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A Republican senator seeking his party's 2016 presidential nomination introduced a bill Thursday banning most late-term abortions and is predicting the Senate will vote on the highly polarizing issue this year. That's a vote that could put some GOP senators seeking re-election next year in closely divided states in a tough spot. But the measure's sponsor, Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., offered little sympathy for candidates who would rather avoid the issue. (Fram, 6/11)

It came out of nowhere: an open letter from Wisconsin Gov. Scott Walker declaring his support for a ban on abortions once pregnancies reach 20 weeks. The missive delighted antiabortion activists in the state — and set off a scramble in the State Capitol here because no such legislation had actually been introduced. The restrictions, approved this week by the state Senate and likely to be passed by the Republican-dominated state Assembly, underscore the extent to which Walker — who has not yet announced his candidacy — is positioning himself to be the most fervent antiabortion candidate in the Republican field of presidential hopefuls. (Johnson, 6/11)

Two groups sued the state of Florida on Thursday seeking to stop a 24-hour waiting period for abortions from taking effect, arguing that it imposes an unnecessary burden on women seeking to end their pregnancies. The American Civil Liberties Union of Florida and the Center for Reproductive Rights filed the suit one day after Republican Gov. Rick Scott signed the bill into law. They argue that the law, which is to take effect July 1, violates the right to privacy guaranteed in the state constitution by interfering with their right to undergo the procedure. (Farrington, 6/11)

It’s a like ritual for women across the nation: frequent treks to the pharmacist to refill birth control prescriptions. It’s a hassle for busy students, a headache for rural women with long drives and a cause for panic for travelers on the road when their packs run out. Soon, however, women in Oregon will be able to avoid such problems, since the state has enacted a first-of-its-kind insurance law that will allow them to obtain a year’s worth of birth control at a time, instead of the 30- or 90- day supply available now. (Kumar, 6/12)

With Gov. Kate Brown's signature Thursday, Oregon women will be the first in the nation who can get a year's supply of birth control with one prescription. When the change takes effect Jan. 1, women will no longer have to renew their prescriptions every 30 to 90 days. After an initial three-month supply, refills of the same prescription can be obtained for one year. (Winter, 6/11)