New Abortion Restrictions Approved By Pennsylvania House Committee
HARRISBURG, Pa. (CBS) -- A state House committee Monday advanced a bill that would ban elective abortions in Pennsylvania after 20 weeks of pregnancy. Governor Tom Wolf is already promising a veto.
In addition to lowering the upper limit for elective abortions from 24 weeks to 20 weeks in Pennsylvania, the bill would also largely ban what the measure calls "dismemberment abortions," something opponents claimed is not medical term.
Several members of the state House Health Committee, including Philadelphia Democrat Mike O'Brien, protested that the bill was made available to them on short notice and was being rushed through without hearings or proper consideration.
"This process, sadly has been an abomination," O'Brien said.
Republican Matt Baker is the committee chairman.
"It's a priority," Baker said, "and our caucus would like to have the bill considered as soon as possible."
The bill ultimately passed the committee, but not before a motion to first hold hearings failed by virtue of a tie vote
