Rona Ambrose is feeling the heat after backing a failed private member’s bill that could have reopened the abortion debate.

Conservative MP Steven Woodworth’s pro-life bill would have called on Parliament to study the definition of a human being.

The bill was defeated by a vote of 203 to 91.

NDP critic Niki Ashton says she’s shocked that Ambrose, as Status of Women Minister, could support a bill aimed to roll back a woman’s right to choose.

University of Windsor political scientist Cheryl Collier tells 660News she doubts the Prime Minister will discipline or reprimand Ambrose.

Collier says while the optics might be bad, the status of women portfolio is not a priority for the government.

She also says she is somewhat surprised Harper didn’t whip the vote, but likely took names and will have private conversations with those who voted against party lines.