ST. PAUL — The debate over taxpayer funding going toward abortions in Minnesota has returned.

The House voted 76-52 Thursday to block state-funded health care programs from paying for the procedures. But the Senate’s narrow vote to reject it means it won’t move forward.

It’s a perennial issue at the Legislature that often stretches beyond partisan lines. In each chamber, a handful of Democrats joined Republicans in trying to pass the measure.

The change would mostly impact low-income residents on public health care programs like MinnesotaCare or Medical Assistance, which are funded through taxpayer dollars.

GOP lawmakers argued taxpayer dollars shouldn’t go to a controversial procedure. Democrats call it political interference that would unfairly impact Minnesota’s poorest residents.