Texas Adopts Series of Measures Restricting Access to Abortion
Published in Le Devoir
(Canada) on 15 July 2013
by Associated Press (link to original)
The Republicans in the Texas legislature adopted the most restrictive bill on abortion in the United States, but Democrats pledged last Saturday to fight the bill in court and in voting booths, while using their new law to rally their supporters.
More than 2,000 protesters invaded Austin, the capital of Texas, to manifest their opposition to the bill. Six people were dragged out of the Senate for trying to stop the proceedings. The Republican majority passed the bill without making any changes just before midnight hit on Friday, with all but one of the Democrats opposing it.
According to the new bill, the legislation will have to prohibit abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. The bill will require doctors performing abortions to hold admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, and force all abortions to take place in surgical centers.
The Democrats proposed 20 amendments to the law, including exceptions in cases of rape or incest, in addition to giving physicians more flexibility in prescribing abortion-inducing drugs. The Republicans rejected all of the amendments.
The Republican Party of Texas celebrated what they considered a major victory.
More than 2,000 protesters invaded Austin, the capital of Texas, to manifest their opposition to the bill. Six people were dragged out of the Senate for trying to stop the proceedings. The Republican majority passed the bill without making any changes just before midnight hit on Friday, with all but one of the Democrats opposing it.
According to the new bill, the legislation will have to prohibit abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy. The bill will require doctors performing abortions to hold admitting privileges at a nearby hospital, and force all abortions to take place in surgical centers.
The Democrats proposed 20 amendments to the law, including exceptions in cases of rape or incest, in addition to giving physicians more flexibility in prescribing abortion-inducing drugs. The Republicans rejected all of the amendments.
The Republican Party of Texas celebrated what they considered a major victory.