West Virginia lawmakers call for elimination of rape, incest exception

Arch-conservatives think that the circumstances of conception don't matter at all when developing abortion laws.

An effort to eliminate rape and incest exceptions in West Virginia was lost in the news shuffle this past week.

The legislation is known as House Bill 2712. It was introduced by delegate Lisa White and cosponsored by Delegates Anders, Kump, Coop-Gonzalez, Burkhammer, McGeehan, Ridenour, Pinson, Ward, Dillon, and Chiarelli.

According to West Virginia Watch, eleven House Republicans signed onto the bill. White spoke to the publication about her bill.

“I do believe that life begins at conception, and I cannot, in my mind, rationalize that their lives don’t matter … because this baby was conceived under horrible, horrific circumstances, it’s still a life to me,” she said.

Coop-Gonzalez posted a note on his social media accounts explaining his reasoning:

A bill in the West Virginia Senate had called for the same thing, but Senate Majority Whip Jay Taylor withdrew it, calling it a mistake given its unrealistic path forward. He gave the reasons why in a statement.

Recently, I have been the recipient of numerous communications, some of which have involved threats directed toward my family. This situation has deeply disturbed me, and I hope that withdrawing the bill, alongside my genuine apology, will help reduce tensions.