Moore signs bill to limit abortions after 20 weeks

The Latest on Senate candidate Roy Moore (all times local):5:00 p.m.

President Donald Trump is signing legislation that will allow for abortions after the 20-week abortion limit set by the Roe v.

Wade Supreme Court, a White House official tells ABC News.

Trump signed the bill Friday morning as the Senate was set to consider the legislation, which is expected to pass with a simple majority.

Trump tweeted Friday afternoon that he was signing the bill because he has “great respect for Roe v Wade and women’s health.

We must protect life.”

Trump has long supported a ban on abortion after 20-weeks of pregnancy, which he called a “very, very bad thing.”

He also supported a 20-minute waiting period during the first trimester of pregnancy and a ban of abortions after 26 weeks.

The bill is expected, if passed, to be controversial.

Senate Republicans have been divided on whether to allow the legislation to advance.

Some, including Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), are expected to oppose it.

McConnell’s office did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

The legislation is likely to be challenged in court.

The Senate Judiciary Committee, which approved the bill on Thursday, is expected Friday to hold a hearing on the issue.

The Senate passed the bill by a vote of 26-13, with all Republicans supporting it.

The committee’s chair, Sen. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Emiel FeinsteinHow Flake came to secure Kavanaugh delay Flake calls for one-week delay to floor vote on Kavanaugh Senate panel begins consideration of Kavanaugh bill MORE (D-Calif.), said in a statement the committee would “conduct an extensive review of the bill to make sure that it meets the needs of all women and men.”

The White House did not directly respond to the committee’s announcement.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer Charles (Chuck) Ellis SchumerElection Countdown: Kavanaugh allegations put GOP in tough spot | Republicans start to pull plug on candidates | Dems get early start in Iowa | O’Rourke defends Cruz after protesters interrupt dinner | Why Biden is the Democrat GOP most fears Flake to visit New Hampshire amid 2020 speculation MORE (N.Y.), who led the panel, has said he will oppose the bill.

The House passed a bill Friday afternoon, but it was unclear whether it would get a vote in the Senate, where Republicans hold a 52-48 majority.