Texas House Kills Abortion Pill Restriction Bill Targeting Mail Providers

Texas Senate Bill 2880, a top priority anti-abortion measure designed to curb the distribution of abortion pills by allowing private citizens to sue providers for $100,000 or more per violation, failed to pass the Texas House before the legislative deadline. Despite passing the Republican-led Senate and gaining approval from a House committee, the bill stalled due to delays in the House State Affairs Committee under Chairman Ken King, and was ultimately not scheduled for a floor vote. Supporters, including Texas Right to Life and other pro-life organizations, criticized King for deliberately slowing the bill, which would have expanded wrongful death laws and empowered the attorney general to enforce criminal abortion statutes. The bill aimed to combat the rise of mail-order abortion pills that pose risks to mothers and result in thousands of abortions annually in Texas. While the bill's failure marks a significant setback for abortion opponents, some components might be revived as amendments or in a possible special session called by Governor Greg Abbott. The legislative session did see passage of other conservative priorities, but the abortion pill crackdown remained stalled in the House, provoking frustration among the state's pro-life advocates.