Another bill, S.B. 415, passed the state senate by a 21-9 vote.
The ban on "dismemberment abortions" would bar "dilation and evacuation" procedures, which use surgical instruments to grasp the unborn baby and remove his or her parts while he or she is still alive. The procedure is the most common second-trimester abortion procedure.
However, the Texas Alliance for Life is not in favor of the bill's passage.
"We look forward to the day when laws protect all unborn babies from abortion and the courts uphold those laws," Pojman said. "Unfortunately, a ban on dismemberment abortion would never be enforced, and it would save no lives."
He said the bill had zero chance to survive a federal court challenge and could create a precedent to make overturning Roe v. Wade more difficult.
"We believe it to be naive and harmful to pursue such legislation this session given the makeup of the Supreme Court now and for the foreseeable future. Since these bills will set the pro-life movement back rather than moving us forward, we cannot support these bills."
A loss in federal court would also fund the abortion movement, as the state is required to pay plaintiff attorney fees if the plaintiff wins on constitutional issues.
Pojman pointed to the Whole Woman's Health v. Hellerstedt case, which successfully challenged parts of a Texas law requiring more safety regulations at abortion clinics.
The abortion providers are asking for $4.5 million in legal costs.
"We do not know what they will end up receiving," Pojman said. "We do know, however, that whatever the attorneys for the abortion providers receive will be used to attack other pro-life laws in Texas and in other states."
Correction: This article originally said that the Texas Alliance for Life "opposed" SB415. In fact, the group is not in favor of its passage, but does not openly oppose it.
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Kevin J. Jones is a senior staff writer with Catholic News Agency. He was a recipient of a 2014 Catholic Relief Services' Egan Journalism Fellowship.