Va. gov vetoes bill to defund Planned Parenthood

Virginia’s Democratic governor on Tuesday vetoed a bill from the GOP-majority state legislature that would have defunded Planned Parenthood. 

“It’s time that our General Assembly understands that we have a responsibility to protect the rights and dignity of women,” Gov. Terry McAuliffe said at a press conference. 

“Without access to reproductive care and the freedom to exercise choice, women are denied the choice to make deeply personal health decisions.” 

{mosads}McAuliffe’s veto comes as the Republican-controlled Congress moves to restrict funds for Planned Parenthood at the federal level. 

The House voted last week to roll back an Obama-era regulation that barred states from defunding healthcare providers for political reasons. 

Former President Barack Obama’s rule required that state and local governments distribute federal Title X funding for services related to contraception, fertility, pregnancy care and cervical cancer screenings to health providers, regardless of whether they also perform abortions. 

Republican leaders have also said that a provision defunding Planned Parenthood will be included in a bill that will also repeal ObamaCare. 

Leaders hope to have that bill passed by the end of March.