A bill imposing some of the nation's most stringent abortion restrictions has cleared an Ohio House committee after suddenly re-surfacing in the lame duck session.



The GOP-led House Health Committee passed the so-called heartbeat bill Thursday after several emotional hours of testimony. The measure cleared the House in 2011, but was stopped in the Senate.



It would restrict most abortions at the first detectable fetal heartbeat, which can be as early as six weeks into pregnancy.



Before the committee vote, abortion rights advocates attacked the measure as unnecessary, dangerous and misogynist. The American Civil Liberties Union warned it would draw an immediate, costly legal challenge if passed.



Meanwhile, passionate proponents called abortion murder and defended their right as public servants to protect human life.