COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- House Republican leaders have cleared a logjam tied to abortion coverage in the state's health insurance plan and have approved a nearly $5 billion state budget.
The House voted 64-54 Thursday to approve the spending plan.
It's now up to the Senate to give the measure final approval and send it to Gov. Mark Sanford for possible vetoes.
The House vote came with Democrats voting against the budget because they wanted tax increases to cover basic state obligations in health care and education that they say aren't funded.
The logjam cleared when Republican Caucus members agreed to make a priority next year of obtaining a 24-hour waiting period for abortions.
Republicans also plan to work to end abortion coverage in the state's health insurance plan for rape and incest victims.
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