Legislation limiting abortions advances
HARRISBURG — The state House on Tuesday voted after an impassioned debate to send a bill limiting abortions to the first 20 weeks of pregnancy to Gov. Tom Wolf, who immediately repeated his threat to veto it.
The Republican-controlled House voted 121-70 for the legislation that would alter the existing 24-week limit.
The measure would keep in place exceptions under current law for when a mother’s life is at risk, or if she could suffer a serious, permanent injury without an abortion. It does not allow exceptions for rape, incest or fetal abnormalities.
Supporters said medical advances mean premature fetuses are now able to survive at an earlier point in the pregnancy.
Planned Parenthood said the bill would make Pennsylvania’s abortion law among the nation’s most restrictive.
