By Emily Ramshaw

Dallas Morning News / Trail Blazers Blog

May 6, 2009

The House rejected an amendment this afternoon that would've allowed Texans to purchase customized license plates with the words: "Pro-Family, Pro-Choice."

The vote followed Tuesday's fierce debate over whether abortion rights should spill onto government-issued license plates. On Tuesday, lawmakers tacked customized "Choose Life" and "Choose Adoption" license plates onto a Department of Motor Vehicles bill. But today, Rep. Lon Burnam's amendment to create the "Pro-Family, Pro-Choice" license plate failed 48-86.

Burnam, D-Fort Worth, said he personally opposes politicized license plates. But he said if there's a "Choose Life" plate, it's only fair to offer a "Pro-Choice" plate too. "I think they're equally inappropriate," he said.

The Senate approved offering "Choose Life" plates last week.