RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - A Virginia Republican lawmaker is advocating for a bill that would make it illegal to perform an abortion on a woman who has been pregnant for 20 weeks or longer.
Del. Dave A. LaRock introduced legislation Thursday that would make it a felony for doctors to perform an abortion after 20 weeks except in cases of medical emergencies.
The legislation is drawing the ire of abortion-rights groups. Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe has made clear he will block efforts at limiting abortion rights.
The bill's fate in the General Assembly is unclear. While supported by conservative lawmakers, leaders of the GOP-controlled House have made the focus of legislative agenda on "kitchen table" subjects like the economy and education instead of social issues.
