Let's all send thank you notes to those who voted to protect life and to our Governor Perry.

[Press Release] Statement by Gov. Rick Perry on Passage of Pro-Life Legislation - 07/13/2013 06:07 AM CDT

"Today the Texas Legislature took its final step in our historic effort to protect life. This legislation builds on the strong and unwavering commitment we have made to defend life and protect women's health. I am proud of our lawmakers, and citizens who tirelessly defended our smallest and most vulnerable Texans and future Texans."

TEXAS SENATE PASSES CONTENTIOUS PRO-LIFE BILL AS ABORTION PROTESTERS RAGE INSIDE STATE CAPITOL

Jul. 13, 2013 1:00am Jason Howerton

AUSTIN, Texas (TheBlaze/AP) — The Texas Senate passed sweeping new abortion restrictions late Friday, sending them to Republican Gov. Rick Perry to sign into law after weeks of protests and rallies that drew thousands of people to the Capitol and made the state the focus of the national abortion debate.

Republicans used their large majority in the Texas Legislature to pass the bill nearly three weeks after a filibuster by Democratic Sen. Wendy Davis and an outburst by abortion-rights activists in the Senate gallery disrupted a deadline vote June 25.

Called back for a new special session by Perry, lawmakers took up the bill again as thousands of supporters and opponents held rallies and jammed the Capitol to testify at public hearings.

The bill requires doctors performing abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals, allows abortions only in surgical centers and bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

Following the vote, there was still chaos unfolding in the Texas Capitol as pro-abortion protesters rallied against the decision late into the night.

Credit: AP

To see video, more pictures and read the rest of the story, CLICK HERE.