DES MOINES, Iowa (AP) – A key Iowa Senate committee has approved a measure designed to block plans for a Council Bluffs clinic that would offer late-term abortions. Backers said the measure was narrowly drawn to block Nebraska Dr. LeRoy Carhart, who announced plans for the Council Bluffs facility after Nebraska passed late-term abortion restrictions. Critics worried that the measure could lead to more late-term abortions.

Under the measure, late-term abortions could only be performed in clinics in cities that have hospitals offering intensive care services for infants. There are five such facilities, one each in Davenport, Cedar Rapids and Iowa City and two in Des Moines.

The Senate Ways and Means Committee approved it on a 9-6 vote, sending it to the full Senate for debate.