The GOP-controlled Texas House on Friday steamrolled past protesting Democrats, giving Gov. Greg Abbott a victory – and what's likely to be a big check for $.
Shelby Slawson (center) stands with cosponsors as she answers questions about the heartbeat bill in the Texas House chamber, in Austin, on May 5, 2021.
Eric Gay/AP
Shelby Slawson, dressed in all red, leaned against the House podium in early May, poised to become the face of Republican women. The freshman representative from Stephenville was carrying Senate Bill 8 in the House, legislation that Greg Abbott signed into law this week banning nearly all abortions after a fetal heartbeat is detected as early as at six weeks’ gestation, before some women know they’re pregnant. The law also allows members of the public to file lawsuits against a woman’s physician or anyone who helped her obtain an abortion after a heartbeat is detected, such as by paying for the procedure or driving her to the clinic.
Grieder: As Biden urges gun safety, Texas Republicans may approve permitless carry By Erica Grieder
Another week, another mass shooting in America. On Thursday, the news came from Bryan, Texas; a gunman killed one person and wounded five others at a cabinet manufacturing plant, then wounded a state trooper while fleeing the scene.
It would be naive to expect such a tragedy to lead to some kind of sea change. But it should give Texas voters a moment’s pause, at least, especially with state lawmakers on track to expand gun rights this session.
This might well be the year that permitless carry comes to Texas, for one thing. Another measure, which has the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, would make Texas a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” meaning that state agencies would effectively be directed to ignore any new federal rules and legislation that may come down the pike.
Grieder: As Biden urges gun safety, Texas Republicans may approve permitless carry By Erica Grieder
Another week, another mass shooting in America. On Thursday, the news came from Bryan, Texas; a gunman killed one person and wounded five others at a cabinet manufacturing plant, then wounded a state trooper while fleeing the scene.
It would be naive to expect such a tragedy to lead to some kind of sea change. But it should give Texas voters a moment’s pause, at least, especially with state lawmakers on track to expand gun rights this session.
This might well be the year that permitless carry comes to Texas, for one thing. Another measure, which has the support of Gov. Greg Abbott, would make Texas a “Second Amendment Sanctuary State,” meaning that state agencies would effectively be directed to ignore any new federal rules and legislation that may come down the pike.