“This forced pregnancy act will drive women back into the [pre-Roe] shadows,” warned one Democratic lawmaker in the state.

By Julia Conley, staff writer for Common Dreams. Published 5-19-2021

Whole Woman’s Health v. Hellerstedt Pro-choice demonstration in front of SCOTUS in 2016. Photo: Jordan Uhl/flickr/CC

“Abhorrent” and “unconscionable” were words used Wednesday by women’s health and rights advocates to describe the latest extreme ban on abortion care as Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed into law a measure that bans the procedure after six weeks and allows virtually any private citizen to attempt to penalize abortion providers in the state.

The law, which provides no exceptions for survivors or rape or incest, is set to take effect in September. Continue reading →