'No Tax Funds for Abortion' Ballot Measure Heads to Senate Floor

A bill that would put a constitutional amendment before voters, banning state and federal tax dollars being used to pay for abortions, is closer to becoming reality after it passed its final Senate committee Friday.

The bill, sponsored by Sen. Anitere Flores, R-Miami, includes exceptions for cases of rape, incest, or to protect the life or physical well-being of the mother.

"This in no way takes away the right of a woman to have an abortion. It simply says state money cannot be used to get an abortion," Flores said.

Pro-choice advocates said the measure was unnecessary.

"There is simply no reason to amend the Constitution. Medicaid already protects against public funding of abortion. There's no reason to put this into the Constitution," said Stephanie Kunkel, executive director of the Florida Alliance of Planned Parenthood Affiliates.

A similar measure passed the Senate Budget Committee Thursday.