Nation IN BRIEF : NEW HAMPSHIRE : Abortion Rights Bill Vetoed, as Promised

Gov. Judd Gregg vetoed an abortion rights bill hours after it reached his desk, saying it would have been too liberal. The legislation would have allowed abortion on demand up until the fetus could survive outside the womb, and after that if pregnancy threatened the life or health of the mother or congenital deformity was evident. Gregg, an outspoken opponent of abortion, had promised to veto the measure. Supporters of the measure had argued that it would simply legitimize current practice, since 91% of abortions occur in the first 12 weeks of pregnancy and only 0.01% are done later than the 24th week.