Virginia Republicans Scramble On Transvaginal Ultrasounds

After increasing scrutiny and challenges, Republicans in Virginia amended their bill that would require a woman seeking an abortion have a transvaginal ultrasound prior to the procedure.

Instead, the Republican-controlled House of Delegates voted 65-32 for an amended bill that requires only a traditional external ultrasound, not a transvaginal ultrasound. The change came after Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell pulled his support from mandating the transvaginal ultrasound. McDonnell changed his position in response to outrage from women, appeals from GOP moderates and even ridicule from the national media.

The bill now returns to the Senate where its sponsor, Sen. Jill Vogel, said she will strike the legislation.

Let’s consider this for a minute. Republican sponsors of this bill are not satisfied merely mandating an external ultrasound prior to having an abortion and would rather see this bill die than pass a slightly-less intrusive but still totally-offensive intrusion into a woman’s medical decision. What does that say about the motivation behind the bill?

Well, it unequivocally settles any debate that mandatory transvaginal ultrasounds are about anything other than shaming and punishing a woman for having sex, whether that sex was consensual or not.

Related Stories:

Virginia Delays Ultrasound Vote

Virginia Voters Don’t Like GOP Attacks On Women’s Rights

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KS G.

1:36AM PST on Feb 26, 2012

Thanks for the article.

send a green star

Richard B.

11:11AM PST on Feb 25, 2012

My guess is that some of them Republicans were playing "doctor" as a youth with their sisters and are now missing out as adults. Mannequins would do just fine as replacement for those having nostalgia... And some of them are assuming clergy positions now.

Frances C.

3:28PM PST on Feb 24, 2012

This is what happens when the religious zealots bring the church into the State. Vote out the zealots.

Michele P.

12:38PM PST on Feb 24, 2012

I believe the Virgina legislature needs ONE BIG transpenile ultrasound. When will the GOP ever get their policymaking machinery out of OUR "big girl panties?" Oh and while I am at it the Supreme Court should stay away from OUR white cottons too!

-one female who is sick and tired of all the SALARY MONEY being wasted at the state and federal level producing and advocating for laws that are NOT favored by the majority.

Mark S.

12:09PM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Why do republiperverts want to stick their noses into women's privates? Is it because they cannot get any? All they have to do is go cruising and pick up a hooker and they can enjoy what they cannot normally get!!!! Republicans are perverts, besides racists and bigots!!!!

Frances P.

6:03AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

I wonder why they want to do this? If they are going for an abortion why would they need all this doing to them?

Lauren B.

2:23AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Was there ever any question about the motivation of this bill? I don't think so.

Stefanie D.

1:13AM PST on Feb 24, 2012

Medically unjustifiable imposed Transvaginal Ultrasounds are a form of RAPE...

Jane B.

10:44PM PST on Feb 23, 2012

This is Nazi Germany all over again. It's time for WOMEN TO UNITE AND PROTEST!
SCREAM BLOODY MURDER!