Republicans in the Texas Legislature have passed an omnibus abortion bill that is one of the most restrictive in the nation.

Joe Raedle, Getty Images
Joe Raedle, Getty Images
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But Democrats vow to fight both in the courts and the ballot box as they used the measure to rally their thousands of their supporters on the Capitol steps in Austin.

The Texas Senate gave final passage late Friday night to a law that would ban abortions after 20 weeks, require abortion doctors to have admitting privileges at a nearby hospital and require all abortions take place in surgical centers. Republicans said it would protect the health of women and babies. Democrats said it was a backdoor ban on abortions.

The debate captured national attention, attracting the support of the base from both parties.

 

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