Gov. Rick Perry Calls Second Special Session On Abortion
AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — After a more than 12 hour effort by Senator Wendy Davis to kill anti-abortion bill SB5, Texas Republican lawmakers will get another chance to pass the legislation.
Gov. Rick Perry is calling for the Texas Legislature to meet in a second special session to pass restrictions on abortion.
The sweeping anti-abortion rules would close nearly all clinics performing the procedure in the country's second-largest state.
The bill passed the House, but died after Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis led a filibuster, which started shortly after 11 a.m. on the last day of the first special session. Hundreds of protesters then cheered, disrupting Senate proceedings as the session closed at midnight.
Perry can call as many 30-day extra sessions as he likes, but lawmakers can only take up those issues he assigns. Transportation and punishment for 17-year old offenders charged with capital felonies are also on the agenda.
Sen. Davis has released the following statement about the newly called special session:
"Misplaced priorities of legislative leaders squandered a tremendous opportunity to make much needed improvements in our transportation infrastructure and help create good jobs and bring businesses to Texas. Despite urging by responsible members of the Senate to bring up the matter of transportation, Lt. Governor David Dewhurst derailed as much as much as $1 billion per year in transportation funding by stubbornly pushing divisive, failed legislation attacking women's health care options. If leaders are serious about using this second called special session to improve the lives of Texans by repairing and expanding our transportation networks, they will find no greater ally than me. If they intend to keep pushing their extreme personal political agenda ahead of the interests of Texas families, I will not back off of my duty to fight on their behalf."
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