Explainer: Two more states pass fetal heartbeat legislation

On Monday the governor of Oklahoma signed into law a bill that bars most abortions after a fetal heartbeat can be detected. Then on Tuesday, the governor of Idaho signed a similar bill that contains a “trigger provision,” meaning it won't go into effect unless a federal appeals court somewhere in the country upholds similar fetal heartbeat legislation from another state. These are the latest abortion restrictions to be passed in the U.S. that impose a gestational ban (i.e., a law that prohibits abortion after a specific point in pregnancy).

This Week in Washington, D.C.

In response to the current border crisis, Sens. John Cornyn (R–Texas) and Kyrsten Sinema (D–Ariz.) and Reps. Henry Cuellar (D–Texas) and Tony Gonzales (R–Texas) introduced the Bipartisan Border Solutions Act.

Russell Moore, president of the ERLC, said in an Evangelical Immigration Table press release commending the bipartisan and bicameral effort that he was “heartened to see a real across-the-aisle effort being made by these senators and representatives.” Moore continued:

“Developing a solution for our broken immigration system shouldn’t be a partisan process. But we should be clear-eyed about this: Addressing both the humanitarian and security concerns that plague our immigration system, particularly as it relates to our southern border, will take careful work by leaders at every level of local, state, and federal authority. That is why introducing legislation, as these members of Congress have done, is so important. It creates an avenue for real reforms to advance. We will be praying that our leaders in Washington act on this opportunity.”

Today, the ERLC policy team sent a letter from Moore to the members and their staff, thanking them for leadership that “proves what many of us know to be true — that border security need not be in conflict with our history and heritage as a welcoming nation for those fleeing persecution.”

From The Public Square

Oklahoma governor signs 3 anti-abortion bills into law
Associated Press

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt signed three anti-abortion bills into law on Monday, including ones to criminalize the procedure in certain cases and cost providers their medical licenses for performing them.

Texas prisons reverse course, will allow religious advisers in execution chamber
Texas Tribune

The U.S. Supreme Court has twice stopped Texas executions over claims that previous prison policies were discriminatory and violated religious freedoms.

Alabama Gov. Ivey signs ban on transgender athletes
Associated Press

Alabama is the latest conservative state to ban transgender girls from playing on female public school sports teams.

Tennessee could require fetal remains be buried or cremated
Associated Press

It will now be up to Tennessee's Republican Gov. Bill Lee to decide whether some medical providers will be required to cremate or bury fetal remains from surgical abortions.

What You Need to Read

Seth Woodley with How literature teaches us about leadership: Cultivating virtue through reading

Literature helps shape virtue, which is essential for any meaningful or lasting leadership. Good stories stick with us and shape us consciously and subconsciously. Leaders need to be people of virtue and strong character. Literature also helps us cultivate empathy by seeing things from someone else’s perspective.

Josh Wester, Jordan Wootten, Brett McCracken with Why we desperately need wisdom in this age of information

Though the age of information has created a real predicament for us, we are not called to yield to the currents of our day that are sending us downstream and away from the path of life. Instead, as Christians, we are called to swim upstream toward wisdom and toward true human flourishing.

Ericka Andersen with Why a Second Chance for Incarcerated Men is Important

One of the most COVID-effected demographics is rarely mentioned: Prisoners. Already a population incredibly vulnerable to substance abuse, depression and loneliness, the toll for safety was high — and didn’t ultimately protect them very well.

This Week at the ERLC

Featured Podcasts

On WeeklyTech, Jason Thacker is joined by Dr. Matthew Arbo, Associate Professor of Theological Studies and Director of the Center for Faith and Public Life at Oklahoma Baptist University. Arbo joins the podcast to talk about his work in public theology and virtue ethics.

This week on Capitol Conversations, Jeff Pickering, Chelsea Patterson Sobolik, and Travis Wussow are honored to welcome Gayle Manchin, Chair of the United States Commission on International Religious Freedom, to discuss USCIRF’s recently released annual report.