The Texas state legislature will return to the statehouse on Monday to again take up a controversial bill that would place stringent restrictions on abortion services in the state.
The Guardian reports that the bill became a keystone in the nationwide reproductive rights battle after Texas state senator Wendy Davis endured a marathon filibuster to block the passage of the bill in the first special session.
Davis was propelled into the international spotlight after speaking for 10 hours and 45 minutes without eating, drinking or leaning, but said she expects the bill to pass in the second special session.
That opinion is shared by many of her colleagues, including Texas senate Democratic caucus chair Kirk Watson.
"I don't think they'll make the same mistake about waiting as long in terms of bringing this bill to the body," Watson told NPR. "The truth is, there is high likelihood they will pass this bad legislation."
Texas bill SB5 calls for a ban on abortions after 20 weeks, for clinics that provide abortion to upgrade their facilities to be classed as ambulatory surgical centers, and for doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles. This would force 37 of the populous state's 42 clinics to close, according to opponents.
The bill has enough supporters to be approved, but politicians were distracted by other legislation in the first special session, delaying the vote until the session's final day, long enough to give Davis the opportunity for a filibuster.
The Punch