Texas Gov. Rick Perry said Sunday that state Sen. Wendy Davis’ attention-getting filibuster notwithstanding, the Legislature is going to approve restrictions on abortion when it gavels in another special session this week.
“We’re going to pass some restrictions on abortion,” he said on “Fox News Sunday.” “Texas is a place where we defend life. I mean, that’s the powerful message here and that’s what we’re focused on and politics will take care of itself.”
“People have relayed to me that never in the history of Texas [have] they seen that type of mob rule come in and discombobulate a legislative session,” he continued.
Mr. Perry clarified that he was not referring to Ms. Davis’ filibuster, but rather the decorum of the Senate chamber during the debate as “mob rule.”
He also defended remarks he made recently at the National Right to Life Conference, where he described Ms. Davis as “a teenage mother herself” who eventually graduated from Harvard Law School and serves in the Texas Senate.
“It’s just unfortunate that she hasn’t learned from her own example, that every life must be given a chance to realize its full potential and that every life matters,” he said.
Mr. Perry said the remarks were meant to be a compliment.
“My point was that saving a life and letting that life come to its fulfillment and all the good things that happen, you never know who’s going to be considered to be an extraordinary individual and make that real impact in life, and that was our point that we were making, and nothing else, nothing more,” he said.
The legislation Ms. Davis filibustered for 11 hours would restrict abortions after 20 weeks in the state and probably force the closure of a majority of Texas’ abortion clinics.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
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