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Tomorrow morning in Senate Room B beginning at 8:30, the Senate Education  and Health Committee will vote on three remaining life bills. Not known for its dedication to the sanctity of life, thus the moniker Committee of Death, makes Thursday’s battle is an uphill climb. In fact, it typically waits until the last committee meeting of session each year to kill House pro-life bills, i.e., “Black Thursday.” However, despite its reputation, it’s important that each of the 15 senators on this committee hear from Virginia citizens who value life. Click here to get committee members’ contact information and urge them to support HB2147, HB1428, and HB1440. 

Here is a short description of the bills the committee will vote on:
 
Abortion Funding Opt-Out for ObamaCare
ObamaCare puts states in charge (see ObamaCare Lies) of their own health insurance exchanges for individuals and small businesses. If enacted today, Virginia potentially could include in its exchange health insurance plans that cover elective abortion. Pro-family citizens opposed to abortion would be mandated to fund this unethical destruction of human life. HB2147, patroned by Delegate Ben Cline (R-24, Rockbridge) is a bill that would prevent insurance plans in the Virginia health insurance exchange from providing abortion coverage. Five states have taken this step and several more are considering doing so, while Maryland and Pennsylvania will allow abortion coverage. This bill passed the House 60-36-2, but the Senate version died earlier this session in this committee 10-5.
 
Abortion Center Safety
HB1428, patroned by Delegate Dickie Bell (R-20, Augusta), requires the regulation of abortion centers. This bill has only three simple conditions: an annual inspection, a requirement of life saving equipment on premises, and licensure by a state regulatory agency. Abortion center safety has received increased attention recently due to two unrelated events: a botched abortion originating in New Jersey and a “horror shop” abortion center in Philadelphia. Virginians must demand a higher level of professionalism and medical aptitude from abortion providers and facilities. This bill passed the House 66-33.
 
Wrongful Death
HB1440, patroned by Delegate Bob Marshall (R-13, Manassas) is a bill that would provide protection (civil recourse) for the unborn in cases where they lose their life due to the negligence of another. While Virginia’s Code does include a fetal homicide law, the same unborn life, taken without intention or premeditation, elicits no civil penalty. Improving our civil law to recognize fetal manslaughter is essential. An unborn life is not only of value when it is wanted by the mother or when it is intentionally killed. This bill passed 62-36-1 in the House, but the Senate version died 10-5 earlier this session in this committee.

It’s not often we thank NARAL, but we’re happy to today. Tuesday night I happened upon the not-so-truthful-extreme-left-wing-control-freak Rachel Maddow’s nightly one-hour rant of misinformation and character assassination on msnbc. She did more than 12 minutes of rant and lies about Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli, including an interview with Tarina Keene of NARAL. The only video available yesterday was on msnbc’s Web site and it included the whole boring 12-plus minutes. But as of today, NARAL posted only the four-plus-minute interview with Ms. Keene.

Still, four minutes can be a long time — time enough to hack out numerous lies and misinformation about abortion center safety, abortion, legislative efforts, “comprehensive sex education,” the meaning of Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli’s recent legal advisory opinion on abortion center regulations and much, much more. (It’s not the first time for Ms. Keene, either. See here and here and not the first time we’ve responded.)

But that’s why we’re glad NARAL posted the video. Because it gives us the opportunity to launch the Count The Lies In The NARAL Video Contest! Post your best guess and we can discuss. Be sure to count the ones by Ms. Maddow, too. Of course, the fact that msnbc and NARAL teamed up for its propaganda show is proof that Mr. Cuccinelli must be doing something right. It’s highly unusual that one state attorney general could get so much under the skin of one of the far left’s biggest mouths that she would devote 25 percent of her national television show to him — especially when everything is going so well for the country under complete liberal control of Washington. Right?

Get out your calculators. How many lies can two lefties spout in 4:23?