Seventeen Democratic Senators joined Republicans yesterday to pass a new law banning some forms of abortions. This marks the first time since Roe v. Wade that Congress has barred specific type of abortion. Opponents of abortion have long described the practice banned as “partial birth” abortions. But pro-choice groups say the bill is deliberately vague and bans often-used safe and common procedures. Three years ago the Supreme Court found a similar ban in Nebraska unconstitutional because the bill was written so vaguely. Senator Tom Harkin of Iowa who voted against the ban said, “Congress has turned it’s back on America’s women, their right to privacy, the right to choose. America’s women are now second-class citizens.”