Texas Senate passes bill targeting makers of abortion-inducing drugs

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Senate Bill 6, which aims to “protect unborn children,” passed the Texas Senate on Tuesday.

SB 6 would prohibit the manufacture, distribution, mailing, transporting, delivery and prescribing of abortion-inducing pills, as well as allow private citizens in Texas to file suit against people or companies that manufacture or distribute abortion-inducing pills in the state. Abortion is already almost totally banned in Texas.

The bill was filed by Sen. Brian Hughes, R-Tyler. A similar bill passed the Senate during the regular session; however, it died in the House.

“The moms are victims here,” Hughes said. “What we will go after with SB 6 is the manufacturers and the distributors of these drugs that are making them for the purpose of illegal abortions.”

In response to the bill’s passage, Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick said protecting life was a priority of his and the Texas Senate.

“We passed SB 6 … to ensure that abortion-inducing drugs are not distributed in Texas for the purpose of obtaining an illegal abortion,” Patrick said. “The Texas Senate will continue passing this pro-life protection each legislative session.”