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New Texas Abortion Bill Allows Any Texan to Sue If an Abortion Is Performed After 6 Weeks

Lynda M. Gonzalez-Pool/Getty Images

Republicans continue to limit rights and access to a safe abortion across the nation, most recently in Texas, where the Lone Star State's Republican legislature passed Senate Bill 8. It now heads to the desk of Republican Governor Greg Abbott, who has expressed support for the legislation and is expected to sign it into law.

The bill is among the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in the nation, banning abortions after the detection of an embryonic heartbeat, which usually occurs around six weeks—before many even realize they're pregnant. There are no rape or incest exemptions.

If that isn't draconian enough, the bill also allows anyone in the state to sue over abortions performed after the six week mark. This paves the way for radical anti-abortion activists to target doctors and anyone who helps grant access to an abortion.

Given the rampant violence and murder committed by radical anti-abortion activists in the name of their cause, it's easy to imagine that activists would take it upon themselves to inundate doctors with litigation.

In a statement responding to the bill, Center for Reproductive Rights president Nancy Northup said:

"This bill essentially opens the floodgates to allow anyone who is hostile to abortion to sue doctors and clinics, consuming their resources and forcing them to shut down. We will pursue all legal options to prevent this law from taking effect."

Others share these concerns and have spoken out against the measure on social media..







Some even compared Texas to Gilead—the dystopian nation featured in The Handmaid's Tale.



reproductive rights gop republicans texas law lawsuits abortion