The 74-72 vote to advance Gov. Janet Mills' bill to expand post-viability abortions came after a four-hour recess to count votes and consider a last-minute compromise.
A proposal to expand access to abortions narrowly passed Thursday night in the Maine House, clearing the first hurdle after lawmakers kicked off an emotional.
Twenty of the Senate's 35 members have endorsed the bill as co-sponsors, but that is no guarantee they will vote for it; some House co-sponsors voted against the bill Thursday night despite a 74-72 victory.