Shari Johnson/Publisher
On Wednesday, the day following West Virginia’s vote on House Bill 302, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi cruelly mocked Republicans and pro-life Americans for believing that life begins at conception. Despite being a Catholic, Pelosi claimed at her weekly press conference that pro-life Republicans believe life begins “at the candlelight dinner the night before.” While her mockery may have garnered laughs from the left, God’s not laughing and it didn’t change the voting facts on where West Virginia stands.
On Tuesday September 12 the bill banning most abortions in the state, with some exceptions, was sent for Gov. Jim Justice’s signature. H.B. 302 was passed by the Senate 22-7 and by the House of Delegates 77-17. (See record of individual voting below.)
According to the text of the legislation, abortions would be allowed in the event that a licensed medical professional judges that the unborn child is nonviable, that there is an ectopic pregnancy, or that there is a medical emergency. The abortion ban would not apply during the initial 8 weeks of pregnancy for an adult who became pregnant due to sexual assault or incest, provided that the crime has been reported to authorities. And for minors, incompetent adults, and incapacitated adults, the abortion ban would not be applicable during the initial 14 weeks of pregnancy if the pregnancy occurred due to sexual assault or incest and the crime has been reported to authorities or the person has undergone medical treatment since being victimized.
