House Democrats repeal amendment banning taxpayer funding for abortions overseas

House Democrats on Wednesday voted to repeal a ban on U.S. taxpayer funding for elective abortions in foreign countries.

The House voted 217-212 on a State Department and foreign assistance spending bill that, for the first time in more than half a century, did not include a provision know as the Helms Amendment, which blocks fundings for abortions. The bill, which no Republican supported, also repealed the Mexico City policy, a provision that blocks U.S. federal funding for non-governmental organizations that provide abortions overseas.

All but three Democrats voted in favor of...