Politics | abortion Va. House Passes Bill That Could Outlaw Abortions Passes 2nd bill related to 'transvaginal ultrasounds' By Kate Seamons Posted Feb 15, 2012 9:46 AM CST Copied Del. Jernnifer McClellan, D-Richmond, standing right, gestures during debate on the Personhood bill during the House session at the Capitol in Richmond, Va., Tuesday, Feb. 14, 2012. (AP Photo/Steve Helber) The Virginia House of Delegates passed two abortion-related bills yesterday, and the AP isn't mincing words in describing them, or the process, saying the GOP supermajority "muscled [through] two of the most restrictive anti-abortion bills in years." One requires women to have a "transvaginal ultrasound"—which the Virginian-Pilot noted in a scathing editorial earlier this month involves inserting "a condom-covered probe into a woman's vagina to obtain an image"—before undergoing an abortion. The other could essentially outlaw abortions entirely: Del. Bob Marshall's House Bill 1, which passed 66-32, declares that a person's rights begin from the moment sperm meets egg. Democrats objected loudly but in vain. Marshall's bill has passed the conservative House before; the difference this time is that there's no longer a moderate Senate standing in its way. GOP Gov. Bob McDonnell has pledged to sign the ultrasound bill, but hasn't taken a stance on HB 1. Critics of the ultrasound bill point out that the state would be creating a mandate on vaginal ultrasonic probes. "We're talking about inside a woman's body," said Democratic Del. Charnielle Herring. "This is the first time, if we pass this bill, that we will be dictating a medical procedure to a physician." A conservative group applauded the bill as a legislative "update" that makes use of "the most advanced medical technology available." Read These Next New Fox star, 23, misses first day after car troubles. White House rolls with Trump's 'daddy' nickname. Man accused of killing his daughters might be dead. Supreme Court ruling is a big blow to Planned Parenthood. Report an error