COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) — An Ohio House committee has narrowly approved a bill that would impose the strictest abortion limit in the nation, outlawing the procedure at the first detectable fetal heartbeat.
Wednesday's vote by the Health Committee on the so-called Heartbeat Bill was 12-11. The bill would need to be approved by the House, where its future is uncertain.
Democrats have spoken out passionately against the measure. One of them, Rep. Nickie Antonio, anticipates a divisive fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court.
Bill supporters welcome the idea of a legal challenge. They say such a case could lead to overturning the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade decision legalizing abortion.
The anti-abortion group Ohio Right to Life opposes the bill. It says the legal challenge could jeopardize other abortion limits in Ohio and expand access to legal abortions.
© Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.