Red Commissar
13th July 2013, 20:43
So, it's been a fairly crappy few weeks here in Texas. The Republican-dominated legislature has been passing a slew of bills targeting many areas that will adversely affect the poor people of Texas under the ever popular slogans of tax cuts and downsizing government. The one that got national attention however was the abortion bill Republican legislators were trying to hammer through before the close of the regular session, which a Democratic state senator, Wendy Davis, tried to halt with a filibuster that lasted 12 hours until she was forced to stop. Following this pro-choice advocates filled the galleries of the Texas legislature, creating enough ruckus and noise to interfere with the voting of the bill alongside attempts by legislators opposing the bill bringing up numerous amendments to slow down a vote. The final vote finally did come, but after midnight, which prompted Lt. Governor David Dewhurst to concede that the bill could not be sent to Governor Perry on account of it having been passed after midnight and thus after the duration of the Texas legislative session.
It was not over yet though. The Lt. Gov swore he would do what was necessary to protect "women's health" and the lives of babies, and that became true when Governor Perry called a Special Session to restart the bill, this time ensuring that there'd be no obstacles to getting it legally passed. If you are not aware, the Texas Legislature is part time, only meeting a few weeks every other year, but they can be called into session on decision of the governor.
And so the abortion bills were restarted in the special session, with the Texas House initiating House Bill 2 which was identical to the one that was stalled in the regular session. Republicans were also mindful of the bad rap they got last time with the appearance of their male colleagues pushing for the bill, and instead ensured that female Republicans would take up a more visible position in the fight to pass the abortion bill. Lt. Gov Dewhurst, responsible for conduct in the senate, swore that he would take steps to ensure "our democratic process isn't interrupted."
HB2 passed the house on essentially party lines, 96-49. It went to the Senate where it passed once more on party lines, 19-11. It is yet to be signed by Governor Perry but for all intents and purposes this is now law. Attempts to soften the blow of the bill failed (including an attempt to add provisions for better sex-ed...), Republicans were a lot more alert with protestors and instructed Department of Public Safety officers to be more vigilant with those in the galleries, and calling up astroturf organizations to bring out "pro-life" groups in force led by state and national figures to counter pro-choice protestors.
Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Gov. Perry praised these protests as "democracy in action", while earlier describing similar actions from pro-choice advocates as disruptive and mob intimidation.
So what is in the abortion bill Texas is passing? Among other things it will create among the strictest abortion limits in the country, joining the recent ones passed by North Dakota and Nebraska. In a nutshell we basically have this in HB 2.
Abortions are banned after 20 weeks. This was under the logic of fetal pain that has become common in anti-choice circles. An amendment by a Republican legislator to exempt those who were raped or victims of incest from this was shot down by her fellow senators.
Enforces restrictions on access to abortion to minors, stipulating they need the approval of their family or other legal guardian.
Requires abortions to be administered under an outdated FDA guideline requiring a significantly higher dose of Mifeprex. Most if not all abortion providers use more recent, evidence-based techniques and standards which allow for a significantly smaller dose of Mifeprex that is more safe for the woman.
All abortion clinics must meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers. Only 5 of the 42 abortion clinics in Texas are believed to meet this standard, and it's believed most of those that don't do not have the funds to upgrade their centers by the time the law takes effect. They will be forced to close if they do not meet these standards.
It is the last standard that is the most concerning. While a woman is still free to seek an abortion before 20 weeks, if the provisions in the third take effect it is likely the majority of abortion clinics in Texas will be forced to close, leaving that person with few options to get the procedure in a state where it is already incredibly difficult to get an abortion. This will be even worse in rural areas of Texas where clinics are already few and far in between. In effect, this bill will likely make seeking an abortion next to impossible in Texas without having to set a ridiculous week limit like North Dakota's six week restriction. This'll also likely drive up women taking steps to secure abortions, going to back-alley abortionists and other methods, despite Republican claims of passing this bill to prevent the same thing!
A Republican state senator who opposed the bill challenged his colleagues to approve an amendment which would require the state to help affected clinics upgrade. They unsurprisingly rejected this amendment, so it's pretty clear what the intent of the legislators are with this bill, despite their claims of making this for "women's health" and preventing Dr. Gosnell's...
Texas ranks high in the states with teenage pregnancies as well as issues with STDs, all in a state which prides itself on not having sex-ed but instead preaching abstinence. This has gotten worse year by year, and will not be helped with laws like these.
This joins other bills such as the sonogram law which requires doctors to show a sonogram to a woman seeking an abortion to show them the fetus as well as their heart beat. There has also been the foundation of the Texas Women Health Program, which despite the name nearly $30 million slashed from such services and exempting Planned Parenthood with Texas (with whom Republican legislators in the state have had a long running feud), claiming they were making a more accountable state-level program which critics have charged (correctly) of not being able to meet demands for birth control in areas outside of suburbs.
Full text of HB2 here (http://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB2/id/870667)
Some gems from the joke of a bill (http://www.texasobserver.org/crazy-shit-said-during-the-texas-abortion-debate-so-far/)
18331wy8GxE
"“We have funded what’s called rape kits that will help a woman, basically clean her out.”—State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, June 23rd on House floor."
Here is state representative Jodie Laubenberg who was chosen to initiate HB2. During a debate regarding the problems with funding for women's programs, Laubenberg takes aim at rape kits claiming they are tantamount to abortion, saying that these kits utilize dilation and curettage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilation_and_curettage). Of course rape kits are used for a far more serious thing, something that escaped the notice of Laubenberg.
“I’m hear to bring another perspective, a country boy perspective. I’m here to bring you my country-boy wisdom. In the country we have crops. We have cows, we have sheep. If a crop doesn’t produce, it’s eliminated. If an animal doesn’t reproduce, it’s eliminated. …If America is going to survive and hold on we’ve got to reproduce. We’ve got to end abortion.”—Lee Kuty, Caldwell, Texas at Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on July 9.
http://img.wonkette.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/texas-bortion.jpg
“David came about as a result of his mom and dad, who were just 16 at the time, going to a Planned Parenthood deal where they taught them how to use contraceptives. They were not sexually active at that point. They got into the car, and they were so hot and bothered from this deal, he couldn’t even get the condom on.”—Steve Toth on the dangers of sex ed, recorded talking to Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin).
“It’s just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters.”—Rick Perry on Wendy Davis (led the filibuster), speaking at the National Right to Life Convention in Fort Worth.
“Some of them have been here chanting in the Capitol, ‘Hail to Satan, hail to Satan, hail to Satan,” he said tonight. “Anyone who opposes this bill, whether he realizes it or not, is a tool of Satan.”—First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress at the Stand For Life rally at the Capitol July 8.
“Seems to me we do more for eagle eggs, than babies in the womb.” —SB1 supporter in July 8 committee hearing.
"We had terrorist in the Texas State Senate opposing SB 5"~ Tweet (https://twitter.com/Bill_Zedler/statuses/349766001296015360) from Bill Zedler, a Republican State Representative.
"Some days u r extra thankful we still have the right 2 protect ourselves & the 2nd amendment-Today is 1 of those days #txlege" ~ Tweet (https://twitter.com/RepStickland/statuses/348798945465610240) from Jonathan Stickland, another "liberty" hypocrite.
“We have reports, and I have my staff taking a look at the video,” Dewhurst explained, “and if I find, as I’ve been told, examples of the media waving and trying to inflame the crowd, incite them in the direction of a riot, I’m going to take action against them.”—Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, June 28, in an interview with HotAir.com. Dewhurst later said he would not be arresting reporters.
“This is my baby and I will fight! and I will fight! and I will fight! to protect my baby.”—Rep. Villalba (R-) waving a sonogram image of his 13-week old fetus. House debate, July 9.
DPS officers removing protestors who chained themselves to the gallery
http://www.texasobserver.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130712_Michels_TexasLegislature_520-759x506.jpg
Pro-choice protestor restrained
http://www.texasobserver.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130713_Michels_TexasLegislature_795-360x240.jpg
Texas DPS numbnuts removing protestors
https://t.co/z8zKI3wNlt
It was not over yet though. The Lt. Gov swore he would do what was necessary to protect "women's health" and the lives of babies, and that became true when Governor Perry called a Special Session to restart the bill, this time ensuring that there'd be no obstacles to getting it legally passed. If you are not aware, the Texas Legislature is part time, only meeting a few weeks every other year, but they can be called into session on decision of the governor.
And so the abortion bills were restarted in the special session, with the Texas House initiating House Bill 2 which was identical to the one that was stalled in the regular session. Republicans were also mindful of the bad rap they got last time with the appearance of their male colleagues pushing for the bill, and instead ensured that female Republicans would take up a more visible position in the fight to pass the abortion bill. Lt. Gov Dewhurst, responsible for conduct in the senate, swore that he would take steps to ensure "our democratic process isn't interrupted."
HB2 passed the house on essentially party lines, 96-49. It went to the Senate where it passed once more on party lines, 19-11. It is yet to be signed by Governor Perry but for all intents and purposes this is now law. Attempts to soften the blow of the bill failed (including an attempt to add provisions for better sex-ed...), Republicans were a lot more alert with protestors and instructed Department of Public Safety officers to be more vigilant with those in the galleries, and calling up astroturf organizations to bring out "pro-life" groups in force led by state and national figures to counter pro-choice protestors.
Lt. Gov. Dewhurst and Gov. Perry praised these protests as "democracy in action", while earlier describing similar actions from pro-choice advocates as disruptive and mob intimidation.
So what is in the abortion bill Texas is passing? Among other things it will create among the strictest abortion limits in the country, joining the recent ones passed by North Dakota and Nebraska. In a nutshell we basically have this in HB 2.
Abortions are banned after 20 weeks. This was under the logic of fetal pain that has become common in anti-choice circles. An amendment by a Republican legislator to exempt those who were raped or victims of incest from this was shot down by her fellow senators.
Enforces restrictions on access to abortion to minors, stipulating they need the approval of their family or other legal guardian.
Requires abortions to be administered under an outdated FDA guideline requiring a significantly higher dose of Mifeprex. Most if not all abortion providers use more recent, evidence-based techniques and standards which allow for a significantly smaller dose of Mifeprex that is more safe for the woman.
All abortion clinics must meet the standards of ambulatory surgical centers. Only 5 of the 42 abortion clinics in Texas are believed to meet this standard, and it's believed most of those that don't do not have the funds to upgrade their centers by the time the law takes effect. They will be forced to close if they do not meet these standards.
It is the last standard that is the most concerning. While a woman is still free to seek an abortion before 20 weeks, if the provisions in the third take effect it is likely the majority of abortion clinics in Texas will be forced to close, leaving that person with few options to get the procedure in a state where it is already incredibly difficult to get an abortion. This will be even worse in rural areas of Texas where clinics are already few and far in between. In effect, this bill will likely make seeking an abortion next to impossible in Texas without having to set a ridiculous week limit like North Dakota's six week restriction. This'll also likely drive up women taking steps to secure abortions, going to back-alley abortionists and other methods, despite Republican claims of passing this bill to prevent the same thing!
A Republican state senator who opposed the bill challenged his colleagues to approve an amendment which would require the state to help affected clinics upgrade. They unsurprisingly rejected this amendment, so it's pretty clear what the intent of the legislators are with this bill, despite their claims of making this for "women's health" and preventing Dr. Gosnell's...
Texas ranks high in the states with teenage pregnancies as well as issues with STDs, all in a state which prides itself on not having sex-ed but instead preaching abstinence. This has gotten worse year by year, and will not be helped with laws like these.
This joins other bills such as the sonogram law which requires doctors to show a sonogram to a woman seeking an abortion to show them the fetus as well as their heart beat. There has also been the foundation of the Texas Women Health Program, which despite the name nearly $30 million slashed from such services and exempting Planned Parenthood with Texas (with whom Republican legislators in the state have had a long running feud), claiming they were making a more accountable state-level program which critics have charged (correctly) of not being able to meet demands for birth control in areas outside of suburbs.
Full text of HB2 here (http://legiscan.com/TX/text/HB2/id/870667)
Some gems from the joke of a bill (http://www.texasobserver.org/crazy-shit-said-during-the-texas-abortion-debate-so-far/)
18331wy8GxE
"“We have funded what’s called rape kits that will help a woman, basically clean her out.”—State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, June 23rd on House floor."
Here is state representative Jodie Laubenberg who was chosen to initiate HB2. During a debate regarding the problems with funding for women's programs, Laubenberg takes aim at rape kits claiming they are tantamount to abortion, saying that these kits utilize dilation and curettage (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dilation_and_curettage). Of course rape kits are used for a far more serious thing, something that escaped the notice of Laubenberg.
“I’m hear to bring another perspective, a country boy perspective. I’m here to bring you my country-boy wisdom. In the country we have crops. We have cows, we have sheep. If a crop doesn’t produce, it’s eliminated. If an animal doesn’t reproduce, it’s eliminated. …If America is going to survive and hold on we’ve got to reproduce. We’ve got to end abortion.”—Lee Kuty, Caldwell, Texas at Senate Health and Human Services Committee hearing on July 9.
http://img.wonkette.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/texas-bortion.jpg
“David came about as a result of his mom and dad, who were just 16 at the time, going to a Planned Parenthood deal where they taught them how to use contraceptives. They were not sexually active at that point. They got into the car, and they were so hot and bothered from this deal, he couldn’t even get the condom on.”—Steve Toth on the dangers of sex ed, recorded talking to Rep. Donna Howard (D-Austin).
“It’s just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters.”—Rick Perry on Wendy Davis (led the filibuster), speaking at the National Right to Life Convention in Fort Worth.
“Some of them have been here chanting in the Capitol, ‘Hail to Satan, hail to Satan, hail to Satan,” he said tonight. “Anyone who opposes this bill, whether he realizes it or not, is a tool of Satan.”—First Baptist Dallas Pastor Robert Jeffress at the Stand For Life rally at the Capitol July 8.
“Seems to me we do more for eagle eggs, than babies in the womb.” —SB1 supporter in July 8 committee hearing.
"We had terrorist in the Texas State Senate opposing SB 5"~ Tweet (https://twitter.com/Bill_Zedler/statuses/349766001296015360) from Bill Zedler, a Republican State Representative.
"Some days u r extra thankful we still have the right 2 protect ourselves & the 2nd amendment-Today is 1 of those days #txlege" ~ Tweet (https://twitter.com/RepStickland/statuses/348798945465610240) from Jonathan Stickland, another "liberty" hypocrite.
“We have reports, and I have my staff taking a look at the video,” Dewhurst explained, “and if I find, as I’ve been told, examples of the media waving and trying to inflame the crowd, incite them in the direction of a riot, I’m going to take action against them.”—Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, June 28, in an interview with HotAir.com. Dewhurst later said he would not be arresting reporters.
“This is my baby and I will fight! and I will fight! and I will fight! to protect my baby.”—Rep. Villalba (R-) waving a sonogram image of his 13-week old fetus. House debate, July 9.
DPS officers removing protestors who chained themselves to the gallery
http://www.texasobserver.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130712_Michels_TexasLegislature_520-759x506.jpg
Pro-choice protestor restrained
http://www.texasobserver.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/07/20130713_Michels_TexasLegislature_795-360x240.jpg
Texas DPS numbnuts removing protestors
https://t.co/z8zKI3wNlt