It was the third attempt to take up repealing the near-total ban, which was recently resurrected by a state court.

Republicans had thwarted two earlier attempts to vote on ending the law, which bans abortions from conception without exceptions for rape or incest.

Three members of the party, though, broke ranks on Wednesday to vote for repeal in the narrowly-divided house.

The repeal effort will now go to the Senate, with a good chance of passing.