Much has been written in the Irish media about the Texas ‘Heartbeat Act’ which seeks to ban abortion after six weeks of pregnancy – and much of the commentary has been wholly negative and opposed to the Texas law.
You could be forgiven for thinking that the American people were wholeheartedly opposed to the Texan measure. Turns out that’s not the case.
A new poll has found, in fact, that more Americans support the Texas Heartbeat Act than oppose it. The poll, conducted by US polling company Rasmussen, found that 46% of respondents agreed with the Texas law, while 43% opposed it.
The poll is indicative that – despite vocal opposition from many, including some big-name celebrities – Americans by-in-large support the move to outlaw abortions after a baby’s heartbeat can be detected, at approximately six weeks gestation.
The new Rasmussen poll asked likely voters, “The Supreme Court has refused to block a new Texas law that effectively prohibits most abortions after six weeks of pregnancy. Do you support or oppose the Texas law?”
The findings are significant, revealing a high level of support for the law, despite it coming under heavy fire from the US abortion industry and many media outlets.
One other commonly-peddled assertion about the legislation is the claim that a preborn baby’s heartbeat doesn’t exist as early as six weeks after gestation. However, scientific research proves that the embryonic heart begins to beat approximately three weeks after fertilisation. By 4 weeks, the heart typically beats between 105 and 121 times per minute, according to Endowment for Human Development (EHD).
Taking to Twitter, Planned Parenthood Action argued that nearly all Americans support widespread abortion, and that the Texas law is, therefore, extreme.
“It’s not controversial: Abortion is safe, essential health care,” Planned Parenthood Action Fund tweeted. The organisation also said that “80% of Americans support the right to abortion”, urging followers, “don’t let certain politicians control the narrative”.
The arguments made by the abortion provider and associated pro-abortion organisations are reminiscent of the ‘#7in10’ claim, made in 2015, to mark the 45th anniversary of Roe v. Wade (the landmark decision that decided abortion was a ‘constitutional right’ across US states).
Despite claims from abortion advocates that abortion enjoys broad-based support, the new polling stipulates that the reality is likely much more nuanced. While polling has found that most Americans support the idea of legal abortion, only an estimated 12% of Americans agree with abortion on demand, especially when paid for by the taxpayer.
Lila Rose, Founder of American pro-life organisation Live Action, responded to the new Rasmussen poll on Twitter, urging pro-lifers not to let the abortion industry “control the media narrative”.
“Despite the insane media bias & lies, more Americans support banning abortion after the baby’s heartbeat can be detected than support it. America is trending pro-life!” Rose wrote, adding, “It is still a great tragedy and a consequence of the extreme propaganda coming from the pro-abortion side that 43% of Americans support the ‘right’ to kill a child in the first several weeks of his or her life. Many are well-intentioned & have been misled. Education is key.”
It is still a great tragedy and a consequence of the extreme propaganda coming from the pro-abortion side that 43% of Americans support the "right" to kill a child in the first several weeks of his or her life. Many are well-intentioned & have been misled. Education is key.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) September 7, 2021
The polling comes as fall-out from the new law continues to manifest itself in the business world. Yelp, an online directory for food and businesses, is reportedly planning to “double match” employee donations to pro-abortion groups opposing the new Texas Heartbeat Act, according to the Wall Street Journal.
Earlier this month, a video game developer CEO made headlines after he was ousted from his company after giving his support to the Texan pro-life law.
While many major entertainment companies and video game publishers have publicly weighed in on political topics, this is generally done in support of liberal policies, seldom against.
John Gibson, the CEO of Tripwire Interactive, the video game publisher behind the titles ‘Chivalry’ and ‘Killing Floor’ found himself out of a job after publicly voicing his ‘pro-life’ views in the wake of the Texas law.
Gibson stated that as an entertainer he doesn’t get political often, but chose to speak out on the issue because of how vocal ‘pro-choice’ supporters are in vocalizing their political views on social media, generally without repercussions.
“Proud of #USSupremeCourt affirming the Texas law banning abortion for babies with a heartbeat. As an entertainer I don’t get political often. Yet with so many vocal peers on the other side of this issue, I felt it was important to go on the record as a pro-life game developer,” Gibson tweeted, which led to him effectively being ‘cancelled’.
His remarks sparked a furious outcry from both game developers and game journalists alike, triggering over 10,000 comments and 6,000 retweets, with many vowing to ‘boycott’ Tripwire’s video games.
Lila Rose of Live Action, who reach millions of people daily with their pro-life content, offered support to pro-life business owners and employees, writing, “Do not let the media or random accounts on Twitter intimidate you. More Americans side with Texas’ Heartbeat law than against it. The radical pro-abortion support of some of your misled colleagues WILL backfire. Be brave. Stand up for life.”
Business leaders: Do not let the media or random accounts on Twitter intimidate you. More Americans side with Texas' Heartbeat law than against it. The radical pro-abortion support of some of your misled colleagues WILL backfire. Be brave. Stand up for life.
— Lila Rose (@LilaGraceRose) September 7, 2021
In response to the Texas law going into effect, President Joe Biden (who was officially endorsed by Planned Parenthood in June 2020 thanks to his support for wide-ranging abortion) promised a “whole-of-government” effort to maintain abortion in Texas.
The Justice Department subsequently filed a lawsuit in federal court over the law, saying the state acted “in open defiance of the Constitution” in restricting “most pre-viability abortions.”
Earlier this month, a doctor in Texas was sued by two non-Texas residents after he openly said he carried out an abortion on an unborn child in violation of the state law. The case appears to be the first legal action taken under the law.