Perry signs restrictive abortion bill; Republicans file 6-week ban

Lawmakers, including Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and State Sen. Ediie Lucio D-Brownsville (blue coat) applaud as Governor Rick Perry speaks before he signs into law the abortions restrictions bill on July 18, 2013. less Lawmakers, including Lt. Governor David Dewhurst and State Sen. Ediie Lucio D-Brownsville (blue coat) applaud as Governor Rick Perry speaks before he signs into law the abortions restrictions bill on July 18, ... more Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News Photo: Tom Reel, San Antonio Express-News Image 1 of / 141 Caption Close Perry signs restrictive abortion bill; Republicans file 6-week ban 1 / 141 Back to Gallery

AUSTIN — Even as Gov. Rick Perry put pen to paper to sign some of the strictest abortion regulations in the nation, it was clear Thursday the fight was far from over.

Within minutes of the bill's signing, opponents talked of filing lawsuits and ongoing legal challenges to similar measures in other states. Shortly afterward, Planned Parenthood announced the closure of three southeast Texas clinics.

Abortion advocates, many of them Republican lawmakers who pushed the bill through the Legislature after failing to advance any related bills during the regular session, took to social media to crow about the bill signing. And at least one lawmaker signaled his intent to keep up the pressure. Rep. Phil King, R-Weatherford, filed a bill Thursday to ban abortion after detection of a fetal heartbeat, typically around six weeks of gestation.

“It is a happy, celebratory day,” Perry said. “It is our responsibility to give voice to the unborn. ... It is also our responsibility to protect the health of women.”

Planned Parenthood Gulf Coast announced Thursday it would close its clinics in Bryan, Lufkin and Huntsville at the end of August because of the new abortion restrictions and 2011 state funding cuts to family planning services. Only the Bryan clinic performed abortions.

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