By Calvin Swanson
Minnesota GOP lawmakers are expected to make a push for an abortion ban that will prevent women from getting an abortion after 20 weeks; Democratic Gov. Mark Dayton strongly opposes the ban.
The bill was introduced in the Republican controlled House and Senate Monday. Seven other states are introducing similar bills after Nebraska passed a first-in-the-nation abortion ban last year, according to an Associated Press article found on KARE 11's website.
Bill supporters argue fetuses begin feeling pain after 20 weeks, while opponents say there is no conclusive evidence proving its accuracy, the Star Tribune reported. The bill makes an exception to women who may be harmed by carrying a baby to term, but there are no exceptions for rape or incest victims, according to the AP report.
Abortions after 20 weeks are rare and only affected fewer than 2 percent of of 12,386 abortions in Minnesota in 2009, the Star Tribune reported.
Dayton is expected to veto the bill if it is passes through the House and Senate. Lawmakers may attempt to override Dayton's veto but would need support from Democrats in both the House and Senate.
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