Senate approves bill restricting government support to abortion-assistance entities; opponents say it will limit local help for pregnant Texans
Loading...
Summary
The Texas Senate approved Senate Bill 33, which the caption says prohibits certain transactions and logistical support between government entities and abortion assistance organizations. Senator Cook spoke against the measure, arguing it will constrain local efforts to help residents travel for care.
The Texas Senate on April 16 approved Senate Bill 33, a measure “relating to certain prohibited transactions and logistical support between a government entity and an abortion assistance entity,” after the chamber suspended its rules and moved the bill to third reading.
Why it matters: Sponsors say the bill prohibits government entities from providing certain logistical or transactional support to organizations that assist individuals seeking abortion services; opponents say the language will prevent local governments from helping constituents access health care, including travel for out-of-state care in some circumstances.
Senator Cook’s remarks
Senator Cook spoke at length against SB 33 on the Senate floor. “This legislature knows that there is something broken with abortion laws in Texas,” Cook said. She told colleagues that localities are not funding procedures but “supporting their constituents' individual needs to access health care.” Cook said she would vote no and warned the bill would “preempt[] localities from providing care and resources to their people who are sometimes in desperate life-or-death situations.”
On the final vote, Senator Campbell moved final passage. The Senate recorded 22 ayes and 9 nays and the presiding officer announced that the bill had passed.
Context and next steps
The bill’s caption was read on the floor before debate. Opponents characterized the measure as restricting options available to local governments and community organizations; supporters argued the statute is intended to limit government involvement with entities facilitating access to abortion services. The measure now moves toward enrollment for gubernatorial action.
Ending
The Senate’s roll-call numbers on final passage were announced on the floor; sponsors and opponents made their positions clear during debate, and the bill will proceed to the next steps under the legislative process.
