WASHINGTON — Defying a threatened presidential veto, the House voted Thursday to block aid to family planning organizations that perform, support or promote abortions abroad.

The action came on a $12.3 billion foreign aid bill, which was approved by an overwhelming majority.

The aid-blocking amendment, sponsored by Rep. Chris Smith, R-N.J., was approved, 234-191, after a compromise version backed by many abortion-rights lawmakers was narrowly defeated.

After the vote, Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif, one of the sponsors of the substitute amendment, said it was “a sad day for women.”

Reps. John Baldacci and Tom Allen voted for Pelosi’s amendment.

The foreign aid bill, passed 375-49, made several funding cuts to foreign aid programs. Assistance to the nations of the former Soviet Union was pegged at $625 million — $275 million less than the administration’s request.