HELENA – House Republicans are pushing longshot constitutional changes aimed at restricting abortion.
Both proposed amendments would go to voters in 2012. Sponsor Wendy Warburton of Havre says the ballot measures will help drive Republicans to the polls.
One of her proposals would state in the Montana Constitution there is no right to an abortion or its funding, while another would state in the Constitution that life begins at conception.
Proposed constitutional changes require support from 100 of 150 lawmakers — and Republicans fall four votes shy of being able to get it done on their own. In House votes on Monday afternoon, even a few Republicans didn’t support the plans.
Warburton concedes it will take a “miracle” of bipartisan support in the Senate for her proposals to reach the ballot.