Ultrasound Bill Passes Senate, Second Pro-Life Victory of Day!!

Vote was 20-9.  Details coming shortly.  See details of debate below.  Shapleigh amendment to remove informed consent regarding abortion/breast cancer link (which has been in law since 2003) fails 11-19.

Now we need a big push in the House where we already have the written, demonstrated support of almost 70 House Members.  Call your State Rep. and make sure he/she supports the Ultrasound Bill.  Click here to find your Represenative http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Breaking!! Senate Debating Ultrasound Bill Now! Live Blogging

5:30 Vote coming- 20-9, Passes

5:15: Sen. Davis-”The woman has to sign a statement about the most difficult decision in her life.”  Why is the decision so difficult, though?

5:10 Sen. Patrick-It will be a great day in Texas if 31 Senators can vote in favor of this bill, and if so, i will not allow any changes in the House.”"

5:00 p.m.  Sen Watson-are ultrasounds available in all 254 counties?  Patrick-No.  Patrick-there is no place in Texas where you can get a “free” abortion. 

4:55 p.m.  Sen Shapleigh speaking, saying Sen. Patrick has made change in bill for benefit of women’s health.

Sen. Deuell speaking-We want informed consent, we don’t really know what goes on in abortion clinics because their records are not open.

Sen. Lucio and Sen Patrick talking about bill, slight change in language.

Sen. Lucio explaining he is pro-life from conception until natural death.  His district is pro-family, pro-life, pro-education.

Sen. Patrick and Sen. Van de Putte debating now.

Choose Life License Plate Passes Senate, 22-9!! Statement of Free Market Foundation

FMF at Gov. Perry Press Conference Supporting Choose Life License Plate before beginning of 2009 Legislative Session.

Today, following the Texas Senate’s vote to pass SB 1098, by a vote of 22-9, the Choose Life license plate bill, Free Market Foundation (FMF) Director of Legislative Affairs and Attorney Jonathan Saenz released the following statement:

“We applaud the leadership of our State Senators and Lt. Gov. Dewhurst for giving Texas citizens to proudly display the message ‘Choose Life’ and to support adoption as a loving alternative to abortion.  With 82 of 150 State House Members already pledging their support, this bill should have no problem clearing the full House and heading to Gov. Perry’s desk.”

FMF has presented testimony to the Senate and House Committees in favor of this bill.  FMF also worked with Alison Morales, a woman with personal connections to abortion and adoption who advocates for pro-life issues, to help her present testimony in the House and Senate in favor of this bill.  Rep. Larry Phillips is the author of the House version, HB 109, which is currently awaiting a hearing and vote in the House Transportation Committee.  In addition, Governor Rick Perry supported the Choose Life license plate legislation by hosting a news conference to bring awareness to the bills.

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Free Market Foundation stands for the sanctity of life, traditional marriage, religious liberties, and limited government, and frequently testifies in the Texas Legislature and works in the courts on these issues.

Choose Life License Plate Vote-Live Blogging

Official Vote coming  22-9, Choose Life Plate Passes!!!

Now we need a big push in the House where we already have support by a majority of House Members.  Call your State Rep. and make sure he/she supports the Choose Life License Plate bill.  Click here to find your Represenative http://www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us/

Roll Call-2/3 rule suspended 

Averitt

Carona

Davis

Deuell

Duncan

 

12:52 p.m. Vote is happening now!!!

Once again, we will be in and out of the Senate Gallery today, anxiously awaiting the full Senate vote for SB 1098, by Sen Carona, the Choose Life License Plate bill.  We’ll report the vote when it happens.

While you wait, read about Alison Morales, who we have partnered with and have spoken on behalf of on this issue.  Read Alison’s story   http://freemarketblog.wordpress.com/2008/12/22/free-market-at-governor%e2%80%99s-press-conference-for-pro-life-bill/

Press Statement on Infanticide Bill

Free Market Foundation

See Texas Republic News story here www.texasrepublicnews.com

STATEMENT
April 30, 2009

AUSTIN, Texas – A bill that would reduce the crime of infanticide from capital murder to a state jail felony is nearing a vote by the full Texas House of Representatives.  HB 3318, filed by Jessica Farrar (D-Houston), is now eligible to be scheduled on the House calendar for a vote by all 150 Texas House members, since it was recently passed by the House Criminal Jurisprudence Committee.  The decision could come at any time.

“We already have incomplete protection for unborn children, and the assault, under this bill, will now extend to babies once they’re born by giving them less protection,” said Jonathan Saenz, director of legislative affairs at Free Market Foundation, who testified against the bill.  “We strongly oppose this bill and urge the Texas House leadership, both Republican and Democrat, to publicly condemn this outrageous legislation and stop it in its tracks.”

Current law states that if a child under the age of six is murdered, it is capital murder.  HB 3318 would reduce the crime of murder against a child the age of birth-12 months to only a state jail felony with a minimum punishment of 180 days to a maximum of 2 years, if the murder committed by the child’s mother is attributed to “impaired (judgment) as a result of the effects of giving birth or the effects of lactation following the birth.”

Texas would be the first state in the United States to have such a law.

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