Mich. Lawmakers Approve 'Partial-Birth' Abortion Ban
LANSING (WWJ/AP) - A proposed state-level ban on a procedure opponents call "partial birth" abortion is getting final approval in the Republican-led Michigan Legislature.
A key bill in the proposal was approved by the House by a 75-34 vote Wednesday. The Senate approved the bill by a 29-9 vote, sending the measure to Republican Gov. Rick Snyder.
The measures are backed mostly by Republicans with support from some Democrats.
Michigan lawmakers have tried to enact a state-level ban multiple times in recent years without success because of vetoes from then-Democratic Gov. Jennifer Granholm and court rulings.
Snyder succeeded Granholm in January and is likely to sign the bill if it's consistent with a federal law that already bans the late-term procedure.
Critics of the law say that the ban makes the state proposal redundant. Executive Director Renee Chelian of Northland Family Planning Centers called the bill a "waste of taxpayer dollars." (More on this, here).
Doctors will not be in violation of the new law if they believed the procedure is necessary to save the life of a mother.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
