Dewhurst Tweet: Abortion Bill Is Attempt To Close Clinics

AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) - State Senate Republicans insist proposed new restrictions on abortion facilities are designed to protect women's health.

But a tweet Wednesday from the account of Republican Lieutenant Governor David Dewhurst said what Democrats have claimed all along: the plan is an attempt to shut down clinics and all but ban abortion in Texas.

Senate Republicans Tuesday night passed sweeping new restrictions on how Texas abortion clinics operate. Critics say the changes would force most to close.

A tweet from the @DavidHDewhurst Twitter account included a map from an abortion rights group showing clinic locations that says "it would essentially ban abortion statewide."

"We fought to pass SB5 thru the Senate last night, & this is why!" the tweet said. (see below)

A few hours after posting the original tweet, Dewhurst, who has been the lieutenant governor since 2003, sent another message saying, "I am unapologetically pro-life AND a strong supporter of protecting women's heath."

In January Dewhurst joined Governor Rick Perry and Attorney General Greg Abbott in Austin for an anti-abortion rally marking the 40th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision.

We fought to pass SB5 thru the Senate last night, & this is why! #StandWithTXChildren #txlege pic.twitter.com/fJbQSJur7i

— David Dewhurst (@DavidHDewhurst) June 19, 2013

A telephone message left with Dewhurst's office was not immediately returned.

(©2013 CBS Local Media, a division of CBS Radio Inc. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. The Associated Press contributed to this report.)

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