Thursday: Abortion, Keystone

The House will consider a bill on Thursday to restrict federal funding for abortions, while the Senate will continue debating approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.

Last House votes are expected by mid-afternoon after the chamber convenes at 9 a.m. The House will consider legislation prohibiting taxpayer funds for abortions, which largely codifies current law. That’s a change from the original plan for a bill that would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for incested, reported rape or if the mother’s life is danger.

{mosads}The House vote will coincide with the annual March for Life, when thousands of anti-abortion demonstrators will descend upon the National Mall to protest the Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision.

First House votes will be on the new “rule” governing floor debate on the abortion bill, then later on the underlying measure.

The Senate will convene at 9:30 a.m. and is expected to consider more amendments to the Keystone bill. No votes have been scheduled yet.