In an attempt to resolve the bitter battle over what critics call partial-birth abortion, Sen. Tom Daschle, the Democratic leader, proposed legislation Thursday that would ban all abortions after a fetus is viable, allowing exceptions only if the pregnancy posed a "grievous injury" to a woman's health.
It was not clear how much support Daschle might have for his proposal, which he said he had only begun to circulate among his fellow senators in anticipation of next week's vote on a proposed ban on the procedure, known medically as intact dilation and extraction, or evacuation.Lobbyists against abortion instantly denounced Daschle's proposal, calling it a "sham" that would not end abortions at all, as long as it was up to a doctor to certify that the abortion was necessary. Abortion opponents have always opposed any language that allowed a health exception, which they contend is just an excuse to give a woman free license to have an abortion for any reason.
Lobbyists for abortion rights were not available for comment. But some are certain to object to what they are likely to perceive as a more severe restriction on post-viability abortions.