AUSTIN, Texas — A bill that would have greatly restricted abortions in the state of Texas failed to pass in a special legislative session that was ruled by confusion and chaos.
Republicans were hoping to pass the measure before a midnight deadline on Tuesday night, but democratic senator Wendy Davis attempted to block the bill with a 13-hour filibuster.
She fell short three hours early when the chairman ruled she had gone off topic. The packed gallery erupted in boos, as the clock ticked closer to the midnight deadline. Their chants drowned out the proceedings, and 12:00 a.m. quickly passed by.
From there, confusion dominated the session.
Finally, the Lieutenant Governor stepped to the senate floor at around 3:00 a.m. PT on Wednesday to declare the bill had died, and the special session was over.
According to CNN, the bill would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and tighten standards on abortion clinics and the doctors who work at them. Critics say it would have shut most of the abortion clinics in Texas.
Governor Rick Perry, who supports the bill, may ask for another session.
