Texas legislature advances pro-life priorities, but there's more work to be done

As Texas’ 89th Legislative Session adjourns, conservative lawmakers are claiming significant victories in advancing the state’s pro-life platform. Over the course of 140 days, the Republican-led Legislature introduced and debated a wide range of abortion-related measures aimed at reinforcing the state’s commitment to protecting unborn life, clarifying legal standards for maternal care, and cutting off taxpayer support for abortion-related activities.

While some bills met procedural roadblocks or were caught in intra-party disagreements, several others are now poised to reshape the state’s pro-life landscape in profound ways — reinforcing Texas’ role as a national leader in post-Roe life protections.

SB 31: Clarifying the “Life of the Mother” Exception

One of the most anticipated and debated pieces of legislation this session was Senate Bill 31, known as the Life of the Mother Act. Authored by Sen. Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) and sponsored in the House by Rep. Charlie Geren (R-Fort Worth), the bill provides needed clarity to medical professionals navigating life-saving procedures under Texas’ abortion laws.

The legislation does not change the existing law, which already permits abortion in rare, life-threatening emergencies. Instead, it aims to improve medical training and legal understanding to ensure physicians are not paralyzed by fear of legal retribution when treating high-risk pregnancies.

“There has never been a prohibition on care for the mother. But confusion and misinformation — often pushed by activist groups — have made physicians hesitant,” Sen. Hughes said during debate. “This bill ensures doctors know exactly what the law says and how to apply it confidently.”

While it drew criticism from abortion-rights advocates who accused the bill of “window dressing,” pro-life groups largely applauded the effort as a constructive step to eliminate fear-driven inaction in emergency rooms. The bill passed unanimously in the Senate and by a decisive 129-6 vote in the House, demonstrating rare bipartisan agreement on an issue that often divides sharply along party lines.

SB 33: Ending Public Subsidies for Abortion Travel

In another significant victory for fiscal conservatives and pro-life Texans, Senate Bill 33, filed by Sen. Donna Campbell (R-New Braunfels), passed both chambers and now awaits the Governor’s signature. The bill targets a growing workaround used by abortion-access groups to sidestep Texas law by funding travel, lodging, and other resources for women seeking out-of-state abortions.

SB 33 explicitly prohibits any local or state government funds from being used — directly or indirectly — to support abortion travel. This includes contracts, grants, and partnerships with third-party organizations that assist in such travel.

“Taxpayers should never be forced to subsidize abortion — especially not abortion tourism,” Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said in a press conference. “SB 33 shuts the door on this abuse and reinforces that our laws mean something.”

The legislation responds to rising concerns over progressive municipalities and private foundations offering travel vouchers and assistance packages, essentially circumventing Texas law by outsourcing abortions to other states. Legal experts anticipate litigation from abortion-rights groups, but supporters are confident the law will stand.

SB 2880: Chemical Abortion Pills in the Crosshairs

Perhaps the most controversial and hard-fought bill this session was SB 2880, the Woman and Child Protection Act, introduced to combat the increasing use of chemical abortion pills trafficked into the state, particularly via online and mail-order services.

The bill proposed a multi-pronged approach:

Empowering the Texas Attorney General to prosecute violators,

Creating a private right of action for individuals harmed by illegal abortion drugs,

Establishing civil liability for the wrongful death of unborn children caused by unauthorized chemical abortions.

Despite clearing the Senate, the bill spent weeks stalled in the House State Affairs Committee, drawing sharp criticism from grassroots activists and national pro-life leaders. Calls flooded in to Chairman Ken King (R-Canadian), urging him to move the bill. Though he eventually released it to the next step, the delay proved fatal — the bill died after the committee report was not sent to Calendars in time for a floor vote.

The failure of SB 2880 has already galvanized calls for tighter legislative discipline and greater unity within the pro-life caucus. Critics argue the delay sends a mixed message at a time when mail-order abortion drugs pose one of the greatest threats to unborn life in the post-Dobbs era.

SB 1388 and the Expansion of Thriving Texas Families

While efforts to tighten abortion restrictions were met with varying success, one clear legislative win came in the form of SB 1388, carried by Sen. Lois Kolkhorst (R-Brenham) and Rep. James Frank (R-Wichita Falls). The bill provides oversight and accountability for the state’s Thriving Texas Families (TTF) program, formerly known as the Alternatives to Abortion program.

The legislation ensures that TTF funding is explicitly barred from flowing to any organization affiliated with abortion services, directly or indirectly. TTF supports a network of pregnancy resource centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes — helping women with housing, counseling, parenting classes, and job training.

“Texas isn’t just saying no to abortion — we’re saying yes to life, yes to mothers, and yes to building strong families,” said Rep. Frank.

Building on that momentum, Rep. Tom Oliverson (R-Cypress) spearheaded a budget amendment doubling TTF’s funding from $20 million to $35 million per year, for a total of $70 million over the biennium. A floor amendment by Rep. Caroline Harris-Davila (R-Round Rock) cemented the increase, despite vocal objections from House Democrats who opposed excluding abortion-related organizations from participation.

This funding expansion reflects a broader trend among Texas Republicans: pairing abortion restrictions with compassionate, tangible alternatives that meet women’s needs.

Looking to the Future

Though the session ended on June 2, the ripple effects of these legislative actions will be felt for months, if not years. Governor Abbott is expected to sign most — if not all — of the major bills that reached his desk, reinforcing Texas’ position as a national bellwether for the pro-life movement.

But the unfinished business of SB 2880, along with growing concerns about federal pushback and activist lawsuits, suggest that the next phase of the pro-life fight in Texas will not be confined to the Legislature alone.

As Sen. Hughes put it, “The law is only as strong as our willingness to enforce it. And the pro-life movement in Texas is not done.”

In Summary:

SB 31 clarifies life-of-the-mother exceptions, passing overwhelmingly.

SB 33 prohibits taxpayer-funded abortion travel, en route to the governor.

SB 2880, targeting chemical abortion pills, died in committee but may return in a special session.

SB 1388 and the state budget together massively expand funding and oversight for pro-life services through the Thriving Texas Families program.

With the 89th session concluded, Texas conservatives can celebrate meaningful steps toward a culture that not only protects life in law but affirms it in practice — mother and child alike.