(Image of "Killer D's" celebrating the 10th anniversary of their action to stop unfair redistricting -- from the Facebook page of Rep. Jessica Farrar.)By now you are probably aware of the filibuster by State Senator Wendy Davis that killed an anti-woman GOP bill in the first legialative special session -- with help from her fellow Democratic senators and an energized gallery crowd. Now Governor Perry has called a second special session to pass that bill -- which would close 37 out of 42 clinics in Texas that perform abortions, and ban abortions after 20 weeks (even though they already require a doctor's decision, and are rarely granted unless the health of the woman is in question).
A filibuster won't work this time to stop the anti-woman bill, because the Republicans are rushing the bill out of committee and trying to get it to the floor for votes in both legislative chambers long before the session is scheduled to end on the 30th day. And since the Democrats do not have the votes to defeat the measure, it looks like a foregone conclusion that the bill will pass (because the GOP cares more about pleasing the fun dies than protecting women's rights).
Some are now saying it is time for a replay of the maneuver done by Democrats back in 2003. The House Democrats didn't have the votes to defeat Tom DeLay's unfair redistricting proposal back then, so they left the state as a group to prevent the House from having a quorum (which is necessary before a vote can be taken). That action earned them the nickname "Killer D's". Democratic senators later did the same thing.
That might be the only way to keep this onerous anti-woman bill from passing the legislature in this special session -- and I'm in favor of it. The House Democrats should take a page from history, and leave the state en masse right before any vote can be taken on the bill -- taking a nice vacation in some blue state (where it would be harder for Perry to force their return).
Even if it worked though, Perry could always call a third special session. But it costs the state at least a million dollars for each special session -- and with a majority of Texans favoring Roe v Wade just as it is, that could quickly earn the Republicans some bad feelings with the public (making 2014 a more difficult election for them). If the bill isn't passed in this special election, the smart move for Republicans would be to wait until after the next election to try again.
If you agree with me that we need to resurrect the "Killer D's", then it would be good if you'd sign this petition to let our Democratic representatives know. I've already added my name to it.
