North Carolina

NC House vote on abortion-related bill could mean veto showdown

RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republican lawmakers could soon reach their first legislative showdown with Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper since his party increased House and Senate seat totals during the last elections.

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The House scheduled a floor vote Tuesday on a Senate measure that would direct how doctors and nurses must treat an infant born alive during an attempted abortion. Those who fail to provide the same degree of care as any other newborn could face a felony with active prison time and monetary penalties. The Senate already voted Monday for the bill.

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A spokeswoman for Cooper already has signaled his displeasure with the bill, agreeing with abortion-rights activists that it's unnecessary. If Cooper vetoed the bill, Democrats in each chamber would have to join Republicans for a successful override.