Pres. Obama Vows To Veto GOP-backed Abortion, Pipeline Bills

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Barack Obama is vowing to veto a Republican-backed bill that would ban abortions after the first 20 weeks of pregnancy, as well as a measure that would require a decision on pipeline construction within 12 months.

The White House says the abortion bill is an "assault" on a woman's right to choice and "unacceptably restricts" health and reproductive rights. House consideration of the measure this week coincides with the anniversary of the landmark Supreme Court ruling in Roe versus Wade that legalized abortion.

The White House says Obama would also veto legislation requiring the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to approve or deny applications for natural gas pipelines within 12 months. The administration says the bill would create conflicts with existing statutes and requirements.

PIPELINE SPILL