Abortion bill passed in Texas

[Josephine96]

Texas Governor Signs Abortion Bill

By JAMIE STENGLE, Associated Press Writer
Mon Jun 6, 4:59 AM ET



FORT WORTH, Texas - Using an evangelical school gymnasium as a backdrop, Gov. Rick Perry put his signature to legislation restricting abortions and added his backing to a measure barring same-sex marriage.





Perry signed a bill Sunday requiring girls under the age of 18 to get their parents' consent before having an abortion and also imposes more limits on late-term abortions.

"For too long, a blind eye has been turned to the rights of our most vulnerable human beings — that's the unborn in our society," Perry told a crowd of about 1,000 people gathered at the Calvary Christian Academy.

Texas already had a parental notification bill, approved in 1999. The new measure requires a parent to provide written consent for unmarried girls under 18. The bill also restricts doctors from performing abortions on women who have carried a child for more than 26 weeks unless having the baby would jeopardize the woman's life or the baby has serious brain damage,

During the 1 1/2 hour program, Perry also signed a resolution to amend the Texas Constitution by banning same-sex marriages. However, that signature was only ceremonial since voters must approve the ban in November.

"A nurturing home with a loving mother and loving father is the best way to guide our children down the proper path," said Perry, who was joined by several legislators. He also thanked the "pro-life" and "pro-family" organizations.

The ceremony brought out about 350 protesters, many carrying signs. They included opponents of the ban on same-sex marriage, including two with posters reading "Hate is not a family value" and "God values all families."

Others were there to protest the use of church property for a bill signing.

"It hurts that he can cheapen politics and religion by this kind of maneuver and people can think it's OK," said Karin Cagle, a 45-year-old from Fort Worth who carried a sign saying "Separate church and state — Keep America great."

"The critics are generally those who object to people of faith participating in government or the electoral process," said Perry spokeswoman Kathy Walt. "There are a number of critics who would object to this bill-signing if it were in a public school, a library, a Wal-Mart parking lot or any other venue, because they oppose pro-life and pro-family issues."

Pastor Larry White, of Our Savior Lutheran Church in Houston, said the gathering there was about life, family and marriage. "There are those that would drive people of faith from the public square if they could," White said

[southerngale]

Abortion should be illegal, but at least it's a tiny step in the right direction.

[TexasStooge]

I already heard about that in the local news. Protesters piled up as soon as the Governor Rick Perry arrived.

[JerryG]

well....we all knew that Texas is a backwards state.

[Steve]

Not to mention that every conservative I know in Texas literally HATES Perry. Woe be the day if lesser-right-wing Kay Bailey Hutchinson steps down from the Senate to take him on for his governorship. He's a goner.

Steve

[JenBayles]

well....we all knew that Texas is a backwards state.

Don't Mess With Texas, Jer.

[JerryG]

well....we all knew that Texas is a backwards state.

Don't Mess With Texas, Jer.

[gtalum]

Good. It's ridiculous that minors can get a surgical procedure done without parental consent.