U.S. Supreme Court to hear challenge to Texas Pro-Life Omnibus Law
November 13, 2015 –Today, the U.S. Supreme Court announced it will consider a challenge by pro-abortion advocates to certain portions of Texas’ Pro-Life Omnibus Law, HB 2, which was passed by the Texas Legislature in 2013 with the support of Texas Values. The Court will review the decision by the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals to uphold the common sense safety standards in the law. This case is known as Whole Woman’s Health v. Cole. The portions of HB 2 that prohibit abortions after 20 weeks and require standards for certain medical abortions are in place and are not being challenged.
Texas Values submitted a brief in support of HB 2 with the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals and was a leading supporter of the legislation when it overwhelmingly passed the Texas House and Senate and was signed into law by then-Governor Rick Perry in 2013.
Jonathan Saenz, President and attorney of Texas Values, released the following statement:
“The U.S. Supreme Court should uphold the constitutionality of Texas’ Pro-Life Omnibus Law as the Fifth Circuit Court has already done twice. HB 2 ensures that abortion clinics uphold basic health standards and ensures common sense safety standards to protect the health of women. We hope the Court will ultimately respect the Constitution and the overwhelming will of the Texas people who support this important pro-life law. Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and his office will continue to represent Texas well on this matter.”
The U.S. Supreme Court last ruled on an abortion law in 2007 in its Gonzales v. Carhart decision that upheld the federal ban on partial-birth abortion. Texas Values President Jonathan Saenz was a part of a legal team that represented Gianna Jessen, an abortion survivor, in an amicus brief submitted on the winning side to the Supreme Court in the case.
About Texas Values
Texas Values is a non-profit organization dedicated to standing for faith, family, and freedom in Texas. More information is available at txvalues.org.