Bolling: Who Supports Youngkin’s Abortion Proposition?

Yesterday, I asked whether or not my passionate pro-life friends were supportive of Governor Youngkin’s suggested compromise of prohibiting abortions in Virginia after 20 weeks gestation, except for cases of rape, incest, or where the life of the mother is threatened.

Thanks to everyone who responded. Predictably, some were supportive of the Governor’s suggested compromise, while others did not think it went far enough.

I asked this question to make a point. The point is that policy proposals are meaningless unless you fully understand the impact of the proposal. So, in this instance, if the Governor’s proposal were adopted, what impact would it have on the number of abortions performed in Virginia every year? The answer may surprise you.

According to the Guttmacher Institute, only 1.3% of abortions are performed after 20 weeks gestation. The vast majority of abortions are performed much earlier in pregnancy. So, if Governor Youngkin’s proposal were adopted, 98.7% of all abortions in Virginia would still be legal!

I’m not advocating for or against the Governor’s proposal. Some will still feel it is too much. Some may feel it is not enough. I’m just pointing out the actual impact of the proposal. Be informed. Many policy proposals are not what they appear to be, for better or for worse.

Background:

-Washington Post: Gov. Youngkin to seek 15-week abortion law in Virginia