The Texas state House gave final approval to the ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy today, supporting it on a 96-49 vote. The measure now heads to the Texas Senate, where it was a victim of a pro-abortion filibuster and a mob that interrupted proceedings.
Yesterday, during second reading, lawmakers voted 98-49 for the bill. The vote yesterday for conditional approval is four more votes for the measure than the last time the House approved the bill before Wendy Davis’ infamous filibuster. In that vote, five pro-life Democrats voted for HB2 including Guillen, Herrero, Martinez, Munoz, and Pickett while one Republican voted against it: Sarah Davis.
The bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks and hold abortion clinics accountable by making them meet basic health and safety standards that have closed facilities in other states that are unable to comply. The bill also requires all abortion clinics to meet the same health and safety re
gulations as an ambulatory surgical center, requires a doctor providing abortions to secure admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, and lastly, requires a doctor to personally administer the abortion-inducing drugs to the patient.
The last attempt to pass the bill was halted in the state Senate with a pro-abortion filibuster but state Sen. Wendy Davis says she will not filibuster the bill a second time. Today, she told CNN she thinks the bill will ultimately pass and be signed into law by pro-life Gov. Rick Perry.
“It will be very difficult because unfortunately the voices that have been here crying out against this bill are not going to be heard,” Davis told CNN in a brief interview. “But I don’t think it’s the end. It’s the beginning of a battle line.”
“That’s probably the case,” Davis said about not being able to filibuster the bill a second time.
Yesterday saw a death threat issued to the Texas Lt. Governor and abortion activists screaming “F— the Church.”
Texas Governor Rick Perry issued a call for a special session of the Texas legislature to pass the bill that a pro-abortion mob prevented the legislature from passing last week.“I am calling the Legislature back into session because too much important work remains undone for the people of Texas. Through their duly elected representatives, the citizens of our state have made crystal clear their priorities for our great state,” Perry said.
“Texans value life and want to protect women and the unborn. Texans want a transportation system that keeps them moving. Texans want a court system that is fair and just. We will not allow the breakdown of decorum and decency to prevent us from doing what the people of this state hired us to do.”
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A recent national poll by The Polling Company found that, after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64% would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother’s life was in danger. Only 30% said they would oppose such a law. Polling from Texas also shows support for the legislation.
During today’s debate, Texas Right to Life noticed an interesting argument.
So now Dems are claiming HB2 will cause thousands of babies to be born, I thought late abortions were extremely rare. Which one is it?
— John Seago (@Johnseago) July 10, 2013
