A far-right delegate recently pre-filed a bill (HB 1395) that would completely ban abortion rights in the Commonwealth — and even limit access to contraception. The legislature could now debate this bill as soon as January.
Republicans know that HB 1395 isn't likely to get very far, since Democrats in the State Senate can block it. But they're playing a long game — they hope that HB 1395 will make other proposals (such as the 15-week abortion ban that Glenn Youngkin supports) seem "moderate" and "sensible" by comparison.
Let's be very clear: there's nothing "moderate" about dictating people's private healthcare choices. But Virginia Republicans are going all-out to define the terms of this debate and fool the public. They want to shift the political playing field and gain momentum to take over the State Senate next year (which would give them a legislative trifecta that can pass any abortion ban).
