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Within the last few minutes, in a reprise of its stunning vote to regulate abortion centers in the waning days of the General Assembly’s regular session, the Virginia Senate approved by a vote of 21-20 Governor McDonnell’s amendment to HB 2434 that bans taxpayer funding of elective abortion coverage when (or if) the state run health care insurance exchanges begin in 2014 as mandated by the federal health care law. Throughout the day it looked like the amendments would die in the Senate, perhaps by a 21-19 margin. But, in a vote that came up in the latter stages of an all day and night annual “Veto Session,” all 18 Republican senators and pro-life Democrats Chuck Colgan and Phillip Puckett voted to add the amendments. The other 20 Democrats voted to reject them leaving the tie-breaking vote with Lt. Governor Bill Bolling who, as he did in February, voted in the affirmative. Early on in the intense debate, pro-abortion Senator John Edwards tried to have the amendments ruled non-germane, but Lt. Governor Bolling, who presides over the Senate, ruled that they were. His ruling was upheld on a 21-19 vote. Earlier in the day, the House of Delegates concurred with Governor McDonnell with about 60 votes.

Thanks to all who contacted their senators for this incredible win for Life. Because of your dedication and commitment, we have won significant pro-life legislative victories in Virginia during the past three months. More on this story to come.

The House of Delegates just sustained Governor Bob McDonnell’s budget amendment to eliminate taxpayer funding of elective abortions, an amendment that puts Virginia in line with the majority of the states, the federal government’s Hyde Amendment and President Obama’s recent executive order prohibiting federal funding of abortions. The measure received 64 votes.

During the floor debate, Delegate Jennifer L. McClellan (D-71, Richmond) said, “some issues” shouldn’t be seen “as black and white.” When recognized on the floor to respond, Delegate Kathy Byron (R-22, Campbell), speaking in favor of the amendment, said:

Instead of looking at issues as black and white, we should look at them as life and death.