DENVER (AP) — Colorado Republicans have advanced legislation to make the killing of a fetus a homicide in response to the case of a woman accused of cutting into the belly of an expectant mother to claim the baby.

A GOP-led state Senate committee voted 3-2 along party lines Wednesday to advance the bill to the full Senate.

Prosecutors say under current law they can’t pursue murder charges in the attack against the Colorado pregnant woman because a medical examiner found no evidence the infant was alive outside the womb.

The suspect faces charges that could send her to prison for life if she is convicted of all the counts.

Republicans say that doesn’t do the case justice.

Democrats contend the bill infringes on abortion rights by extending certain protections to unborn children.

Republicans insist the measure has exceptions to protect abortion rights.