British lawmakers voted Tuesday to decriminalize abortion for the pregnant woman – in striking contrast to the crackdown on reproductive rights in the United States.

Members of British Parliament have voted overwhelmingly in favor of decriminalizing abortion up to birth.

The amendment to the Crime and Policing Bill was hailed as the biggest upgrade to England and Wales' abortion laws since terminations were partially legalized in 1967 — for pregnancies before the 24-week stage and with the approval of two doctors. Scotland has a devolved parliament and will consider the issue separately.