Texas Gov. Perry fast tracks pre-abortion sonogram requirement

By Thomas Lifson

Speaking to a pro-life rally in Austin on the anniversary of Roe v Wade yesterday, Texas Governor Rick Perry made a promise. Chuck Lindell of the Austin American-Statesman reports:

Receiving the day's loudest and longest applause from thousands rallying against abortion, Gov. Rick Perry announced Saturday that he will designate as emergency legislation a bill requiring women seeking an abortion to first receive a sonogram of the fetus.

Viewing an image from the womb and listening to the sound of the heartbeat - also required under the legislation - would ensure that each woman "understands the full impact of her decision, a decision that can scar her" physically and emotionally, Perry said.

"When someone has all the information, the right choice will be made - the choice for life," Perry told the crowd outside the Capitol

Texas law prevents the legislature from passing new laws for the first 60 days of its session unless it is an emergency, so the Governor's declaration speeds the process, which is certain to be challenged by abortion rights advocates.

The next time you visit a hardware store, take a look at the disclosures required on stepladders, power mowers or snow blowers, or almost any other potentially hazardous equipment. In comparison, the requirement to view a sonogram seems pretty tame.

Hat tip: David Paulin