House Passes D.C. Spending Bill That Allows for Abortions
The House approved a District of Columbia spending bill Thursday that would allow the use of local tax revenues to pay for abortions for poor women.
But the bill, adopted by a 241-178 vote, is likely to be vetoed by President Bush if it is passed by the Senate.
Last year Bush twice vetoed the District of Columbia appropriations bill over similar abortion provisions.
The new bill bars the use of federal government funds to pay for abortions unless the life of the mother is in danger or in cases of rape or incest.
Bush last year objected to the use of federal funding for abortions in cases of rape or incest and also objected to use of local tax funds for unrestricted abortions.
Unable to override the vetoes, Congress eventually restricted payments for abortion to instances where the mother’s life was endangered and Bush signed the bill.
Rep. Robert K. Dornan (R-Garden Grove), an outspoken abortion foe, said White House Chief of Staff John H. Sununu told him Thursday afternoon that Bush would veto the bill over the abortion issue.
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