On May 19, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed Senate Bill (SB) 8 into law. SB 8 bans abortion after the sixth week of pregnancy. Although SB 8 law violates the ruling in Planned Parenthood v. Casey (1992), which protects “the right of the woman to choose to have an abortion before viability and to obtain it without undue interference from the state,” on September 1, the law took effect after the Supreme Court refused to block its implementation.

 

SB 8 is different from other restrictive abortion bills because it encourages private citizens, rather than government officials, to sue anyone who provides an abortion or assists someone with getting an abortion. Additionally, SB 8 incentivizes these “vigilante lawsuits” by forcing the defendant to pay $10,000 per violation to the claimant if the lawsuit is successful. 

 

SB 8 effectively bans most abortions within the state. Only 16% of abortion patients in Texas are less than six weeks along on the day of their abortion. Even if a person realizes that they’re pregnant before six weeks, they face many barriers to accessing abortion, such as the limited number of abortion clinics in the state. Due to these statistics, this bill effectively bans most abortions and will disproportionately impact people of color and low-income communities.

 

Young Women for US supports expanded access to abortion care, birth control, gender-affirming care, and sex education. The decision to have an abortion is a personal one - no government should be able to make that decision. We are committed to fighting for reproductive justice and freedoms. 

 

SB 8 invalidates Roe v. Wade in Texas, marking the beginning of a dangerous period for people across the country who have the ability to become pregnant, as well as their partners and loved ones, abortion providers, and pro-choice activists. This bill paves the way for future legislative and legal battles in states that aim to pass restrictive anti-abortion bills. For those who are impacted and/or want to take action, a list of resources can be found below. 

 

We understand this is a difficult time for people across the country who have had an abortion, are planning to have an abortion, or have a loved one who has had an abortion. To those who are directly impacted by this bill: We see you. We stand with you. And we will fight with and for you to reverse this bill and prevent the government from controlling your bodies, choices, and personal health.

 

Resources for People Impacted:

• Exhale Provoice offers counseling to individuals with abortion experiences and their partners, friends and allies (617-749-2948)

• Fund Texas Choice provides travel assistance to Texas resident (fundtexaschoice.org)

• The National Network of Abortion Funds connects you with organizations that can help support your financial and logistical needs (abortionfunds.org)

• Planned Parenthood is a nonprofit that provides sexual health care (plannedparenthood.org)

• Texas Equal Access Fund provides emotional and financial support to people who are seeking abortion care (teafund.org)

​

Groups to Support, Amplify, and Donate to in Texas:

• Avow – Unapologetic Abortion Advocacy (@avowtexas)

• Texas Equal Access Fund (@TEAFund)

• Buckle Bunnies Fund (@BBFundTX)

• Fund Texas Choice (@FundTexasChoice)

• Jane's Due Process (@JanesDueProcess)

• Lilith Fund (@lilithfund)

• The Afiya Center (@TheAfiyaCtr)

• Frontera Fund (@LaFronteraFund)

• National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice (@LatinaInstitute)

• West Fund (@westfundtx)

• Clinic Access Support Network (@casnhtx)

• Texas Abortion Funds (https://secure.actblue.com/donate/txfunds)

​

Take Action:

1. Call your member of Congress.

​

On September 2, Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced the House of Representatives would bring Representative Judy Chu’s Women’s Health Protection Act to the House floor. The bill would enshrine into law reproductive healthcare for all women across America. Call your member of Congress and take action. Find your member here or call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121. 

 

DC College Democrats has a script that calls for both the House and the Senate to take broader action and protect reproductive rights. 

​

2. Participate in upcoming elections.

​

As SB 8 has shown us, your state legislature is powerful, even more so considering the number of conservative judges Donald Trump appointed while he was president. Virginia, New Jersey and Ohio elections are happening this year - find a candidate fighting for reproductive rights and donate to them or volunteer. Consider running for office yourself. We need you.

 

Reminder: Gov. Greg Abbott is up for re-election next year. Visit votetexas.gov to register to vote. 

​

3. Get involved.

​

Use mobilize.us to search for events and volunteering opportunities where you can advocate for reproductive justice and freedoms.