By Kathryn Elliott:

Two bills that would restrict abortions passed the Minnesota Senate today, according to the Associated Press.

One bill, passed 42-24, would prohibit abortions 20 weeks after conception.  A separate bill that passed 40-26 would ban public funding of abortions.

The Senate bill is similar to one passed by the House’s Health and Human Services Committee in April. Both limit abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy unless the procedure would save the woman’s life or prevent physical harm. 

After minor changes are made, the bills will be sent to Gov. Mark Dayton to be vetoed or approved.  Dayton’s voting history on abortion related topics, from ontheissues.org:

• Voted NO on notifying parents of minors who get out-of-state abortions. (July 2006)
• Voted YES on $100M to reduce teen pregnancy by education and contraceptives. (March 2005)
• Voted YES on criminal penalty for harming unborn fetus during other crime. (March 2004)
• Voted NO on banning partial birth abortions except for maternal life. (March 2003)