VA Senate Approves Abortion Bill

The Virginia Senate on Tuesday voted 21-19 to approve a measure that would require women to have an external ultrasound before having an abortion. It scaled back the legislation—which originally called for transvaginal ultrasounds—at the behest of Virginia Gov. Robert McDonnell because the measure had prompted large-scale protests. McDonnell, an abortion opponent, indicated he would sign the bill. The bill exempts women who have reported to authorities that they are the victims of sexual violence, but it will still be required of women who have medical documentation that their fetus has a birth defect.