House passes bill banning so-called "late term abortions"

(CNN) -- The House of Representatives Tuesday passed a GOP-sponsored bill banning so- called "late term abortions" -- procedures for women who are beyond 20 weeks into their pregnancy. The vote was 228-196, mostly along party lines.

The bill's sponsor, Republican Rep. Trent Franks, R-Arizona, stirred up controversy last week when he opposed an effort by House Democrats to add an exception for women who are raped, arguing that "the incidents of rape resulting in pregnancy are very low."

House Democrats seized on the comment, and because of the backlash GOP leaders later decided to add new language to the bill allowing women who get pregnant as a result of rape or incest to obtain an abortion if they report the crime to authorities.

The White House has threatened a veto on the legislation, but the Democratic-led Senate is not expected to take up the measure.