In a move that has sparked controversy, the city of San Antonio faces a lawsuit over its $500,000 “Reproductive Justice Fund.” Pro-life activists argue that this fund could be used to assist women in obtaining out-of-state abortions, potentially violating Texas law. While the city council approved the fund with the intent of aiding reproductive health organizations, opponents claim it could enable the use of taxpayer dollars for abortions that circumvent Texas regulations.
The lawsuit contends that pro-abortion organizations, such as Jane’s Due Process and the Lilith Fund for Reproductive Equity, which advocated for the fund, are openly involved in helping women get abortions outside the state. These groups may be eligible to receive money from the fund, raising concerns that taxpayer dollars will be used to facilitate out-of-state abortions, a practice prohibited by Texas law. Furthermore, it is argued that assisting these organizations in any way would contribute to criminal activities, creating a moral and legal dilemma.
Texas law prohibits state citizens from “knowingly procuring” an abortion, a measure that came into effect after the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade in June 2022. In some instances, women who receive chemical abortions may take the first pill outside the state, returning to Texas for the final dose that induces the abortion. This practice raises questions about the legality and morality of aiding and abetting abortions that occur outside the state’s jurisdiction.
The lawsuit contends that facilitating self-managed abortions is also illegal under Texas law, as it could involve the “intentional killing of an unborn child at every stage of gestation from fertilization until birth.” Consequently, groups that use the fund for self-managed abortions could be seen as criminal organizations, further complicating the debate around the Reproductive Justice Fund.
Proponents of the lawsuit argue that many San Antonio residents, who pay taxes, are concerned that their money may be used to assist women in obtaining out-of-state abortions. These residents not only want the city to embrace pro-life values but also object to their tax dollars potentially breaking the law or supporting illegal abortions.
The lawsuit aims to declare the fund “invalid” and inconsistent with Texas’s general laws, seeking a temporary injunction to prevent the fund’s distribution for the duration of the lawsuit. This legal battle highlights the deep divisions on the issue of abortion and the issue of whether or not taxpayer funds should be used to support these procedures.
