S.C. passes bill to restrict abortionCOLUMBIA, S.C. — The South Carolina Legislature passed a bill Tuesday prohibiting abortion after 19 weeks, becoming the 17th state to pass the restrictive ban.The legislation will now head to Gov. Nikki Haley’s desk. The Republican said in March she will almost certainly sign it, but wants to look at the details once it reaches her.Similar laws are in effect in 12 states. They’ve been blocked by court challenges in three others, and the U.S. Supreme Court has yet to rule on the ban’s constitutionality. A South Dakota law signed in March takes effect this summer.In Utah, a related law, also signed in March, requires doctors to provide anesthesia to a fetus at least 20 weeks in the womb.The South Carolina bill is among several fronts abortion rights supporters say make having the procedure tougher.The sponsor of South Carolina’s bill, Rep. Wendy Nanney, said she’s hopeful the law is a step to eventually “get rid of abortion altogether.”

Scaled-back Zika funding advancesWASHINGTON — Republicans controlling the House are ignoring protests from Democrats and a White House veto threat as they speed legislation funding the battle against the Zika virus to a vote.The $622 million GOP plan would provide one-third of the resources requested three months ago by President Barack Obama to combat the virus, which can cause severe birth defects and other health problems. It is “paid for” with cuts elsewhere in the budget, including unspent funds from the successful fight against Ebola.The White House has issued a veto threat on the House measure, saying it is woefully inadequate and protested that it would only fund the Zika battle through September.Today’s scheduled House vote would follow a bipartisan 68-29 Senate procedural tally to advance a $1.1 billion measure to fight Zika through September 2017. It is set to be attached to a pending appropriations bill.