Republicans in the Texas House passed one of the nation's most restrictive abortion bills Monday, banning a women's right to terminate a pregnancy after 20 weeks and closing 90 percent of abortion clinics in the state.
The bill was passed despite Democratic efforts to stall it by debating the legislation for 15 hours on the House floor in hopes to delay it long enough for the Senate to filibuster the bill on Tuesday night. Nonetheless, the measure passed 95-34, with the support of four Democrats, and must now sit for 24 hours before the Senate can vote on it and send it to Republican Gov. Rick Perry.
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, notes the Associated Press. 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 say the bill would improve women's health care.
According to IB Times, Democratic State Sen. Judith Zaffirini said that "The bill's unnecessary regulations could force medical clinics to close, thereby limiting access to critical services. If clinics close in regions without many alternatives, women are likely to delay seeking care, and those in desperate situations may turn to desperate, unsafe measures. Other unnecessary regulations in the bill also intrude upon the doctor-patient relationship by requiring a particular regimen and limiting a doctor s' ability to prescribe the best option for a specific patient. The Legislature should not substitute its judgment for that of qualified medical professionals."
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