Texas Pro-Choice Icon Wendy Davis: I Don't Know What Happened in the Gosnell Case
A pro-choice Texas state senator who gained headlines for her filibuster against an abortion regulation bill has stated she did not know what happened in the Kermit Gosnell case.
At an event at the National Press Club in Washington, D.C., Texas state Sen. Wendy Davis told The Weekly Standard on Monday that she was unaware of what happened in the much publicized abortion clinic case in Pennsylvania. "I don't know what happened in the Gosnell case. But I do know that it happened in an ambulatory surgical center. And in Texas changing our clinics to that standard obviously isn't going to make a difference," said Davis.
"It sounds as though there was a huge gap in that oversight, and no one can defend that. But that's not the landscape of what's happening in Texas."
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In May, abortion provider Dr. Kermit Gosnell of Philadelphia, Pa., was sentenced to life in prison for infanticide and found guilty of other charges, including involuntary manslaughter regarding a woman who died at his clinic. Due to the graphic nature of Gosnell's crimes, many pro-life groups have cited the doctor as proof that more regulation of abortion providers is needed.
Contrary to Davis' words, Gosnell's actions took place at his West Philadelphia clinic rather than an "ambulatory surgical center."
Davis earned national renown in pro-choice circles over her approximately 11-hour long filibuster against a bill that would have increased regulation of abortion providers in the Lone Star State. The bill would have among other things enacted a ban on abortions after 20 weeks and increased regulations for clinics, which may result in most clinics being closed.
On social media, Davis went from having 1,200 Twitter followers before her filibuster to over 20,000 by its end. She also received a Tweet of support from President Barack Obama. Her lengthy filibuster contributed to the failure of the first special session to pass the abortion bill; Governor Rick Perry would then call a second special session which did successfully pass the legislation.
According to Politico, at the National Press Club event, Davis referred to abortion as "sacred ground" and "one of the protected liberties under our Constitution."
"I respect the constitutional protections that are in place today whether it be for this purpose or whether it be for other protected purposes in the Constitution. I don't think we can pick and choose," said Davis.
