The Texas House passed one of the most restrictive abortion bills in the country on Wednesday, paving a way for the bill to become law in the Lone Star State.
The GOP-backed bill adds new restrictions on when, how and where women may get an abortion. In addition to banning abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, the proposal would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and limit abortions to surgical centers. In turn, opponents warn it would shut down 37 out of 42 abortion clinics in the state, and leave many women without access. On the other hand, supporters claim the bill would improve women's health care.
Lawmakers debated the bill for more than 10 hours on Tuesday, before voting on the Republicans' signature legislation. They approved the bill mainly along party lines with a 96-49 vote.
Moving forward, the bill will head to the Texas state Senate where there may be a continuation of the showdown between pro-choice and pro-life advocates that derailed the measure last month. A Senate committee will consider the measure on Thursday, with the full Senate likely to vote early next week, reports NBC News.
Last month, the measure failed to win enough support during the regular session, and then died in the first special session due to a 13-hour filibuster by Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth.
Republican leaders, including Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, are intent on passing the bill quickly through the Republican-controlled Legislature in a second special session, reports the AP. As a result, Dems can do little but slow the bill down, while attracting as much attention as possible and preparing a federal lawsuit to block it if it becomes law.