PoliticsDeath Penaltytexas abortiontexas-abortion-bill

Texas Bill Would Block Anti-Abortion Laws Until Death Penalty Is Abolished

Dem Proposes Tying Abortion Restrictions To Death Penalty Abolition
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Managing Editor, Breaking News, HuffPost

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A Texas lawmaker has introduced a bill that would block anti-abortion laws from going into effect until the state ends its use of capital punishment.

State Rep. Harold Dutton Jr. (D) introduced the measure to counter a slew of abortion restrictions proposed by Republican legislators in the Texas statehouse. Dutton's measure, HB 45, would block any law that restricts access to abortions until 60 days after the state abolishes its death penalty.

Click here to read the text of Dutton's bill.

Dutton also offered a similar amendment to HB 2, the contentious abortion bill famously filibustered by state Sen. Wendy Davis (D) last month.

“Twelve people can put somebody to death in this state,” Dutton said of his amendment, which was eventually tabled. “But now, we want one person to not be able to decide that same issue.”

Texas, which recently executed its 500th inmate since 1976, currently leads the country in use of capital punishment. As MSNBC reported, 261 of those executions took place under Gov. Rick Perry (R), who announced last week that he would not seek reelection in 2014.

Dutton has taken on the death penalty in the past, first filing a measure to end the policy in 2003. He filed a similar bill last year.

(h/t ThinkProgress)

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Before You Go

Wendy Davis Speaks For 11 hours On The Abortion Bill
Wendy Davis(01 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, who tries to filibuster an abortion bill, reacts as time expires, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Amid the deafening roar of abortion rights supporters, Texas Republicans huddled around the Senate podium to pass new abortion restrictions, but whether the vote was cast before or after midnight is in dispute. If signed into law, the measures would close almost every abortion clinic in Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson(02 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(03 of41)
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Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(04 of41)
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Member of the gallery respond by holding up their shoes as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(05 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(06 of41)
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Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(07 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, who tries to filibuster an abortion bill, hold up a no vote as time expires, Wednesday, June 26, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Amid the deafening roar of abortion rights supporters, Texas Republicans huddled around the Senate podium to pass new abortion restrictions, but whether the vote was cast before or after midnight is in dispute. If signed into law, the measures would close almost every abortion clinic in Texas. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(08 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, cener, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(09 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(10 of41)
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A line to enter the Senate Chamber spills into the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
David Dewhurst(11 of41)
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Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst, center, holds a conference with senators to discuss a rule during Sen. Wendy Davis', D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Rodney Ellis(12 of41)
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Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, left, helps Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, right, with a back brace during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Rodney Ellis(13 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, and Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, right, vote against a motion to call for a rules violation during Davis' filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules by receiving help from Ellis with a back brace. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(14 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, left, votes against a motion to call for a rules violation during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules by receiving help from Sen. Rodney Ellis, D-Houston, with a back brace. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(15 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a rules violation during her filibusters of an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Davis was given a second warning for breaking filibuster rules. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(16 of41)
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Hundreds line up to enter the Senate Chamber spills into multiple levels of the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(17 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, reacts after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(18 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, holds her hand to her mouth as she stands with fellow senators after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(19 of41)
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Standing in front of a portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(20 of41)
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Hundreds line up to enter the Senate Chamber spills into multiple levels of the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(21 of41)
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Member of the gallery respond by holding up their shoes as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(22 of41)
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Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson(23 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, left, after she was called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(24 of41)
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Members of the gallery respond as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, is called for a third and final violation in rules to end her filibuster attempt to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(25 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, speaks as she begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(26 of41)
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Standing in front of a portrait of President Lyndon B. Johnson, Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(27 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, begins a filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(28 of41)
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A line to enter the Senate Chamber spills into the rotunda as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(29 of41)
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Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(30 of41)
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Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(31 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(32 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
(33 of41)
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Opponents to an abortion bill sit in the senate chamber as Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, filibusters in an effort to kill the abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(34 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, holds up two fingers to cast a no vote to bring an abortion bill to the floor early for debate, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(35 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(36 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, stands on a near empty senate floor as she filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(37 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, speaks as she begins a filibusters in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(38 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, wears tennis shoes in place of her dress shoes as she begins a one-woman filibuster in an effort to kill an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis, Kirk Watson, Rodney Ellis(39 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, second from left, talks with Sen. Rodney Ellis, left, Sen Juan "Chuy" Hinojosa, D-McAllen, right, and Kirk Watson, D-Austin. as she prepares to filibusters an abortion bill, Tuesday, June 25, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(40 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, center, talks with fellow senators during a recess, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. Senate democrats are trying to hold off on a bill that would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
Wendy Davis(41 of41)
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Sen. Wendy Davis, D-Fort Worth, holds up two fingers to casts a no vote to bring an abortion bill to the floor early for debate, Monday, June 24, 2013, in Austin, Texas. The bill would ban abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy and force many clinics that perform the procedure to upgrade their facilities and be classified as ambulatory surgical centers. (AP Photo/Eric Gay) (credit:AP)
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