Updated at 3:19 p.m.: to add highlights of testimony; comments by Meyer on why he arrived late; and by Farrar, on whether Democrats engaged in prior planning
AUSTIN -- Four House Democrats boycotted a committee hearing Monday, temporarily blocking debate on a bill that could result in fines of doctors who fail to provide "appropriate medical treatment" in the event that a fetus lives through an attempted abortion.
The four Democratic women's absences and a late arrival by Republican Dallas Rep. Morgan Meyer wound up denying the nine-member panel the five members needed to have a quorum.
That frustrated Plano GOP Rep. Jeff Leach, chairman of the House Judiciary and Civil Jurisprudence Committee and the bill's author.
"I'm extremely disappointed and disheartened in the decision by my friends and fellow committee members to skip this morning's hearing simply because they don't agree on the issue at hand," Leach said in a written statement issued early Monday afternoon.
The AWOL Democrats "blatantly disregarded and silenced the voices of Texans," he added.
The absentees, though, blasted the bill as hostile to women.
In a joint statement, Committee Vice Chairwoman Jessica Farrar, D-Houston, and Dallas-area Reps. Yvonne Davis, Julie Johnson and Victoria Neave noted that Republicans "enjoy a majority" and could conduct business without them.
"We refuse to offend our fellow Texas women, their families and licensed physicians by wasting time on unnecessary legislation designed to intimidate and restrict women's access to healthcare," the four said.
Asked if the Democrats discussed a quorum break beforehand, Farrar replied, "I don't think anyone knew who would or wouldn't show up today. It's a busy time. We've each got lots to do for our districts with little time left."
Leach temporarily adjourned the committee. But on Monday afternoon, after the House completed a floor session, Leach's committee -- with Meyer seated at the dais -- began hearing testimony on the measure, House Bill 16.
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