Extreme: Virginia Senate Dems Block Protections for Babies Who Survive Abortions

For Immediate Release: February 16, 2023
Contact: Kelsey Pritchard, [email protected]

Also Blocked: Women’s Right to Informed Consent Before Abortion

RICHMOND, Va. – Democrats on a Virginia Senate committee today blocked HB 1795, legislation that would protect babies who survive failed abortions. Introduced by Del. Nick Freitas, the bill passed the majority-Republican House last week.

Senate Democrats also blocked HB 2270, introduced by Del. Karen Greenhalgh, which would have protected a woman’s right to informed consent prior to an abortion by obtaining it in writing. New peer-reviewed research shows that over 60% of women who had abortions report high levels of pressure to abort, with higher levels of subsequent mental health and quality of life issues.

Last month Senate Democrats blocked legislation to limit abortion at 15 weeks – a point by which unborn babies can feel pain – and proposed an amendment to enshrine abortion on demand in the Virginia Constitution. Recent polling shows over 60% of Virginia voters support a law that limits painful abortions at 15 weeks, and almost two thirds oppose allowing abortion until the moment of birth.

SBA Pro-Life America’s Southern Regional Director Caitlin Connors shared her reaction:

“Every newborn baby deserves life-saving medical care, and every woman has the right to be fully informed before making a life-ending abortion decision. Democrats in the Virginia Senate showed their true colors today by blocking both these commonsense provisions.

“It is not the first time Virginia Democrats have shocked the nation with their support for abortion on demand at any point in pregnancy and even infanticide. Voters of the Commonwealth went on to reject the inhumane stance of Ralph Northam and Terry McAuliffe and elect a pro-life governor, administration and House instead. Yet even as polling shows a strong majority of Virginians across the board want to limit painful late-term abortions, pro-abortion Democrats are doubling down on their radical agenda. Their extremism will be exposed so their constituents can hold them accountable.”

SBA Pro-Life America previously submitted a public comment in support of HB 1795, making the following key points:

  • HB 1795 fills in the gaps of existing federal law: “Enacting HB 1795 would protect Virginia babies regardless of the circumstances of their birth and create consequences for medical professionals who would turn a blind eye to their littlest patients.” The mother could not be prosecuted.
  • Babies do survive late-term abortions: “Of the eight states that have reported data on babies who survive abortions, just four of those states accounted for 111 babies born alive after failed abortions in the last five years.”
  • Babies undoubtedly survive late-term abortions in Virginia: “Current Virginia law permits abortion for any reason until the ‘third trimester’…As long as Virginia law permits late-term abortions, it is inevitable that there will be children who survive these procedures.”
  • Americans support born-alive protections: “77% of Americans support this legislation, including 70% of Democrats and 75% of Independents.”

Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America is a network of more than one million pro-life Americans nationwide, dedicated to ending abortion by electing national leaders and advocating for laws that save lives, with a special calling to promote pro-life women leaders.

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