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Virginia Governor Opposes Ultrasound Rule

By THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Published: February 22, 2012 at 4:41 PM ET

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — Virginia Republican legislators have scrapped a bitterly contested proposal to require women seeking abortions to undergo invasive ultrasound imaging, likely dooming the bill.

The Republican-controlled House of Delegates voted 65-32 for an amended bill that requires only an external ultrasound, not the vaginal insertion of a wand-like device that emits ultrasonic waves.

The House amended the bill minutes after Republican Gov. Bob McDonnell came out against requiring the more invasive procedure. McDonnell shifted ground after the proposal drew outrage from women, national ridicule from television comedians and appeals from GOP moderates.

The amended bill now returns to the Senate where its sponsor, Sen. Jill Vogel, said she will strike the legislation. Anti-abortion legislation had been coursing through the General Assembly since Republicans recently took control of the state Senate