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Texas's attorney general reportedly sent employees home to 'celebrate' the overturning of Roe v Wade and declared an annual 'sanctity of life' holiday

Jun 24, 2022, 23:53 IST
Business Insider
Pro-choice signs hang on a police barricade at the U.S. Supreme Court Building in Washington, DC, on May 3, 2022.Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
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After the Supreme Court today overturned Roe v Wade on Friday, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent employees home from work and declared a yearly "sanctity of life" holiday, according to an email tweeted by ProPublica reporter J. David McSwane.

The email was listed as from Brent Webster, first assistant attorney general in Texas. The office has about 4,000 employees, per its government website. Paxton's office did not respond to requests for comment.

"Going forward, today will be an annual agency holiday to commemorate the sanctity of life," the email said.

The note added that people should not work after noon on Friday. People who are approved to work anyway are eligible for comp time, suggesting the day off is paid for everyone. The email added court appearances or hearings should be "covered."

"Attorney General Paxton and the entire Executive Leadership Team wish you and your families a safe and enjoyable 'Sanctity of Life,' holiday," the email finished.

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Paxton himself has long been against abortion rights. Last year, Texas passed a "trigger law" that will outlaw abortion in the 30 days after Roe v Wade was overturned, with the only exceptions being if the person is going to die or if they are facing "substantial impairment of major bodily function," per the Texas Tribune.

Many states are likely to restrict access to or ban most abortions in the wake of the ruling.

Companies like Netflix and Tesla have said they will cover the cost for employees to get an abortion out of state, which has cost some much as $10,000, Insider previously reported.

Business leaders have also reacted to the ruling in general. Most people in the US support abortion being legal.

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