Reichert, Herrera-Beutler Vote 'Yes' On 20-week Abortion Ban

SEATTLE, WA - All four Republican members of Washington's congressional delegation voted Tuesday to approve a law that would ban abortions after 20 weeks. The law would make it illegal for a doctor to perform an abortion except in circumstances of rape, incest or if the mother's life is in danger. Under the law, a doctor could go to jail for up to five years for violating the law.

U.S. Reps Dave Reichert, Jaime Herrera-Beutler, Cathy McMorris-Rodgers, and Dan Newhouse all voted for the bill. Washington's remaining congressional delegation - including U.S. Reps Pramila Jayapal, Adam Smith, Derek Kilmer, and Suzan DelBene - all voted "no."

The law - called the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act - is based on the notion that a fetus can feel pain after 20 weeks. However, the most recent medical science says that fetuses can't feel pain until the third trimester, after about 27 weeks.

Twenty states already have 20-week abortion bans. A version of the bill passed in the House Tuesday passed previously in 2015 but was blocked in the Senate. Republicans control the Senate and the White House, which gives the bill a better chance of becoming law this time.

Image via U.S. Rep. Dave Reichert