James Talarico, a candidate for the U.S. Senate in Texas, proposed a bill that replaced the term "woman" with "pregnant individual" in legislation aimed at protecting abortion rights in Texas. The bill sought to prevent the prosecution of individuals undergoing abortions and to eliminate existing regulations on abortion. However, it did not progress past committee consideration.
Talarico's bill has faced scrutiny as he campaigns against Republican challenger Ken Paxton, the state's attorney general. In a recent interview, Talarico stated, "I know there are two sexes, men and women," while acknowledging the existence of chromosomal abnormalities that deserve respect.
His campaign emphasized the abortion aspect of the bill, without addressing the gender terminology. A spokesperson stated that Talarico supports women's autonomy in making decisions about their bodies.
The discussion around Talarico's bill coincides with similar legislation in New York, which aims to make legal language more inclusive by replacing terms like "mother" with "gestating parent." This New York bill has passed both the General Assembly and Senate and is awaiting Governor Kathy Hochul's approval.
Critics of Talarico's bill argue that it reflects a disconnect from Texas values. An RNC spokesperson described Talarico as someone who threatens traditional values, labeling him as "insane" and influenced by a "woke mind virus."