Though Texas follows several other states in passing a law to ban abortions after a pulse is detected, the "Texas Heartbeat Act" is unique.
Heartbeat legislation bans abortions after a heartbeat can be detected, typically occurring around 6 to 12 gestational weeks.
If passed into law, the bill would ban abortions when a heartbeat can be heard in the womb. Lawmakers diverge on how to enforce it.
This week — a look at Texas politics this week as committee hearings rapidly heated up.
State legislators are now looking to establish recourse against the City of Austin and other cities that cut police funding for its actions last summer.
The proposal would ban abortions after a heartbeat is detected. In 2019, the legislation died in a committee chaired by a Democrat.
Of the new candidates running for Texas state House seats, five are running without any major party opposition.
Candidates endorsed by Gov. Abbott in the runoffs saw mixed results, with those running for open seats coming out on top and those already in office losing.
GOP challengers Bryan Slaton and Shelby Slawson have secured electoral victory after routs of their incumbent opponents.
This week — developments in hot runoff races, including Gov. Abbott clashing with a retiring lawmaker, new attack ads, and endorsements from former rivals.
Throughout election night, it looked like challenger Shelby Slawson might beat Rep. J.D. Sheffield without a runoff. The two are headed for a May rematch.
