Gov. Perry Adds Sonogram Requirement to Emergency Items for Legislative Session

Gov. Rick Perry today spoke at the 2011 Texas Rally for Life, where he declared legislation to require a sonogram before a woman elects to have an abortion as an emergency item for the 2011 legislative session.

"When you consider the magnitude of the decision to have an abortion, ensuring that the patient understands what's truly at stake seems a small step to take," Gov. Perry said. "When someone has all the information, the right choice - the choice of life - becomes clear. Now our legislature can take fast action on this important bill because we all know when it comes to saving lives, every second counts."

Under this legislation, a woman seeking an abortion must first be given a sonogram.

Texas Alliance for Life is a nonprofit organization that works to protect the fundamental right to life of all human beings and promote the protection of human life from conception until natural death. This annual statewide rally commemorates the anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision.

Gov. Perry, Lt. Gov. David Dewhurst and Speaker Joe Straus agree this issue is important to Texans, and this emergency designation will allow lawmakers to begin considering this issue in the initial 30 days of the legislative session.

Gov. Perry has previously announced other emergency items for the 82nd Legislative Session - protecting private property rights/addressing eminent domain issues, abolishing sanctuary cities in Texas, requiring voters to present proof of identification when voting, and legislation to provide for a balanced budget amendment to the U.S. Constitution.