Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin declined to say whether or not or not he would ever assist a full ban on abortion in his state on Sunday, as lawmakers limit abortion rights for tens of millions of girls throughout the nation.
The Supreme Court final month overturned Roe v. Wade, the 1973 landmark resolution that federally assured abortion rights, prompting Republican governors to maneuver to ban abortion, with some conservative states pursuing a complete ban on it. Youngkin, a Republican, proposed a 15-week ban on the process in Virginia, which is taken into account a extra reasonable state.
During an look on CBS News’ Face the Nation, Youngkin was pressed on whether or not or not he would again a full ban on abortion in his state.
The governor stated that whereas he believes life begins at conception, he’s specializing in a approach to “get something done,” choosing the 15-week ban that will extra seemingly go in Virginia—whereas not giving a solution about whether or not he would assist banning abortion in Virginia from conception.
Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
“The reality is that as a pro-life governor in a state like Virginia, where I have a Senate that’s controlled by Democrats and a House that’s controlled by Republicans, we have to find a way to get things done,” he stated, including that he helps exemptions for rape, incest, and for when the lifetime of the mom is in peril.
Any abortion ban would seemingly face a number of hurdles in Virginia, nevertheless. As Youngkin identified, Democrats maintain a majority within the state Senate and can be unlikely to go such a invoice.
A complete ban on abortion would even be unpopular amongst Virginia voters, in response to polling. A Roanoke College ballot launched in June, earlier than the court docket overturned Roe, discovered that 35 % of Virginians believed abortion must be authorized underneath any circumstances, and that 53 % believed it must be authorized underneath some circumstances.
Only 11 % of Virginians imagine abortion must be utterly unlawful, in response to the ballot.
When reached by Newsweek for additional remark, a Youngkin spokesperson referred to his remarks on Face the Nation.
Virginia state Senate President Pro Tempore L. Louise Lucas hit again at Youngkin on Twitter on Sunday, writing: “I love watching @GovernorVA go on national TV and talk about what he *can’t do* because of our Democratic State Senate. Cry harder baby!”
I like watching @GovernorVA go on nationwide TV and discuss what he *cannot do* due to our Democratic State Senate. Cry more durable child!
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) July 10, 2022
Youngkin delivered the GOP a shock win within the gubernatorial race final November, when he eked out a victory within the state, which trended Democratic through the Trump period, and was received by President Joe Biden by about 10 proportion factors.
His victory rapidly launched him to nationwide prominence, and his remarks on Sunday come solely a day after he delivered a speech on the Nebraska GOP conference, sparking hypothesis that he could also be contemplating a 2024 presidential run as a result of state’s proximity to Iowa, the place the primary presidential major contest is ready to happen.
Updated 07/10/2022 3:08 p.m. ET: This story was up to date with response from Governor Youngkin’s workplace.