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Will GOP Texas lawmaker's anti-abortion bill give death penalty to violators? Internet says 'rapists get less'

The bill, which did not account for instances of rape or incest, did however exempt life-threatening cases of ectopic pregnancies

A Republican state lawmaker in Texas introduced an anti-abortion bill on Tuesday, March 9, which criminalizes a woman and her doctor for having or performing an abortion, making it punishable by charges that may carry the death penalty. The bill seeks to direct the state attorney general to enforce penalty charges for "assaultive offenses" and "criminal homicide" if an abortion is performed, regardless of any "contrary federal statute, regulation, treaty, order, or court decision".

"Today, I filed HB 3326 to Abolish Abortion in Texas," state Rep Bryan Slaton said on Twitter. "The bill will end the discriminatory practice of terminating the life of innocent children, and will guarantee the equal protection of the laws to all Texans, no matter how small," he said. Slaton’s bill did not list any co-authors but would require a two-thirds vote in favor of the measure for it to immediately go into effect.

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The bill, which did not account for instances of rape or incest, did however exempt life-threatening cases of ectopic pregnancies where "a reasonable alternative to save the lives of both the mother and the unborn child is unavailable". In 2017, Republican state Rep Tony Tinderholt had similarly introduced legislation that would classify abortion as a homicide, according to the Texas Tribune.

Twitter was outraged with the news. "Wow what the F*** death penalty for abortion?! They just want to kill women eh? This is the definitive thread on pregnancy sex and abortion no joke I simply will never see it the same way again," said a user. "how do you permit the death penalty but abhor abortions?" said another. "death penalty should also be given to the man who impregnates a woman seeking an abortion. he could’ve prevented it," said a netizen.

'Ironic how baby itself can give mother death penalty'

Other netizens brought things to perspective, elaborating on economic and health issues faced by women. "Now more than ever many women who use drugs are homeless because of economic challenges brought about by the COVID-19 pandemic. Homelessness means endless rape of women who use drugs, physical violence, death, unwanted pregnancy, abortion, STI, HIV," said a tweet. "It’s ironic considering how sometimes the baby itself can give a woman the death penalty if she does not get an abortion," said another, referring to complications in pregnancy. 

'Rapists and murderers get less'

"#Texas lawmaker files bill that’d abolish & criminalize #abortions, leaving women and physicians to face criminal charges, including the #death penalty. Confirmation that anti-abortion bills aren’t concerned with life, but on controlling one’s actions," said a Twitter user. "This makes no damn sense. They allow a death penalty for women who make the choice for abortion, but the rapists don't get that after they could have been reasons for those women's choices? Where is the death penalty for the assholes who hunt endangered wildlife as a hobby?" said another.

Others said that politicians are in it for their own selfish reasons. "They use abortion as a religion thing to pull in conservatives, then when they ain't looking they suppress the black votes and then worse they won't help starving children or allow kids and people to freeze to death so their pockets can get heavier," said a tweet. "The death penalty for abortion? Are you KIDDING me?! Rapists and murderers get less," said another.

'Thou shalt not kill, or did the Bible stutter?'

"So, I've been doing some thinking. Juxtaposing the death penalty and abortion. I think if I'm going to be against one, I must also be against the other. I don't think God sees a difference," said a tweet. "Both result in the death of something. Thou shalt not kill, or did the Bible stutter? Don't force that shit on other people if even you can't follow it.

"Bad mistake" is a matter of opinion. Had an abortion, will have another if it comes to it. Stay mad," said another. "Broke: death penalty for abortion Woke: death penalty for being pregnant," a Twitter user quipped.