HARRISBURG, Pa. _ A key state Senate committee on Monday approved a controversial bill that critics say would roll back abortion rights in Pennsylvania.
The bill, championed by Republicans who control the state Senate, would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy except in medical emergencies, instead of 24 weeks under current law.
The Senate Judiciary Committee approved the legislation along partisan lines, without a public hearing or input from medical organizations, a number of which have expressed concerns about the scope of the legislation.
Republican state Sen. Stewart J. Greenleaf said the legislation was necessary given what he said was medical research showing that fetuses can be viable before 24 weeks.
"The science has changed," he said in describing his support for the measure.
Opponents, all Democrats, called the legislation a thinly veiled effort to roll back constitutionally protected rights. Gov. Tom Wolf, a Democrat, has vowed to veto it should it reach his desk.
