Lawmaker employs parliamentary manoeuvr to block wide-ranging abortion limits in Texas

AUSTIN, Texas – A Democratic state senator has embarked on a parliamentary manoeuvr to block passage of a proposal that would effectively close most abortion clinics in Texas.

Sen. Wendy Davis began the filibuster at 11:18 a.m. CDT (1618 GMT) Tuesday. To derail a vote in the Republican-dominated Texas Senate, she must keep speaking on the bill until midnight — the deadline for the end of the 30-day special session.

Rules stipulate she remain standing, not lean on her desk or take any breaks — even for meals or to use the bathroom.

Combined, the package of measures — including a ban after 20 weeks of pregnancy — would represent wide-ranging, stringent abortion limits in the second-largest state.

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