A GOP Victory in Virginia Means a Win for the Unborn.
Virginia Elections: A Crucial Moment for Unborn Lives
Five days from now, Virginians will have an opportunity to save the lives of thousands of innocent unborn lives. But will they take it?
On Tuesday, the commonwealth will hold elections for its General Assembly, meaning all 100 House of Delegates and 40 Senate seats will be up for grabs. In the House, Republicans currently hold a 48-46 majority, with six vacancies. Meanwhile, Democrats control the Senate with a 22-18 majority.
With Glenn Youngkin, a Republican, occupying the governor’s mansion and GOP Lt. Gov. Winsome Sears able to break tie votes in the upper chamber, a few Republican victories on Tuesday could give the Virginia GOP trifecta control of the state government for the first time since 2013.
For a list of every state legislative election and their rated competitiveness, see here.
Since Youngkin took office early last year, Virginia Democrats have routinely used their slim Senate majority to stonewall conservative legislative proposals, including pro-life bills. Following the U.S. Supreme Court’s Dobbs decision, Virginia Republicans sought to advance several pro-life measures during this year’s legislative session, one of which would prohibit the killing of unborn babies after 15 weeks of pregnancy with limited exceptions.
Under current Virginia law, abortion is legal throughout the first and second trimesters of pregnancy. As noted by the Family Research Council, however, a provision of state law virtually allows abortion “up to the moment of birth through a [broadly defined] ‘health’ exception.”
While not as strong as protections passed in more Republican-friendly states, the GOP-backed proposal would have put Virginia on par with most European countries and in lockstep with the majority of Americans’ view on the issue. Yet, without a second thought, Senate Democrats killed the measure.
Since then, Youngkin has pledged to advance 15-week protections for the unborn should Republicans take control of the General Assembly next week. Of course, this has prompted Democrat candidates to launch unhinged attacks against their GOP counterparts. One ad run by Virginia House Democrats, for instance, baselessly claimed women who abort their unborn child will end up in jail if “MAGA Republicans” win control of the legislature. Another run by Democrat Sen. Monty Mason against his Republican opponent, Danny Diggs, made similarly unsubstantiated claims.
Contrary to their insane accusations, it’s Virginia Democrats who are the extremists on abortion. Recall it was then-Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam who openly declared Democrats’ support for abortion up until the moment of — and even after — birth. When pressed during a 2019 interview on a bill sponsored by a Virginia House delegate seeking to legalize abortion through all 40 weeks of pregnancy, Northam admitted that the legislation would effectively allow a baby who survives a botched abortion to be murdered after he or she is delivered.
“If a mother is in labor, I can tell you exactly what would happen. The infant would be delivered. The infant would be kept comfortable. The infant would be resuscitated if that’s what the mother and the family desired, and then a discussion would ensue between the physicians and the mother,” Northam said.
The bill’s sponsor, Democrat Del. Kathy Tran, also confessed her proposal would have allowed a fully developed baby to be killed right before its birth. Fortunately, the bill did not advance out of committee.
Virginians can’t afford to sit on the sidelines during Tuesday’s elections with so many innocent lives at stake. Republican victories won’t just allow the Virginia GOP to advance much-needed policy reforms; it would permit them to stamp out Democrats’ abortion extremism and protect the most defenseless among us. And that is something worth voting for.
Shawn Fleetwood is a staff writer for The Federalist and a graduate of the University of Mary Washington. He previously served as a state content writer for Convention of States Action and his work has been featured in numerous outlets, including RealClearPolitics, RealClearHealth, and Conservative Review. Follow him on Twitter @ShawnFleetwood
Why did the shocking remarks and defense of Northam expose the radical agenda of the Democratic party in relation to reproductive rights?
Birth, even suggesting that infants born alive after a failed abortion could be left to die. These shocking remarks, and the subsequent defense of Northam by his Democratic colleagues, exposed the radical agenda of the party when it comes to reproductive rights.
But the upcoming elections provide an opportunity for Virginia voters to make a change. By electing more Republicans to the General Assembly, Virginians can ensure that common-sense pro-life measures have a fighting chance to become law. Protecting unborn lives should not be a partisan issue, but unfortunately, it has become one in recent years.
It is crucial for Virginians to consider the impact of their vote on the future of unborn lives. The current state of abortion laws in Virginia is far too permissive, allowing for late-term abortions and even allowing for abortions up until the moment of birth under the guise of a vague “health” exception. This goes against the majority opinion of Americans, who believe in reasonable restrictions on abortion.
By electing pro-life lawmakers, Virginia can join the majority of states that have passed stricter regulations on abortion and place limits on the termination of pregnancies after 15 weeks, except in cases of medical necessity. These protections are not extreme; they are in line with the values of the majority of Americans and many European countries.
But it is important to remember that this is not just about politics or laws. It is about the lives of innocent unborn children. Every life is precious and deserves protection. By electing leaders who value the sanctity of life, we send a message that Virginia stands for the protection of the most vulnerable among us.
The outcome of the Virginia elections will have far-reaching consequences. It is not just about who controls the General Assembly; it is about the future of unborn lives in the state. This is a crucial moment, and the choices made by voters will shape the direction of Virginia’s abortion laws for years to come.
So, will Virginians take this opportunity to save the lives of thousands of innocent unborn children? It is up to them to make that decision. But let us hope that they choose life, compassion, and the protection of the most vulnerable members of society. The future of unborn lives in Virginia depends on it.
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