House rejects Senate changes to Georgia abortion bill

photo Abortion debate tile
Arkansas-Florida Live Blog

ATLANTA - House lawmakers have rejected an attempt by Georgia's Senate to loosen the restrictions on a bill that would generally ban abortions five months after conception.

House Speaker David Ralston said Tuesday that the Senate changes to a bill from Rep. Doug McKillip were automatically rejected under House rules. The Senate can now decide whether to insist on its version or compromise.

The original proposal from Rep. Doug McKillip would have banned most abortions five months into a pregnancy. He made exceptions for when a pregnancy threatened the mother's life or physical health.

The state Senate voted Monday to pass a changed version of the bill that would allow a doctor to perform an abortion after five months if he diagnosed the fetus with a fetal defect.

Upcoming Events