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Today, Democrats on the Health and Education Committee defeated Senate Bill 637, which unconstitutionally bans abortions twenty weeks into pregnancy. Routine ultrasounds, performed approximately twenty weeks into pregnancy, can reveal congenital defects and potential risks to the life and health of the mother. This bill would have prevented women from making informed decisions about their families and their health.

Senator Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said, “This bill clearly violates the Supreme Court’s ruling in Roe v. Wade, and the many subsequent cases that have upheld that ruling. It is unconstitutional and I am glad that Democrats were united in its defeat today.”

Senator Janet Howell (D-Reston) commented, “I was proud to vote against Senate Bill 637, because every woman in Virginia has the right to make a personal judgment on this very difficult decision. Politicians should not interfere in this difficult, private, and emotional decision.”

“I’m excited by our success in the committee today,” said Senator Donald McEachin (D-Henrico). “We came up with a plan to defeat the bill, and executed it perfectly. This is a good day for Virginia.”

If this legislation passes, Virginia will join the following nefarious group of states in banning abortion, at considerably risk to women and their families: Nebraska, Kansas, Oklahoma, Idaho, and Alabama. Although SB 637 was defeated in committee today, similar legislation will likely pass the House of Delegates shortly.