By Dave Andrusko

In 2013, many pro-lifers in Virginia knew little about then gubernatorial candidate Terry McAuliffe who eventually defeated pro-life Republican Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli. They knew he was pro-abortion.

How could he not be? McAuliffe was Democratic National Committee chairman, from 2001 to 2005, co-chairman of pro-abortion President Bill Clinton’s 1996 re-election campaign, and in 2008, was chairman of pro-abortion Hillary Clinton’s first presidential campaign.

And he actively solicited the aid of the entire pro-abortion establishment and made clear he would eliminate the protective abortion clinic regulations put into place to flesh out an act of the legislature.

So, no surprise yesterday when McAuliffe vowed to veto the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, introduced by pro-life state Del. Dave LaRock, should it reach his desk.

But his rationale for pledging to veto this “socially divisive” proposal was close to unique: it would hurt business.

According to the Associated Press’s Alan Suderman, while the governor doesn’t usually take preemptive strikes

[T]he governor said he needed to make clear to companies looking to invest in Virginia that the legislation had no hope of passage.

“I can’t sit back and have that sitting out the same time I am traveling the globe recruiting businesses to Virginia,” McAuliffe said, adding that he is going on an important recruiting trip this weekend. “If there’s something that would be damaging toward business, and to our image around the country and the globe, I’ll veto it, you bet I will.”

Needless to say, Delegate LaRock was less than impressed. LaRock told Suderman public support for the measure, which was defeated in the last legislative session, “is growing.”

“It’s outrageous for a person with any compassion to turn a blind eye while this torture takes place.”

As NRL News Today readers know, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act bans abortions after the point at which medical science has demonstrated the unborn can feel pain–at 20 weeks, if not earlier. As of today, 15 states have a Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act on the book and the law is expected to pass additional states in 2017. (See Kentucky expected to “fast-track” pro-life bills.)

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