Filibuster Underway in Texas Senate

Screen shot of Senator Wendy Davis from the Texas Senate web stream.
Screen shot of Senator Wendy Davis from the Texas Senate web stream.
Screen shot of Senator Wendy Davis from the Texas Senate web stream.

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) _ A Democratic state senator has begun a filibuster to block passage of a proposal that would effectively close most abortion clinics in Texas.

Sen. Wendy Davis of Fort Worth began the filibuster at 11:18 a.m. CDT Tuesday. To derail a vote in the GOP-dominated Texas Senate, she must keep speaking on the bill until midnight _ the deadline for the end of the 30-day special session.

Rules stipulate she remain standing, not lean on her desk or take any breaks _ even for meals or to use the bathroom.

Combined, the package of measures _ including a ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy _ would represent wide-ranging, stringent abortion limits in the second-largest state.

In her opening remarks, Davis called efforts to pass the bill a “raw abuse of power.”

Click HERE for the link to the live telecast from the Texas Senate (Real Player is required).

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