Follow Up of the Day: Virginia Governor Bob McDonnell, who earlier today announced that he was backing down from his unconditional support of the state’s controversial anti-abortion legislation, has compelled legislators in the House of Delegates to exclude a provision that would have required women to be penetrated by an ultrasound device prior to an abortion.
The amended bill is expected to require only an external ultrasound — or possibly make the ultrasound a voluntary procedure.
“I am requesting that the General Assembly amend this bill to explicitly state that no woman in Virginia will have to undergo a transvaginal ultrasound involuntarily,” Gov. McDonnell said in a statement. “I am asking the General Assembly to state in this legislation that only a transabdominal, or external, ultrasound will be required to satisfy the requirements to determine gestational age.”
Despite the “watering-down” of the ultrasound bill, Virginia’s “personhood” bill — which would define life as beginning at conception — continues to move forward after passing in the House last week.
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