Statement on Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Call for Another Special Session on Abortion Restrictions:
For Immediate Release: June 26, 2013
Statement from Cecile Richards, President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, on Texas Governor Rick Perry’s Call for Another Special Session on Abortion Restrictions:
“Rick Perry’s decision to force yet another special session on legislation to virtually ban abortion is an affront to the thousands of Texans who turned out in droves to oppose his efforts at every turn. He lost this fight in regular session, and even after they broke the rules he and his allies lost again in front of the entire country last night.
“They tried every trick in the book, blocking testimony from the very women whose lives would be affected, voting in the middle of the night, shutting down the debate — they couldn’t get this done because Texans would not let them. Even Lt. Governor David Dewhurst was forced to admit that the 'unruly mob' in Austin last night was 'the most incredible thing' he had ever seen in his life.
“While yesterday was a great victory, we knew the fight was not over. And it’s a fight we will win. The nation is watching and we will defeat this again. People don't want politicians making women's private medical decisions, cutting off access to lifesaving preventive care or safe and legal abortion - and they absolutely will not stand for it.
“Here in Texas, we've started something no one can stop. We’ve lit the fuse in Austin — and the fire is catching all over the country.”