Messing With Texas

If you’re not following the situation in the Texas legislature, a Texas-sized drama unfolded last night and early this morning. The TX State Senate was voting on SB5, a pro-life bill that drew attention from around the country. Even President Obama tweeted during the action.
First, let me tell you what SB5 does not do. Contrary to the pro-abortion media and activists, women won’t die and abortion will not be banned in the state. What the bill would do is stop all late-term abortion after 20 weeks, well after science has established the baby feels pain. It would also require that abortionists have admitting privileges to a hospital within 30 miles. SB5 seeks to protect women’s health by bringing all abortion facilities up to a standard level of medical care required by other outpatient surgical centers.
Angry pro-abortion activists swarmed the capitol and gallery above the Senate floor. Most wore orange to signify which side they were on. State Senator Wendy Davis planned to hold a filibuster until midnight to scuttle the bill. However, there are tight rules regarding a filibuster. If a Senator breaks these rules 3 times, they’re out and the filibuster ends. The third infraction occurred with about an hour remaining on the clock for all legislation to be passed.
When the Senate ruled that the filibuster was over, pandemonium broke out in the gallery. The ensuing chaos was reminiscent of the Occupy hooligans. According to State Rep. Steve Toth who was observing the action, the mob was in-part being directed from the Senate floor. Here’s one of his tweets during the melee. “Texas is given over to Wisconsin style Mob-ocracy. Sad day when politicians whip the crowd in to a frenzy so a vote can’t be taken.”
But there were others inciting the horde. Cecile Richards sent this tweet, “Make some noise— louder!” which was re-tweeted by Planned Parenthood.
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