Trump administration backs 20-week abortion ban

The Trump administration formally backed a House bill Monday that would ban abortions after 20 weeks. 

The administration “strongly supports” the bill and “applauds the House of Representatives for continuing its efforts to secure critical pro-life protections,” the Office of Management and Budget wrote in a statement of administration policy. 

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), will come up for a vote in the House on Tuesday. 

{mosads}It would make it a crime to perform or attempt an abortion after 20 weeks of pregnancy, with the possibility of a fine, up to five years in prison or both. 

There are exceptions for rape, incest or to save the life of the woman, and the bill wouldn’t penalize women for seeking abortions after 20 weeks.

The bill last passed the House in 2015 but was blocked by Senate Democrats. 

The proposal is expected to pass the House again, where Republicans have a large majority. 

But it will likely stumble in the Senate, where it needs at least 60 votes. Republicans control 52 seats and most Democrats oppose the bill.

President Trump has previously vowed to sign the bill if it passed Congress. 

If the bill passes in current form, “his advisers would recommend that he sign the bill into law,” the Office of Management and Budget wrote.