Virginia Democrats rapidly are moving to repeal life-saving abortion restrictions in their state.
This week, state House and Senate committees voted to repeal laws that protect the health and safety of mothers and unborn babies through abortion clinic regulations, informed consent requirements and a 24-hour waiting period.
On Wednesday, the House Courts of Justice Committee approved House Bill 980 to repeal health and safety requirements for abortion facilities and certain informed consent requirements, according to the Family Foundation of Virginia.
“Sadly, the new majority on the House Courts of Justice Committee that was bought and paid for by the $1 billion abortion industry, returned the favor to Planned Parenthood by voting to repeal nearly all the common-sense health and safety standards and reasonable informed consent measures for abortion,” said Victoria Cobb, president of the pro-life organization.
The pro-abortion bill now heads to the full state House of Delegates.
On Thursday, a Senate committee also voted to advance pro-abortion legislation to end a 24-hour waiting period and an ultrasound requirement prior to the abortion, the AP reports.
In addition, Cobb said the legislature is considering a bill to end parental consent for underage girls, and another to allow midwives, nurse practitioners and physician’s assistants to do abortions.
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“However, Senator Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield) has introduced the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (SB 1001) to prohibit abortions after around 20 weeks of gestation, the time at which most medical professionals agree that a baby can feel pain,” Cobb said. “In the middle of all this darkness, Senator Chase’s bill exemplifies compassion for these unborn babies.”
But the pro-life bill does not have much chance of passing the legislature while Democrats are the majority.
Democrats gained control of the Virginia House and Senate this month, and Gov. Ralph Northam is a pro-abortion Democrat as well. Abortion advocacy groups, which backed their campaigns, said they want to make Virginia a “safe haven” for abortion on demand, according to the AP.
Many Democrat politicians no longer hide behind the old “safe, legal and rare” claim, and now openly advocate for abortion on demand. They oppose common-sense abortion clinic regulations that protect women’s safety and support unrestricted abortions up to birth. Some even support infanticide, as Northam did in January 2019.
Last year, Virginia saw an extreme pro-abortion bill in its state legislature that would have allowed abortions up to the point of labor, even if there are no physical health problems with the mother or baby. Pro-life Republican lawmakers blocked the bill, sponsored by state Del. Kathy Tran, but some fear Tran’s bill also could return in the new legislative session.
Action: Contact Virginia state lawmakers.
