Wendy came close having her efforts twarted because of a “three strikes” rule. The Texas filabuster rules don’t allow more than one person, no substitutes, no stopping, even to go to the bathroom, no leaning and no going off topic, just to name a few of the requirements. The problems emerged when the republican lt. governor called strikes. According to the Washington Post:
Lieutenant Gov. David Dewhurst ruled that Davis has three times violated the Texas Senate’s procedural rules for a filibuster, which requires a senator to stand continually without assistance and remain on topic.
“There’s a three strikes, you’re out precedent in the Senate that allows senators two warnings about staying germane to the bill topic,” Texas Tribune reporter Becca Aaronson explains. “On the third strike, a simple majority of the Senate can vote to end debate and the senator must yield the floor.”
The first strike came when Davis mentioned Planned Parenthood’s budget, which was ruled not germane to the conversation. The second strike happened at 7:27 p.m. when a colleague of Davis’ helped her adjust a back brace.
You can watch here:
The last strike came at 10:07 p.m. when Davis began discussing a 2011 sonogram law that Texas passed.
All was not lost, however. The crowd errupted chants and roars over what they perceived as unjust treatment.
The sponsors of the anti abortion bill could not get the bill passed in time and thus, Wendy Davis killed the bill.
From Planned Parenthood:
Last night, Senate Democrats led by Wendy wrapped up a 13-hour
filibuster to save 37 health centers and protect the right of every
woman in Texas to make her own medical decisions. They stood on the
floor of the Texas State Capitol and stopped a bill that would have
effectively outlawed abortion for most women in Texas.
Sadly, anti-choice Texans, led by Rick Perry, will keep coming back to try to shove restrictive, unconstitutional bills down the throats of women. According to the Huffingtonpost, late Wednesday afternoon:
Gov. Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he’s calling lawmakers back next week to try again.
Perry ordered the Legislature to meet July 1 to begin 30 more days of work. Like the first special session, which ended in chaos overnight, the second one will include on its agenda a Republican-backed plan that critics say would close nearly every abortion clinic across the state and impose other widespread limits on the procedure.
“I am calling the Legislature back into session because too much important work remains undone for the people of Texas,” Perry said in a statement. “Texans value life and want to protect women and the unborn.”
She is my hero! 13 hours of non stop talking and standing, no bathroom breaks, no water. She is one tough lady. When they tried preventing her from being successful, citizens interceded and brought her through the finish line. I simply cannot express how disgusted I am with the republican party. Gut food stamps but boy do they have the will to prevent poor children from getting food.
I hope she runs for governor. She epitomizes courage and conviction.
She really does, doesn’t she. Shades of Ann Richards.
I would expect she will run for governor and Rick Perry will be out of a job.