February 15, 2017      6:00 PM

Senators hear criticism of abortion bills from groups on both sides of the issue

Texas Alliance for Life says Sen. Perry’s “dismemberment abortion” bill would not stand up to a federal court challenge

The Senate Health and Human Services Committee took up a three abortion bills Wednesday in a hearing that drew many testifiers on both sides of the issue. But in many instances it was a no-win situation for Republicans as the bills were blistered by both anti-abortion advocates who thought the proposals didn’t go far enough and pro-choice advocates who thought exactly the opposite.

The pieces of legislation – Senate Bills 8, 415 and 258 – would prohibit “partial birth” abortions, “dismemberment” abortions and deal with the disposition of fetal remains, respectively.

Wednesday’s hearing started with a discussion of Senate Bill 8 by Sen. Charles Schwertner. The bill, in addition to banning “partial-birth” abortions, would prohibit the donation of fetal tissue from an elective abortion and the purchase or sale of fetal tissue.

During the hearing, Chairman Schwertner acknowledged that “partial-birth” abortion is not a medical term. Medical professionals call to this type of abortion a dilation and extraction abortion.  

By Eleanor Dearman

Copyright February 15, 2017, Harvey Kronberg, www.quorumreport.com, All rights are reserved