After Revolt, House GOP Shelves Abortion Bill

House Republicans have abruptly dropped plans to debate a bill banning virtually all late-term abortions after objections from GOP women and other lawmakers left them short of votes. The decision was embarrassing for Republican leaders eager to display a united, GOP-led Congress, which had planned to push the legislation through the House today. But after meeting repeatedly with female lawmakers and others who were unhappy with the measure, they decided last night to postpone the debate indefinitely. The vote was timed to coincide with the annual March for Life, when anti-abortion protesters stream to Washington to mark the anniversary of the 1973 Supreme Court decision that legalized abortion. Instead, the House will debate legislation banning taxpayer funding for abortion—a prohibition that is already largely in effect. (More House Republicans stories.)