From the Debra Rodman for State Senate campaign:
PolitiFact Debunks Dunnavant’s False Claims on Abortion Bill
Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant uses same incorrect claim by GayDonna Vandergriff that PolitiFact rates as “False”
Henrico, VA – In a fact check released yesterday, PolitiFact rated a claim made by Republican candidates Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant (SD-12) and GayDonna Vandergriff about a bill protecting women’s access to abortion as False.
The bill, which was co-sponsored by Dunnavant challenger Del. Debra Rodman (HD-73) and Vandergriff opponent Del. Schuyler VanValkenburg (HD-72), “would not have created an unconditioned right to a third-trimester abortion in Virginia,” stated PolitiFact, and rather “would have eased requirements for getting one by allowing one doctor to certify the abortion is necessary to protect the mother’s life or health.”
“It’s completely appalling that my opponent, a doctor, would make claims that she fully knows are both false and medically inaccurate,” said Del. Rodman. “My priority has always been protecting women’s right to make their own health care decisions, especially in life-threatening situations. Senator Dunnavant’s false attacks are nothing but a desperate attempt to distract from her terrible voting record on protecting and expanding Virginians’ access to quality, affordable health care.”
Background
PolitiFact Virginia: Vandergriff Abortion Claim Rated “False”
By Warren Fiske, VPM, 10/29/19
[…] Virginia law allows third-trimester abortions if three doctors certify that “the continuation of the pregnancy is likely to result in the death of the woman or substantially and irremediably impair the mental or physical health of the woman.” Tran’s bill would have eased those requirements.
Vandergriff is not the only candidate misstating the bill. During the course of writing this fact-check, Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant, R-Henrico, began making similar charges against her opponent, Del. Debra Rodman. Rodman, a Democrat, also co-sponsored Tran’s bill and stood beside Tran while she was testified in the January hearing.
Dunnavant has sent a mailer saying Rodman “proposed legalizing abortion in the ninth month.” Dunnavant is also running a TV ad saying, “Debra Rodman’s bill would allow late-term abortions for any reason up to the moment of birth.”
Vandergriff says VanValkenburg co-sponsored a bill that would have “allowed abortion until the moment of birth.”
[…]
The bill – which VanValkenburg did co-sponsor – would not have created an unconditioned right to a third-trimester abortion in Virginia, as Vandergriff suggests. It would have eased requirements for getting one by allowing one doctor to certify the abortion is necessary to protect the mother’s life or health.
We rate Vandergriff’s statement False.
About Debra Rodman
Rodman was elected in 2017 to bring the perspective of regular people to government, winning on a message of expanding Medicaid and prioritizing public education. She immediately began delivering on those promises and has earned a reputation as one of the most present legislators in the community. She is now running to flip State Senate, District 12 from red to blue. Learn more at www.debrarodman.com.
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
