Texas Senate - Davis continues filibuster to stop abortion bill

[sfrlz]

Before a packed chamber and gallery, state Sen. Wendy Davis began a dramatic filibuster Tuesday morning designed to block passage of a controversial and politically charged anti-abortion bill.

Because the special legislative session will end at midnight, the Fort Worth Democrat could succeed if she continues talking on Senate Bill 5 without

Comments

[bethan_b_bad]

I've had the livestream going to a couple of hours now, and I want SO BADLY to cheer her.

As a Brit, can someone explain to me how the GOP could potentially stop the filibuster even if she doesn't yield the floor? They seemed to be implying they would...

[idemandjustice]

They would just need to get 60 votes to end it, I think.

[bethan_b_bad]

But how can they vote if she doesn't cede the floor? *confuse*

[layweed]

Here's a link explaining the rules of a fillibuster in the Texas Senate: http://www.texastribune.org/2013/06/25/texplainer-what-are-rules-filibuster/

[bethan_b_bad]

Thanks!

[layweed]

They would need her to either voluntarily yield the floor or commit 3 violations of the rules. After that they would still have to vote and force a vote.

Also this is the Texas Senate and there are only like 30 seats so I think you're getting it confused with the US Senate.

[idemandjustice]

Yes. I read Texas Senator and inadvertently translated it to Senator from Texas.