AUSTIN, Texas (AP) -- The Texas House has given provisional approval to tough new abortion restrictions, making good on a third attempt to pass the measure this year.
Lawmakers debated for more than 10 hours Tuesday, before voting on the Republican's signature legislation. They approved the bill mainly along party lines.
A final, formal vote is scheduled for Wednesday. The measure will then go to the Senate, where the Republican majority is also expected to approve the bill.
Rep. Senfronia Thompson, D-Houston, center, holds a feather as she stands with fellow representatives as she proposes an amendment to the second reading of HB 2, legislation that will restrict abortion rights, on the Texas House floor,Tuesday, July 9, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The Texas House is expected to vote on the bill Tuesday. Credit: AP
Outside the House chamber supporters of the bill wore blue and opponents wore orange as they staged small protests throughout the day.
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.
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