Texas Gov. Dan Patrick (R) on Monday slammed Portland, Oregon, as a “garbage fire” over the city’s planned boycott of Texas over the recently enacted abortion ban.
Portland City Council will vote Wednesday on whether the trade in goods and services with The Lone Star State is prohibited and the work trips of state employees are also prohibited.
The ban will remain in effect until the state of Texas lifts the abortion ban or overturns it in court.
“It’s funny that the mayor of Portland, @tedwheeler, was worried about Texas when his city deployed police and had to ask citizens to‘ reclaim the city, ’” Patrick tweeted.
“Texas is #prolife and the Texans support law enforcement. Meanwhile, Portland is a garbage fire and Texas is thriving,” he said.
It’s funny that the mayor of Portland @tedwheeler is worried about Texas when his city defeated police and had to ask citizens to “reclaim the city.”
Texas is solid #prolife and jeans support law enforcement. Meanwhile, Portland is a garbage fire and Texas is thriving. https://t.co/wJnuCE1B86
– Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) September 5, 2021
Patrick separately criticized the planned boycott as a “complete joke.”
“The Texas boycott in Portland is a complete joke. A city run by depraved officials allows for illegality and endangers its citizens. A boycott will hurt them, not us. Texas ’economy is stronger than ever. We value babies and the police don’t, “said Patrick.
The Texas boycott in Portland is a complete joke. A city run by depraved officials allows for illegality and endangers its citizens. A boycott will hurt them, not us. Texas ’economy is stronger than ever. We value babies and the police, no.
– Dan Patrick (@DanPatrick) September 6, 2021
The Hill has contacted Wheeler’s office to comment.
The Portland boycott comes when Texas has faced a backlash against the abortion ban. Last week the Supreme Court voted 5-4 not to take on an emergency challenge to block the bill.
The legislation, SB 8, prohibits abortions once a “fetal heartbeat” is detected, which usually occurs six weeks after pregnancy.
The measure also allows citizens to sue people who perform or assist in an abortion in violation of the law. Plaintiffs could recover up to $ 10,000 in damages for each successful case.
Wheeler announced the town hall vote last week. He said in a statement that the law “shows no concern for the health, safety and well-being of people who may become pregnant.”
“It violates the separation of Church and State. And it will force people to get pregnant against their will, ”Wheeler said.