A viral video of a House subcommittee meeting has turned the General Assembly upside down and made it the focus of conservative media.
Lawmakers don’t usually debate bills that have already been tabled. But everyone in Richmond is intensely focused on a bill introduced by Delegate Kathy Tran that would ease restrictions on late term abortions. That’s because a video of Tran testifying before a subcommittee went viral and became the focus of conservative media.
Governor Northam appeared at a press conference to respond.
“We’re always willing to look at legislation, make improvements, have discussions. But let’s do it in good faith. And these comments that have been made, the questions that have been asked have been nothing more than political points.”
Republicans say Tran’s bill highlights the Democratic agenda. House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert.
“The bill, in fact, created an almost irrelevant standard that amounted to nothing that would allow a late-term abortion under these circumstances right up until the moment of birth for something as simple as a mental health concern.”
Tran’s bill isn’t about to head to the House floor. But it’s certainly going to appear on the campaign trail.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
