Ban on abortion procedure could spark legal battle in US

THE US Congress is set to ban a specific abortion procedure, a legislative landmark that could lead to a fierce legal fight affecting a woman’s right to end a pregnancy.

The ban on what opponents call partial birth abortion is likely to pass by a wide margin when it comes up for a vote scheduled in the Senate.

Three weeks ago, the House passed the Bill with a 281-142 vote, and Senate action would send it to President George W Bush, who strongly supports the ban.