Richmond - Delegate David Englin (D-45) today released the following statement in response to the House of Delegates passing Governor Bob McDonnell’s new ultrasound mandate:
Virginia Republicans capitulated by removing the vaginal penetration ultrasound mandate, but this new bill, which we’re told Governor Bob McDonnell personally wrote, creates more problems. This sloppy attempt by politicians to play doctor will add to the trauma of rape victims and women suffering miscarriages.
Instead of using vaginal penetration to bully women into not having abortions, Governor McDonnell’s new bill bullies women with medically unnecessary waiting periods and ultrasound requirements, even requiring that rape victims and women suffering miscarriages have ultrasound images placed in their medical records. Adding insult to injury, these medically unnecessary requirements will drive up health care costs and add to the financial strain of women already facing difficult circumstances.
Instead of trying to play doctor, Governor McDonnell should veto this bill and leave these difficult medical and moral choices to women and their doctors. 
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On Sunday, the House and Senate budget committees unveiled competing versions of Virginia’s $85-billion two-year budget. An initial review suggests that both proposals restore some of the cuts to education and the safety net proposed by Governor McDonnell. However, the House version of the budget still cuts $65 million that schools in Northern Virginia need to account for our region’s high cost of living, and it includes Governor McDonnell’s plan to divert about $100 million per year from education, health care, and public safety to pave roads. The House version of the budget also eliminates the Virginia Early Childhood Foundation, which is precisely the wrong move if our goal is ensuring the lifetime success of our children. Since, constitutionally, the lieutenant governor cannot cast tie-breaking votes on the budget, Democrats have some leverage in the Senate, where the parties are equally divided. I am hopeful that we can use that leverage to address some of these issues and develop a final budget we can all support. 
Constituents from the ARC of Virginia visited with David yesterday to discuss the needs of Virginians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Advocates for the ARC are working to increase funding for community based services that enable intellectually and developmentally disabled citizens to live, work, and enjoy a good quality of life like everyone else in our community.
David joined members of Virginia’s Progressive Caucus this morning to release a report card on the General Assembly’s work during the first half of the 2012 Legislative Session.
As part of a monthly program to recognize non-profit organizations and businesses located in or serving the district he represents, Delegate David Englin (D-45) today named Signature Theatre the 45th District Community Organization of the Month.
During marathon floor sessions earlier this week, the House of Delegates debated and voted on dozens of bills before “crossover,” the Tuesday deadline by which bills must pass the House before being considered by the Senate. In terms of sheer volume, most of the bills we passed enjoyed strong bipartisan support and drew little controversy. These included bills I cosponsored to expand medical assistance to pregnant women who are legal immigrants, to give our community the power to decide our school calendar for ourselves, and to give Northern Virginia a stronger voice on the Commonwealth Transportation Board to help us get our fair share and better meet our transportation needs. However, over my strong and outspoken objections, House Republicans used their majority to push through several pieces of legislation that are outside of the Virginia mainstream and reflect their disproportionate focus on divisive social issues.
Richmond – Delegate David Englin (D-45) today released the following statement in response to the House of Delegates giving preliminary approval today to House Bill 462, which will require ultrasounds, including invasive transvaginal ultrasounds, prior to abortion: