House passes nationwide 20-week ban on abortion

House passes nationwide 20-week ban on abortion

WASHINGTON — The U.S. House of Representatives has approved landmark legislation that would prohibit abortions during the last half of pregnancy.

In a roll call June 18, the House voted 228–196 for the Pain-capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 1797), which would ban abortions nationwide on babies 20 weeks or more after fertilization. The ban is set at the developmental stage based on scientific evidence that a child in the womb experiences pain. The House’s support of the bill, however, is unlikely to translate into approval by the Senate or endorsement by President Obama. 

The White House has threatened a veto if the bill were to reach Obama’s desk.