Florida's perennial abortion battle re-emerged Tuesday as a House panel approved bills that would block abortions after 20 weeks, require 24-hour waiting periods and target abortions that might be motivated by the race or gender of the fetus.

The Republican-dominated House Health and Human Services Access Subcommittee approved three bills in party-line votes, after testimony and debate that reflected the country's deep divide on the issue.

WASHINGTON -- When it comes to Newt Gingrich's post-speaker activities on the Hill, it all depends on what your definition of "lobbying" is.

Florida is already leading the charge against the federal governments health-care overhaul.

But just to be sure that the Supreme Court knows the sentiment of the states elected officials, legislators are moving forward with a House memorial that reaffirms the effort of Attorney General Pam Bondi to repeal the Patient Protection and Affordable Health Care Act before the rules are firmly locked into place in two years.

Two polls released on Tuesday find former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts and former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich in a close battle to win the Republican presidential primary on Tuesday.

After helping him win the South Carolina primary on Saturday, conservatives have propelled former U.S. House Speaker Newt Gingrich ahead of former Gov. Mitt Romney of Massachusetts to lead the race for the Republican presidential nomination, according to a national poll of likely primary voters released Tuesday by Rasmussen Reports.

President Obama and Congress need to focus on policies in 2012 that will unleash the economic growth necessary to get the economy back on track, create jobs and lower the unemployment rate.

The state has been able to reduce unemployment for returning service members from 20 percent to 17 percent, but state legislators and business leaders say thats not good enough.

Standing between a UH-70 Black Hawk and UH-72 Lakota as part of Florida National Guard Day in the courtyard of the Capitol, Gov. Rick Scott helped announce a commitment to returning service members that is beyond the numerous thanks and resolutions combat veterans often receive when returning home.

Floridas decision to move its presidential primary up by more than a month is going to pay off for the candidates and the state, Senate President Mike Haridopolos, R-Merritt Island, said Tuesday.

Haridopolos said the Sunshine State should also get as much promotion as the candidates crisscrossing Florida in advance of next weeks primary.

I know its not in Tallahassee right now, but I understand around the state it's great weather. So this is like free advertising for our state, he said.

It was hard to tell who took a bigger beating in Monday night's debate -- Newt Gingrich or NBC.

A bill to allow public secondary school students to run their own prayer sessions at organized events has now received its third Senate committee backing.

The American Civil Liberties Union said a lawsuit should be expected.

The bill, SB 98, supported Monday by the Senate Rules Committee, would allow school districts to adopt resolutions that let students use inspirational messages, without backing or influence from the district or district employees, at school-sanctioned exercise or assemblies.