- Thursday, November 2, 2023

As Virginia closes in on Election Day, it is critical to remember how important it is to turn out to the polls and vote to ensure your values and priorities are reflected through your elected representatives. In 2019, Virginians showed how big a difference an election makes when they rejected the radical Democrats’ agenda and elected Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

For years, Democrats ensured that Virginians lived under barbaric late-term abortion laws that are in line with human rights abusers such as China and North Korea. Former Gov. Ralph Northam and radical Democrats in the General Assembly blocked every attempt to enact compassionate protections for children in the womb and their mothers.

As the saying goes, “when someone shows you who they really are, believe them.” Radical Democrats have made their position clear. They are working hand in glove with the abortion lobby to ensure Virginia has abortion for any reason throughout pregnancy, including when a woman is about to give birth.

Don’t believe me? Democrats in the General Assembly have blocked compassionate legislation to protect children in the womb when they can feel the excruciating pain of abortion. They also rejected a bill that would allow children who have survived an abortion to receive lifesaving medical care.

As if that were not radical enough, a bill put forth by Delegate Kathy Tran and sponsored by Democrats would have wiped away all safeguards for mother and child. This includes repealing Virginia’s informed consent and 24-hour delay, stripping the requirement for second-trimester abortions to be performed by a licensed hospital, and repealing the need for two or three physicians to be present during a dangerous third-trimester abortion.

Ms. Tran went on to explain that her bill would allow abortions for any reason through all nine months, including when a woman is in labor.

This abortion extremism is too much for even the blue state of Virginia. Thanks to the advancement of science, the humanity of an unborn child is undeniable. Ultrasounds give us a window into the womb, showing children at 15 weeks have fully formed organs, fingers and toes, and can feel pain. Virginians are compassionate, and over 60% indicate that they want more protection for these babies and their mothers, not less.

The days of Mr. Northam’s radical policies and extreme pro-abortion Democrats are numbered. Virginians elected Mr. Youngkin in 2021 to carry the torch for them and ensure that all Virginians, including the most vulnerable, are protected.

Since entering office, Mr. Youngkin has made good on his promise to promote lifesaving policies for children in the womb and their mothers. He has fought to end taxpayer funding of abortion, protect children who have survived an abortion, and promoted legislation that would limit abortion by 15 weeks when a child in the womb can feel pain.

Virginians need to send help to Mr. Youngkin by voting for pro-life General Assembly candidates. Believe Democratic candidates when they cannot list a single limit on abortion they would support.

We must stop the radical Democrats from implementing their heartless agenda of abortion for any reason, through all nine months of pregnancy, paid for by the taxpayer. It is time for Virginia’s laws to reflect the compassionate will of the people.

• Mary Owens is a Virginia resident and communications director of Susan B. Anthony Pro-Life America.

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