House Fails To Pass DC Abortion Ban

post from ThinkProgress on 01 August 2012 10:00:04 AM. © ThinkProgress

A restrictive abortion bill that would have criminalized abortions in the District of Columbia after just 20 weeks — similar to the abortion ban that will go into effect in Arizona tomorrow — failed to gain enough votes in the House last night. It fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass the bill because it was considered under suspension of the rules. Rep. Trent Franks’ (R-AZ) failed measure is just one example of the ways Republicans often attempt to legislate the Washington, DC, area that they do not represent. DC Delegate Eleanor Holmes Norton said it is unconstitutional for legislators to undermine the city’s autonomy for their own political gain. ?This bill separates us out, we who live in the District of Columbia, in violation of the 14th amendment,? Norton said on the floor yesterday.

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http://thinkprogress.org/health/2012/08/01/619851/dc-abortion-ban-fails/