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Original poster

Anyone watching Texas senator Wendy Davis filibuster the anti-abortion bill?

420 replies

MmeLindor · 25/06/2013 21:08

You can watch here

She has to talk till midnight, so that is 13hours. Without a break, without sitting down.

OP posts:
Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 06:03

Nobody seems to know what is what! (Ps MmeL, what is your twitter handle? I'm sure I used to know)

WhentheRed · 26/06/2013 06:03

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Original poster
MmeLindor · 26/06/2013 05:59

There is some confusion on twitter - think they have been voting. Not sure of legal position

Amazing scenes

OP posts:
jollyhappy · 26/06/2013 05:57

3 minutes - briliant!

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 05:57

I'm really nervous now, I'm not sure that the crowd is filibustering. They're voting at the same time, so there's no reason the GOP can't let the crowd yell until midnight and then announce that it's passed.

FairPhyllis · 26/06/2013 05:55

Apparently the crowd have been arranging bail and lawyers in case they need to storm the chamber.

WhentheRed · 26/06/2013 05:55

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Original poster
MmeLindor · 26/06/2013 05:54

Just woke up and can't make sense of it. What happened?

OP posts:
ThirdTimesABrokenFanjo · 26/06/2013 05:52

is the crowd technically fillibustering now?

WhentheRed · 26/06/2013 05:51

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MrsTerryPratchett · 26/06/2013 05:50

Sorry, just got the point that the debate has to go on until midnight. My sound keeps cutting in and out and I have to go to bed.

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 05:47

White suit lady - van der Putte - totally called them out! "At what point does a female senator have to raise her voice or hand to get recognised". HA!

MrsTerryPratchett · 26/06/2013 05:47

She has paved the way. I like that her colleagues are helping her. Could they get their stuff through in 15 minutes? When can we be sure it worked?

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 05:45

Yes he's Dem - Sen Watson. The lady in the white suit is also Dem.

I hate that they've shut up Sen Davis though, even if the filibuster works. She was just so brilliant!

KaseyM · 26/06/2013 05:41

It's got 21 mins to go. Go Wendy. Makes me sick that a bunch of old farts get to decide what women do with their bodies.

WhentheRed · 26/06/2013 05:40

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MrsTerryPratchett · 26/06/2013 05:36

The big man in the blue suit who is currently talking, is he a Democrat? He REALLY seems to be using delaying tactics so is he trying to continue the filibuster?

What time is it in Texas?

WhentheRed · 26/06/2013 05:32

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Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 05:03

Nope, as long as the special session called to debate the Bill doesn't finish until midnight, Gov Perry can't sign it into law, and she's succeeded (although obv not stopping them calling a new special session), so this is Dems trying to stall, and GOP trying to Shut This Whole Thing Down.

I'm gathering that the rules actually say three strikes for germaneness only - so actually three warnings, where one was for the brace, shouldn't mean she's over and done anyway. Which is why she's still on her feet, I guess.

MoetEtPantsOn · 26/06/2013 04:47

Or is it that if she is not talking at midnight then the filibuster is invalid? Sorry, fuzzy flu brain

MoetEtPantsOn · 26/06/2013 04:46

She was still going when I typed my post. I have the flu so went off for a lie down after that.

I suppose all this argy bargy at least fills in the time. How bad must the person who adjusted the brace feel. Although if not that, they would have found something else I would think. Surely sonograms are highly relevant.

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 04:40

Moet, she has to be bang on topic to count in Texas.

She's still standing, too. Not leaning on anything. It's been an hour since she said anything.

Tortoiseonthehalfshell · 26/06/2013 04:39

As far as I understand this:

Texas has a three strikes and you're out rule re filibusters. They've ruled that she's 'out' because:

  1. Talked about Planned Parenthood budget
  2. Someone helped her adjust her back brace ("helping/assistance", not germaneness")
  3. She talked about sonograms. Which are, by the way, mandated in some States prior to accessing an abortion. But you know. Not relevant! Apparently!

Now they're debating parlimentary order - who is allowed to speak when, has someone yielded the floor, etc - basically in an attempt to get past the midnight mark.

It's utter, utter crap. A back brace! Sonograms!

wentshopping · 26/06/2013 04:35

tuned in rather late to this.
I can't quite tell what they are arguing about now. Disgusted at comments on news story on local news site. (Am in Texas)

MoetEtPantsOn · 26/06/2013 03:32

She is still going. Amazing energy. And still talking about relevant matters. No reading cookbooks here.

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