Senate Republicans prevent floor amendments on bills ahead of...

Before debate began on the lengthy Crossover Day legislation calendar, Senate Republicans voted Monday to prevent floor amendments on several bills expected to produce lengthy debate later in the day.

The procedure, known as “engrossment,” prevents a bill from being amended on the Senate floor, and requires it be passed in the same form as it was sent from committee. Democrats in the chamber opposed the votes, which they said would limit debate on significant issues.

The Senate decided to not allow any floor amendments to Senate Bill 98, which would ban elective abortion coverage in state employee health plans and prohibit abortion coverage through insurance exchanges offered via the Affordable Healthcare Act. Bills involving changes to the state employee health insurance plan, changes to the powers of development authorities and ad valorem taxes will also not receive floor amendments.

“It’s tradition to engross tax and finance bills, but to engross a bill on the federal abortion mandate or state employees health insurance is absurd,” said Sen. Jason Carter, D-. “It’s because (Republicans) didn’t want to have to take difficult votes.”

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