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PA Senate Committee Advances Abortion Restrictions Bill

by Tony Romeo

HARRISBURG (CBS) -- A divided state Senate Judiciary Committee advanced a bill Monday that would ban elective abortions after 20 weeks, a bill opposed by Governor Wolf.

In addition to a ban on elective abortion after 20 weeks, instead of the current 24, the bill – which has already passed the House – restricts what the language of the bill calls "dismemberment" abortion, something opponents say is not a medical term.

Daylin Leach of Montgomery County, the ranking Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, questioned the timing of the vote…

"The Supreme Court just two weeks ago reiterated and reinvigorated the undue burden test on women. This bill creates substantial new burdens on women," said Leach.

"I don't think that decision applies to this situation," said Montgomery County Republican Stewart Greenleaf, chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee.

A spokeswoman for the Senate majority leader says it is unclear when the full Senate may vote on a bill Governor Wolf has already promised to veto.

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