In Texas’ first post-Roe legislative session, there’s a new political power dynamic on abortion

Abortion opponents attend a Rally for Life march at the state Capitol in Austin on Jan. 27, 2018. (Credit: Shelby Knowles for The Texas Tribune)

For decades, the abortion battle lines in the Texas Legislature were as clearly drawn as they were deeply entrenched. Every two years, Republicans would try to find new and novel ways to outwit Roe v. Wade, while Democrats relied on the courts as a bulwark against further restrictions.

But now, the deed is done, the war is won and abortion is almost entirely banned in Texas. The number of monthly legal abortions in the state has dwindled into the low single digits.