Monday, March 19, 2012
A pro-choice, pro-family mom speaks against Virginia's amendment requiring ultrasounds for abortions.
I thought about writing something noncontroversial for this month's column—perhaps 99 ways to soothe a fussy baby (I wish I knew!) or Ashburn's unknown toddler artists. But last month, I got angry comments after giving tips for having fun on a day off. I was reminded that I can’t make everyone happy all the time, so here's what's on my mind: What the heck is wrong with this state? Gov. McDonnell just signed what is arguably the most invasive bill we've seen into law. Instead of getting into how this is blatant disrespect and violation of patient rights, I'll focus on what the Virginia Society for Human Life says about the new law: “The women and unborn children of Virginia owe a debt of thanks to [McDonnell] and the General Assembly for …
Thursday, March 8, 2012
Amended version of the bill requiring transabdominal imaging prior to an abortion becomes law in Virginia.
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Thursday, March 8, 2012
By Michael Bodine Capital News Service RICHMOND – Gov. Bob McDonnell has signed the much-debated bill that requires ultrasound testing before abortions into law. The bill, proposed by Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Lynchburg) has been among the most hotly contested social issues in this year’s General Assembly. It even sparked national criticism and became a hot topic for late night comedians. McDonnell signed House Bill 462 into law on Wednesday. Because the measure was amended multiple times, it first had to endure two votes from each house of the General Assembly this session. After signing the legislation, McDonnell issued a statement that acknowledged both sides of the mandatory-ultrasound debate. He also stated why he saw it as a necessary …
Wednesday, February 29, 2012
Legislation now goes back to House for another vote before heading back to the governor's desk.
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Wednesday, February 29, 2012
By Michael Bodine Capital News Service RICHMOND – The Virginia Senate on Tuesday passed a bill that will require any woman seeking an abortion to undergo a mandatory ultrasound examination. House Bill 462 has been the focus of extensive debate during this year’s General Assembly. It even fell victim to national ridicule last week before being amended on the recommendation of Gov. Bob McDonnell. Rather than require a transvaginal ultrasound to determine gestational age, the Republican governor asked legislators to mandate only a transabdominal procedure. After complying with the governor’s amendments, HB 462, which was sponsored by Delegate Kathy Byron (R-Lynchburg), passed the Senate Tuesday on a 21-19 vote. It will be sent with its …
Thursday, February 23, 2012
Governor calls on legislators to require only transabdominal ultrasound procedures for women seeking abortions, not internal probe.
Momentum still appears to be rolling forward for a bill that would require women to receive an ultrasound prior to having an abortion. However, yesterday, Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) backed off of the part of the bill that appeared to cause the most backlash: the requirement for an invasive transvaginal ultrasound. Instead, McDonnell has asked legislators to change the bill so that it requires a transabdominal ultrasound only. The idea behind the bill partisan bill is that such an ultrasound provides a woman a better opportunity to make an informed medical decision. “No person should be directed to undergo an invasive procedure by the state, without their consent, as a precondition to another medical procedure,” McDonnell wrote in a statement …
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
Saturday Night Live and Jon Stewart poke fun at Virginia's focus on ultrasound and 'personhood' bills.
The Virginia House of Delegates delayed final voting again Tuesday on the Senate-passed version of a bill that would require women to undergo a mandatory ultrasound before getting an abortion. The bill, which is expected to pass the Republican-controlled chamber, would then be sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell's desk to be signed into law. Critics of the bill say such legislation would be too invasive and may require a 'transvaginal' probe if the pregnancy is in its early stages. There are two identical versions of the bill, one in each chamber. The ultrasound bills and Manassas Sen. Bob Marshall's personhood bill, which states that life begins at conception, grabbed headlines across the country for each clearing one of Virginia's chambers. …
Tuesday, February 21, 2012
The Virginia legislature has received attention from the national media for its measures.
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Tuesday, February 21, 2012
by Zack Budryk (Capital News Service) RICHMOND—More than 1,000 people turned out at the Capitol on Monday to silently protest a wave of legislation they claim undermines women’s reproductive rights. The demonstration focused largely on two measures: House Bill 1, which would give the legal status of a human being to a fertilized egg, and HB 462, which would require a trans-vaginal ultrasound before undergoing an abortion. Both bills have passed the House of Delegates and are being considered by the Senate Education and Health Committee. The bills have garnered attention of national media shows—and Saturday Night Live— in a year when social issues have become a presidential election issue. “We want the state legislators to know that we are …
Friday, February 3, 2012
Loudoun Senate delegation splits on bill to require procedure prior to receiving an abortion.
RICHMOND (Capital News Service) – The Virginia Senate has passed a bill requiring the use of ultrasound testing prior to the performance of an abortion. The bill, sponsored by Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel (R-Winchester) now goes to the House of Delegates. If passed – a likely prospect in the Republican-controlled House – the measure will be sent to Gov. Bob McDonnell to be signed into law. The Senate voted 21-18 in favor of Senate Bill 484 on Wednesday. The bill would require the use of ultrasound testing before an abortion. The woman would then have the option to view the sonograms before terminating her pregnancy. Loudoun’s delegation to the Senate split on the vote along party lines, with Sen. Richard H. Black (R-13) supporting Vogel’s bill…
Nicole Skuba
1:11 pm on Friday, April 6, 2012
That's a good question, Grant! I think it comes back to human nature. Male or female, people tend to think their own ideas are the best. I wish those people would stop trying to run others' lives though. more ›