AUSTIN – In a speedy vote Monday afternoon, the state House of Representatives passed one of the most controversial pieces of legislation this session.
It would require doctors to perform a sonogram, and show and describe ultra-sound images for women seeking an abortion.
Seven Democrats voted with Republicans making the total 107 to 42 in favor of passage.
While both the House bill and Senate bill require a pre-abortion sonogram, after that, they differ greatly. Advocates believe there is still time to get their key provisions in to the final version of the law .
“Regardless of how a woman became pregnant, she deserves access to all the information,” said Joe Pojman, Ph.D., of the Texas Alliance for Life.
The bill passed by the Senate allows a woman to choose not to see the images or hear the sounds if her pregnancy is the result of rape, the result of incest, or if the fetus has irreversible medical condition. The House version has no such provisions.
The House version requires at least 24 hours between the sonogram and the abortion. The Senate version allows for only two hours.
“A woman should have a day, at least, to think about the information she's receiving about the abortion procedure,” Pojman said.
Abortion providers and advocates believe the bill, in any form, is harmful.
“At the end of the day they’re both very problematic bills, and they do the same thing of using an ultrasound for political ends,” said Scott Spear, M.D., of Planned Parenthood of the Texas Capital Region. “Call (your) legislator and tell them (you) want the doctor/patient relationship to not involve your legislator.”
Central Texas legislators voted down party lines: • State Rep. Dawnna Dukes, D-Austin: NO. • State Rep. Larry Gonzales, R-Round Rock: YES. • State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin: NO. • State Rep. Jason Isaac, R-Dripping Springs: YES. • State Rep. Elliott Naishtat, D-Austin: NO. • State Rep. Eddie Rodriguez, D-Austin: NO • State Rep. Charles Schwertner, R-Georgetown: YES. • State Rep. Mark Strama, D- Austin: NO. • State Rep. Paul Workman, R-Spicewood: Yes:
