The concern comes mostly from pro-life advocacy groups. Why? Because the gridlock over Voter I.D. is likely to result in the defeat of Dan Patrick’s informed consent bill, which gives women seeking an abortion the choice of whether to have an ultrasound procedure. House Republicans have been getting e-mails from the pro-life groups.
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texmex says:
make sure to complain to those stalling the process. and no, the blame can’t rest on the authors of the bill. they filed the bills their voters, and most of texas, want. it’s how the democrats have reacted that makes one take notice.
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Anonymous says:
Antoher positive result of chubbing!! Yeah!!!
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Anonymous says:
If the pro-life advocacy groups had half a brain, they would’ve picked someone else to carry their bill–that is, if they want to have a less difficult time passing it.
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Martin Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:35 pm
If you are thinking this session’s Dan Patrick is the same as last session’s Dan Patrick, you are mistaken.
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Anon says:
Trial lawyer Mark Lanier heavily funds those pro-life groups. He just wants to get to TDI Sunset, not ultrasound (though he likes that bill too). He’s just trying to help the Trials use grassroots social conservative groups to pressure Rs to get to TDI Sunset, so he can slap those tort amendments on.
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Sal Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:37 pm
You are right, Anon.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:17 pm
Are you suggesting that Republicans are using the specter of Voter ID to block legislation they don’t want to vote on? Shocking!
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west tex says:
The ultrasound is REQUIRED. The choice is whether the patient wants to see it.
C.S.S.B. 182 amends the Woman’s Right to Know Act to revise and add to the conditions that are prerequisite for consent to an abortion to be voluntary and informed. The bill, among other provisions, adds as one of these prerequisites a requirement that a pregnant woman undergo an obstetric ultrasound before the abortion, and includes provisions under which the woman elects whether to see the ultrasound, hear the ultrasound, or receive an explanation of the results of the ultrasound.
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Anonymous says:
It’s the D’s who a re Chubbing. They don’t want voter ID or the ultrasound bill. The Do nothing Democrats.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:36 pm
And apparently R’s want TDI or tort reform. Do nothing R’s hiding behind the do nothing D’s. Ain’t it just grand!
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 10:37 pm
Sorry – R’s DON’T want TDI or tort reform.
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anonymous says:
The Dems are holding the house hostage . . . if we pay the ransom they are imposing, it establishes an awful precedent. If I have to provide a picture ID when I go to 24 Fitness, shouldn’t a similar standard be applied when I go to vote? Chubbing is childish and a terrible waste of taxpayer money.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
“…if we pay the ransom they are imposing, it establishes an awful precedent.” ???
What a boat-load of crap! Since when is it a problem for both sides to have a say in what gets considered in an equally-divided legislative body??
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freakydeaky Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:45 pm
they did have a say. All but one member voted on House Rules. Those rules establish a calendars committee, which is chaired by a Republican, and a local and consent calendar committee, which is chaired by a Democrat.
That process is the product of consensus, and everyone has a say. Now that the calendars committee approved a calendar the Democrats don’t like, they are trying to create a defacto calendars committee based on floor suspension.
Within the rules? Yes. The only way for the Dems to have a say? Bogus.
The same calendars committee has kicked out legislation remarkably close to the makeup of the House. Now, somehow, they are to blame for scheduling a bill that D’s don’t like?
The whining is becoming a bit unbecoming.
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cyrus Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 9:33 pm
Hmm. Did I miss the news cycle where paying to go to 24 fitness was declared a constitutional right?
You guys really need new material. Only the drunkest of kool-aid drinkers is gonna buy an analogy of going to the damn gym with the right to vote. What a bunch of elitist garbage.
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Anonymous says:
Do nothing D’s? You would think that the small govt conservatives would be thanking them for stalling all this over-reaching legislation from not passing. Maybe that is why this has continied to deadline Tues.?
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cow droppings Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:18 pm
a nice distortion of the conservative philosophy. But if conservatives don’t think taxpayers should be on the hook for future hurricane costs, why shouldnt they want to pass changes to TWIA to preserve the economic interests of their constituents.
The ideal for conservatives is not fewer laws, but less government. But I suppose you didn’t really care about that based on drive-by soundbite attacks.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:38 pm
Project much?
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Lemsus says:
The Dems have been fighting the Voter ID so hard that I’m sure they must be cheating in elections.
If we can’t protect our elections from cheaters, then the Democrats will win. And then how many pro-life bills do you think will pass?
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Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:03 am
How did Rs ever take a majority in the house if all these D’s have bene cheating all along? Huh, Lemsus?
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Sal says:
Just watch – - the Dems are going to start blaming the Republicans for not giving in to them.
They are proud of the chubbing. Has anyone looked at Rep. Pena’s blog? He basically brags about their chubbing.
Because of the Democrats, the taxpayers are going to have to pay for a special session.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:40 pm
Because the R’s made Voter ID the be all-end all of the session, the taxpayers are going to have to pay for a special session…IF the R Governor decides that it’s worth the cost to have the taxpayers foot the bill.
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Sal Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:22 am
Anonymous, what world are you living in? It was the Dems who made Voter ID the “be all-end all” of the session. The DEMS are the ones that ground the session to a halt. Not the Rs.
But you are doing exactly what I predicted the irresponsible Dems would do – start blaming the Rs for not giving into their demands.
Just like two year-olds demanding candy from their momma. Momma won’t give in, and the little guy throws a fit. He thinks it’s all Momma’s fault because he’s not getting his way. Just like the Texas House Democrats.
“Waaaahhh, Waaahhh. The Republicans won’t give in to our fit. They are so bad! It’s all their fault ’cause they won’t give in to our Democrat temper tantrum! Waaah-waaah. Big mean Republicans. How dare they act like adults!”
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Anonymous says:
Pass voter ID or we kill more babies. That’s what they are saying.
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Kyleen Wright says:
Last session, at the mere hint of possible chubbing that would cause bills to die, pro-lifers were asked to pull down the Ultrasound bill. No outrage over principle or Democrats holding the calendar hostage then.
The life issue is the top issue for a significant constituency within the Republican party, and the Ultrasound is the top priority for Pro-lifers this session. Once again we are asked to sacrifice. And for what? A bill that by all accounts is already dead but can be had in a special session?
Rep. Dunnam is quoted in today’s Statesman that they fully expect to suspend the rules and take up some legislation after tonight’s deadline. Republicans should fight to make sure the Ultrasound Bill is one of those bills.
Despite Republican dominance of the legislature, pro-lifers haven’t had a free-standing bill since 2003. It’s time to walk the walk.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 5:59 pm
Used. Funny that social conservatives and pro-lifers haven’t recognized that yet. But now that you’ve virtually banned everyone else from your party, you’re gonna get to see what you can do by yourselves. Not much. Thank you, God!
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VoiceofReason Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 6:09 pm
It’s nice to see someone stand up for something that they actually believe in…..it’s a rarity in today’s political world. That, and being willing to “call a spade, a spade.”
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Anonymous says:
Kyleen, honey, the republicans aren’t done taking your money yet to get reelected.
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VoiceofReason says:
Isn’t it convenient that Republicans only worry about voter fraud and ballot security when redistricting is approaching and they are worried about not being the dominant political party? Voter Fraud and Ballot security weren’t issues when the Republicans were firmly in power – I guess that they didn’t exist then.
Apparantly, voter fraud can only exist when the balance of power is BALANCED.
It is quite clear that Voter ID is not the top legislative priority for all Republicans.
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A2Z Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 7:29 pm
“Voter Fraud and Ballot security weren’t issues when the Republicans were firmly in power – I guess that they didn’t exist then.”
Interesting observation, Voice.
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Sal Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:28 am
“VoiceofReason”, I guess you weren’t around for the past two sessions. The House passed Voter ID in both the 2005 and 2007 sessions. The Senate defeated it.
It must be because of redistricting that the Dems are fighting this so hard. They want to be able to maintain their fraudulent voting machine, so they can be sure to ratchet it up for the next election.
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VoiceofReason Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:26 am
If you read for content, the observation was not that Voter Fraud and Ballot Security legislation didn’t occur in previous legislative sessions, it was that they weren’t “issues” during those sessions. Prior to the 2009 legislative session, the Republican party did not see fit to make it a “hot button” issues or rally cry. Even prior to the start of this session, the Republican party had ratcheted up the rhetoric on this issue. The opening volley on this issue occurred at the very beginning of this session in the Senate with the alteration of the Rosebush-Blocker Rule. The Democrats did not drag this issue to the forefront of Texas politics this session, the Republicans did.
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harley spoon says:
Rep. Betty Brown, Rep. Harper Brown and Sen. Williams destroyed this session because of their arrogant and narrow-scoped approach. They figured they could game the system by suspending the rules in the Senate and leave the Dems out in the cold. HA, HA,HA. They just couldn’t have it both ways as, in their arrogance, they figure on. The House Dems decided to fight fire with fire by using the rules to their advantage. And why not! If most Texans understood what the voter ID legislation would do to “the consent of the governed” principle, they would defeat any legislator who stood for such malarkey in the next election.
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cow droppings Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 7:49 pm
they are not the one’s at the back mic asking about Christmas trees, monarch butterflies, crudely throwing out lines like “that’s what she said”, or mockingly trying to legitimize their nine minutes of questions as if they really want to learn more about various bills.
Some may thinks the ends justify the means. But sometimes the ends provide some pretty good material in the political season.
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Sal Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:48 am
Harley Spoon, your attempt at spin isn’t working. The Dems threw a tantrum ’cause they are control freaks. They throw a five-day fit or run off to OK or NM if they don’t have control.
Harley Spoon, you are a typical Dem who thinks the people aren’t smart enough to understand what’s going on. And I quote you, “If most Texans understood what voter legislation would do. . . .”
The problem for you is, the people do understand what Voter ID legislation would do – very clearly. Just like we know what Rent-a-movie photo IDs do, and what Cash-a-check photo IDs do, and what Get-on-a-bus photo IDs do, and Write-a-check photo IDs, etc., etc.
They prevent people from cheating, stealing, or harming others.
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Anonymous says:
Next thing you know, Betty will insist that only people whose names she can read and pronounce can vote.
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cannonball says:
Neither Brown had anything to do with the Senate. You do realize the differences between the the house and senate, don’t you?
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Gilligan says:
I heard there was a deal being cut to merge Voter ID with the ultrasound bill. Each voter must either show ID or be forced to look at an ultrasound before they vote.
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Anonymous Reply:
May 26th, 2009 at 8:01 pm
yeah, they can call it fetal photo id.
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Sal Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 7:51 am
As a matter of fact, that fetus does have an identity, whether or not anyone else notices, cares, or believes they do.
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freakydeaky Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 9:31 am
but sal, haven’t you learned that the democratic mantra of standing up the fragile and the vulnerable doesn’t apply to the most fragile and innocent of us all, the unborn?
Anonymous Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:08 am
Is this the same Sal who agreed above that this was all Mark Lanier’s scheme to use pro-lifers to undo tort reform? Now youre worried about the fetus?
Anonymous says:
So it’s not about Voter ID at all – just Republicans using Democrats for cover while they block any possibility of tort reform amendments to TDI. And Craddick’s holding court. Hmmm. Wonder who’s in the hallway behind the House floor?????? Well, Paul, you were wondering why the R’s were still fighting for Voter ID when everyone knows it’s dead.
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cow droppings Reply:
May 27th, 2009 at 10:11 am
anny at 10:08: have you ever heard of a mother who lost the unborn child she was expecting say, “I lost my fetus?”
Sal’s point was the trials were using the pro-lifers they support, but that does not in any way diminish the legitimacy of their issue.
Nice try at diversion. I have noticed D’s and libs on this blog are really good at deflecting the point and attacking the messenger instead of addressing the actual message.
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cyrus says:
Well, I’m at least consoled by the fact that this is definitely Linda Harper-Brown’s last session. Won’t have her to kick around anymore.
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Anonymous says:
Does this mean Leininger and Perry still rule the house?
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Tim says:
Someday perhaps the anti-abortion movement will realize that the Republicans have no interest in actually passing their legislation.
They controlled the entire federal government and they got bumpkiss. You’ve got to give them the fact that they’re amazingly dedicated to a party that gives them nothing in return.
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