Florida Senate panel votes down exceptions for rape, incest in 15-week abortion ban

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. — A Florida Senate committee voted Wednesday against including exceptions for rape, incest and human trafficking in a bill that would ban most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy. State Sen. Lauren Book, a survivor of sexual assault, proposed the amendment, which she said was needed to prevent further trauma on women and girls. “We are telling a 15-year-old ... that was raped that she is on the clock,” the Plantation Democrat said. The Republican-led Health Policy Committee rejected Book’s amendment Wednesday in a voice vote so there is no record of how each member voted. T...