Wendy Davis: Disputed Texas abortion bill likely to pass
Austin, TX (CNN) - Two weeks after her marathon filibuster against new abortion restrictions in Texas made her instant political celebrity, reality has set in for State Senator Wendy Davis.
Following the launch of a "Stand with Texas Women" bus tour with fellow Democrats to oppose the state's hotly contested abortion bill, Davis conceded to CNN the measure is likely to pass.
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"It will be very difficult because unfortunately the voices that have been here crying out against this bill are not going to be heard," Davis told CNN in a brief interview.
"But I don't think it's the end. It's the beginning of a battle line," she added.
Last month, Davis staged an 11-hour filibuster that temporarily stalled the bill, which would ban abortions after 20 weeks and create new, potentially practice-ending requirements for doctors performing the procedures across the state.
Texas Governor Rick Perry responded to the legislative roadblock by calling lawmakers back for a special session to reconsider the measure, essentially assuring its speedy passage through the Republican controlled House and Senate.
Due to tough statehouse rules governing filibusters, top legislative aides in the Texas Capitol said it's unlikely Davis would be able to stop the bill a second time.
"That's probably the case," Davis agreed.
The popular state senator was mum on the subject of running for governor after Perry announced Monday he would not seek a fourth term in office.
"I'm not going to comment on that right now. We've got our hands full trying to beat this bad bill back," Davis said.
Still, she appears to be keeping the door open to a gubernatorial campaign. At the "Stand with Texas Women" rally, Davis repeatedly spoke past the abortion issue, jabbing Perry and top GOP leaders for becoming what she called "a real threat to people's rights."
"This truly is a turning point, a pivotal time for us to step up and take back what our Texas is and should be," Davis told CNN.
Cecile Richards, the president of Planned Parenthood Federation of America, said it's too early to accept defeat on the abortion issue.
"You never give up," Richards said, holding out hope Republican lawmakers would reconsider.
"You'd hope they might rethink their position. All we can do is make sure is that the voices of women and men and families in this state are heard."
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20 weeks is more than enough time to get an elective abortion. The law still allows terminations later in the pregnancy for special cases, e.g. life of the mother. At some point, the rights of the unborn must be taken into account. The new regulations on abortion clinics are reasonable for public safety, and should be extended to all elective medical procedures.
The left wants to save the lifes or rapist, pedofiles and murders, but kill innocent babies. Talk about hypocracy combined with stupidity.
No one is pro-abortion. No one thinks it is great thing to do. If you think that is not true you are mistaken. Sadly, situations occur that require people to make very hard choices. Rape, incest, danger to the mother, poverty, and yes, lack of or failure of birth control all contribute to the decision. Education and access to reliable birth control would help in some cases. Teenagers who have never had education about birth control are particularly at risk. If your religious beliefs prohibit you from having an abortion, by all means don't have one. I absolutely respect those beliefs. But dictating what others should believe is dangerous. Try to imagine how you would feel if someone else tried to tell you what you could or could not do with your own body regardless of your own personal beliefs.
One, people can go to a different state to get an abortion.
Two any money saved will be spent in medical facilities for backroom abortions or on other social services.
Money well spent Texas.