6.24.2013

Abortion Fillibuster Drama In Austin


David Dewhurst is being David Dewhurst.

Here's the deal (stay with me here):  The Senate passed the restrictive abortion bill last week. This morning, after fighting all night, the House did, too. BUT they added a provision outlawing any abortion after 20 weeks. Because of the addition, it now has to go BACK to the Senate for a re-vote.

The Democrats, who don't have enough votes to vote down the bill, are planning on trying to filibuster the vote because the Special Session ends at midnight on Tuesday.  They just have to talk long enough until the clock runs out. And, since there is a 24 hour waiting period law before they can take up the proposed legislation, Democrats would only have to filibuster from Tuesday morning to Tuesday at midnight.

But wait.  The Senate, by some type of super majority (I'm not sure of the exact number), can vote on suspending the 24 hour rule which means they could take up the measure today meaning that the filibuster becomes harder. It would have to last until Monday evening to Tuesday night.

But wait again. Even though there aren't enough Democrats to vote down the abortion bill (simple majority needed), there are enough Democrats to block any attempt to suspend the 24 hour rule (super majority needed).  That is, if all of them are there.

Here's the problem: One of the Democrats is at her father's funeral because he was killed in a car wreck last week. Would the Senate take a vote today, with the Democratic Senator absent, on suspending the 24 hour rule?

You bet. David Dewhurst wrote her today and said the Senate was moving forward. 

Edit (almost immediately):


at 4:12 PM