Friday, Republican Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin and fellow members of his administration celebrated the Supreme Court’s ruling that overturned Roe v Wade.
Youngkin immediately released a statement saying he was proud to be a “Pro-life Governor” and ready to take action:
“The Supreme Court of the United States has rightfully returned power to the people and their elected representatives in the states. I’m proud to be a pro-life Governor and plan to take every action I can to protect life. The truth is, Virginians want fewer abortions, not more abortions. We can build a bipartisan consensus on protecting the life of unborn children, especially when they begin to feel pain in the womb, and importantly supporting mothers and families who choose life. That’s why I’ve asked Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, Senator Steve Newman, Delegate Kathy Byron and Delegate Margaret Ransone to join us in an effort to bring together legislators and advocates from across the Commonwealth on this issue to find areas where we can agree and chart the most successful path forward.
Later on Friday, Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter clarified, saying the Governor is seeking at least a 15-week abortion ban in the legislature.
“Virginians elected a pro-life governor and he supports finding consensus on legislation,” Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter said in a statement. “He has tapped Senator Siobhan Dunnavant, Senator Steve Newman, Delegate Kathy Byron and Delegate Margaret Ransone to do so and prioritize protecting life when babies begin to feel pain in the womb, including a 15-week threshold.”
WAVY 10 Virginia reports:
“The Washington Post first reported Youngkin’s plans to seek a law restricting abortions after 15 weeks and that the governor said during a meeting with the newspaper Friday that setting a cutoff at 20 weeks could help it gain more support from lawmakers.
Abortions in Virginia won’t be impacted by the opinion immediately, as efforts to impose restrictions failed to pass through the General Assembly earlier this year with Democrats holding a slight majority in the state Senate.
That edge will stay in place until the Virginia Senate elections in November 2023, but one Democrat in the closely divided chamber has previously voiced support for an abortion ban.
That lawmaker, state Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond, said Friday that while he opposes abortion he doesn’t believe the government “should be telling women what to do with their bodies.” But he didn’t close the window for a potential ban.”
