Texas Senate Passes Freedom to Worship Act Protecting Churches

Today, the Texas Senate passed HB 1239, the Freedom to Worship Act by Senator Angela Paxton and Representative Scott Sanford. The bill has already passed the Texas House. It is now up to the House to concur on several changes made by the Senate and the bill will be on its way to Governor Abbott’s desk, who has already indicated his support for religious freedom legislation.

In 2020, Texans saw an attack on religious freedom like they had never seen before. Local government officials abused their power by telling churches that they had to remain closed for months at a time during the COVID-19 pandemic while other businesses and gathering places were allowed to stay open. However, churches provide essential spiritual and mental health support in a time of crisis. Closing churches not only eliminates these critical services, but it violates the religious freedom rights guaranteed by our laws and Constitution. We are grateful the Legislature recognizes the importance of religious freedom and thank for our supporters whose activism makes this victory possible.

Governor Abbott Signs Pro-Life Texas Heartbeat Act Into Law

This week Governor Greg Abbott signed SB 8, the Texas Heartbeat Act, into law for the State of Texas. The bill “ensures that the life of every unborn child who has a heartbeat will be saved from the ravages of abortion”, said Governor Abbott. The law will go into effect on September 1, 2021.

The passage of the Heartbeat bill, which is being called the strongest pro-life bill in Texas since Roe v. Wade, is a huge victory for all future preborn children in Texas. SB 8 requires physicians to check for a baby’s heartbeat, inform the mother if the presence of a heartbeat is detected, and take all necessary steps to protect the life of the child. We are grateful the Legislature recognizes the importance of protecting life and are thankful for our supporters whose activism helped make this pro-life victory possible.