The Texas Senate passed a bill this week that will outlaw public funds from being used for abortion travel.
Senate Bill 33 prevents “transactions and logistical support between a governmental entity and an abortion assistance entity or abortion provider for the procurement of an abortion or related services.” It also authorizes the attorney general or private citizens to file civil lawsuits against violators. It passed the Senate on Wednesday by a 22-9 vote.
Sen. Donna Campbell sponsored the bill, which was reportedly a priority of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick. Campbell said the bill was necessary because several Texas cities, including Austin and San Antonio, have been appropriating taxpayer funds to pay for their citizens to travel out of state for abortions. In October 2024, Attorney General Ken Paxton sued the city of Austin after it allocated $400,000 to an abortion travel fund, while on April 7, he sued San Antonio after the city council approved $100,000 to be given to abortion organizations, which could include funding for abortion-related travel expenses.
Abortion funds often pay for numerous expenses, including travel, hotel, and food costs, to help Texas residents kill their preborn children out of state.
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“This bill, SB 33, ensures taxpayer funds are not used to indirectly support or facilitate out-of-state abortion services by explicitly prohibiting government transactions with abortion assistance entities,” said Campbell.
Patrick issued a statement following the bill’s passage in the Senate.
“Since 2021, abortions in Texas have essentially ground to a halt. A number of rogue, liberal cities have done everything in their power to skirt state law,” he said, “including paying for out-of-state travel for abortions on-demand outside Texas. This is unacceptable.”
He added, “The Senate’s passage of SB 33 draws a line in the sand, prohibiting these cities from using taxpayer dollars to fund abortion-related travel to circumvent state law. I thank Sen. Campbell for her leadership on this bill to protect life in Texas.”
The bill has been sent to the House for consideration.
