NASHVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- The House sponsor of a proposal to change the Tennessee Constitution to allow the state to impose greater limits on abortions is trying to rally enough votes to bring the measure to a full floor vote.

The resolution sponsored by Rep. Delores Gresham, a Somerville Republican, would state that nothing in the constitution secures or protects abortion rights in Tennessee.

The measure passed the Senate this year but failed in a House subcommittee.

Gresham asked fellow supporters to encourage their colleagues to gather the 66 votes needed to bring the measure to a floor vote in the 99-member House.

Speaker Jimmy Naifeh (NAY'fee), a Covington Democrat, says he doesn't expect Gresham to succeed.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)