Delegate Dave Albo (R-Fairfax) is chairman of the House Courts of Justice Committee. He has unilaterally made the decision to kill all bills related to abortion including Delegate Dave LaRock’s pain capable bill, which would ban abortion after 20 weeks. From the Richmond Times Albo said:
“I don’t have time to work on bills that have no chance of ever becoming law, because I have to stop terrorists from blowing up kids in other states.”
(I don’t know how Albo thinks he can stop terrorists in other states. Isn’t that the job of the President and Homeland Security?)
The left is upset because Albo is also squashing a bill by Del. Jennifer B. Boysko, D-Fairfax ,declaring women have a ‘fundamental right to abortion’. (However women in utero have no rights. Where in the Constitution does this right to abortion exist?)
Thirty-six Delegates, along with nine members of the Senate, have cosponsored Delegate LaRock’s pain capable bill, HB 1473. Those patrons are listed here. The bill deserves a vote in the House of Delegates. (I find it interesting that candidate for Lt. Governor, Jill Vogel, is on the list as a co-patron of the bill but her opponent, Bryce Reeves, is not.)
Albo can’t guarantee Delegate LaRock’s bill won’t pass into law. Yes, McAuliffe is likely to veto it, but there’s also something called a veto override. If the bill doesn’t make it to the floor for a vote, it’s dead, regardless of what the Governor does. It must have a vote.
If you have a problem with Delegate Albo refusing to allow a vote on Delegate Dave LaRock’s bill, please tell the delegates on the Courts of Justice Committee. Their names and contact information can be found here. It is outrageous that one man, Delegate Albo, can make such a decision. Let the other delegates know how you feel. Times is of essence, the bills are to be discussed on Friday night or over the weekend.
More from the Richmond Times here and at the Washington Post here.