In the Texas Senate, the filibuster is a method of allowing a minority viewpoint known. The minority Legislator is allowed to speak without time limits and without unwanted interruptions, as long as he or she follows the rules laid out beforehand.
Yes, Senator Windy Wendy Davis began a filibuster. She knew the rules, and she broke them. Her fellow Democrat Senators engaged in stalling tactics, but it was the noise and chaos in the gallery that made the three minutes of difference that killed the Bill.
You can watch the Senate video at this page.The
Senators West, Whitmire,Watson, Ellis, Van de Putte, Zaffirini, and (of course) Senator Davis proved to all of us that they value the elective abortion of human beings above orderly government and Legislators.
I was, unfortunately, not shocked that Senator Leticia Van de Putte encouraged the gallery to disrupt the Senate. It also appears that she lied about the timing of her motion to adjourn. See the roll call vote beginning about 12:19/15:50. Note that she spoke and that the temporary President, Senator Duncan, responded after the roll call began. 12:31
I was surprised that the gallery wasn’t cleared much earlier, even though it might have meant that I would have had to leave. However, until the last hour, the outbreaks were intermittent and quickly calmed down.
My friends and I were very concerned about the reaction of those who so clearly showed no respect for the rest of us and who greatly outnumbered the State Troopers. Every seat was full, the pro-life crowd was greatly outnumbered and the halls were crammed with more people in orange. When the standing and shouting became constant, the Lt Governor signaled to the Troopers who began to remove people in an orderly manner.
More Troopers arrived, but they were constantly at risk of physical confrontation, with some of the Orange shirts resisting the request for them to file out. At one point, the Troopers were forced to lock the West doors of the Gallery and the Mob continued to push from the hall and fill the Rotunda.
I certainly didn’t want to be in the middle of a fight with these people and am grateful that the Troopers kept some semblance of order. I don’t believe that there was a way to clear the gallery earlier or with less disruption than we had and am proud of the State Troopers.
WingRight 
You’re right, rules were broken last night.
Like the rule that states that 3 points of order *on not being germane* would be enough to terminate a filibuster, not 2.
Like claiming that a discussion of SB5’s constitutionality, specifically how it violates the Roe V. Wade ruling, is not germane.
Like ignoring a motion to adjourn, with full knowledge that it would take precedence.
Like violating the constitution by taking a vote after session has ended.
I understand and respect your belief in the value of life at the time of conception, but perhaps when it comes to lawmaking you should respect a constitutional right. Texas is not a theocracy and I have every confidence that you will find a constitutional way to limit abortion.
Peace and Blessings.
Posted by Nicole Flowers | June 26, 2013, 10:31 AMPeople can watch for themselves on line.
Who needs a “theocracy?” We have excellent, secular reasons to defend human life. We are the only species having this conversation, which in itself should give weight to the very offspring of our species. In the US, the justification for our Nation’s founding is the Declaration of Independence which notes that we are created with certain inalienable rights, including life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Notice that life comes first. This is because if a group of humans can determine that it is legal to kill another group, there will be no liberty or pursuit of happiness.
Posted by bnuckols | June 26, 2013, 10:50 AM