The Virginia Senate voted 21-19 Tuesday to require that women undergo an abdominal ultrasound before getting an abortion.
Democrats successfully convinced Republicans to alter the bill to exempt victims of rape. However, it’s largely the same version that came out of Gov. Bob McDonnell’s office last week, which mandated women receive the jelly-on-the-belly ultrasound, not the transvaginal variety.
That compromise was the result of public outrage when it was determined most women would have to undergo the more invasive transvaginal procedure. A majority of abortions take place in the first weeks of a pregnancy when an abdominal ultrasound is ineffective in determining the gestational age of the baby.
Proponents of the bill said it will help women obtain all the information available to make a difficult decision. Abortion-rights advocates said it will merely puts a costly, unnecessary barrier between women and a lawful medical procedure.
At least one Democrat voted with Republicans on the bill, but the vote tally is not yet available.
The bill goes back to the House of Delegates to approve the Senate amendment and then to McDonnell’s desk.
