"Most Americans, even those who consider themselves pro-choice, believe there should be at least some restrictions on abortion.'' JOHN ENSIGN REPUBLICAN SENATOR FROM NEVADA

WASHINGTON -- Congress will continue debating "values" issues next week, focusing on a bill by Sen. John Ensign that would make it a federal crime to drive a teenager across state lines for an abortion without parental consent.

"Our kids are not even allowed to get an aspirin in school without parental consent," the Nevada Republican said. "Yet, remarkably, it is not against the law to evade parental consent or notice requirements to take a child across state lines to get a surgical procedure."

Debate opened Friday on the bill, which would make a person transporting a girl to an abortion clinic subject to a fine or prison term of up to one year.

Parents also would be allowed to sue the person who provided the trip. There is an exception if the girl's life is in danger. The bill does not include penalties for doctors who might perform the abortion.

Democrats say the bill is draconian and would make criminals out of people, often relatives, who help girls in need.

The bill is being considered in the wake of congressional debates over stem cell research, gay marriage, flag burning and the Pledge of Allegiance in recent days.

Democrats charge "values debates" are being scheduled by Republican leaders merely in an effort to reclaim flagging support among conservatives.

"This is not a priority issue," Sen. Richard Durbin, D-Ill., assistant minority leader, said of the Ensign bill. "It's something Republicans put on a shelf and bring up to try to activate that part of their base. They want to make sure those traditionally pro-life Republicans who voted for stem cell (research) have something to point to when they go to voters."

Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., said Congress should be doing other business.

"As important as people feel this issue is, how does it compare to what's going on in Iraq? How does it compare to what's going on in the lives of Americans trying to pay for their gasoline?" Reid said.

But Ensign thinks the issue is important.

"I believe, as a father of three children, including one daughter, it is a very important piece of legislation. Good people can disagree on issues even of profound moral consequence. Most Americans, even those who consider themselves pro-choice, believe there should be at least some restrictions on abortion."

Forty-five states have laws requiring some kind of parental notification before a doctor can perform an abortion on a minor. Nevada is not one of them.

Ensign said he became bothered by clinics advertising quick abortions and pointing out that a parent's consent would not be needed.

"There are locations, especially around the East Coast, where the states are smaller, a very short drive, they actually advertise in the yellow pages," Ensign said.

The House passed a similar bill by a vote of 270-157 in April 2005. Reps. Jon Porter, R-Nev., and Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., voted for it. Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., voted against it.

A Senate vote expected next week could be "very close," Ensign said.

Durbin said the bill's fate will depend on the ability of Democrats to amend it.

The issue last was debated in 1998. Sponsors were unable to complete the bill because they couldn't get 60 senators to agree to a final vote, drawing only 54. The Senate has 34 new members since then, Ensign said.

The Congressional Budget Office estimated costs to enforce the law would be minimal "because of the small number of cases likely to be involved."

During debate Friday, Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., said the bill was necessary to stop older men from preying on girls for sex and then trying to cover up a pregnancy.

Parents should be aware when their underage daughters are undergoing surgical procedures, because young patients may need follow-up care, he said.

Ensign told of two Pennsylvania girls who were forced to have out-of-state abortions, one by her boyfriend's family and the other by her rapist's mother.

Opponents argue the bill prolongs suffering by victims of incest or family abuse. A teenager made pregnant by a family member or an attacker might not report it to a parent. Girls who believe they cannot involve their parents would be further isolated, according to NARAL Pro-Choice America.

NARAL was formerly called the National Association for the Repeal of Abortion Laws, and the National Abortion and Reproductive Rights Action League.

"We certainly think young women should talk with their parents," said Ted Miller, NARAL communications director. "But in circumstances where they can't, we want to protect their safety."

"In Idaho, a 13-year-old girl named Spring Adams was shot to death by her father after he learned that she planned to terminate a pregnancy caused by his acts of incest," Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Texas, said during House debate last year.

"Some young women cannot involve their parents because they come from homes where physical violence or emotional abuse is prevalent," Jackson Lee said. "In these situations, the government cannot force healthy family communication where it does not already exist."

An Ensign aide said Friday that Republicans plan to offer an incest exemption. Democrats also are preparing an incest amendment.

Democrats want to offer several other amendments to Ensign's bill. One would provide an exemption for clergy members.

Ensign scoffed at the idea, pointing out that anyone can be ordained on the Internet.

Democrats are also expected to have amendments seeking to exempt grandparents and authorizing a teen sex education and contraception program, the aide said.