Abortion Bill Debate Begins Again In Austin
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM) - The political gloves are back on Monday morning, as state lawmakers head to Austin once again for another special session. A controversial abortion bill is back in the spotlight, and both sides of the heated debate are looking to make their voices heard.
Supporters of the bill have said that it is aimed at making abortions more safe for patients. However, critics argued that it effectively bans abortion across Texas, and becomes the strictest set of abortion regulations in the nation. The bill would lead to the closure of most abortion clinics around the state, and greatly restrict when and where women could receive such a procedure.
Planned Parenthood and pro-choice advocates said that the abortion procedure is already safe, and there is no reason to change the rules.
Gov. Rick Perry called for a second special session last week, after an 11-hour filibuster from Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth essentially killed the bill on the State Senate floor. "They know they mismanaged the clock terribly first time, and they also ran roughshod over a lot of our Senate rules and traditions to try to ran this bill through," Davis told Face the Nation on Sunday. "And they'll probably be a little bit smarter about how they try to move this bill in this next session."
The filibuster launched Davis and the Texas abortion bill into the national spotlight. "But what they now have to confront is that the eyes of Texas, the eyes of the country, are watching," Davis said. "They are going to be held accountable for the decisions that they make in this process."
The atmosphere in the State Senate grew into chaos last week as both sides debated the issue and noisy protesters roared. Hundreds of pro-choice advocates and pro-life supporters will again be in Austin on Monday. The Texas Department of Public Safety has not discussed their security plans at the Capitol building this time around, but a spokesperson said that measures will be adjusted if the situation merits.
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