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Texas abortion bill blocked by Senator Wendy Davis filibuster | Texas abortion bill blocked by Senator Wendy Davis filibuster |
(35 minutes later) | |
Helped by a marathon speech, Texas Democrats have managed to block a bill that would shut most of the abortion clinics in the state. | Helped by a marathon speech, Texas Democrats have managed to block a bill that would shut most of the abortion clinics in the state. |
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. | 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. |
Republicans then scrambled to pass the bill, but the vote was ruled too late for a midnight deadline. | Republicans then scrambled to pass the bill, but the vote was ruled too late for a midnight deadline. |
The bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. | The bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy. |
It would also require all pregnancy terminations to take place in surgical centres. The future of the legislation is now uncertain. | It would also require all pregnancy terminations to take place in surgical centres. The future of the legislation is now uncertain. |
Bathroom breaks banned | Bathroom breaks banned |
The proposal, already passed by the Texas House of Representatives, was debated in the state Senate on Tuesday. | The proposal, already passed by the Texas House of Representatives, was debated in the state Senate on Tuesday. |
During her filibuster, Sen Davis read testimony and messages from women and others opposing the legislation. | During her filibuster, Sen Davis read testimony and messages from women and others opposing the legislation. |
She also recited previously suggested changes to the bill and recounted her own life story. | She also recited previously suggested changes to the bill and recounted her own life story. |
Sen Davis was picked to lead the filibuster because she had her first child as a teenager and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. | Sen Davis was picked to lead the filibuster because she had her first child as a teenager and went on to graduate from Harvard Law School. |
"I was a poor, uninsured woman, whose only care was provided through that facility. It was my medical home," said Sen Davis, 50. | "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. | 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. | 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. | Supporters of the bill protested at one point that Sen Davis had received help from another lawmaker in adjusting a supportive back brace. |
'Unruly mob' | 'Unruly mob' |
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. | Democrats appealed that ruling, sparking a debate over parliamentary rules. |
As the clock ticked to midnight, Republicans rushed to hold a vote on the bill, amid jeers from pro-choice protesters in the public gallery. | |
"Get them out!" Republican Senator Donna Campbell shouted to a security guard. "Time is running out." | "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 the bill within deadline following a 19-10 vote. He blamed an "unruly mob" in the gallery. | |
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. It requires doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital. | 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. |
The new law would mean only five of Texas' 42 abortion clinics would be able to remain in operation. | The new law would 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. | But opponents say this would 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. | 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. |
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. | 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. |
Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives in Washington DC passed a bill banning abortions 20 weeks after fertilisation. | Earlier this month, the Republican-controlled US House of Representatives in Washington DC passed a bill banning abortions 20 weeks after fertilisation. |
But the measure is unlikely to become law because Democrats control the US Senate and the White House. | But the measure is unlikely to become law because Democrats control the US Senate and the White House. |