Houston Faith Votes leaders celebrate 2024 GOTV successes and plan for the future
This week, the Senate passed SB 31, the Life of the Mother Act—which would result in a small, beneficial change so doctors can treat women with life-threatening pregnancies—and in the next breath passed SB 2880, which could criminalize anyone who helps a Texas woman get an abortion, even if they get it in a state where it’s legal.
SB 2880 is intended to cut off Texans’ access to drugs used for medication abortions, but as Sen. Nathan Johnson and Sen. Sarah Eckhardt clarified through their conversations with the bill author, Sen. Bryan Hughes, SB 2880 includes novel provisions that would limit courts’ authority; grant financial compensation to parties not normally eligible for such compensation; and explicitly revive all the provisions of Texas’ pre-Roe abortions laws, known as the “1925 laws.”
WATCH: Sen. Johnson asks questions of Sen. Hughes on the layout of SB 2880
WATCH: Sen. Eckhardt asks questions of Sen. Hughes on the layout of SB 2880
SB 2880 was just one of a number of extreme bills moving in the legislature this week—and increasingly, the specifics of the bills are tied to religious extremism. Texas Impact’s leadership is alarmed at the burgeoning impact of religious extremism on the legislative process. In Decoding the Dome, Texas Impact staff members highlight legislation ranging from the Ten Commandments to bathrooms where pluralism and free expression are under attack.
WATCH: Rep. Bryant asks questions of Rep. Capriglione regarding SB 326, related to preventing antisemitism
Meanwhile, up the road in Washington, D.C., Congress is considering cutting health care for low- and moderate-income families to finance tax cuts for wealthy Americans. The proposal to cut federal Medicaid spending would hit Texas hard: although Texas has not expanded Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act, the program nevertheless covers more than 4 million Texans, including covering about half of all births in Texas and about 60 percent of nursing home residents.
As the implications of major Medicaid cuts become clear to local communities, congressional leaders are slowing their process. That means it’s time for advocates to lean in. You can get up to speed on the issue and find out how to help—even in Texas and other conservative states—on a national call Monday, May 5.
Register for the Medicaid national field call
But also this week, in the midst of distressing conditions, we celebrated! In Houston, the 2024 Houston Faith Votes leadership cohort met to celebrate their GOTV successes and plan for the future. Texas Impact presented each cohort congregation with a print by Houston artist Jesse Sifuentes celebrating civic engagement and democracy.
And in Austin, Interfaith Action of Central Texas honored Texas Impact, presenting me with their annual Hope Award. It was a wonderful tribute to the collective work I’ve had the privilege of guiding for more than two decades—and it was a special treat to share the stage with my own former state representative, Hon. Elliott Naishtat, as well as our dear friends at First Baptist Church of Austin.
Interfaith Action of Texas Executive Director Simone Talma Flowers and President Michelle Bonilla present Bee Moorhead with a 2025 Hope Award
It’s good to celebrate our work, especially when we can celebrate together. We are so proud of the work you have been doing all session, and we look forward to celebrating it with you!
Love,
