Abortion providers across Texas filed a class-action lawsuit last summer to keep the new Texas Sonogram Law from taking effect. Abortion advocates claimed that the law violated their First Amendment rights by forcing them to disclose certain information -- information about the unborn children they are about to kill -- to their abortion patients. The lawsuit was filed in pro-choice Judge Sam Sparks’ court, and Sparks ruled that the law would not go into effect while he examined the constitutionality of the law.
This morning, the United States Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals in New Orleans upheld the Sonogram Law, and lifted Sparks’ injunction. The opposition desperately fought to keep the window to the womb closed since 70 to 80% of women will choose life after seeing the child on the screen.
Texas Right to Life Legislative Director John Seago commented on the ruling:
This ruling marks the turning point in this long court battle over the strongest and most effective sonogram law in the nation, empowering pregnant women with, accurate informed consent information before finalizing any decision about their pregnancy. This law will protect pregnant women from the routine deception practiced at abortion clinics, and women deserve the truth about the life in their womb.
Texas Right to Life’s directors attended the hearing at the Fifth Circuit Court in New Orleans last week when the three-judge panel artfully challenged opposing counsel about their push for reversal of the law. The panel ruled against the Center for Reproductive Rights, confirming that they “failed to demonstrate constitutional flaws in H.B. 15.” Furthermore, the panel said that the preliminary injunction set by Judge Sparks was based on two erroneous arguments: (1) vagueness and (2) unconstitutionality, and the judges recognized that the sonogram law is indeed an appropriate way to strengthen informed consent before an abortion:
To belabor the obvious and conceded point, the required disclosures of a sonogram, the fetal heartbeat, and their medical descriptions are the epitome of truthful, non-misleading information. They are not different in kind, although more graphic and scientifically up-to-date, than the disclosures discussed in Casey -- probable gestational age of the fetus and printed material showing a baby’s general prenatal development stages.
Extra bonus: Court costs were assessed to the plaintiffs!!!
Click here to read the panel's opinion.
Or click here to listen to the court hearing audio.
The false promise of contraceptionWhile abortion advocates claim that contraceptive use decreases the abortion rate, the numbers say otherwise.
NARAL and the Austin City Council collaborate to attack pregnancy resource centers- Appeals court denies re-hearing request on lawsuit against Sonogram Law
Pro-abortion lawfirm denied opportunity to attack Texas Sonogram Law again. The law is now being enforced, and is clear of all court challenges.
- NASTY EMAIL OF THE DAY
Texas Right to Life fields emails from all over Texas and the country on a variety of Pro-Life issues. Here is one that ended up in our inbox.
Planned Parenthood CEO claims work to be sacredPlanned Parenthood Gulf Coast hires a new CEO who thinks killing children is holy work.
- Texas Sonogram Law saved from judicial activism
Judge Sam Sparks has reluctantly dismissed a lawsuit against the strongest sonogram law in the nation.
Texas breast cancer survivor betrayed by KomenSusan G. Komen for the Cure backtracks on cutting ties with Planned Parenthood, alienating Pro-Life supporters like Carolyn.
Watch: We will not yieldTexas Right to Life attended the 2012 March for Life and joined over a half million people to show America and its legislators that all stages of Life should be protected.
Susan G. Komen Foundation pours money into Planned ParenthoodOne day after announcing the breast cancer awareness organization would stop funding Planned Parenthood, the organization reversed its decision and resumed filtering donor money to America's largest abortion provider.
Pro-aborts launch online "march" to celebrate abortionPro-aborts celebrate Roe v Wade by participating in a virtual "march" to counter the nearly 500,000 Pro-Lifers opposed to Roe who actually marched on Washington D.C. this week.
An honest look at rape and incest exceptionsA detailed look at why these exceptions have a presence in the Pro-Life movement.
Hensarling Remarks at March for LifeTexas Congressman Hensarling's statement at the March for Life Rally in Washington, D.C.
Obama: Abortion equals freedomObama released statement calling the killing of innocent children a "fundamental constitutional right," disregarding all preborn children and their inherent right to Life.
Abortion survivors make their voices heardYesterday we mourned the children lost because of the decision of Roe v. Wade. Today we stand as abortion survivors and fight for the rights of the unborn.
Pro-Abortion plaintiffs ask reluctant judge to attack Sonogram Law againJudge Sam Sparks is willing, but seemingly unable, to help Center for Reproductive Rights destroy the nation's strongest sonogram law.
TRTL legislative director tweets from Austin sonogram law hearingJohn Seago provides real-time updates from Judge Sparks' court as Sparks and pro-abortion plaintiff Center for Reproductive Rights search for ways to strike down the Pro-Life law.
Pro-abortion law firm says court's favorable ruling on Sonogram Law doesn't countThe Center for Reproductive Rights wants a hearing before the entire Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals.
Governor Perry, Pro-Life stalwart, out of Presidential raceTexas Right to Life regrets Governor Perry's decision to withdraw from Presidential race.
- Texas Sonogram Law in full effect
Starting today, Texas abortion businesses will no longer be able to hide the truth about Life in the womb.
Next steps for Texas Sonogram LawAn appellate court has overturned anti-Life Judge Sam Spark's ruling to keep the sonogram law from going into effect. Where will the law go from here?
