During my lifetime, I have never known a world without Roe vs Wade. For ten years before I was even born, the decision of Roe vs Wade ruled as the law of the land. A historic and far-reaching Supreme Court decided in 1973 that a right not expressed in the Constitution could be codified by a court ruling. Neither Congress nor any state legislature wrote, debated, or passed this law. A panel of judges took this upon themselves and it has taken nearly half a century to overturn.
Thanks to pro-life legislation that was passed by state legislatures last year, including Texas’ Heartbeat and trigger bills, we were able to successfully push on the merits of that ruling. This time, the Supreme Court ruled that unlimited access to abortion is not a right expressly given in the constitution and the laws governing abortions should be left up to the states to write.
Justice Alito stated in his opinion on the case, that health and welfare laws are made by state legislatures to serve the legitimate interests of the state. Those interests can include respecting and preserving “prenatal life at all stages of development”, “the protection of maternal health and safety; the elimination of particularly gruesome and barbaric medical procedures; the preservation of the integrity of the medical profession; the mitigation of fetal pain; and the prevention of discrimination on the basis of race, sex, or disability.”
So now what? The trigger ban bill, that I joined in coauthoring, was signed into law last year. This means that 30 days from the Supreme Court ruling, abortions are banned in Texas, with exceptions for preserving the life of a mother and in the unfortunate instance of a miscarriage or ectopic pregnancy. Going forward, it will be up to the state legislature to determine what access is available for Texans to receive an abortion. The preservation and protection of lives in the womb will continue at the state level.
As important as the preservation of life in the womb, we must take a very hard look at what we do as a society to care for children and families in need. Speaker Phelan has suggested the need for the Texas Legislature in 2023 to “double down on maternal health care and resources for women, children, and families. That starts with extending postpartum health coverage for new moms to 12 months and continuing to prioritize support and resources for women and families in Texas.”
On June 29th, Governor Abbott announced the launch of a new website connecting Texas families with various health, financial, and support resources. FamilyResources.texas.gov is a “one-stop source of information for Texas state agencies on the Alternatives to Abortion Program, pregnancy care, adoption services, health insurance, parenting classes, food benefits, child support, child care, and financial assistance.”
“The State of Texas will continue providing care and assistance to women and families as they seek support during this important time in their lives,” said Governor Abbott. “Everyone should feel supported when caring for their loved ones and growing families. Texas’ new Family Resources website will connect people with a range of services that are easy to access and available to all Texans. Whether it's help with day-to-day needs or providing mental health resources, we continue working together to create a bright future for all Texas families.” (Press release)
As a member of the Texas Legislature, it is my desire for government to fulfill its role in providing a safety net for children, mothers, and families in need. As a Christian and a conservative, it is my desire to see the church rise up and non-profits come to the aid of those in need. These groups have the opportunity to provide the ongoing mental, physical, and spiritual support for our neighbors. God created us to live in community and commanded us to love God with all our heart, soul, and mind, and to love one another as well.
We should care deeply for the unborn, and we should care deeply for children and families. If you are aware of a church or non-profit who is doing well in serving Texas families in need, please share those successes using the button below. We will keep a running list of local organizations in our office to help connect families in need with available resources. We are grateful to partner with people like you who care deeply about the most vulnerable in our community.
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Our goal is to communicate effectively, with authenticity and simplicity, so that Texans know what and why things are happening, and how to make a difference in their community. We want to empower you with the right information to make things better for yourself, your family, and your neighbors. We will continue to work on this and we want to hear from you about how we can improve on any of the things discussed above.
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Jacey Jetton
State Representative
Texas House District 26
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Share this edition of the Weekly Briefing
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The "Weekly Briefing"
Each week, I will send you the "Weekly Briefing", where you will get the latest news on House District 26. These weekly briefings will ensure you know more than anybody else about what is happening in our district. When you are equipped and empowered, problems get solved and life gets better for everyone. Let's continue to make Texas a great place to live, work, and raise a family.
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Get updates throughout the week on Social Media!
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There is a lot that happens throughout the week that we post on our social media to keep you informed and on top of the latest happenings in District 26 and the Texas Capitol. Please follow us on your favorite social media platform.
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District Office
1108 Soldiers Field Dr, Ste 100
Sugar Land, TX 77479
(281) 240-0342
Monday-Wednesday 10:00-12:00
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Capitol Office
PO Box 2910, E2.716
Austin, TX 78768
(512) 463-0710
By Appointment Only
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You can reach out to #TeamJetton in the district, or in Austin. If you have questions, feedback, or need assistance with a state agency, please do not hesitate to reach out.
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