While Texas is one of the most pro-life states in the nation, there is still a need to guarantee the right to life for the unborn in the State Constitution. Joe Pojman of Texas Alliance for Life spoke with AFN about a Right to Life proposition that was on the GOP primary ballot on March 1.
"Our legislature will meet again in January 2023," Pojman states. "We will be suggesting … that they consider an amendment [to the state constitution]." That amendment, Proposition 5, posits:
"Texas should enact a State Constitutional Amendment to defend the sanctity of innocent human life, created in the image of God, from fertilization until natural death."
More than 1.5 million Texans (83% of those participating) voted for Proposition 5.
"Of course, the legislature will adopt that if they have the votes," Pojman continues. "It takes two-thirds of the House [and] two-thirds of the Senate [to pass the amendment], and then the voters of Texas must approve it by a majority vote."
That vote would likely be in November 2023.
The U.S. Supreme Court is anticipated to rule by the end of June 2022 on Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization – a case that could overturn Roe v. Wade, the high court's landmark 1973 decision that forced abortion on all 50 states. Pojman explains the importance of the Dobbs ruling:
"If the Supreme Court overturns Roe, [Texas'] Human Life Protection Act will go into effect and potentially completely protect unborn babies from the tragedy of abortion in Texas. But we also have to guard against challenges in the courts," he warns.
A liberal court, state or federal, could overturn the Texas law. However, if a constitutional amendment protecting life is approved by Texas voters, life will be protected from the point of conception forward.
