Home State Senate votes to repeal required ultrasounds before abortions
News

State Senate votes to repeal required ultrasounds before abortions

Contributors

The Virginia Senate voted Tuesday to pass a bill to repeal the mandatory ultrasound requirement that Republicans passed in 2012. Senate Democrats provided 19 of the 20 votes which produced a tie, broken by Democratic Lt. Gov. Ralph Northam.

state-capitol-headerSB 617, patroned by Sen. Mamie Locke (D-Hampton), would repeal themandatory ultrasound requirement that Republicans passed in 2012. Under that law, women seeking an abortion must submit to an abdominal ultrasound — regardless of their wishes, and regardless of the wishes of their doctors.

“Let’s call the ultrasound mandate what it really is: a measure to shame, judge, and delay a woman’s access to the health care she seeks,” said Sen. Locke. “The state should not meddle in what ought to be a personal, private decision between a woman, her family, her faith, and her doctor. I am encouraged that members of the Senate saw the value in repealing this law. This is a great victory for the women of Virginia.”

“I’ve said time and time again that legislators— most of whom are men— have no business getting in between the healthcare decisions that a woman and her doctor make. As a practicing physician, I am hopeful that this mandate will ultimately be repealed,” said Lt. Gov. Northam.

“We need to think about the rights of individuals: of women, men and all of us. Because when one group us has their rights threatened, we all have our rights threatened,” said Sen. Barbara Favola (D-Arlington). “I’m glad my colleagues agreed and voted to protect women’s rights.”

“When an ultrasound is necessary, a doctor knows. There’s no one on the floor, with the exception of the lieutenant governor, who’s qualified to practice medicine,” said Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria). “This bill can be broken down to seven words: let doctors decide how to practice medicine.”

“The question of what is medically necessary should be decided by a physician, not by the General Assembly,” added Sen. John Edwards (D-Roanoke). “Let’s not practice medicine. Let’s not have the hubris or the arrogance to tell physicians what they should do.”

Contributors

Contributors

Have a guest column, letter to the editor, story idea or a news tip? Email editor Chris Graham at [email protected]. Subscribe to AFP podcasts on Apple PodcastsSpotifyPandora and YouTube.

Latest News

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Maine

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Missouri

The second leg of the 2025 Triple Crown is almost here, with the 150th Preakness Stakes set to run this Saturday at the iconic Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore, Maryland. Missouri horse racing fans don’t have to miss out on the excitement—thanks to several trusted offshore betting sites, they can place bets from anywhere in...

spring storm
Local

Albemarle County: Lightning strike the likely cause of house fire in Crozet

A residential fire on Tuesday afternoon in Crozet was the result of a lightning strike, according to authorities.

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Mississippi

baltimore orioles
Baseball

Down on the Farm: Big night for O’s prospect Samuel Basallo in Tides loss

Sports

How To Bet On Preakness Stakes 2025 In Utah

road closed sign
Local, Virginia

More rain, possible flash flooding tonight in Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland