WASHINGTON (AP) - House Republicans lost an attempt to pass legislation making it a federal crime to carry out gender-based abortions.
    
In a campaign year when Democrats are accusing Republicans of waging a war against women, Republicans sought to portray the Prenatal Nondiscrimination Act as a women's rights issue.
    
But the legislation required a two-thirds majority for passage, because of procedural rules, and had no future in the Democratic Senate.
    
The bill would have would make it a federal offense to perform or coerce a woman into a sex-selection abortion.
    
Opponents said it would subject doctors to criminal charges and discriminate against Asian-American women.

Abortions of female fetuses are an issue in some Asian countries where families prefer sons.