Harris County Attorney Christian D. Menefee’s Statement on Abortion Bill Signed into Law by Texas Governor Greg Abbott
Houston, Texas (May 19, 2021) —Today, Texas Governor Greg Abbott signed into law an
abortion bill barring most abortions at the onset of a fetal heartbeat, which can occur as early as
six weeks into pregnancy.
“The Governor just signed into law one of the most restrictive abortion prohibition laws in the
country. It bans abortions as early as 6 weeks—before most women even know they’re pregnant--and
allows any person to sue doctors and their staff for performing an abortion (even if the person has
no connection to the patient). This law is morally reprehensible, unconstitutional, and nothing
more than a blatant attempt to limit women’s access to healthcare. I look forward to the courts
invalidating this law, but it’s embarrassing that we even got this far.”
About the Harris County Attorney’s Office
Christian D. Menefee serves as the Harris County Attorney, the County's chief civil lawyer. The
Harris County Attorney's Office is committed to protecting and proactively advocating for the
interests of Harris County residents and government through the civil justice system. Menefee
continues to be a voice for the people, standing up for vulnerable communities and using civil
actions to ensure our rights are protected and expanded.