreach
Rep. Chris Turner, D-Grand Prairie, pushed on the idea of local control in response to a speaker who was in favor of the bill.
“It seems like on one hand, you like local control when a city passes an ordinance that further restricts or attacks abortion access and women’s health care,” Turner said. “But in instances where some cities … have adopted policies to facilitate women being able to access abortion care, then those voters have essentially failed in their duty, is what you’re saying, because they don’t agree with you.”
Other Abortion-Related Bills in the Legislature
SB 33 is among a handful of high-profile abortion-related bills moving through the Legislature this session.
Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, authored a bill that would clarify exceptions to the abortion ban and another that would ban medication abortion. The Senate passed both proposals. The clarification bill was referred to and then passed the House Committee on Public Health, and the medication abortion bill was referred to the House Committee on State Affairs.
Conclusion
The debate over abortion funding and access in Texas continues to be a contentious issue, with proponents of the bill arguing that taxpayer dollars should not be used to facilitate travel for an act that is not allowed in the state, while opponents argue that the bill would amount to government overreach and worsen reproductive health outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Senate Bill 33?
A: Senate Bill 33 is a proposal that would ban taxpayer funding to groups that help women cross state lines for abortion care.
Q: Why was the bill proposed?
A: The bill was proposed in response to Austin and San Antonio establishing reproductive justice funds, which provide assistance to people seeking abortion care.
Q: What are the current abortion laws in Texas?
A: Texas has banned abortion in nearly all circumstances except for medical emergencies, and municipalities are prohibited from partnering with abortion providers.
Q: What are the arguments for and against the proposal?
A: Proponents of the bill argue that taxpayer dollars should not be used to facilitate travel for an act that is not allowed in the state, while opponents argue that the bill would amount to government overreach and worsen reproductive health outcomes.
