West Palm Beach, FL – Today, Congresswoman Lois Frankel (FL-21) released the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge Robert Pittman granted the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to halt enforcement of S.B. 8, the recently-enacted Texas law that bans nearly all abortions in the state.

“The Texas abortion law empowers anti-abortion bounty hunters to exert control over pregnant people who are trying to make the deeply personal, life-changing decision about whether to become a parent. I’m relieved that it’s been temporarily blocked,” said Rep. Frankel. “Last night’s ruling was a win for reproductive justice; however, with more court action to come, women’s reproductive freedom is still at risk.”

Texas’ S.B. 8 law bans abortions at six weeks, before most individuals even know they are pregnant. It does not include any exceptions for cases of rape or incest. The law also allows citizens to bring civil suits against anyone who assists a patient seeking abortion, without having to show any connection to the person being sued. Judge Pittman’s ruling puts a temporary halt on the enforcement of the law; however, abortion recipients and providers fear they could still be penalized retroactively should the halt be lifted.

In September, the House passed the Women’s Health Protect Act, which Rep. Frankel helped introduce. This critical bill would establish patients’ right to abortion, free from medically unnecessary restrictions and bans, anywhere in the United States, effectively undoing the harm done by Texas’ S.B. 8 and other abortion bans that have been introduced across the country. It is currently awaiting approval in the Senate.

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