A bill that bans the most common procedure for second-trimester abortions is moving swiftly through the West Virginia House of Delegates, after state lawmakers rejected Democrats' proposals to make exceptions for victims of rape and incest.
The legislation would prohibit an abortion procedure called "dilation and evacuation," which is considered the safest way to terminate a pregnancy after 13 weeks gestation.
"So little girls who have been raped by someone in their family will not have this option available to them," said Delegate Barbara Fleischauer, D-Monongalia.
On Wednesday morning, the House Judiciary Committee voted 19-6 to move the legislation (SB 10) to the House floor. The House Health Committee approved the bill the night before.
House members who back the bill say they want to stop hospitals and doctors from performing so-called "dismemberment abortions," which critics describe as inhumane.
"When a nation drifts away from God, you start talking about issues like tearing a baby apart in the womb," said Delegate Mike Azinger, R-Wood. "This is not something that's done in a civilized Christian nation. It's so barbaric and callous, what we do to a baby."
Added Delegate Steven Shaffer, D-Preston: "If we recognize an unborn fetus as a potential murder victim, I don't think we can sit here and even think about ripping the arms and legs off a live fetus just because a mother doesn't want to have it."
Delegate Joe Ellington, R-Mercer, an obstetrician-gynecologist, told House Judiciary Committee members that he has performed dilation and evacuation procedures only a handful of times. He said other procedures are available to terminate pregnancies in the second trimester.
The legislation allows the dilation and evacuation procedure in cases of emergency, and if the doctor first causes the "demise or death" of the fetus.
"I'm hearing there are alternative methods to be used other than a physical dismemberment of a live fetus," said Delegate Mark Zatezalo, R-Hancock. "The bill allows for the procedure to go through under certain circumstances but is protective of the unborn child."
West Virginia lawmakers modeled their bill on similar laws in Kansas and Oklahoma. Courts have blocked those laws from taking effect in those states, though.
"We're talking about interfering with a woman's relationship with her physician in determining the best way to do this procedure," said Delegate Tim Manchin, D-Marion.
After two hours of questions, discussion and debate on the bill Wednesday, Delegate Frank Deem, R-Wood, suggested that House leadership limit lawmakers' comments on the legislation in the House chamber. The full House is on track to take a final vote later this week. The Senate approved the bill Feb. 17.
House floor sessions have lasted two to three hours during this year's legislative session, as more and more lawmakers ask to speak about individual bills.
"We're going to hear the same arguments from the same people, including more people, when we go to the floor," Deem said.
Reach Eric Eyre at ericeyre@wvgazettemail.com, 304-348-4869 or follow @ericeyre on Twitter.