White House backs bill criminalizing abortions after 20 weeks

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A House bill banning abortions after 20 weeks received the official backing of the Trump administration on Monday.

In a statement, The White House said it “strongly supports” the Republican efforts to “secure critical pro-life protections” and believes “America’s children deserve the stronger protections” that the bill would provide.

Arizona Republican Rep. Trent Franks is sponsoring the bill, which would criminalize abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, and introduce possible fines and jail sentences.

It would not penalize women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and would allow the procedure in the case of rape, incest, or to save the life of the mother.

Pro-choice groups are calling it “cruel” and “unconstitutional.”

The measure passed heavily along party lines, 237-189 this afternoon.

Corrie O'Connor