BY OLYMPIA MEOLA & WESLEY P. HESTER

The House of Delegates has rejected an attempt from the body’s minority leader to send a measure to require ultrasounds before abortions back to the House Courts of Justice Committee.

The motion from Del. David J. Toscano, D-Charlottesville, failed on a 33-67 vote.

Toscano urged the body to send the contentious bill back for more work and additional public comment.

“In my view, I’m not sure this bill can be fixed but if any group can fix it, it’s the House Courts of Justice Committee,” he said. 

Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, stood to push for a vote on the bill today and urged Republicans to reconsider their support.

“We are paid and we are elected to make some very difficult choices,” he said.  “It seems that there are a lot of people running from this bill,” he said, suggesting that Gov. Bob McDonnell was reconsidering past support for the concept. 

“Redemption is good,” he added. 

Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William, pointed to the fact that clinics throughout out the state already perform ultrasounds as standard practice for women before an abortion.

“Some Republicans want to back away from this instead of presenting the public with the truth, the whole truth and nothing but the truth,” Marshall said.