The House of Representatives approved a controversial bill that bans abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

The GOP-controlled House passed the anti-abortion legislation in a party-line vote on Wednesday, with the support of only four Democrats. Three Republicans voted against the measure while one voted present.

The bill seeks to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy based on the medically-disputed notion that fetuses are sentient at that point and can feel pain. The bill also requires victims of rape and sexual assault to undergo mandatory counseling 48-hours before getting the procedure.

Earlier this year, GOP House leaders cancelled a vote on the legislation, dubbed as the "Pain Capable Unborn Child Protection Act," after a group of female Republican members voice opposition against it. They argued that the language in the original bill jeopardized their party's effort to attract women and young voters because it required rape victims to obtain a police report before getting the procedure.

Although the revised bill has eliminated the mandate for rape victims to receive police documentation in order to terminate their pregnancy after 20 weeks, it includes a new provision requiring rape victims to receive medical attention and counseling to receive abortion services.

In turn, Democrats and advocates for women's reproductive rights bashed the bill.

"Once again, some members of Congress think politics -- not medical expertise or a woman's health -- should drive important health care decisions," said Gretchen Borchelt, vice president for health and reproductive rights for the National Women's Law Center in a statement, reports CNN.

"Passing an unconstitutional nationwide ban on later abortions does nothing to help women -- instead, it threatens their health and lives and interferes in their personal medical decisions," she added.

But GOP supporters of the measure argue that bill protects the unborn, who can't speak for themselves.

"This legislation to protect the most innocent among us is an opportunity for clarity heading into the 2016 elections," said Marjorie Dannenfelser, president of the antiabortion Susan B. Anthony List, according to The Washington Post. "Protecting pain-capable babies and mothers at risk during a late-term abortion is a winning issue and one that has unified the entire Republican presidential field."

House Speaker John Boehner also praised the bill as "the most pro-life legislation to ever come before this body" in a floor speech.

The bill will now face an uphill battle in the Senate. President Obama has also vowed to veto the legislation should it make it to his desk.