Abortion pain bill dies in U.S. House

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WASHINGTON, Dec. 7 (UPI) -- A Republican-sponsored House bill that would have required women seeking abortions to be advised some fetuses feel pain failed to get a two-thirds majority.

While the measure passed 250-162, a two-thirds majority -- about 276 votes -- was needed to continue debate wasn't there Wednesday for conservatives who wanted a victory before Democrats assume majority status in January, The Los Angeles Times reported.

Wendy Wright, president of Concerned Women for America, a conservative advocacy group, said she was disappointed in what she saw as hypocrisy.

"Regrettably, congressmen -- many who denounced the use of torture against suspected terrorists -- have voted to not let women know that abortion will torture their innocent unborn babies," Wright said.

The bill was sponsored by Rep. Christopher Smith, R-N.J., who said during floor debate, "It's about time that women were told the truth about abortion."