Texas Senate passes pro-life bill

(Vatican Radio) The legislature in Texas, the second-most populous U.S. state, has voted on a comprehensive pro-life bill aimed at protecting women’s health and limiting abortion.

The Senate passed the bill during a second special session that had been called after attempts to pass the bill in an earlier session had been disrupted by pro-abortion advocates.

The bill bans abortions after 20 weeks, and requires doctors performing an abortion to have admitting privileges at a hospital within 30 miles of the abortion clinic. It also calls for stricter guidelines for how doctors administer abortion-inducing drugs.

The passage of the bill late Friday night met with continued protests. Fearing that pro-abortion activists would attempt to disrupt the vote, Texas Department of Public Safety officials searched the bags of people entering the Senate gallery. They confiscated jars containing human waste, as well as paint, glitter, and even bricks which could have been thrown at legislators.

At one point, pro-life advocates were escorted to secure areas amid fears for their safety.

When the final vote was taken late Friday night, the measure easily passed by a 19 to 11 vote. The bill will now go to Texas governor Rick Perry, who has said he will sign the bill into law.

Listen to Christopher Wells’ report: