After debating for over 10 hours, the Texas House has voted 98-49 to approve the regulations of abortions in House Bill 2.
This bill states that after 50 weeks of pregnancy, abortions cannot be conducted. Not only that, the bill also has regulations for abortion facilities that many argue would result in abortion elimination in Texas.
Republicans who approved this bill claim they are trying to protect not only unborn children, but the pregnant women as well. Democrats on the other hand, are saying that the bill can actually cause harm to pregnant women, since it will decrease access to abortion facilities, causing women who want to end their pregnancies to go to other harmful places to do so.
State Rep. Mary Gonzalez, D-Clint, who’s father’s friend died from getting an illegal abortion in Mexico, knew about that all too well.
“When you come up here and ask why is a rape and incest exception important, I don’t want you to think about these women in a faraway lands,” Gonzalez said after declaring she was a victim of child sexual assault. “I want you to look at me. I want you to understand it took me five years to tell anyone.”
She added that lawmakers could have done more to improve the legislation and to improve women’s health and safety. Instead, she said, “you’re forcing women to find black-market alternatives.”
Republicans see things differently:
“This is not just happening in Texas, but all across the country in state after state,” said state Rep. Jodie Laubenberg, R-Parker, the bill’s author.
“At five months the baby has developed the sensory receptors that it can feel the pain of that abortion,” she added. “That is what gives us the authority and the right to be here, to do this. This is not about politics. This is heartfelt for every member.”
The House will have to vote on this bill once again at a later date in order for it to be sent to Senate.
Will this debate ever end?
SOURCE: Texas Tribune
