NC Republicans agree on 12-week abortion ban legislation

North Carolina House and Senate Republican leaders have reached a deal on a bill to narrow parameters for abortion and promote the health of women and children. The "Care for Women, Children, and Families Act" would limit most abortions to 12 weeks of pregnancy, establish an exception for rape and incest through 20 weeks, and establish an exception for fetal life-limiting anomalies through 24 weeks. Democrats have condemned the proposal, while Republicans believe it is a pro-women and holistic approach. The final measure would go to the desk of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, who said in December he would consider it extreme to ban abortion after less than 20 weeks.