GOP Response to Virginia Women's Wishes: Call Out SWAT Team; Pass Ultrasound Bill Anyway

House Dems blast passage of mandatory ultrasound bill (0.00 / 0)

SENATE REPUBLICANS CAP SOCIAL-ISSUE ONSLAUGHT WITH PASSAGE OF BILL MANDATING UNNCESSARY ULTRASOUND

Richmond - Despite wisely tabling the controversial "personhood" bill last week, Senate Republicans nonetheless continued the General Assembly's session-long fixation on divisive social issues and restricting women's health by passing HB462 this afternoon on a 21 to 19 vote. The bill, sponsored in the House by Del. Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), originally required women to undergo a physically intrusive transvaginal ultrasound but was amended after national public outcry.  It now goes back to the House for final approval.

"This is a significant blow for Virginia women, who have a constitutional right to control their own bodies and their own reproductive decisions," said Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria). "I am deeply saddened that Republicans in Richmond did not listen to the tens of thousands of concerned voices across the Commonwealth who wanted government out of their bedrooms and physician's offices. Massive protests and national media attention apparently still preclude the Virginia GOP from doing what is right."

"In passing this legislation, the majority party has refused to acknowledge what I and others on the House floor have been saying for weeks:  Forcing women to undergo a medically unnecessary ultrasound procedure of any kind is simply unacceptable," remarked Del. Kaye Kory (D-Fairfax).  "It is shameful that our clear and loud voices were ignored."

"It is unfortunate that the majority voting in favor of this intrusive legislation did not listen to growing public opinion," said Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax).  "Instead of what some may call informed consent, this is a case of meddling that will only serve to demean women and subject them to a costly and possibly useless and unnecessary medical procedure.  The government should not interfere with medical decisions that should only be made between a woman, her family, and her doctor."

"House Republicans are for big government in the bedroom, but no government in the board room," remarked Del. Scott Surovell (D-Fairfax). "The hypocrisy is stunning."

Gov. McDonnell has indicated support for the ultrasound bills, and directed the drafting of the accepted amendments. The Senate companion bill was stricken by its sponsor, Sen. Jill Vogel (R-Fauquier), from the calendar Friday on a 31-2 vote.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 20:16:48 PM UTC

Which idiot Democrat voted for this bill? n/t (0.00 / 0)

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by: Ingrid @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 20:25:20 PM UTC

Puckett and Colgan, of course. (0.00 / 0)

They also voted against several amendments that would have helped mitigate the worst aspects of this piece of @#$#$@@ bill. Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 21:43:27 PM UTC

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Is someone going to run against (0.00 / 0)

Colgan and Puckett next year?

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by: pontoon @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 22:00:40 PM UTC

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Not until 2015 (0.00 / 0)

Colgan won't run again, he's well into his 80s.  Puckett will most likely lose to a Republican next time.  Like I've said before, they're just a bit better than a Republican, but not by much.

So, on this issue and the handgun issue, two Dems put the vote over the top, 21-19.  Now, maybe Watkins would have voted "yes" on this bill if Colgan and Puckett had voted with the rest of the Dems, but as is, the Republicans can claim bipartisan support on both issues.

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by: NotJohnSMosby @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 22:04:58 PM UTC

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Of course, was thinking (0.00 / 0)

House, not Senate.  Sorry.

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by: pontoon @ Wed Feb 29, 2012 at 00:18:57 AM UTC

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Next election for Senate is in 2015 (0.00 / 0)

n/t

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 22:09:20 PM UTC

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ultrasound (0.00 / 0)

So Let me make sure I got this right
Senate just passed a bill requiring a ultrasound at the  womens expense which will show nothing.
Should we all call the governors office and congratulate him on a JOBS bill?  

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by: southernvadem @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 20:32:44 PM UTC

LOL (0.00 / 0)

If you're looking for a growth career in Virginia, ultrasound tech may just be the way to go!  

She said snarkily...

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by: Clemgo3165 @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 21:15:22 PM UTC

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Senate Dems: "Despite National Ridicule, Republicans Vote to Mandate Ultrasounds" (0.00 / 0)

Despite National Ridicule, Republicans Vote to Mandate Ultrasounds

Republicans continue to focus like a laser on their divisive social agenda

The Republicans continue their relentless assault on women's rights. Despite weeks of national ridicule, Republican Senators just cannot let go of their divisive social agenda that is taking Virginia backwards. Today, Senate Republicans voted for HB 462, which legislates mandates an unnecessary ultrasound before abortion - at great cost to most women, whose insurance is unlikely to cover an unnecessary procedure.

Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) said, "Before this bill was amended, there were those who talked about it as 'state rape.' And Republicans voted for it. The amended bill goes from state rape to state assault. And Republicans have now voted for state assault on women."

"I've been here for 21 years, and I've seen lots of bills, and I don't get angry often. But I'm angry now, because this bill is demeaning to women. I'm angry because it implies that women are not smart enough to realize what an abortion means. I'm angry because of the attitude it shows toward doctors. There is a presumption in this legislation that doctors are not smart enough to make the right decisions," said Senator Howell.

Senator George Barker (D-Fairfax) said, "Over 98% of abortions in Virginia take place in the first trimester. Most of these abortions are medical abortions, not surgical. It is not logical, it is frankly absurd to require an additional procedure that has no medical utility."

Senator Richard L. Saslaw (D-Fairfax) said, "This is just a senseless procedure to, I guess, make some people feel good and put up an obstacle to women seeking an abortion. Because almost all abortions in Virginia are done in the first trimester, the ultrasound will show nothing. This bill just doesn't do anything, and will be traumatic for some young women."

Senator Ralph Northam (D-Norfolk), "This bill tells a woman to have a diagnostic procedure, maybe against her will. As a doctor, I consider that unethical. This bill tells me, and my medical colleagues how to practice medicine. I had ten years of training to practice medicine. We do not need non-physician legislators dictating how to practice medicine."

"This bill tells doctors to do a totally unnecessary test - early in a pregnancy, I might as well use the ultrasound on this bottle of Gatorade, for all I'll see. This bill is an assault on women's health care, it is a tremendous insult to physicians," Senator Northam added.

Republicans Force Women to Pay for an Unnecessary Procedure

Senator Janet Howell (D-Fairfax) offered a series of amendments to SB 462, which were designed to soften the mean-spirited burden the bill places on women.

Senator Howell's fourth amendment would allow a doctor to waive the ultrasound requirement "if he believes that the ultrasound is medically unnecessary." This amendment speaks directly to the greatest flaw of SB 462, because the bill supplants the judgment of physicians with the wisdom of politicians. This amendment failed on a vote of 19 to 21.

Senator Howell's next amendment would have "mandated that insurance companies cover the cost of the procedure."

"We have never, ever, in my 21 years, mandated a medical procedure without ensuring that the procedure will be covered," said Senator Saslaw.

"These ultrasounds can cost over $1,200, and the fact that lawmakers would consider mandating a medical procedure and then refuse mandating that the insurance company pay for it is insulting," said Senator Barbara Favola (D-Arlington).

The amendment failed on a vote of 19 to 21.

Additional Amendments

Senator Howell's first amendment was designed to protect women from coercion by altering the ultrasound requirement in the bill to "exclusively optional," and that "no physician can coerce a woman to have this ultrasound." This amendment failed on a vote of 19 to 21.

Senator Howell's second amendment would "limit who will be subjected to the ultrasound with or without their consent. If the woman is the victim of rape or incest she would not be forced to undergo this traumatizing procedure." This amendment, with substantial Republican support, passed on a voice vote.

Senator Howell's third amendment would exempt a woman from the ultrasound requirement if her fetus has a genetic or chromosomal anomaly, which would likely lead to a severe deformity or disability. This amendment failed on a vote of 19 to 21.

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 21:41:26 PM UTC

Kaine calls on Allen to urge veto of state-mandated ultrasounds (0.00 / 0)

KAINE CALLS ON ALLEN TO URGE VETO OF STATE-MANDATED ULTRASOUNDS

Richmond, VA - Following today's vote in the Virginia Senate mandating that women undergo an ultrasound prior to seeking an abortion, former Governor and U.S. Senate candidate Tim Kaine released this statement:

"Today, state legislators green-lighted an expensive and unnecessary health mandate over the wishes of Virginia women. The ultrasound bill is patronizing and contrary to Virginians' desire for liberty."

"I hope that Governor McDonnell will veto this measure, and I strongly encourage all of my opponents in the Virginia senate race to speak out against this government overreach.  Legislating women's health care decisions won't make our economy stronger, won't help our businesses hire, and it certainly won't bolster Virginia's good reputation as a well-managed, business-friendly state.  Instead of focusing on divisive social issues, we must keep our focus on the challenges we face like improving job creation in our economy, tackling our budget deficit, and finding common ground on the issues that will improve the lives of all Virginians."

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 22:11:25 PM UTC

Video: "New Law Requires Women To Name Baby, Paint Nursery Before Getting Abortion" (0.00 / 0)

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by: lowkell @ Tue Feb 28, 2012 at 22:22:17 PM UTC

Hilarious! (0.00 / 0)

Isn't it amazing that satire works better in revealing the absurdity of these Neanderthals than simple facts.

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by: Elaine in Roanoke @ Wed Feb 29, 2012 at 01:19:49 AM UTC

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Assolutely (0.00 / 0)

Er, typo, that's ABsolutely.

But in this case a good laugh is not the best medicine.
We still have the asinine law.Did anyone listen to "Ask the Gov" on WTOP this morning? McDonnell gave a very self-righteous obfuscation on the ultra-sound bill (as modified) using the mme that it "enabled" women to make "informed decision," and that many other states had similar laws. Republican women appear to be rallying behind him (at least, in public---- who knows how many Mrs. Albo-think-alikes are pulling Lysistrata out there?)

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by: Teddy Goodson @ Wed Feb 29, 2012 at 02:20:44 AM UTC

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