CONCORD _ To avoid a lengthy debate on an emotionally charge issue, the House on Wednesday tabled a resolution commemorating the recent 40th anniversary of the landmark Roe V. Wade U.S. Supreme Court decision legalizing abortions.

The roll call vote to table was 239-111.
The resolution says the court in the decision “protects every woman’s ability to make her own personal medical decisions, without the interference of politicians.”

It says the House “recognizes the critical importance of continued access to safe and legal abortion.”

Opponents argued that the resolution is purely political and “celebrates the destruction of over 500 million pre-born children.”