Attorney General Garland promises Justice Department will protect abortion seekers in Texas

Protesters hold signs at an abortion rally at the Texas State Capitol in 2019. — Protesters against abortion restrictions gathered at the Texas State Capitol on May 21, 2019.
Eric Gay/AP

US Attorney General Merrick Garland pledged to protect Texas abortion seekers and providers.
A federal law prohibits the use or threat of force that interferes with someone obtaining reproductive health services.
Garland said federal law enforcement will get involved when a clinic is under attack.

The Department of Justice has pledged to uphold a federal law that protects individuals seeking reproductive health services in the wake of a near-total ban on abortions in Texas.

In a statement on Monday, US Attorney Merrick Garland said that federal law enforcement will get involved if an abortion clinic or reproductive health center "is under attack."

"We will continue to protect those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services," Garland said.

Garland cited the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act, which bars people from preventing others from entering health care clinics.

"The department has consistently obtained criminal and civil remedies for violations of the FACE Act since it was signed into law in 1994, and it will continue to do so now," Garland said in the statement.

The new Texas law bans abortions once medical professionals can detect cardiac activity, which begins around six weeks. Many people don't know that they are pregnant that early.

The ban has no exceptions for cases of rape or incest, only for cases of medical emergencies.

However, the law doesn't create criminal penalties for those who seek abortions. Instead, it deputized citizens to enforce the law by allowing private individuals to sue women who have had abortions.

It's unclear whether enforcing the FACE Act will have any effect on deterring Texans from suing abortion seekers.

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott signed the law, known as SB 8, on May 19.

The Justice Department is exploring "all options to challenge Texas SB8," the statement from Garland said. Meanwhile, the federal agency will also work to ensure that those seeking an abortion are not intimidated.

"We will not tolerate violence against those seeking to obtain or provide reproductive health services, physical obstruction or property damage in violation of the FACE Act," he said.

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