The Utah House on Tuesday voted out a bill that would ban elective abortions after 18 weeks gestation, a measure even supporters acknowledge will likely trigger a lawsuit if it passes.
All but a handful of the chamber’s Republicans backed the measure in the 57-15 decision, and nearly all Democrats opposed it. Members of the minority party contended it would flout established constitutional law, cost the state money to defend and interfere with decisions best left to a woman, her medical provider and her trusted counselors.
GOP lawmakers argued that the proposed 18-week ban reflects Utah values and medical advancements that have changed understanding of the procedure since the landmark Roe v.