1. United States
2. Texas
3. Letter

Furthermore, we must address the politically motivated distractions related to bodily autonomy. The agenda item for "Legislation further protecting unborn children and their mothers from the harm of abortion," added after pressure from 40 Republican lawmakers, appears to pave the way for extensive restrictions on abortion pills. Legislation like SB 2880, which stalled in the last session, sought to block access to in- and out-of-state abortion medications, make aiding access to abortion medication a felony, and expand wrongful death lawsuits against providers.8 This type of legislation often includes clauses preventing constitutional challenges, a concerning overreach that undermines judicial review. Access to safe and legal abortion, including medication abortion, is a matter of fundamental healthcare and personal freedom, and these bills directly infringe upon it. Similarly, the reintroduction of a "bathroom bill," under the guise of "Legislation protecting women's privacy in sex-segregated spaces," is another attempt to target an already vulnerable minority: transgender Texans. This is a solution looking for a problem. Existing laws already address criminal behavior, regardless of gender or bathroom use. The sole purpose of such bills is to alienate and discriminate against transgender individuals, making them feel unwelcome in public spaces. These bills, like SB 240 which has failed in previous sessions, also tend to include clauses to prevent state courts from finding them unconstitutional, further illustrating an attempt to bypass democratic checks and balances. Historically, business interests in Texas have opposed such bills due to their negative economic impact and the unwelcoming environment they create.