Tesla has committed to covering travel-related expenses for workers who’re forced to exit of state to have an abortion after Elon Musk’s electric automotive outfit recently relocated to Texas, where the governor has vowed to outlaw the procedure.
Musk has been hailed by conservatives for his pledge to amass Twitter and alter its content moderation policies in addition to his stated desire to vote for Republican candidates, though his automotive maker’s abortion-friendly policy flies within the face of his rightward turn.
The Post has reached out to Tesla in search of comment.
The Supreme Court on Friday overturned Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 ruling which legalized abortion nationwide.
The controversial ruling comes weeks after the web news site Politico published a leaked draft of the choice — which prompted outrage from abortion rights advocates.
Get The Post’s latest updates following the Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade.
In the times following the Politico scoop, Tesla was amongst several firms to announce that it could extend additional medical advantages to employees who’re forced to travel out of state to hunt an abortion.
Musk last yr relocated Tesla’s headquarters from deep-blue California to Texas, which is about to issue a complete ban on abortions.AFP via Getty Images
On Friday, several firms including Netflix, Disney, Paramount, JPMorgan Chase, and others told their employees that they’d cover out-of-state travel costs for those in search of abortions.
The automotive maker officially moved its corporate headquarters last yr from Silicon Valley to Texas, which passed a law banning abortions at roughly six weeks of pregnancy.
Texas can be one in all 13 states to have passed a so-called “trigger law” which imposes a blanket ban on abortions once the nation’s highest court overturns Roe v. Wade.
The Supreme Court decision opens the door for as many as 23 states within the union to criminalize abortion.
Texas’ GOP-dominated state legislature has passed a “trigger law” that will mechanically ban abortions if the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade.Getty Images
Texas Gov. Greg Abbott released an announcement on Friday welcoming the high court’s ruling.
The Republican governor vowed to proceed to work the state’s GOP-controlled state legislature to “save every child from the ravages of abortion and help our expectant moms in need.”
“The US Supreme Court appropriately overturned Roe v. Wade and reinstated the correct of states to guard innocent, unborn children,” Abbott said.
“Texas is a pro-life state, and now we have taken significant motion to guard the sanctity of life.”
The governor added: “Texas has also prioritized supporting women’s healthcare and expectant moms in need to offer them the vital resources in order that they’ll select life for his or her child.”
“Texas will at all times fight for the innocent unborn,” he said.
Tesla said in its 2021 “Impact Report” released in May that it expanded its Safety Net program and medical insurance offerings last yr to incorporate “travel and lodging support for many who might have to hunt healthcare services which can be unavailable of their home state.”
Even before the Supreme Court ruling on Friday, Texas had among the most restrictive anti-abortion laws on the books.Getty Images
Meanwhile, Republican lawmakers are taking aim at corporations offering to assist women in search of abortions in states with less restrictive laws.
Texas State Representative Briscoe Cain, a Republican, has said he would propose laws barring local governments within the state from doing business with any company that gives travel advantages for workers in search of abortions.
Nationally, Sen. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) introduced a bill that will prohibit firms from claiming tax deductions for such costs.
Musk didn’t immediately reply to a request for comment, but he tweeted in September that he believes “government should rarely impose its will upon the people, and, when doing so, should aspire to maximise their cumulative happiness.”
“That said, I would like to remain out of politics.”
