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Texas Senate Bill Could 'Essentially Ban Abortion Statewide'

Lizzie Chen for KUT News

Texas Senators passed a bill late last night 20-10 that would allow abortions only in surgical facilities and further restrict abortion-inducing medications.

Republican senators insisted the bill was passed to protect women’s health, but Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst tweeted this morning, “We fought to pass SB-5 thru the Senate last night and this is why,” linking to a map from an abortion-rights group showing clinic locations that says "if SB5 passes, it would essentially ban abortion statewide."

The author of SB 5 dropped a provision banning abortions after 20 weeks of gestation. But members of the Texas House could restore the 20-week limit.

A House committee is expected to take up the bill on Thursday.

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