On Wednesday evening, a state Senate subcommittee defeated a bill sponsored by Virginia Republicans that would have prohibited abortions beyond 15 weeks of pregnancy.
The “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protect Act” was defeated by the education and health committee (9–5), and a nearly absolute ban later in pregnancy was also defeated.
A felony charge would be brought against doctors who participated in or performed abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy under the proposed legislation. Rape, incest, and the mother’s life were all covered by the law’s exclusions.
Both before and after the Supreme Court repealed Roe v. Wade in June 2022, some states have implemented laws prohibiting abortions after 15 weeks. Because studies have shown that unborn children can experience pain at that stage of development, there is a 15-week limit.
State Democrats “solidified their radical position,” according to Macaulay Porter, a spokesman for Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin (R). Until roughly 26 weeks into the first and second trimesters of pregnancy, abortion is allowed in Virginia.
According to the Huffington Post, Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, rejoiced over the failure of the legislation that would have saved lives.
We reinforced today that there is no place for abortion bans in Virginia, despite Gov. Youngkin and his supporters’ tenacious attempts to destroy our health and rights, Lockhart added.
Voters support preserving the unborn at 15 weeks despite Virginia Democrats’ drive for abortion on demand, according to a survey conducted by WPA Intelligence for Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America and the Virginia Family Foundation.
The survey found that 61 percent of potential Virginia voters support a law that forbids abortions beyond 15 weeks with the exception of rape, incest, and the mother’s life. A 15-week limit is supported by 60% of voters who identify as “pro-choice,” while 65% reject abortion up until birth.
Caitlin Connors, Southern Regional Director for SBA Pro-Life America, stated:
Unborn children can feel agonizing pain at 15 weeks and have fully developed organs, fingers, and toes. Over 60% of Virginians support abortion restrictions that last at least 15 weeks, whether they are pro-life or pro-choice. This is because the humanity of the unborn child cannot be denied.
Together with Governor Youngkin, we implore the Assembly to respect the voice of the people and approve this compassionate measure that could save up to 500 lives annually.
According to a Marist Poll conducted nationwide in collaboration with the Knights of Columbus, 69 percent of American adults believe that abortion should either be subject to some limitations or be completely prohibited.
Only 21 percent of Americans, including 32 percent of Democrats, four percent of Republicans, and 20 percent of independents, believe abortion should be legal at any time in pregnancy, despite the fact that 61 percent of Americans identify as “pro-choice” and 39 percent as “pro-life.” 10% of Americans believe that abortions should be legal within the first six months of pregnancy.
Contrarily, 25% of those surveyed think abortion should be prohibited or limited to the first three months of pregnancy, 26% say it should be prohibited or limited except in cases of rape, incest, or to save the mother’s life, 10% say it should be banned except for the mother’s life, and 8% say it should be outlawed completely. These figures add up to 69 percent of respondents who think that restrictions on abortions should start at least three months into a pregnancy.
