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Tim Pugmire
St. Paul, Minn.

Minn. House passes new limits on abortion

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The Minnesota House has passed two bills aimed at restricting abortions, but neither measure gained the 90 votes needed to override likely vetoes from DFL Gov. Mark Dayton.

One bill would ban public funding for abortions through the state-subsidized health care plans available to low-income women. The other would prohibit abortions after 20 weeks, unless it would save the woman's life.

Rep. Mary Liz Holberg, R-Lakeville, the bill's chief author, said that medical evidence proves an unborn child can feel pain at 20 weeks.

"We not only have a right, but we have a duty to recognize that advance in medical science and provide protection for that unborn child," Holberg said.

Both bills anticipate potential legal challenges, and they designate the state Supreme Court to hear those cases.

Rep. Ryan Winkler, DFL-Golden Valley, accused Republicans of ignoring the state budget.

"We're doing abortion. We did photo ID. We're doing gay marriage. We're doing everything," Winkler said. "We're setting up constitutional tests in litigation if it were to be signed, which it won't. You're wasting your time."

Some Democrats joined most House Republicans in supporting the bills. Similar measures are advancing the the Minnesota Senate.