Texas lawmaker receives death threats after introducing bill that will criminalize abortion

A Texas lawmaker was placed under state protection after he received death threats following his filing of a bill that would criminalize abortion in the state.

The Texas Department of Public Safety is providing the security for Rep. Tony Tinderholt and his family after the legislator received multiple death threats.

Tinderholt's political consultant, Luke Macias, has revealed that the Arlington Police and the Tarrant County Sherrif's Office were also called in due to the number of threats and that an investigation is underway.

"Representative Tinderholt and his family have received multiple death threats leading to his family being placed under DPS protection on multiple occasions," Micah Cavanaugh, Tinderholt's chief of staff, said in a statement, according to the Texas Tribune.

"Specifics to the threats cannot be discussed due to an ongoing investigation, and we do not intend to speak on behalf of law enforcement," he added.

The threats began after Tinderholt introduced the Abolition of Abortion in Texas Act on Jan. 11, according to Macias. The bill seeks to amend the state code to declare that a child's life begins at "the moment of fertilization."

The legislation would allow abortion practitioners and women who acquire abortions to be charged with murder. The bill carries an exception for cases when the mother's life is in jeopardy.

"I'm pretty passionate about the pro-life movement," Tinderholt said when he filed the bill.

"When you read and see how abortions are performed, and how they end the life of an innocent child, it amazes me that we allow that." he added.

Abortion advocates described the bill as the "most extreme measure" in the state legislature this year.

Tinderholt said that the measure was created in response to the language in the Texas Republican Party platform, which called for a complete abolition of abortion in the state.

Macias said that while Tinderholt and his wife received death threats over the issue, there was also positive feedback from the pro-life community, Christian News reported.

"Local law enforcement have been very protective of him and his family," Macias remarked. "The truth is that he has received a tremendous amount of feedback—both positive and negative—on the subject of his legislation," he added.