The more serious issue of abortion law in the United States made news last week. However, we saw this in The Daily Mirror newspaper (June 29th) about a female politician’s attempts to prevent this particular law being passed.
Senator Wendy Davis was able to talk for 11 hours without a toilet break because she was fitted with a catheter.
Wendy made her marathon speech to block a bill which would have effectively closed down abortion clinics in Texas and banned terminations after 20 weeks.
But strict rules for filibusting-obstructing legislation with delaying tactics- meant she was banned from taking on food and water or making trips to the toilet. A source said: “She knew if she had to leave the floor for the bathroom her effort would have been futile- and that’s why she decided on the catheter.”
Democrat Wendy also wore a back brace for extra support during her speech in the state capital, Austin.The 50 year-old- who was a teenage mum- became an overnight star as her speech was relayed over the internet.
President Barack Obama’s Twitter page read as her address to the Texas Senate passed nine hours: “Something special is happening in Austin tonight.”
Her effort ended after 10 hours and 45 minutes when it was ruled she had strayed off the topic. But a row over the decision still stopped the legislation being signed before a midnight deadline.
Wendy also wore hot pink trainers made by Mizuno, which has reported a sales boom since her speech.