Hughes’s “heartbeat bill” moves closer to passage

AUSTIN (AP/Staff) — The “heartbeat bill” sponsored by state Sen. Bryan Hughes, R-Mineola, cleared another hurdle on Thursday. According to our news partner KETK, it passed its third reading in the Texas House by a vote of 83 to 64. The bill, which the Texas Senate previously passed, will go back to the Senate for possible amendments. It then will be presented to Gov. Greg Abbott, who has indicated he will sign it into law. If it becomes law, Texas will ban abortions as early six weeks — before some women know they are pregnant — and allow people to sue doctors and others who perform such restricted abortions.