GOP lawmaker says committee won't take up abortion bills that have 'no chance'

A prominent Republican lawmaker sent letters to colleagues this week saying five bills, most of them related to abortion, would not be taken up in committee, sparking outrage among abortion-rights advocates who said important legislation dealing with women’s health had been buried without a hearing.

Del. David B. Albo, R-Fairfax, also unilaterally quashed two anti-abortion bills from conservative lawmakers, including a measure to ban abortions after 20 weeks of pregnancy.

In letters dated Wednesday, Albo said the House of Delegates courts committee he chairs would have to meet late tonight or over the weekend to take up political bills that he thinks have no chance of becoming law. Lawmakers are coming up on Tuesday’s deadline to finish work on their bills and, if passed, send them to the other chamber.

“As you know the committee historically kills bills associated with liberal politics, and the governor vetoes bills associated with conservative politics,” Albo wrote.

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