Texas Republicans gave their initial stamps of approval on Monday for some of the most hard-hitting abortion restrictions in the country during the Texas Legislature's special session on Senate Bill 5.
According to TIME, the majority of the GOP conservatives who attended the vote for the legislation had flyers on their desks that bore Psalm 139:13-14's message: "You covered me in my mother's womb. I will praise you, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made."
Meanwhile, outside the Capitol building, demonstrators rallied against the bill, which supporters say will raise women's health care standards. Opponents, on the other hand, claim that many miss the main point of the legislation: 37 out of 42 abortion clinics in the state of Texas will be shut down if the bill passes to law. Additionally, abortions after 20 weeks of gestation would be banned and pregnancy terminations would only be allowed at surgical centers.
Nearly 800 protestors gathered in the hallway and outside the government building, holding signs that read, "Stop the War on Women."
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and daughter of former Texas politician Ann Richards, said that this law could lead to a near-statewide ban of abortion.
"If this passes, abortion would be virtually banned in the state of Texas, and many women could be forced to resort to dangerous and unsafe measures," Richards said.
Democrats-the majority of whom opposed the bill-employed parliamentary logistics to lengthen the debate to nearly 15 hours. They pointed out technical mistakes in the process and tried to pin on extra amendments to change the fundamentals of the bill, TIME reported.
Republicans, for the most part, stayed quiet, until they passed a motion to force a vote.
"We are willing to have an attack on women in order to have someone's political agenda achieved," Rep. Sylvester Turner of Houston said in support of continuing debate on the bill. "It may be in the dark of night now...but the sun will shine on each and every one of us, and we will be held accountable."
Texas lawmakers must reach a decision by Tuesday at midnight if they want to move on with the process.
According to TIME, members of the House must sign off on their approval of the bill, then it will marinate for 24 hours prior to a Senate vote.
Democrats have stated that they will attempt a filibuster if the legislation comes to them Tuesday. Some government officials said they are almost sure that the bill will move forward.
