In Surprise, NC Lawmakers OK Abortion Restrictions

Democrats in Texas may have used creative parliamentary tactics to stall new abortion restrictions, but Republicans in North Carolina used a few of their own last night for the opposite cause. They amended an unrelated bill in the state Senate to include several new restrictions, including one that requires clinics to have the same licensing standards as surgical centers, reports CNN. The latter is a now-common tactic that effectively shuts down many existing clinics. The measure—called a "sneak attack" by Planned Parenthood—cleared the full Senate this morning and now heads toward expected passage in the House, reports the Charlotte Observer.

• The Democrats' stance: “It’s about dictating to women about very personal medical decisions that should be left to a woman and her doctor," says one lawmaker. "This is going to cause more back-alley abortions whether you want to admit it or not.”
• And the Republicans: “We’re not here today taking away the rights of women," counters a proponent. "We’re taking away the rights of an industry to have substandard conditions.”

The bill's passage comes as Texas Republicans made progress on the second go-round of their legislation, reports the AP. Ohio also put new restrictions into effect last weekend. (More North Carolina stories.)