The House of Delegates again deferred action on a measure that would require women to undergo an ultrasound before having an abortion, after Democrats tried unsuccessfully to pass the bill by indefinitely.
That motion failed 32-68, putting the bill back before the chamber for a vote tomorrow.
"No longer is the national conversation about Virginia being the best place to do business or the best place to raise a child," Del. Charniele L. Herring, D-Alexandria, said in a floor speech.
"The national conversation is about whether a vaginal probe is a mandatory prerequisite before a woman exercises her constitutional right."
The measure, which could require some women to have an ultrasound performed vaginally, has drawn national attention.
"It is time to end the shame that has been brought to Virginia and to this chamber by this extreme bill," Herring said.
The chamber also postponed final votes on:
* repealing the state's 18-year-old one-handgun-a-month law.
* "conscience clause" legislation that would protect the right of private adoption agencies to refuse child placement to prospective parents based on their beliefs
* a "castle doctrine" bill that would allow home occupants to use any degree of force, even lethal, against intruders who attack them.
* a number of other gun-related bills.
No explanation was immediately provided for any of the postponements.
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