AUSTIN, Texas (AP) - The Texas House has voted to take $20 million from the state’s environmental agency and funnel it toward an “Alternative to Abortion” program that counsels low-income, pregnant women.
Thursday’s 93-52 vote came after Republicans said the program had sought $35 million but was set to get less than $19 million. They argued that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality had received extra funding it wouldn’t miss.
Democratic Rep. Rafael Anchia said the move wasn’t anti-abortion but instead “pro-birth” because “after that, you’re on your own. You’re going to have to breathe dirty air.”
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Lawmakers have spent hours lumbering through the House version of the 2017-2018 Texas budget.
The proposal may not survive since the final House budget still has to be reconciled with a previously approved state Senate spending plan.
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