On April 26, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals remanded Whole Women’s Health v. Jackson and ordered the trial court to dismiss the abortionists’ case against the Texas Heartbeat Law. This order is yet another win for the Texas Heartbeat Law, and the final blow to the federal lawsuit by Whole Women’s Health and other abortion providers against the groundbreaking pro-life law. The Texas Heartbeat Law has already won at the Texas Supreme Court three times.

The 5th Circuit’s order today directed the lower court to dismiss all challenges to private enforcement provisions of the statute and to consider whether the plaintiffs have standing to even challenge the law.

Supreme Court Hears Arguments in the Coach Kennedy Religious Freedom Case

On April 25, the U.S. Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Kennedy v. Bremerton School District case regarding Coach Joseph Kennedy’s free exercise of religion. In March, Texas Values, along with Family Policy Alliance and other state family policy councils filed a legal amicus brief with the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Coach Joseph Kennedy.  Coach Kennedy was fired from a public school in Washington State after he exercised his religious freedom by praying briefly at the 50-yard line.

The clear message sent by the school district is that of hostility toward religion.  The Establishment Clause and First Amendment rights have always protected against this type of hostility by governmental entities against religious activity.

Early Voting Through May 3 for the May 7 Election in Texas

Election Day is fast approaching!  Election Day is Saturday, May 7th and early voting is scheduled for April 25th through May 3rd. This election will consist of local offices and amending a few constitutional amendments. Don’t miss out on exercising your right to vote.

Texas Values Writes an Analysis of the Idaho Heartbeat Law and Its Unique Legal Path

On April 24th, Texas Values’ Senior Policy Advisor, Mary Elizabeth Castle, published an article comparing the new Idaho heartbeat law and its unique legal path from the Texas Heartbeat Law.  The success of the lifesaving Texas Heartbeat Law has inspired many states to follow suit and pursue their own legislation that prohibits abortion after the detection of a baby’s heartbeat, by giving private citizens the power to enforce that law.  To date, there are several states that are considering passing heartbeat laws like the Texas law.  

Idaho became the first state to pass and test the Texas-style bill for itself when Governor Brad Little signed a heartbeat law similar to the law in Texas, on March 23rd of this year.  As expected, the abortion group Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the law. However, the Idaho Heartbeat Law was set on a different legal path than the Texas Heartbeat Law.  Castle explains that because of the court structure of Idaho, the doubt from some top Idaho leaders, and the unique laws in Idaho, it is possible to understand why the Idaho Fetal Heartbeat Law is facing different challenges than the Texas Heartbeat Law faced.

Texas Values Announces Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Students for Life’s Kristan Hawkins, and Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes as Speakers for the 9 Month Celebration of Texas Heartbeat Law on June 1

Get your tickets now!  On June 1, Texas Values will host an event titled, “Our Pro-Life Moment: 9 Month Celebration of the Texas Heartbeat Law, Dobbs Supreme Court Case, & A Vision for a Post-Roe America.”   This week, Texas Values announced Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, Students for Life’s Kristan Hawkins, and Texas Sen. Bryan Hughes (Texas Heartbeat Law Author) as speakers for June 1.  There is also a VIP meet and greet option.  Join us in the Dallas/Fort Worth area for this event.  More details coming soon

Tickets are available here: www.ourprolifemoment.com.