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Texas lawmakers debate controversial abortion bill ahead of key vote Texas lawmakers debate controversial abortion bill ahead of key vote
(2 months later)
Texas's controversial abortion bill was again being debated by state lawmakers on Tuesday, just two weeks after a marathon filibuster frustrated its progress and encouraged protest against the proposals.Texas's controversial abortion bill was again being debated by state lawmakers on Tuesday, just two weeks after a marathon filibuster frustrated its progress and encouraged protest against the proposals.
The Texas house of representatives is expected to vote later on Tuesday on proposals which would see abortions banned after 20 weeks of pregnancy.The Texas house of representatives is expected to vote later on Tuesday on proposals which would see abortions banned after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
The progress of the bill has received national attention after Wendy Davis, a state senator from Fort Worth, talked without a break for almost eleven hours in an effort to filibuster the bill. Chanting from the rowdy public gallery then made a vote impossible before the deadline, set for midnight on 25 June.The progress of the bill has received national attention after Wendy Davis, a state senator from Fort Worth, talked without a break for almost eleven hours in an effort to filibuster the bill. Chanting from the rowdy public gallery then made a vote impossible before the deadline, set for midnight on 25 June.
It turned Davis into a celebrated advocate for women's reproductive rights, but the Democrats' success was short-lived.It turned Davis into a celebrated advocate for women's reproductive rights, but the Democrats' success was short-lived.
In response, Rick Perry, the Republican governor, recalled legislators for a special session that can last up to 30 days. The bill swiftly passed out of the committee phase last week, and with time on the Republicans' side, the party's large majorities in the Texas senate and house of representatives make it virtually impossible for Democrats to block the plans a second time.In response, Rick Perry, the Republican governor, recalled legislators for a special session that can last up to 30 days. The bill swiftly passed out of the committee phase last week, and with time on the Republicans' side, the party's large majorities in the Texas senate and house of representatives make it virtually impossible for Democrats to block the plans a second time.
As well as banning abortion after 20 weeks, the bill would require doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, and mandate that clinics be classed as ambulatory surgical centres. Proponents claim the measures would make abortions safer. Critics argue that they would result in the closure of all but five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics, meaning that women living in rural areas would have to travel hundreds of miles to obtain an abortion.As well as banning abortion after 20 weeks, the bill would require doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles, and mandate that clinics be classed as ambulatory surgical centres. Proponents claim the measures would make abortions safer. Critics argue that they would result in the closure of all but five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics, meaning that women living in rural areas would have to travel hundreds of miles to obtain an abortion.
Texas already has some of the country's strictest abortion rules. In 2011, the state cut financing for family planning services and introduced a law requiring women to get a sonogram and then in most cases wait 24 hours before having an abortion. Doctors are ordered to describe the image and give women the option to see it and hear the foetus's heartbeat.Texas already has some of the country's strictest abortion rules. In 2011, the state cut financing for family planning services and introduced a law requiring women to get a sonogram and then in most cases wait 24 hours before having an abortion. Doctors are ordered to describe the image and give women the option to see it and hear the foetus's heartbeat.
Davis's stand attracted widespread publicity and galvanised campaigners, prompting protests and rallies at the Capitol in Austin, with thousands of people on both sides of the argument gathering to make their case. Democrats are embarking on a statewide Stand With Texas Women bus tour as part of their campaign, according to the Houston Chronicle.Davis's stand attracted widespread publicity and galvanised campaigners, prompting protests and rallies at the Capitol in Austin, with thousands of people on both sides of the argument gathering to make their case. Democrats are embarking on a statewide Stand With Texas Women bus tour as part of their campaign, according to the Houston Chronicle.
Democrats are expected to attempt to stall and amend the bill on Tuesday before the house of representatives votes on it. After it passes through the senate, Perry will then sign off on the legislation, but that is unlikely to be the end of the wrangling. Legal challenges could delay the implementation of the new regulations for months or years.Democrats are expected to attempt to stall and amend the bill on Tuesday before the house of representatives votes on it. After it passes through the senate, Perry will then sign off on the legislation, but that is unlikely to be the end of the wrangling. Legal challenges could delay the implementation of the new regulations for months or years.
Other states that have tried to introduce 20-week limits on abortions have become embroiled in legal arguments about whether the restriction is constitutional, since the point of "viability" for a foetus is generally considered to be 24 weeks.Other states that have tried to introduce 20-week limits on abortions have become embroiled in legal arguments about whether the restriction is constitutional, since the point of "viability" for a foetus is generally considered to be 24 weeks.
Last Friday, Scott Walker, the Republican governor of Wisconsin, signed a bill requiring abortion providers to have hospital admission privileges within 30 miles of their clinic. It was scheduled to come into effect yesterday but Planned Parenthood won a federal court order delaying the law's introduction.Last Friday, Scott Walker, the Republican governor of Wisconsin, signed a bill requiring abortion providers to have hospital admission privileges within 30 miles of their clinic. It was scheduled to come into effect yesterday but Planned Parenthood won a federal court order delaying the law's introduction.
William Conley, a district judge, said in his ruling that there was "a troubling lack of justification for the hospital admitting privileges requirement".William Conley, a district judge, said in his ruling that there was "a troubling lack of justification for the hospital admitting privileges requirement".
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