The flag of Texas flying in Austin via Wikimedia Commons.

Today, Texas celebrates 1 year of protecting life under the brave “Heartbeat Act” from September 1st of 2021. Since its inception, the act has saved 40,000 babies from those who sought to take their lives. The act was particularly unique at the time and navigated a very complicated legal atmosphere. Once Dobbs v. Jackson overturned the brutal legacy of Roe v. Wade, the law was able to reach its full potential.

From LifeNews:

Last year, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the bill to ban abortions once an unborn baby’s heart begins beating. The Texas Heartbeat Act made the state the first to ban aboritons, starting at 6 weeks when a baby’s heartbeat can be detected on a sonogram, since Roe v. Wade was handed down in 1973.

Abbot said the bill, “… ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion.”

“We’re addressing every issue in the entire state that will make lives better for everybody, including innocent, unborn children,” the governor said. “What this bill seeks to do is once a heartbeat is detected in a mother’s womb, at that time it would be inappropriate to take the life of that baby. Texas has taken a position that innocent life is so important.”

The law made its way to both the U.S. Supreme Court and the Texas Supreme Court and was allowed to go into effect because it contained a private right of action to enforce the law with lawsuits against abortionists rather than criminal penalties that made abortion bans in other states unenforceable under Roe

Immediately after the Supreme Court ruled that the Constitution does not protect a “right to abortion” in Dobbs v Jackson, the Texas law changed. Texas increased penalties for abortion providers and dozens of abortion clinics ceased killing babies immediately. Anyone providing an abortion could face up to 5 years in prison.

But the battle wasn’t over. Texas even had to sue the Biden Administration for trying to undermine the new abortion laws. The ground game continues. It’s vital that we protect this law.

Even before Dobbs, the heartbeat law was saving over 100 babies a day. After the end of Roe v. Wade, that number increased to 167 unborn children per day.

Pro-life advocates face death threats and vicious hate on a daily basis. It’s vital that we show them our support and gratitude for protecting the most vulnerable among us. Fight on, and fight for life.

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