Wendy Davis became an overnight star with her nearly 13-hour filibuster of a restrictive abortion bill that appeared ready to pass in Texas. The state Senate declared the bill dead Tuesday night after some squabbling regarding whether or not votes were counted after the deadline. Texas Governor Rick Perry announced Wednesday that he is declaring a second special session of the Legislature, particularly to readdress the abortion bill, which will begin July 1 and last no more than 30 days.
"What we witnessed Tuesday was nothing more than the hijacking of the democratic process," Perry told reporters Thursday. "This is simply too important a cause to allow unruly actions of a few to stand in its way."
The bill would have forced abortion clinics throughout the state to upgrade their facilities in order to become surgical centers. Lack of funding would mean that all but five of the state's 42 abortion clinics would close in a state that is 773 miles wide and 790 miles long, with a population of 26 million, the Huffington Post reported. Women living along the Mexico border or in West Texas would have to drive hundreds of miles to get an abortion at an approved facility if the bill passes. The bill also required doctors to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the facilities. In addition, the bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks.
The scene was intense in the Texas Senate the night Davis attempted the all-night filibuster, which was cut short moments before midnight after Republicans gave her three strikes for breaking filibuster rules -- twice for straying off topic and another for stopping to adjust her back brace. Protesters of the bill responded by flooding the Senate floor, chanting slogans such as "shame, shame, shame" to Republican leaders. The outbursts provided enough distraction to block some votes, though a few minutes after midnight, Republicans said the bill had passed 19-10.
RELATED: Texas Abortion Bill Dead: After Wendy Davis Filibuster, Protestors Drown Out Last Minute Try At Vote [VIDEO]
After hour-long negotiations with Republican Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, Democrats agreed to stop pressing the issue about the time the votes were cast -- with Sen. Chuy Hinojosa presenting data that conflicted with the Senate's official website -- if the bill was declared dead. Dewhurst, however, hinted to senators shortly after the decision that a second session would be called, telling Republicans, "see you soon." The governor can declare an unlimited number of special sessions and sets the adgenda for the Senate. Among other issues returning to the table would be a bill regarding juvenile justice and upping highway funding.
"I feel great today. I feel like the people of the state of Texas had a tremendous victory here last night," Davis told NBC after her successful filibuster.
Perry was not so cheery Thursday when he said the people of Texas had unfinished business with the bill, declaring his intent to show that Texas wants "to protect women and the unborn." He criticized Davis and the protester's tactics for taking down the bill and vowed to see it passed.
"We come here to work. We don't come here to be show horses," Perry said of the filibuster.
RELATED: Texas Abortion Law: Can Democrat Wendy Davis Block It With A 13-Hour Filibuster?
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