Politics & Government

VA Senate Passes Amended Ultrasound Bill

Governor will likely sign legislation that requires external ultrasounds for women seeking abortion.

Update, Thursday, March 1: 

The House of Delegates voted 61-35 to concur with a Senate amendment that exempts victims of incest and rape from the mandated procedure provided they reported the assault to police.

Original Story: The Virginia Senate voted Tuesday for an amended version of the bill that would require women to undergo external ultrasounds before abortions, but not the transvaginal ones.

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The 21-19 vote in the GOP-controlled Senate — mostly along party lines — came after Gov. Bob McDonnell (R) 

McDonnell asked lawmakers to amend the measure after it became clear the original legislation would have required a vaginal ultrasound in most cases because abortions usually occur in the first trimester, when an external ultrasound would not work.

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The bill will head to McDonnell for his signature.


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