At a press conference yesterday, three Democratic Virginia State Senators spoke against the Republican attack on women’s reproductive health, and offered new legislation to advance women’s rights in Virginia. They included Sen. Barbara Favola of the McLean/North Arlington 31st District. She said, “Republicans appear poised to keep fighting to repeal the constitutionally protected rights of women and take us back to the dark ages. When will the war on women stop? Last year, we saw the medically unnecessary ultrasound bill and the TRAP (“Targeted Regulations Against Abortion Providers”) regulations. This year, we already see bills to limit women’s access to health care choices, even denying women the right to access contraception. Virginia has a proud tradition of protecting liberty, privacy, and equality, and women should not be denied this respect.”

Sen. Mark Herring (Loudoun and Fairfax) announced that he is introducing legislation to repeal the TRAP regulations passed by the General Assembly in 2011. Sen. Ralph Northam (Norfolk) said he’s introducing a bill to repeal the mandatory ultrasound regulations passed last year by the General Assembly.