Virginia may become 19th state to pass a 20-week abortion ban

As Live Action News reported, in December, Ohio became the 18th state to pass a 20-week abortion ban. According to the Staunton News Leader, a similar bill, called the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, has now been introduced in the Virginia House of Delegates.

The proposed bill would ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy and contains an exception for the life of the mother or to “avert serious risk of substantial and irreversible physical impairment of a major bodily function” to the mother. Similar bills failed to pass in Virginia in 2015 and earlier in 2016. The current version is set to reach the House floor in January 2017.

Del. Mark Cole, a co-sponsor of the bill, believes the bill would be a step in the right direction. “Obviously, I’m pro-life, and I think government has a responsibility to protect innocent life,” explained Cole, “and I think this is a reasonable compromise.”

Science proves, with “substantial medical evidence,” that preborn children can feel pain by 20 weeks, though some studies indicate they can feel pain as early as 5.5 weeks. Despite this, D&E abortions (described below with medical animation by former abortionist Dr. Anthony Levatino), are performed throughout the U.S. as one of the most common abortion procedures:

2nd Trimester Surgical Abortion: Dilation and Evacuation (D & E)

NARAL issued a press release slamming the bill as a “dangerous and unconstitutional measure.” Recently, NARAL Pro-Choice Virginia Executive Director Tarina Keene sent a letter asking gubernatorial candidates where they stand on the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. “Since the election of Donald Trump, women are fearful for the future, especially regarding their ability to make personal healthcare decisions free from political intrusion,” Keene claimed in the letter. “Virginia women want to know where you stand.”

But Cole believes the people can see through the abortion industry’s big talk. “A majority of people do not favor abortion on demand,” he said. Cole added that pro-lifers have “done a good job at the grassroots level of educating folks on the issue.”