Dems count victory against anti-abortion bills

1AUSTIN — All abortion-related bills were stopped before they could reach the Senate or House floor this session, marking a rebound for Democrats after Republican efforts successfully scaled back family planning funding and abortion resources in 2011.

“Democrats stuck together very well this session and made strong arguments and strong advocacy on behalf of a woman's right to choose,” said Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, who leads the Democratic caucus. “Just this week, I've had pressure from leadership pushing to bring up bills in an almost threatening way, and we have stood up to that. ... Now we're at the end of the session, and they're dead.”

At least 24 abortion-related bills were filed this session, some of which garnered the support of Gov. Rick Perry and Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst. Three marquee proposals for anti-abortion lawmakers failed to gain traction: a bill that would have banned abortions after the 20th week of pregnancy, a bill that would increase regulations for abortion facilities and a bill that would require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges to a hospital within 50 miles.

Lawmakers hoping for a last-minute revival of anti-abortion bills have been pressing other legislators during this week of deadlines, including Dewhurst. New Braunfels Republican Sen. Donna Campbell co-authored the so-called fetal pain bill, which would have moved back the deadline to have an abortion by two months.

“It seems like this session there hasn't been much momentum in getting pro-life bills passed,” she said. “The passion is still there, but the focus has been on the budget and infrastructure issues.”

Last session — with an early boost from Perry — Republicans pushed proposals that forced women to undergo sonograms 24 hours prior to having an abortion and that slashed millions of dollars to family planning services.

Rep. Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, said the 2012 elections played a large role in the momentum shift.

“The elections mattered. Republicans took a big hit, and there was a backlash on their 'war on women'” Farrar said. “These (abortion) clinics are probably the most regulated medical facilities in the state. I don't know how much more you can regulate without violating the privacy of women.”

Rep. Sarah Davis, R-West University Place, the only House Republican in 2011 to vote against the sonogram bill, credited women in Texas for “becoming very vocal” about women's health issues by voting and organizing. She said the House has restored the 2011 cuts and added $63 million. In the Senate, Republican Jeff Wentworth was the sole no vote.

The bills were somewhat different from last session, Watson said, but Democrats were victorious on women's health issues this session. “I feel very strongly that we won,” he said.

Clarification: An earlier version of this story reported that Rep. Sarah Davis was the only Republican to vote against the sonogram bill. She was the only House Republican. Republican Jeff Wentworth voted no in the Senate.

kparker@express-news.net