WASHINGTON: (AP)-The House approved new abortion restrictions… by voting to make it more difficult for a minor to end a pregnancy.

Under a bill adopted 270-159, anyone who avoids parental involvement laws by taking a pregnant girl out of state for an abortion could be prosecuted in federal court. But the vote was more than a dozen short of the required two-thirds majority, or 286 votes, needed to overturn a threatened White House veto.

Supporters said the measure will protect the rights of parents, the health and well-being of their minor children and uphold laws in more than 30 states requiring parental consent or notification for their minor daughter's abortion.

Opponents argued that most minors already involve parents in the decision to have an abortion. They said girls who cannot turn to a parent, for whatever reason, would be isolated and left to handle the situation alone.

The White House is threatening a veto unless the bill is amended to exclude from liability close family members, counselors and medical professionals (Darlene Superville, AP, June 30, 1999).