Fetal heartbeat abortion ban advances in Tennessee

FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 file photo, anti-abortion activists march outside the U.S. Supreme Court building, during the March for Life in Washington. Activists on both sides of the abortion debate react cautiously to a Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 Supreme Court vote blocking Louisiana from enforcing new abortion regulations, agreeing that the crucial tests of the court's stance are still to come. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)
FILE - In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 file photo, anti-abortion activists march outside the U.S. Supreme Court building, during the March for Life in Washington. Activists on both sides of the abortion debate react cautiously to a Thursday, Feb. 7, 2019 Supreme Court vote blocking Louisiana from enforcing new abortion regulations, agreeing that the crucial tests of the court's stance are still to come. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) - A Tennessee lawmaker says his bill to ban abortion once a fetal heartbeat has been detected does not include exceptions for situations involving incest or rape because he does not believe it's appropriate.

Republican Rep. Micah Van Huss told a House subcommittee on Wednesday he considers killing any child, including a fetus, as "evil." The panel - made up of all men - agreed to advance the bill to be heard by the full House Health Committee.

Tennessee is among several states considering heartbeat bills amid hopes from some abortion opponents nationwide that a conservative U.S. Supreme Court majority will review the landmark Roe v. Wade ruling and uphold stricter abortion prohibitions.

Anti-abortion groups believe their cause has been strengthened by President Donald Trump's conservative appointments to the Supreme Court.

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