Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal blasted House Republican leaders Thursday for pulling a bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy, boasting he shepherded an identical law in his state.
Mr. Jindal, a Republican who may run for president in 2016, said it was “outrageous” for the party to retreat late Wednesday, the night before anti-abortion activists descended on Washington for its March for Life.
“The leadership should seriously reconsider,” he said.
GOP disunion forced leaders to rework the 20-weeks bill, in part because its current form requires women to report instances of rape or incest to qualify for an exemption.
The move disappointed pro-life marchers who descended on Washington in conjunction with the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, the Supreme Court decision that established a national right to abortion.
The marchers, though, said they supported the GOP’s fall-back plan to codify language that bans the use of taxpayer funds for abortion, notably in subsidized Obamacare plans.
The House will vote on that measure Thursday.
Mr. Jindal said he wanted to see the other bill on the floor.
“The American people elected a Republican majority to support the pro-life movement and champion conservative principles,” he said. I hope they reconsider.”
• Tom Howell Jr. can be reached at thowell@washingtontimes.com.
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