Abortion bill suddenly pulled in US House of Representatives

A bill in the U.S. House of Representatives that would have restricted all abortions to fewer than 20 weeks after fertilization was stopped Wednesday night by an unusual source — the Republican lawmakers who put it forth.

Though different limits exist from state to state, the current federal limit for an abortion under Roe v. Wade is at fetal viability, or around 24 weeks after fertilization — though states have the freedom to enact their own restrictions on the practice.

North Carolina’s current law restricts abortions to at or before 20 weeks except in cases of life endangerment.

The Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act was going to be voted on Thursday, but the plan was scrapped after a group of representatives, including North Carolina’s 2nd District Rep. Renee Ellmers, pushed back against the bill, according to National Journal.

The lawmakers expressed concern that the bill only allowed post-20-week abortions in cases of rape if the event had been reported to law enforcement.

Ellmers, who holds anti-abortion views, wrote in a Facebook post late Wednesday that she planned to support the bill on Thursday despite reports to the contrary.

Ellmers couldn’t be reached for comment Thursday.

Michael Bitzer, provost and a political science professor at Catawba College, said the debate is a sign of deeper divisions in the Republican Party.

“Generally the power of the majority party in the U.S. House of Representatives is ultimate,” Bitzer said. “And to have this kind of a bill erupt at the last minute shows that there are some pretty big divisions and differences within the GOP conference.”

Though Republicans control the House and Senate, Bitzer said they likely didn’t expect the bill to survive President Barack Obama’s veto.

“Sometimes these types of bills are put forward to merely appease a particular faction in the party,” he said. “But it could have ramifications in 2016 and how Republicans are viewed by voters.”

A similar bill passed the House on Thursday that prevents government funding and government-sponsored health care from funding abortions.

Barbara Holt, president of N.C. Right to Life, said she believes at 20 weeks of gestational age, a fetus is able to feel pain, making the bill necessary.

“We know that a majority of Americans believe that pain-capable babies should be protected in law,” Holt said. “We know that children at 20 weeks and beyond can live outside the womb.”

But Suzanne Buckley, executive director of NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina, said in an email that she’s not fooled by the legislation.

“This bill is about advancing an unpopular political agenda,” she said.

Buckley said the group supports legislation that promotes greater access to contraceptives as well as granting parental leave to aid working families.

“Americans trust women to make the most important decisions about when, where and how to have families — without political interference.”

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