US President George W Bush, Abortion measure signed into law
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1.00 News: Fiona Mitchell reports that the measure banning late term abortions is facing strong opposition
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Morning Ireland: Carole Coleman, Washington Correspondent, looks at the new measure and its implications
The new law defines the procedure as 'intentionally killing a partially delivered foetus'.
Anti-abortion groups have welcomed the development, the biggest change to American abortion law since the US Supreme Court declared in 1973 that women had a constitutional right to abortion.
A number of women's and civil liberties groups in the US have already mounted a legal challenge to the Bill, saying it is the first step in a campaign to ban all abortions.
However, Mr Bush said the legislation would be vigorously defended.
