Attorney General Merrick Garland on Monday vowed to “protect” women seeking abortions in Texas, days after a new state law went into effect aiming to prohibit most abortions after six weeks. While the Justice Department “urgently explores all options to challenge” Texas’ new law and “protect the constitutional rights of …
Read More »Lawsuit Filed Challenging New Texas Law Targeting Voting Rights
Yesterday, the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund, Inc. (LDF), Reed Smith LLP, and The Arc filed a federal lawsuit on behalf of the Houston Area Urban League, Houston Justice, Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., and The Arc of Texas challenging S.B. 1, a new Texas law targeting voting rights. …
Read More »Texas Governor Signs Sweeping Voter Suppression Legislation Into Law
Republican Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed sweeping voter suppression legislation into law on Wednesday. The bill blocks 24-hour and drive-thru voting. The measure also makes it difficult for voters to mail in their ballots. “The common-sense reforms in this legislation strengthen our trust in the electoral process, from voter registration …
Read More »House To Vote On Abortion Bill In Response To New Texas Law
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi announced on Thursday that the House would vote on a bill to guarantee individuals have access to abortions later this month. The announcement was made in response to the Supreme Court failing to block Texas’ six-week abortion ban. The bill was introduced by Representative Judy Chu of …
Read More »Supreme Court Refuses To Block Texas’ Six Week Abortion Ban
The United States Supreme Court has refused to block Texas‘ new abortion ban, inflicting a severe blow to abortion rights by upholding the state law, which outlaws the vast majority of abortions. The ruling represents a watershed moment in the abortion debate, as opponents have pushed to restrict access to the …
Read More »Texas’ new abortion law just took effect. Here’s what it does — and what you need to know.
Texas’ new law banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy took effect. Here’s what you need to know now. Orion Rummler Originally published by The 19th Texas’ law effectively banning abortions after six weeks of pregnancy took effect at midnight September 1. Lawsuits are pending, but for now, clinics must …
Read More »President Biden Calls Texas Six Week Abortion Ban Unconstitutional
President Joe Biden has strong words for Texas’ six-week abortion ban that went into effect on Wednesday. The President says that the law is “extreme” and unconstitutional. “Today, Texas law SB8 went into effect. This extreme Texas law blatantly violates the constitutional right established under Roe v. Wade and upheld …
Read More »Texas Attorney General Under Investigation For Alleged Ethics Violation
The State Bar of Texas is investigating Attorney General Ken Paxton for professional misconduct. Gershon Gary Ratner, the co-founder of Lawyers Defending American Democracy, filed a 31-page complaint against the Attorney General in late July. Ratner is asking for Paxton to be suspended or banned from practicing law in Texas. …
Read More »Texas Legislature Passes Voting Restrictions Bill; Sends To Gov. Abbott
A controversial GOP-backed voting restrictions bill has cleared its last hurdle in the Texas Legislature and is now headed to Republican Governor Greg Abbott‘s desk for a final signature. Senate Bill 1 passed along party lines Tuesday in both the Texas House and Senate after a conference committee released the …
Read More »Abortion Providers Want Supreme Court To Block Texas Abortion Ban
Advocates and providers for abortions asked the Supreme Court on Monday to block Texas’ abortion ban. The ban prohibits people from terminating pregnancies after six weeks. The law will take effect on Wednesday. The controversial ban allows individuals to file lawsuits against anyone who is providing or seeking abortion services. …
Read More »Senator Ted Cruz’s Campaign Bought $135,000 Worth Of Books Last Year
A financial disclosure that Texas Republican Senator Ted Cruz filed on Monday reveals that he received a $320,000 book advance last year and that his campaign bought $153,000 worth of books after it was published. “The FEC has issued a long series of advisory opinions allowing members to use campaign …
Read More »Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tests positive for COVID-19
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott tested positive for COVID-19 on Tuesday, according to his office. The Republican leader, who is fully vaccinated, was asymptomatic after testing positive and is receiving Regeneron’s monoclonal antibody treatment while isolating at the Governor’s Mansion, said Abbott spokesman Mark Miner “As you may have heard by now, I …
Read More »Texas Preparing For A Surge In COVID Deaths, Orders Mortuary Trailers
The state of Texas has requested five mortuary trailers from the Federal Emergency Management Agency(FEMA) in preparation for an increase in COVID-19 deaths. The state requested the trailers on August 4 after studying data. “We are anticipating a need within the state of Texas for these trailers as COVID cases and …
Read More »Houston Defies Governor, Approves Masks Mandate For Students
Houston Independent School District leaders voted 8-0 on Thursday to require students, staff, and visitors to wear masks on school property and buses. The mandate will go into effect on Monday. HISD Board Mask Mandate Vote 8-12-21.mp4 from Houston ISD on Vimeo. “The safety of our students and staff will …
Read More »Election Bill Passed In Texas Senate After 15-Hour Filibuster
After a 15-hour filibuster against Senate Bill 1 (SB1) by Texas Sen. Carol Alvarado ended just before 9 a.m.on Thursday, the GOP-backed bill passed. SB1 would place new restrictions on voting that many opponents say would disproportionately suppress ballots from voters of color and disabled voters. It was passed 18-11 along …
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