After the U.S. Supreme Court declined to block Texas’ anti-abortion “heartbeat” law from going into effect, Planned Parenthood sued a prominent pro-life organization in the state court and won a temporary restraining order blocking that organization from suing the abortion providers.
The pro-abortion crowd cheered the victory, but the pro-life organization, Texas Right to Life, just popped that celebratory bubble by noting other Texans are still able to sue Planned Parenthood and other abortion providers under the new law, Breitbart reported.
In other words, while Texas Right to Life and certain individuals associated with the organization have been temporarily enjoined from filing suit against Planned Parenthood under the new heartbeat law, the ruling cheered by the left had no bearing whatsoever on the actual law itself or other individuals not associated with the pro-life group.
The new Texas law is unique in that while it bars abortions after a baby’s heartbeat is detected, usually around six weeks, it is not the state that will enforce that prohibition. Rather, the law empowers private citizens and organizations to file civil suits against those who violate the law by providing or assisting a prohibited abortion.
Ruling is limited
The three-page ruling Friday from Travis County District Judge Maya Guerra Gamble applies only to the defendants — Texas Right to Life, its legislative director John Seago, and another 100 unnamed individuals — and the plaintiffs in this case, which includes three Planned Parenthood affiliates in the state and its doctors and staff.
The temporary restraining order was also only good for two weeks and will expire on Sept. 17, unless it is extended or overturned by another state court prior to that date.
“Many media outlets falsely claim that the order blocks all citizens from enforcing the Texas Heartbeat Act. In truth, the order only applies to the defendants (Texas Right to Life, John Seago, and the anonymous individuals) and the Planned Parenthood plaintiffs,” Texas Right to Life said in response to the ruling, according to Breitbart.
“Other citizens are legally authorized to sue the Planned Parenthood plaintiffs, and Texas Right to Life is legally authorized to sue other abortionists who violate the law. This does not stop the Texas Heartbeat Act,” the organization added.
To be clear: Today Planned Parenthood affiliates in TX received a TRO against Texas Right to Life only. The order from the Travis Co Judge DOES NOT stop other individuals not associated or working with TRTL from suing the abortion giant. https://t.co/eIddl8b7Tn #prolife #txlege
— Texas Right to Life (Text ProLife to 40237) (@TXRightToLife) September 4, 2021
Lives are being saved
“This lawsuit will not stop the work of Texas Right to Life,” Texas Right to Life Vice President Elizabeth Graham said in a statement.
“Estimates are that approximately 150 babies per day are being saved because of Texas Right to Life’s leadership on the Texas Heartbeat Act,” she added. “Planned Parenthood can keep suing us, but Texas Right to Life will never back down from protecting pregnant women and preborn children from abortion.”
According to Judge Gamble’s ruling, the next hearing in this particular case is scheduled for Sept. 13 and will deal with whether or not a more permanent preliminary injunction should be issued against the defendants.
The post Texas Right to Life pushes back after Planned Parenthood’s temporary victory first appeared on Conservative Institute.
No comments: