Protecting unborn children from the growing threat of chemical abortion pills

As Texas enters a special legislative session this summer, one issue is once again commanding national attention: protecting unborn children from the growing threat of chemical abortion pills. With legislation expected to mirror the stalled Senate Bill 2880, pro-life Texans have a renewed opportunity to strengthen laws that defend the sanctity of life — and send a clear message that Texas will not back down in the face of pressure from abortion activists and corporate interests like Planned Parenthood.

This isn’t just a legal fight. It’s a moral one. It’s a matter of protecting the most vulnerable among us, holding reckless distributors accountable, and asserting that life — no matter how small or silent — is worth defending.

Filed by Senator Bryan Hughes (R-Mineola) during the 89th Legislative Session, SB 2880 — the Women and Child Protection Act — aimed to crack down on the illegal and dangerous distribution of chemical abortion pills across Texas.

Here’s what it proposed:

Private Right of Action: Empowering citizens to sue individuals or entities that manufacture, mail, or distribute abortion-inducing drugs in violation of Texas law.

Attorney General Enforcement: Granting the Texas Attorney General expanded authority to prosecute violators directly.

Wrongful Death Liability: Creating clear legal consequences for those responsible for the death of a preborn child via chemical abortion.

The bill successfully passed the Texas Senate in early May after an intense State Affairs Committee hearing where voices on both sides clashed — one side advocating for “choice,” and the other asserting the undeniable humanity of the unborn.

Yet despite momentum, the bill was held up in the House State Affairs Committee, chaired by Rep. Ken King (R-Canadian). Even after receiving a favorable vote (8-5) on May 23, the bill was never forwarded to the Calendars Committee, effectively killing it as the June 2 deadline loomed.

The failure to pass SB 2880 wasn’t due to a lack of public support or legislative will — it was a procedural stall. And pro-life Texans took notice.

Immediately after the regular session ended, Texas Right to Life, alongside Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick and dozens of Republican lawmakers, urged Gov. Greg Abbott to include anti-abortion pill legislation in the upcoming special session. Their letter, spearheaded by Dr. John Seago, emphasized a clear, urgent goal: stop the distribution of dangerous chemical abortion drugs before more lives are lost.

On July 9, Gov. Abbott responded by adding “Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion” to the session’s agenda — a promising sign that a stronger version of SB 2880, now expected to be labeled SB 6, could finally get the fair hearing it deserves.

Opponents of the bill claim this is about “control” or “cruelty.” That’s a deliberate distortion of the truth. The facts speak for themselves:

Chemical abortion pills are dangerous: The FDA itself has reported serious complications, including hemorrhaging, infections, and even death. And yet, these pills are increasingly being mailed without medical oversight or safeguards.

They sidestep state laws: Online distributors, many out of state or even abroad, are bypassing Texas’ pro-life laws by delivering abortion pills directly to mailboxes — with no accountability or screening.

They undermine parental rights and public safety: Minors can access these pills without consent. Abusers can coerce pregnant women. And traffickers use them to hide crimes.

This isn’t theoretical. It’s happening now. And unless Texas acts boldly, more lives — both born and unborn — will be at risk.

Let’s not lose sight of the hypocrisy at play. While abortion advocates scream about “healthcare,” they ignore the trauma inflicted by mail-order abortion pills. They want total deregulation, no oversight, and no consequences — all while branding basic legal protections as “dangerous” and “cruel.”

It’s telling that Planned Parenthood Texas Votes called the proposed legislation a “warning shot.” They’re right — it is a warning. A warning to those who profit from death and hide behind euphemisms. Texas will not be silent. Not while lives are at stake.

As Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick confirmed that Sen. Hughes will carry the new bill as SB 6, all eyes are on the legislature. Will the Texas House finally act with courage? Will Republican leadership allow the bill to advance without unnecessary delays?

The pro-life movement is watching. And voters are taking note.

It’s time for Texas lawmakers to do what they were elected to do: defend life, uphold the rule of law, and send a clear message that we will not tolerate the casual destruction of innocent children by chemical means or otherwise.