Texas Republicans Finally Prevail on Abortion Bill

“The Texas Senate approved sweeping abortion regulations late Friday as anger boiled over in the gallery and elsewhere in the Capitol and the dull roar from protesters provided a continuous counterpoint to hours of emotional floor debate,” the Austin American Statesman reports.

Texas Tribune: “The measure restricting abortions in Texas is now headed to Gov. Rick Perry’s desk, having passed as thousands of protesters who opposed the measure chanted in and around the Capitol. The crowd outside the chamber erupted after HB 2 passed with a vote of 19-11. But inside, there were none of the eruptions that helped kill the abortion bill in the first special session.”

Los Angeles Times: “In the first six months of this year, a total of 47 line items restricting abortion have been enacted in 18 states… Perry’s signing of the Texas legislation would bring the 2013 count to 52 restrictions in 19 states.”