FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Heather Cirmo, [email protected]
Thursday October 21, 2021
Human Coalition Joins National Institute of Family and Life Advocates to File Amicus Brief in Support of the Texas Heartbeat Act
DALLAS, October 21, 2021 — In response to the United States Justice Department’s appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court to block S.B. 8, the Texas Heartbeat Act, Human Coalition, along with the National Institute of Family and Life Advocates, filed an amicus curiae (friend of the court) brief today. The brief argues that in the wake of S.B. 8, Texas is uniquely equipped to serve women facing unexpected pregnancies and help them overcome their challenges.
“This brief clearly demonstrates that for decades Texas prepared a foundation to become an abortion-free state,” said Human Coalition National Director of Public Policy Chelsey Youman. “In an effort to help pregnant women in need, the Texas Legislature expanded its Alternatives to Abortion program to $100 million in its last session. And organizations like Human Coalition daily come alongside women to provide whatever they need to live healthy, stable lives with their children. Texas has proven that the needs of families can be met through both public and private resources without abortion.”
S.B. 8, which protects preborn children from abortion after a fetal heartbeat is detected, went into effect on September 1. Since then, it has been subjected to numerous court challenges — the most recent one coming from the Justice Department. On October 6, U.S. District Judge Robert Pitman issued a preliminary injunction on the side of the Biden administration to block the legislation. Just a few days later, the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals reinstated the law, prompting the Justice Department to file an official appeal to the Supreme Court today.
“The will of the people should not be overruled by activist judges,” said Youman. “The Texas Heartbeat Act was enacted through the normal legislative process and supported by the people of Texas because we believe that a preborn baby’s heartbeat is clear evidence of human life. Our brief urges the Supreme Court to recognize the extensive resources for expectant mothers the state of Texas and private organizations like Human Coalition and NIFLA have available.”
About Human Coalition
Human Coalition is one of the largest pro-life organizations in the nation, operating a growing network of Telecare and Brick-and-Mortar Women’s Care Clinics across the nation.
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