Nation IN BRIEF : MARYLAND : Compromise on Abortion Bills Stalls

A state Senate compromise to end a filibuster over an abortion rights bill was narrowly rejected by a state House committee. The Senate approved both an abortion rights bill and a more restrictive measure favored by abortion opponents. Lawmakers expect that at least one of the bills will be petitioned to a referendum, which would essentially give voters the final say. Normally, the 13-to-12 vote by the House Environmental Matters Committee would doom the compromise. However, there was at least a possibility that an attempt to revive the proposal would be made on the House floor.