Texas lawmakers ignored abortion pills, the biggest threat to life, allowing an estimated 38,000 chemical abortions to enter the state by 2027 despite progress on other pro-life measures during the recent legislative session.
Key Takeaways
- While Texas passed several pro-life bills in 2025, the critical Woman and Child Protection Act (SB 2880) to combat abortion pills stalled in the House despite Senate approval.
- Successful legislation included the Stop Tax-Funded Abortion Travel Act (SB 33), preventing cities from using public funds to support abortion seekers, and the Life of the Mother Act (SB 31) clarifying medical emergency exceptions.
- The Texas budget allocated $200 million for pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes, reinforcing support for mothers and children.
- Pro-life advocates are calling on Governor Abbott to convene a special session to address the abortion pill crisis, which could affect an estimated 38,000 Texas babies by 2027.
- Additional successful bills included mandating adoption education in high schools (SB 1207), protecting pregnancy center funding (SB 1388), and supporting families with terminally ill preborn children (SB 1233).
Mixed Results for Pro-Life Legislation
The 89th Texas legislative session produced significant wins for the pro-life movement while leaving a critical vulnerability unaddressed. Despite operating under a near-total abortion ban, lawmakers recognized the need for additional protections and clarity in existing laws. The session resulted in several important pro-life bills being passed, including measures to prevent taxpayer funding of abortion travel and to provide clarity for physicians in life-threatening pregnancy situations. However, the failure to address the growing threat of abortion pills remains a glaring omission in the state’s protective framework.
“Texas lawmakers passed bills that will help build a pro-life culture, but House leadership ignored the biggest threat to women and babies: abortion pills,” According to Texas Right to Life.
The Woman and Child Protection Act (SB 2880), which would have allowed lawsuits against manufacturers and distributors of abortion pills, passed the Senate but stalled in the House. This bill was seen as critical by pro-life advocates who estimate that without such legislation, tens of thousands of chemical abortions will occur in Texas despite the state’s strong legal protections for unborn children. The bill’s failure represents a significant setback for comprehensive pro-life protection in the state.
Successful Pro-Life Measures
Despite the disappointment regarding abortion pills, the legislature did succeed in passing several important pro-life bills. Senate Bill 33, the Stop Tax-Funded Abortion Travel Act, prohibits local governments from using public funds to help residents travel out of state for abortions. This legislation includes provisions allowing civil lawsuits against cities that violate the law, ensuring accountability for public entities that might otherwise circumvent the state’s pro-life stance. The bill addresses attempts by some Texas cities to allocate funds for residents seeking abortions elsewhere.
“We’re very sensitive to these kinds of debates not becoming loopholes to just allow any abortion that is requested,” Said John Seago.
Senate Bill 31, known as The Life of the Mother Act, provides crucial clarity for physicians regarding when abortions can be performed in genuine medical emergencies. This bipartisan effort involved input from both physicians and anti-abortion groups to address concerns about vague wording in existing laws that had left doctors uncertain about when they could legally intervene to save a mother’s life. The legislation aims to protect both women in life-threatening situations and physicians acting in good faith.
“I do think it’s going to clarify and help physicians feel protected to move forward in these really tragic cases — and to protect women’s lives,” Said Dr. Todd Ivey.
Enhanced Support for Mothers and Children
The Texas legislature demonstrated its commitment to a comprehensive pro-life approach by allocating significant resources to support mothers and children. The state budget includes $200 million for pregnancy centers, adoption agencies, and maternity homes, ensuring that women facing unplanned pregnancies have access to assistance and alternatives to abortion. This substantial funding reinforces Texas’s commitment to supporting life at all stages and providing practical help to mothers in need.
Additional legislation passed includes Senate Bill 1207, which mandates teaching about adoption in high school health classes, helping to normalize adoption as a positive option. Senate Bill 1388 protects pregnancy center funding by ensuring that funds go to authentic pro-life organizations. Senate Bill 1233 provides information and support for families with terminally ill preborn children, offering compassionate care in difficult circumstances. These measures collectively strengthen the support network for women and children throughout the state.
“This may not be something that is everything anybody wants. It may not be something that the more conservative groups may see as really important, or the more progressive groups may see as enough, but it’s really important to get it done,” Said Bee Moorhead.
Future Challenges and Opportunities
The unaddressed threat of abortion pills remains a significant concern for pro-life advocates in Texas. Without legislation like Senate Bill 2880, an estimated 38,000 abortion pills may enter Texas by 2027, undermining the state’s efforts to protect unborn life. Pro-life organizations are now calling on Governor Abbott to call a special session specifically to address the Woman and Child Protection Act. This would provide another opportunity to close this critical gap in the state’s pro-life legal framework.
While the 2025 legislative session delivered mixed results for the pro-life movement in Texas, it represents an ongoing effort to build a culture that values and protects human life. The successful passage of several pro-life bills, combined with the defeat of measures that would have weakened existing protections, demonstrates Texas’s continued leadership in defending the unborn. However, the battle against abortion pills highlights the need for vigilance and continued advocacy to ensure comprehensive protection for all human life in the state.
