Jon Rosenthal has repeatedly opposed legislation supported by Texas Right to Life, including bills protecting babies in the womb, supporting pregnant women, and preventing taxpayer dollars from funding abortion-related travel.
Rosenthal has served in the Texas House of Representatives since 2019 and is now running for Texas Railroad Commissioner. This position oversees the state’s oil and gas industry, regulates pipelines, and helps ensure these resources are produced and transported safely. Even though the Railroad Commissioner does not directly make abortion laws, voters should still know where candidates stand on protecting human life.
During his time in office, he has voted against several Pro-Life bills and supported efforts to weaken abortion restrictions.
Here is what Jon Rosenthal’s record shows.
❌ Voted against laws protecting unborn babies
In 2019, Rosenthal voted Present, Not Voting on both readings of the Born-Alive Infant Protection Act (House Bill 16). This bill sought to ensure babies who survive attempted abortions receive the same medical care as other newborns.
He also opposed the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act (Senate Bill 22), spoke against it on the House floor, and supported amendments that Texas Right to Life considered attempts to weaken the bill.
In 2021, Rosenthal voted against the Texas Heartbeat Act (Senate Bill 8), which restricts most abortions after a baby’s heartbeat can be detected. He also voted against the Human Life Protection Act (Senate Bill 1280), Texas’ trigger law designed to prohibit most abortions after Roe was overturned.
All of these bills were designed to protect innocent babies in the womb, which Rosenthal did not care to advocate for.
❌ Opposed funding for Pro-Life pregnancy programs
Pregnancy centers and family support programs provide women with resources and alternatives to abortion.
Rosenthal repeatedly voted against efforts to increase funding for these programs.
- 2019: Voted against two amendments that would have added $52 million to the Alternatives to Abortion program.
- 2021: Voted to cut $20 million from the program and against an amendment that would have added $20 million.
- 2023: Voted against amendments that would have added $80 million and $25 million to the program.
- 2025: Voted against amendments that would have increased funding for the Thriving Texas Families program.
In 2025, he also voted against the legislation addressing funding protections for Pro-Life pregnancy centers (Senate Bill 1388). This measure sought to ensure that Thriving Texas Families funds went only to Pro-Life providers.
❌ Voted against abortion-pill protections
Abortion-inducing drugs can end the life of an unborn baby and pose serious risks to women.
In 2021, Rosenthal voted against chemical abortion protections included in Senate Bill 4. He also supported amendments that Texas Right to Life considered attempts to weaken the bill.
In 2025, he voted against the Woman and Child Protection Act (House Bill 7), which allows civil lawsuits against people who illegally traffic abortion-inducing drugs into Texas.
These votes show where Rosenthal stands. He repeatedly opposed efforts to protect babies from abortion pills and voted against holding those who illegally traffic these drugs into Texas accountable. His record reflects a clear pattern of opposing stronger protections for mothers and their children.
❌ Voted against stopping taxpayer-funded abortion travel
Taxpayer dollars should help Texans in need, not fund efforts to end a baby’s life.
In 2025, Rosenthal voted against the Stop Tax-Funded Abortion Travel Act (Senate Bill 33). This law restricts local governments from using taxpayer money to fund abortion organizations or help women and teens travel out of state for abortions.
❌ Supported other measures opposed by Texas Right to Life
Rosenthal’s record includes other actions that concerned Texas Right to Life.
In 2025, he voted for a bill that would require abortifacient emergency contraception for sexual assault survivors regardless of a healthcare professional’s conscientious objection (House Bill 220).
He also voted against the perinatal palliative care referral bill (House Bill 1233) and supported amendments that Texas Right to Life considered attempts to weaken it.
Perinatal palliative care focuses on keeping the baby comfortable and supporting the family when the baby has a condition that may mean the child will not survive long after birth. It can include help with pain relief, medical care, emotional support, and making a plan for the baby’s birth and time with family.
Additionally, Rosenthal did not coauthor the Health Care Conscience Protection Act (House Bill 1424) in 2021, which sought to protect medical professionals from being forced to participate in procedures that violate their beliefs.
Rosenthal’s Pro-Life scorecard
Texas Right to Life gave Rosenthal the following scores for his voting and legislative record:
- 2019: 0%
- 2021: 0%
- 2023: 29%
- 2025: 0%
He also received a 0% Faith & Family score from Texas Values Action in 2025. That score covered multiple policy areas, not just abortion.
In July 2022, he signed a letter to President Joe Biden requesting action to expand abortion access following the Supreme Court’s decision overturning Roe.
Why his record matters
The Texas Railroad Commission oversees the state’s oil and gas industry and important energy regulations. Although the position does not make abortion laws, voters can still consider a candidate’s record on protecting human life.
Rosenthal’s legislative history includes repeated opposition to bills to protect babies in the womb, support pregnant women, and prevent taxpayer dollars from funding abortion-related travel.
Every baby in the womb has value. Understanding where candidates stand on protecting human life matters when evaluating who will represent Texas.