Texas Lawmaker Likens Rape Kits to Abortions

(Newser) – The lawmaker who sponsored the bill to ban abortions after 20 weeks in Texas is a little bit confused about rape kits, which are used to collect evidence after a sexual assault. State Rep. Jodie Laubenberg was explaining why an amendment that would have exempted cases of rape and incest from the 20-week ban wasn't necessary, per the AP:

• "In the emergency room they have what’s called rape kits where a woman can get cleaned out. The woman had five months to make that decision, at this point we are looking at a baby that is very far along in its development."

The AP notes that Laubenberg went on to reject all proposed changes to her bill without speaking until the end of the debate. (Read more rape kit stories.)