Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin (R) said on Sunday that he plans to support a 15-week abortion ban in his state following the Supreme Court’s recent decision that overturned Roe v. Wade.
Youngkin shared the comments during an interview on CBS News’ “Face the Nation.”
“Think about it, this was a state… that just 18 months ago was talking about enabling abortion all the way up through and including birth,” he said. “And now we’re able to talk about a 15-week pain threshold bill where a baby feels pain. This is a remarkable moment for us. And it’s an opportunity, I’m not going to let go.”
GOP Gov. Glenn Youngkin wouldn't say if he would ever pursue a total ban on abortion, but has proposed a 15-week ban.
"I believe we can get a 15-week pain threshold bill done in Virginia for the first time…It's an opportunity I'm not going to let go." pic.twitter.com/yq4HR9Nh1j
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) July 10, 2022
Youngkin has called for a bipartisan group of lawmakers to help develop the state’s new bill to limit abortions.
“This in Virginia is a debate that we are going to run to the Supreme Court’s decision. I agree that this is a decision for states to make by elected officials, by the citizens of Virginia, and that’s why, right out of the box, I called for a 15-week pain threshold bill to be formed and crafted by a bipartisan group of legislators,” the governor said during the interview.
Youngkin also referred to the opportunity as a “moment” for the country to address the issue of life in the womb.
“I think this is what it’s all about… this is a moment for our country to have a discussion around this and each state will decide something different,” he added. “And I think that’s the real value of the Supreme Court’s decision.”
The Virginia conservative also faced questions regarding his actions attempting to ban the teaching of critical race theory and other “divisive” concepts in schools.
“One of the things we have to do is teach all of our history, but we shouldn’t play privilege bingo with children,” Youngkin answered.
On his actions to try and ban the teaching of critical race theory and "divisive concepts," GOP Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin says:
"One of the things we have to do is teach all of our history, but we shouldn't play privilege bingo with children." pic.twitter.com/NrsuAocS0F
— Face The Nation (@FaceTheNation) July 10, 2022
In addition to Virginia, a new battle over pro-life laws has arisen across multiple states following the June 24 decision to return abortion laws to individual states.
A total of 13 states had previously passed trigger laws designed to take effect after Roe v. Wade was overturned. States with existing trigger bans laws include Idaho, Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, South Dakota, Texas, Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Tennessee, and Kentucky.
Five states, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, Ohio, and Iowa, have also passed laws limiting abortion that were previously shot down in court and could go into effect.
In addition, at least five states that banned abortion before 1973 are now facing uncertainty regarding abortion in their states, including Michigan and Wisconsin.
Some states have already turned attention to abortion pills. Mississippi Republican Governor Tate Reeves said last week that doctors in his state will lose their medical license for prescribing abortion pills. Ahead of the Supreme Court’s ruling, Governor John Bel Edwards (D-LA) signed a bill into law that will make mailing abortion pills a crime in his state.
Source: Dailywire
