RICHMOND, Va. (AP) - Virginia's House of Delegates has approved a proposal that would allow the state to shield the identities of pharmacies that supply lethal injection drugs for executions.
The proposal backed by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe initially fell several votes short of the support needed. But after Republicans pushed to reconsider the vote, it passed with a 59-40 vote. It heads to the Senate.
McAuliffe hopes to replace a bill that would allow prison officials to use the electric chair when drugs are unavailable. McAuliffe has pledged to veto the electric chair bill and warned lawmakers that if they reject his proposal, the death penalty will come to a halt.
The measure reflects growing concern in states across the country about the ability to maintain a steady supply of lethal injection drugs.
