Senate sends ultrasound bill to House
May 1, 2009
The "compromise" measure by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, was brought before the chamber after Patrick was unable to get Senate consideration of a bill that would have required a sonogram before an abortion. Senate Democrats and one Republican used Senate rules to block the more stringent proposal.
Written by Terrence Stutz, The Dallas Morning News
Women seeking an abortion in Texas would have to be offered a voluntary ultrasound before undergoing the procedure under legislation approved Friday by the Senate and sent to the House. The "compromise" measure by Sen. Dan Patrick, R-Houston, was brought before the chamber after Patrick was unable to get Senate consideration of a bill that would have required a sonogram before an abortion. Senate Democrats and one Republican used Senate rules to block the more stringent proposal.
Although most of the debate on the modified bill occurred when the Senate tentatively approved it on Thursday, Democrats and Republicans were again divided Friday over an amendment by Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, D-El Paso, that would have removed certain language in a handbook that must be given to all women seeking an abortion. The language in question - suggesting that breast cancer is linked to earlier abortions - is false and intended only to scare woman, Shapleigh said, citing a report by the American Cancer Society.
Patrick refused the amendment, saying there are studies that support both possibilities. At his urging, the Senate then rejected the amendment before finally approving the bill 20-10. The no votes were cast by nine Democrats and one Republican.
Related Stories
Fair Use Notice
This site contains copyrighted material the use of which has not always been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance understanding of environmental, political, human rights, economic, democracy, scientific, and social justice issues, etc. We believe this constitutes a "fair use" of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the US Copyright Law. In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. Section 107, the material on this site is distributed without profit to those who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information for research and educational purposes. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml. If you wish to use copyrighted material from this site for purposes of your own that go beyond "fair use", you must obtain permission from the copyright owner.