Reid open to vote on 20-week abortion ban

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said he’s “happy to take a look” at a ban on abortions after 20 weeks that was recently passed by the House.

Reid, who has called himself “pro-life,” said Sunday that he was open to allowing a Senate vote on the measure, though he added that it should not be the chamber’s primary focus.

“I think we should deal with the problems that affect this country,” Reid said during an appearance on NBC’s “Meet the Press.” “We need to do something to help the American working class and stop worrying about fringe issues.”  

{mosads}GOP senators are currently finalizing language on the bill.

The House-passed version is the strongest attempt to curb abortion rights approved by either chamber in about 10 years. 

It is unlikely that companion legislation would pass the Senate, and President Obama would almost certainly veto any similar ban that reached his desk.

Rep. Trent Franks’s (R-Ariz.) measure would ban abortions after 20 weeks’ gestation based on the disputed premise that fetuses feel pain at that stage.

Doctors who violate the prohibition would receive prison time or fines.

The legislation would exempt victims of rape and incest under certain conditions, as well as women whose lives are in danger.

Sens. Marco Rubio (R-Fla.) and Mike Lee (R-Utah) are two potential sponsors of the Senate version.