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Texas abortion bill vote 'came too late to pass' Texas abortion bill vote 'came too late to pass'
(about 3 hours later)
A vote on a new law which could close most of the abortion clinics in the US state of Texas came too late to pass, leading Republicans now say. Helped by a marathon speech, Texas Democrats have managed to block a bill that would shut most of the abortion clinics in the state.
The senate had approved the bill, which bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and requires all procedures to take place in surgical centres. Democratic state Senator Wendy Davis spoke for more than 10 hours, in a stalling speech known as a filibuster, at the state capitol in Austin.
But Texas Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst later confirmed that the vote had not met a midnight deadline. Amid shouts from protesters in the public gallery, Republicans scrambled to pass the bill.
The bill has already been passed by the Texas House of Representatives But the vote was ruled to have been held too late for a midnight deadline.
The senate vote took place despite attempts by Democrats to delay it. The future of the bill, which would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and require all procedures to take place in surgical centres, is now uncertain.
A Democratic senator tried to stand speaking for long enough to prevent voting on the bill, but was stopped after 10 hours when the chairman ruled she had gone off topic. The proposal, already passed by the Texas House of Representatives, was debated in the state Senate on Tuesday.
'Safety standards' During her filibuster, Sen Davis read testimony and messages from women and others opposing the legislation.
However, the lieutenant governor said the decision came too late. She also recited previously suggested changes to the bill and tapped into her own life story.
"Regrettably, the constitutional time for the 83rd Legislature had expired," local television quoted Mr Dewhurst as saying. Sen Davis was picked to lead the filibuster because of her background - she had her first child as a teenager and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School.
"Senate Bill 5 cannot be signed in the presence of the senate at this time, and therefore cannot be enrolled." "I was a poor, uninsured woman, whose only care was provided through that facility. It was my medical home," said Sen Davis, 50.
Rules of the debate stipulated she must remain standing, not lean on her desk or take any breaks, even for meals or to use the bathroom.
Republicans watched for any slip-up that would allow them to end the filibuster.
Supporters of the bill protested at one point that Sen Davis had received help from another lawmaker in adjusting a supportive back brace.
Texas Lieutenant-Governor Dewhurst, who is Senate president, eventually suspended the filibuster after ruling that she had meandered off topic.
Democrats appealed that ruling, sparking a debate over parliamentary rules.
As the clock ticked to midnight, Republicans scrambled to hold a vote on the bill, amid screams from protesters in the public gallery.
"Get them out!" Republican Senator Donna Campbell shouted to a security guard. "Time is running out."
But amid the disruption, Lt Gov Dewhurst said he had been unable to sign bill within deadline following a 19-10 vote.
He reportedly hinted that the vote could be held again at a second special session.He reportedly hinted that the vote could be held again at a second special session.
Supporters of the bill say the measures will improve safety standards. Supporters of the bill say the measures will improve safety standards. It requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital.
It requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. new law would mean only five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics would be able to remain in operation.
The new law would reportedly mean only five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics would be able to remain in operation. But opponents say this would force women to travel hundreds of miles or resort to dangerous methods to obtain a procedure.
Opponents say this will force women to travel hundreds of miles or resort to dangerous methods to obtain a procedure. The US Supreme Court legalised abortion nationwide in 1973, but about a dozen conservative states have enacted laws in recent years that seek to limit the procedure.
Abortion rights supporters wearing orange t-shirts gathered in the public gallery to protest against the bill. In March, North Dakota banned abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected - as early as six weeks - in the most restrictive law of its kind in the US.
Democrats had said they were considering a legal challenge against a vote to pass the law. Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives in Washington DC passed a bill banning abortions 20 weeks after fertilisation.
It is the latest challenge by state legislature to a 1973 ruling by the US Supreme Court that abortion was legal until the foetus could survive outside the womb. But the measure is unlikely to become law because Democrats control the US Senate and the White House.
In March, North Dakota banned abortions once a foetal heartbeat is detected - as early as six weeks - in the most restrictive law of its kind in the US,
The measures, which take effect on 1 August, make no exceptions for rape, incest or the health of the mother. Opponents plan to appeal against them.
But a federal appeals court struck down an Arizona law that bans abortions from 20 weeks' gestation in May, saying it violated the Supreme Court rulings.