Assembly to consider 20-week abortion ban in special session

By: Associated Press//July 3, 2015//

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By DANA FERGUSON
Associated Press

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The Assembly has voted to take up a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy in a special legislative session.

Kit Beyer, spokeswoman for Assembly Speaker Robin Vos, said Friday that lawmakers voted by paper ballot to hold the special session. The Committee on Assembly Organization voted 5-3 with all Republicans in favor. She said the Assembly plans to meet on Wednesday.

A spokeswoman for Senate Majority Leader Scott Fitzgerald didn’t immediately return an email Friday asking whether the Senate would hold an extraordinary session.

The move is largely tactical, and Republicans don’t need Democrats’ help to call the extra session. It would allow Republicans to blunt minority Democrats’ stall tactics during the regular session, where a difficult budget deal will get floor votes.

The Senate passed the abortion ban in June but it still must clear the Assembly. Supporters have argued that fetuses can feel pain after 20 weeks. The American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists says evidence suggests that’s not possible until around 27 weeks.

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