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Texas House of Representatives

Where Was the Outrage Over Texas's Sonogram Law?

Abby RapoportFeb 23, 2012
(AP Photo/Richmond Times Dispatch/Bob Brown)

Pro-choice advocates around the country cheered Wednesday, as Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell withdrew support for a pre-abortion sonogram bill. The bill had risen to national attention, even earning a spot on The Daily Show. Critics focused on a particularly disturbing detail of the measure—most women having abortions have them early in the pregnancy, too early for the usual "jelly on the belly" ultrasound.

Lay of the Land

Abby RapoportJan 17, 2012
AP Photo/Eric Gay

Today, a new chapter opens in the Texas redistricting saga. The Lone Star State will begin its preclearance trial, in which it will argue that the various House, Senate, and congressional maps passed out of the legislature last year did not have a discriminatory effect on minorities. Only last week, the state was at the Supreme Court arguing over whether a federal court in San Antonio had the authority to reject the state's maps and draw new ones.