Mónica Ortiz Uribe
Opponents of the stricter regulations on abortion rally outside the county courthouse in El Paso.
The Texas legislature is one step closer to passing legislation that would significantly alter the way abortion clinics in the state are run. On Wednesday, the House voted 96-49 in favor of a bill that would ban abortions past 20 weeks and would require all clinics preforming the procedure to meet the standards of an ambulatory surgical center.
Abortion providers have said that if the bill becomes law all but five clinics across the state would shut down. The only clinics that currently meet the bill's requirements are located in big cities like Austin and San Antonio.
Opponents of the legislation say abortion clinics already operate safely and this bill would severely restrict women's access to their services. In rural regions of the state and along the southern border, women would face long drives to reach the nearest clinic.
Supporters argue that an abortion past 20 weeks is inhumane and that stricter regulation would result in better medical care for women.
The bill now heads to the state Senate, where it is expected to pass easily. After the bill was derailed last month by a Democratic filibuster, Governor Rick Perry convened a second special session of the legislature to work for passage. In a statement released today, Perry indicated his strong backing of the bill:
The tremendous outpouring of support for this legislation has demonstrated how Texas stands for life, and I commend everyone who wore blue, turned outand spoke up in support of life in our state. Now is not the time to waver, however, as the Senate continues its important work in support of women's health and protecting the lives of our most vulnerable Texans.
Perry has said he will sign the bill once it reaches his desk.