Tuesday afternoon, signing an ordinance banning mask mandates in any part of the Lone Star State, Governor Greg Abbott stated, “Texans, not the government, should decide their best health practices.”
On Wednesday morning, the Texas Republican didn’t even try to contain his joy when he signed an abortion ban bill surrounded by about 50 men and only eight women (almost, if not all of them appeared to be white).
“Our Creator gave us the right to life,” said Abbott, who holds a law degree from Vanderbilt University, “yet millions of children lose their right to life each year because of abortion.”
This is wrong
Abortion rates have fallen across the country. A 2019 study, USAToday reported, found that abortion rates are the lowest since 1973, when the US Supreme Court declared that women have the right to choose an abortion. It’s not because of laws like the one Abbott signs, but fewer pregnancies, likely due to increased contraceptive availability and extensive sex education (not just abstinence).
Abbott lies that there are “millions” of abortions every year. USA Today reports that there were 862,000 abortions in 2017. One million abortions were recorded last year in 2011. The highest value was in 1990 with 1.6 million.
Abbott signed the anti-abortion law. It bans abortion after six weeks, which is unconstitutional. It also makes no exception for rape or incest.
Governor Greg Abbott (R-TX) signs a law that bans abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected after just 6 weeks:
“… the life of every unborn child with a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion.” pic.twitter.com/FEhixT78en
– The recount (@therecount) May 19, 2021
“Before the pandemic,” NPR reported last July, “Texas already had the highest rate and number of people without health insurance in the country.” And 20 percent of all uninsured children in the United States live in Texas. “
“This year, the coverage gap in Texas has only worsened: 29 percent of adults under 65 in Texas currently have no health insurance.”
Abbott was quickly ridiculed, but the expansion of far-right religious extremism that is overtaking the country is no laughing matter.
Has a new season of The Handmaid’s Tale fallen? https://t.co/nsNguy1EAF
– David Corn (@DavidCornDC) May 19, 2021
The story of the real maid here https://t.co/izBxNNml75
– Molly Jong-Fast (@MollyJongFast) May 19, 2021
This will end well Texas, or should I say Gilead. pic.twitter.com/C3ViHISXY9
– SheaCat (@TheSheaCat) May 19, 2021
And Texas was one of only two states to execute someone during the pandemic.
– James C. McGowan (@jamsmcgowan) May 19, 2021
According to the NIH, most women under 30 don’t even know they are pregnant until they are 6-7 weeks old. Over 30, which drops to 5 weeks mainly because they are actively trying to get pregnant.
– FinallyBackToReality (@CannotReality) May 19, 2021
I give Handmaid’s Tale, maybe 10 years to become real life. That’s absurd.
– Erick🗽 (@ ErickJ33) May 19, 2021
I understand what you are saying to a certain extent. But the architect of the Heartbeat Bill is Janet Porter from Faith2Action, the pro-life movement wouldn’t work without women. Women play an important role in this legislation, you just don’t see them on the evening news.
– Edward Teach (@QueenAnneRevnge) May 19, 2021
It’s a shame you can’t make sure Texans won’t die of hypothermia in their beds and on their streets next winter. Or the ability of mothers not to die in childbirth. Or the ability of teenage girls to gain access to birth control. Should i continue?
– Cari Marshall (@CariMarshallTX) May 19, 2021
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