Texas House to vote on abortion restrictions

CHRIS TOMLINSON, Associated Press

 

AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas House is expected to take up a bill that will impose tough new restrictions on abortions in the state.

Lawmakers will have a chance to debate the bill Tuesday before voting on it. Democrats and women’s rights supporters have protested the bill for weeks, but Republican leaders are intent on passing it as quickly as possible.

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Supporters say the bill will offer women more protection when they seek abortions, but critics say conservatives are over-regulating the procedure to make abortions harder to get.

The bill would require doctors to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, only allow abortions in surgical centers, dictate when abortion pills are taken and ban abortions after 20 weeks.

If the House approves it, the bill goes to the Senate and then to the governor.