Virginia House vote states life starts at conception

Delegates set up high-stakes battle with Senate
By David Sherfinski
The Washington Times
Tuesday, February 14, 2012

RICHMOND — The Virginia House of Delegates approved legislation Tuesday that would define life as beginning at conception, setting up a potential clash in the state Senate and another high-stakes battle over a measure that has been beaten back elsewhere in the country in recent years.

Lawmakers tackled several contentious social issues on Tuesday, in addition to passing perhaps the most high-profile bill thus far this session. Delegate Robert G. Marshall’s “personhood” measure easily cleared the House on a 66-32 vote.

Mr. Marshall, Prince William Republican, said opponents have long searched for a “bogeyman in the closet on this legislation.” the rest