Bill to define start of life at conception faces delay

July 10, 1981

Final congressional action on a bill to define life as beginning at conception -- this year's major legislative goal of the anti-abortion movement -- has apparently been delayed until 1982. The Senate Judiciary Separation of Powers Subcommittee voted 3 to 2 to approve the bill, but to recommend delaying further action on it until the Judiciary Constitution subcommittee acts on a constitutional amendment to ban abortion. Sen. Orrin G. Hatch (R) of Utah, a member of the Separation of Powers Subcommittee, said the Constitution Subcommittee he chairs will hold hearings this fall on the constitutional amendment. As a "practical" matter, it will not app rove an amendment until next year, he said.