This bill magically shows up for the conservative right wing of Texas just as their base feels under attack, and losing influence. A bill like this for the Texas GOP is not unlike the way people flock to gold during an economic crisis.
Republicans used their majority to cut short debate and give preliminary approval on abortion restrictions during Texas Legislature's special session. Some members of the conservative majority had signs on their desks that read, "Psalm 139:13-14," which reads in part: "You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Senate Bill 5 is a measure banning abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy; require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals and limit abortions to surgical centers.
Supporters say the bill will raise the standard of women's health care. Opponents say the bill would shut down 37 out of 42 abortion clinics in the state. Those Psalm signs are all one needs to know where this debate originated. Kind of.
"If this passes, abortion would be virtually banned in the state of Texas, and many women could be forced to resort to dangerous and unsafe measures," said Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and daughter of the late former Texas governor, and all around badass, Ann Richards. Democrats used various strategies over 15 hours, pointing out technical mistakes in the process or trying to tack on amendments to alter the bill.
Supporters of the bill needed to move the process forward in order to make a midnight deadline this Tuesday, when the session ends. The bill's sponsor, Rep. Jody Laubenberg, stopped answering questions about her legislation the first two hours after she got into trouble denying Democratic amendments. When Rep. Senfronia Thompson, a Democrat from a tough part of Houston, called for an exemption for victims of rape and incest, Laubenberg explained why she felt it was unnecessary. "In the emergency room they have what's called rape kits where a woman can get cleaned out," she said.
Now, with only the hint of “kind of” at the end of the first paragraph, I would like abandon the journalistic straightforward approach, and provide a small little detail I couldn’t help but notice as all of this unfolded. Thompson is African American, and as she opposed the white Laubenberg, she stood in a wall of African American representatives, all them from impoverished districts. This entire mess has been described as partisan politics, and there is a distinct hint of that, but this is not just about women's health. It is about race and class. Look at the Reps fighting for it and fighting against.
This bill magically shows up for the conservative right wing of Texas just as their base feels under attack, and losing influence. A bill like this for the Texas GOP is not unlike the way people flock to gold during an economic crisis. The women’s health tsunami is in full swing, but the aftermath is a temporary reminder about who really has the power in the Lone Star state. Laubenberg and her gang have little time for logic, reason, or accountable legislation. The GOP can, and will, hide behind biblical signage all they want, but they understand a move needs to be made now, before that well-spoken Mexican boy, Julián Castro, takes over. This bill is not about abortion; this bill is about an endangered elephant taking one last stand.