Federal Suit Challenges New Texas Abortion Law

State lawmakers across the country this year have passed or proposed bills restricting abortion rights, including imposing time limits for women to seek abortions and requirements that women first consult with health professionals before terminating a pregnancy.

But some pro-choice advocates are fighting back against the legislative wave.

The national Center for Reproductive Rights filed a federal suit yesterday to block a new Texas law that takes effect Sept. 1 and requires a woman seeking an abortion to have a sonogram and hear a detailed description of the fetus, the Dallas Morning News reports .

“When you go to the doctor, you expect to be given information that is relevant to your particular medical decisions and circumstances, not to be held hostage and subjected to an anti-choice agenda,” Nancy Northup, the center’s president, told the Morning News.

The suit, which was filed on behalf of doctors and medical clinics, contends that the new abortion measure violates physicians’ free-speech rights by requiring them to deliver “politically motivated” messages and further that the law could put doctors cross-wise with the wishes of their patients.

But supporters of the Texas law say it will allow women to be better informed, and, they add, it is carefully  worded to avoid a legal challenge, according to the Morning News. While a sonogram is required under the law, a woman may turn her head and choose not to see it.

Houston senator Dan Patrick, a supporter of the law, told the Morning News that it is “ludicrous” to say it interferes with a doctor-patient relationship since many doctors see women only a limited amount of time before the procedure.

He said that he is hopeful the law will persuade thousands of women to walk away from abortions. “I feel absolutely confident that we will prevail,” he said.

Denial, the vast majority of abortions (over 90%) happen in the first trimester. At that point, there is no “form of a baby.” The fetus is fairly indistinguishable. Further, studies show that nearly no women change their minds upon seeing the sonogram. Laws like this are meant to shame and embarrass women, and to this we protest.

Comments like yours show how little most people know about the mechanics of the procedure. I encourage you and others to educate yourselves with medical information before making such statements.

Cardinal Burke to pray outside Texas abortion clinic :: Catholic ...

.- Top Vatican official Cardinal Raymond L. Burke is set to pray and speak out against abortion at Planned Parenthood's new facility expansion in Texas.

“Cardinal Burke is a man of great passion for the pro-life cause and is one of the highest ranking U.S. bishops in the church,” said event organizers from the Catholic Charismatic Center on April 28.

The cardinal serves as prefect of the Apostolic Signatura for the Vatican in Rome.

“His particular presence at this abortion facility will be a very significant moment of official opposition to the abortion industry in America.”

Hundreds are expected to join Cardinal Burke on May 9 outside the Houston clinic, which recently built a sizable addition specifically for late-term abortions.

The prayer vigil is part of two pro-life events slated in the next week which include a “Night for Life” benefit on May 8 with Cardinal Daniel N. DiNardo, Archbishop of Galveston-Houston and head of the U.S. bishops' Committee on Pro-Life Activities.
 
The gala will help fund the Pro-life Apostolate of the Catholic Charismatic Center.

“The presence of these two prominent voices for the unborn in this country lends special significance to this Gala and the message that will be spoken regarding Planned Parenthood’s huge expansion in Houston making it the abortion capital of the United States and South America, will be heard by many,” organizers said.

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