Texas Bishops Congratulate Winners, Reaffirm Agenda
Catholic leaders say their pro-life legislative priorities for the 90th Texas Legislative Session remain unchanged after Democrats' midterm gains.
Updated on Nov. 5, 2026 in Catholicism
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Democrats won every major statewide office and gained a majority in the Texas House in Tuesday's midterm elections, while Republicans kept control of the Texas Senate. The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued a Nov. 5 message congratulating the winners and reaffirming its legislative agenda.
Why it matters
The bishops stated that the principles of Catholic social and moral teaching guiding their work remain unchanged, signaling continued advocacy regardless of the incoming leadership. For Texas residents, the shift in statewide offices may shape how abortion-related laws are enforced in the coming legislative cycle.
The Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issued its congratulatory message on Nov. 5, 2026, and tied its advocacy to priorities set for the 90th Texas Legislative Session. The extraction does not detail specific bill numbers or vote counts tied to those priorities.
The players
Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops
The state-level body representing the Catholic bishops of Texas, which advocates on public policy matters including pro-life legislation.
Nathan Johnson
The Democratic attorney general-elect of Texas who has said he will not continue lawsuits against out-of-state abortion pill providers.
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller
The Catholic archbishop of San Antonio who issued a postelection statement encouraging continued civic engagement.
The details
Archbishop Gustavo García-Siller of San Antonio issued a postelection statement encouraging continued civic engagement. Attorney general-elect Nathan Johnson said he will not continue Ken Paxton's lawsuits against out-of-state providers who mailed abortion pills into Texas, though he will respect other states' shield laws.
Timeline
Nov. 5, 2026: Texas Catholic Conference of Bishops issues congratulatory message to election winners.
90th Texas Legislative Session: Bishops plan to advocate for their legislative priorities.
Need to Know
Attorney general-elect Nathan Johnson's stated departure from Ken Paxton's suits against out-of-state abortion pill providers marks a shift in how Texas's pro-life laws would be enforced. The bishops' reaffirmed agenda continues their longstanding advocacy for these laws, now under a changed statewide leadership.
Texans may see changes in how abortion-related laws are enforced depending on how the incoming attorney general handles out-of-state abortion pill providers. Residents following these issues can track the 90th Texas Legislative Session for bills tied to the bishops' stated priorities.
The takeaway
The bishops' message signals that their advocacy will continue regardless of which party holds statewide office, so readers following Texas abortion policy should watch the upcoming legislative session closely.
What happens next
The 90th Texas Legislative Session is the upcoming venue where the bishops plan to advocate for their legislative priorities.
Further reading
Explore more on Catholicism in the Texas section.
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Should Texas attorneys general enforce state abortion laws even if they personally disagree?
