Cox’s fetus was diagnosed on Nov. 27 with trisomy 18, a genetic abnormality that usually results in miscarriage, stillbirth or death soon after birth. Cox, who is about 20 weeks pregnant, said in her lawsuit that she would need to undergo her third Caesarian section if she continues the pregnancy. That could jeopardize her ability to have more children, which she said she and her husband wanted.

I know the answer, but the question deserves to be asked anyway: what the fuck does Ken Paxton gain by drawing a line here?? It’s just dumb and cruel. There’s no spinning this, I’m just…still in shock whenever conservatives reveal so transparently how much this is about control over preservation of life, an illusion they used to make at least some effort to maintain.

“The idea that Ms. Cox wants desperately to be a parent, and this law might actually cause her to lose that ability, is shocking and would be a genuine miscarriage of justice,” said Guerra Gamble in Austin, Texas, state court, at Thursday’s hearing.

It’s heartening to hear someone in authority speak some sense, but the fact Ms. Cox or any other person like her was ever in this position to begin with…I just can’t stomach it.