House drops abortion bill debate
GOP women, others object to measure
WASHINGTON – In an embarrassing setback, House Republicans abruptly decided Wednesday to drop planned debate of a bill criminalizing virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes.
The decision came on the eve of the annual March for Life, when thousands of anti-abortion-rights demonstrators stream to Washington to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. It also came with GOP leaders eager to show unity and an ability by the new Republican-led Congress to govern efficiently.
Despite a White House veto threat, Republican leaders had planned on House passage today of the legislation, which would ban most abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.
But they ran into objections from women and other Republican lawmakers unhappy that the measure limited exemptions for victims of rape or incest to only those who had previously reported those incidents to authorities.
The rebellious lawmakers argued that would put unfair pressure on women who often feel shame or fear retaliation if they report those assaults.
In a complication GOP leaders were not able to resolve, they then ran into objections from anti-abortion-rights groups and lawmakers when they discussed eliminating the reporting requirements.
House Rules Committee Chairman Pete Sessions, R-Texas, said leaders made the decision after meeting “really, all day” with rank-and-file lawmakers.
Congressional Democrats who solidly oppose the legislation, along with abortion-rights advocates, all but mocked the GOP’s problem. Rep. Jim McGovern, D-Mass., said Republicans suffered “a meltdown.”
Cecile Richards, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, said of the bill, “These attacks are so dangerous, extreme and unpopular that House Republicans can’t even get their membership lined up behind them.”
Instead of the late-term abortion bill, the House will debate legislation today banning taxpayer funding for abortion – a prohibition that is already largely in effect.