U.S. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX) has joined as a cosponsor of the Child Interstate Abortion Notification Act, which seeks to make it a federal crime to knowingly transport a minor across state lines for an abortion if the parental consent or notification requirements of their home state are not met.
Senator Cornyn stated, “Too often, minors are trafficked across state lines in an attempt to evade state laws and undermine the rights of parents. By making it illegal to transport a minor to another state for an abortion without abiding by the relevant laws and parental consent requirements, this legislation would honor the rights of parents, protect children, and save our most vulnerable lives.”
The bill is led by U.S. Senator Ashley Moody (R-FL) and has support from Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Kevin Cramer (R-ND), Jim Risch (R-ID), Steve Daines (R-MT), John Kennedy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), James Lankford (R-OK), and Pete Ricketts (R-NE).
If enacted, the act would change federal law so that transporting a minor across state borders for an abortion—when doing so avoids required parental involvement—would be illegal. The measure also targets those who perform abortions on minors brought into their states in violation of such requirements. Supporters say this will reinforce existing parental notification and consent laws even when a minor leaves her home state.
Organizations backing the legislation include National Right to Life, Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America, Students for Life Action, Priests for Life, Americans United for Life, and March for Life Action.
Senator Cornyn has served multiple terms representing Texas in the U.S. Senate. In 2020, he was re-elected after defeating MJ Hegar with 53.5% of the vote compared to Hegar’s 43.9%. He also won previous elections against David Alameel in 2014 with 61.6% of votes versus Alameel’s 34.3%, Ron Kirk in 2002 with 55% over Kirk’s 43%, and Rick Noriega in 2008 with 54.8% against Noriega’s 42.8%.
