Measure to place abortion on statewide ballot passes Minnesota house committee

(St. Paul, MN)  --  A statehouse committee is advancing a measure that would give voters a chance to decide if abortion should be a right guaranteed by the state constitution.  

The House Rules and Legislative Administration Committee passed the measure yesterday, moving it to a vote on the House floor.  

Republicans objected to the measure, saying it hides the protection for abortion by using the phrase "whether to become or remain pregnant."  

The measure is likely to pass the House but may not make it out of the Senate, since DFL lawmakers only have a one-vote majority in that chamber.