On a 66-32 vote, the state's House of Delegates has passed legislation to define life as beginning at conception.
After a passionate debate, the House also voted 63-36 to pass legislation to require women to undergo ultrasounds before abortion.
House Bill 1, sponsored by conservative Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, would impart the rights of "personhood" to a human embryo at the moment of conception.
Democrats railed on the legislation for the second day in a row, claiming it could be used to make it illegal to terminate a pregnancy or even allow women to use contraception that prevents the implantation of a fertilized egg.
"There are going to be a lot of unintended consequences," said Del. Jennifer L. McClellan, D-Richmond.
Del. Terry G. Kilgore, R-Scott, dismissed the Democrats' arguments against the measure.
"All these accusations from the other side of the aisle, all these horror stories, that's not going to happen," he said.
Republicans claim that the measure simply creates a civil cause of action for the wrongful death of an unborn child, a legal remedy for parents whose unborn child is killed by the negligent or criminal act of a third party.
Democrats pleaded with Republicans to reconsider support of House Bill 462, the ultrasound measure sponsored by Del. Kathy J. Byron, R-Campbell, claiming that it mandates an invasive procedure and is intended to discourage abortion.
Republicans contend that the bill merely presents a woman the full information for the procedure which she is about to undergo.
“People on the other side of the issue never talk about the issue of the invasiveness to the unborn,” said Del. C. Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. “In the vast majority of these cases, these are matters of lifestyle convenience.”
Gilbert added: “This is a common procedure employed by Planned Parenthood prior to conducting abortion procedures.”
Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, who is pro-life, argued vehemently against the bill.
“It involves government in something that only should involve God and family and doctor,” he said.
Morrissey was twice admonished for blasting Republicans for what he called their “disingenuous” arguments in support of the legislation.
Speaker of the House William J. Howell, R-Stafford, asked Morrissey “not to attack testimony from another member of this House.”
Howell added: “You’ve done this time and time again, and we’re not going to put up with it.”
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