VIRGINIA: Lawmakers Kill Bill That Would Have Legalized Anti-Gay Discrimination

John Riley reports at MetroWeek:

A Virginia House of Delegates subcommittee dealt the LGBT community in the commonwealth a rare bit of good news after the eight-person panel rejected a bill patroned by Del. Bob Marshall (R-Manassas Park, Sudley, Bull Run), a longtime foe of the LGBT community, that would have essentially allowed any person or business in the commonwealth to discriminate based on sexual orientation or gender identity. Marshall’s bill, HB1414, would have allowed a “conscience clause” exemption for people or businesses who must obtain or renew a license, registration, or other certification from the commonwealth of Virginia, its political subdivisions, and its various agencies, boards or departments. Under the bill, those people would not be required to “perform, assist, consent to or participate in any action” that would violate their moral convictions as they relate, not just to to same-sex marriage, but to actual or perceived homosexuality, and behavior that can be interpreted as being homosexual in nature.

Today's news isn't all good as the same subcommittee also tabled a bill that would have outlawed anti-LGBT discrimination in housing.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  Bob Marshall is the author of Virginia's constitutional ban on same-sex marriage and back in July 2014 he had an awful case of the sadz. In February 2014 Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

VIRGINIA: House Approves Resolution To Defend Marriage Ban With Own Lawyers

The Virginia House of Delegates yesterday approved a resolution co-sponsored by loony tunes Rep. Bob Marshall that authorizes the chamber to defend the state's same-sex marriage ban with its own lawyers. Attorney General Mark Herring has refused to the defend the ban and Virginia is among the states due to have its ban reviewed by the Supreme Court at the end of the month.

HR 566 started as a move to allow the branch to hire a lawyer to “represent the House of Delegates to halt any attempt by the Governor to expand the Medicaid program without the explicit approval of the General Assembly.” But in language added in a reprinting of the bill today, a clause was added which would allow the republican dominated house to hire private council to defend the state’s ban on same-sex marriage. Specifically, it would allow the Speaker of the House, William J. Howell R-53 to hire counsel to represent the legislative body in state courts and gain the power to remove the AG for his “improper role in challenging Virginia’s marriage laws.” The employed counsel would then be able to “represent the position of the Commonwealth in pending litigation involving the challenge to the constitutionality of Virginia’s marriage laws”

The histrionic resolution contains 19 "whereas" citations.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  In February, Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

FRC Slams Cardinal Timothy Dolan Over St. Patrick's Day Parade Rule Change

"New York’s Cardinal Dolan, appointed as Grand Marshal of the 2015 St. Patrick’s Day Parade, praised the decision to allow an openly gay group to march in the St. Patrick’s Day Parade. 'I have no trouble with the decision at all. I think the decision is a wise one,' he said. Perhaps organizations which advocate to legalize prostitution and pornography should also be permitted to march? What about promoters of euthanasia for the elderly and disabled or those who champion physician assisted suicide? Where does Cardinal Dolan draw the line? As society continues to disregard what America’s Founders wrote about the laws of Nature and Nature’s God, the moral fabric of our nation is disintegrating to the point of becoming thread bare, unable to hold together even the most basic values upon which our nation was founded. For a Church authority to embrace political correctness at such a time will have consequences which extend far beyond the parade route." - Crackpot Virginia state Del. Bob Marshall, writing for the Family Research Council.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In February 2014, Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011, Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Bob Marshall Has The Virginia Sadz

Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, the co-author is his state's now-stricken constitutional ban on same-sex marriage, is very upset about yesterday's ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

"In the long run, advocates and defenders of so-called same-sex marriage are their own best undertakers for their hubris in attempting to deny and defy the laws of Nature and Nature's God, by which nations and cultures around the world have recognized for millennia that marriage is a relationship between one man and one woman," Marshall said. He said the two judges who concurred in the majority opinion rejecting Virginia's same sex marriage ban were ignorant about the purpose of the 14th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution "and arrogant to think they have the moral and legal authority to negate the votes of 1.3 million Virginia voters." The 14th Amendment says states can't infringe on the rights of individuals. "If judicial elites impose a radical and immoral marriage regime on American citizens in defiance of the laws of Nature and Nature's God, the result would be to tear the social fabric in ways that can scarcely be imagined, nor contained by judicial arrogance," Marshall said.

(Tipped by JMG reader Smith)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  In February, Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Bob Marshall: All Charities Will Lose Tax Exempt Status Over Same-Sex Marriage

"Congress does not grant tax-exempt status to organizations that are racially discriminatory such as the Klan.  Every church and every Catholic or Protestant hospital will lose its tax (exempt) status. There is no restricting once it happens. This has effects that I can’t even contemplate at this time. If people simply think that the so-called same-sex marriage is just a circumstance of whether two people are cohabiting in the same residence, they are profoundly mistaken. If the courts decide that the 14th Amendment requires same-sex marriage, no church in Virginia will keep its status (and) every charity that’s feeding the poor, clothing the poor, funding medical care, repairing houses — all that will be gone." - Crackpot Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, speaking yesterday at a press conference in support of his campaign to impeach Attorney General Mark Herring. On June 10th Marshall will compete in the GOP primary for the US House. (Tipped by JMG reader Matthew)

VIRGINIA: GOP Leadership Rejects Effort To Impeach Attorney General Mark Herring

Anti-gay Virginia state Del. Bob Marshall has been rebuffed by his own party in his campaign to impeach Attorney General Mark Herring for refusing to defend his state's marriage ban.

House Speaker Bill Howell (R) immediately denied Marshall’s resolution when it was first submitted and released a short statements saying he “does not believe impeachment is an appropriate or practical recourse at the moment.” Marshall then blamed his own party’s higher-ups for not challenging the AG’s actions. “The failure of the republican leadership to address his first violation of the constitution has led to more [violations].” Marshall had hoped the impeachment inquiry would have “the other delegates look and see if Mark Herring is following the procedures proscribed of him in the Virginia constitution.” Though he admits he “didn’t calculate” the possibility of his resolution being turned down.

RELATED: Marshall's bid for the US House has been endorsed by Phyllis Schlafly. Virginia's primary is June 10th.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In January Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Phyllis Schlafly Endorses Anti-Gay Virginia State Rep. Bob Marshall For US House

Eagle Forum founder Phyllis Schlafly today issued a press release endorsing crazy anti-gay Virginia state Rep. Bob Marshall for the US House.

"Bob has been tested and remained true. He never voted for a tax increase. He passed laws to protect our privacy, increase transparency in government, uphold our constitutional rights, defend innocent life, and uphold Marriage. He authored Virginia's Marriage Amendment which was passed by 1.3 million Virginia voters. Bob sued the Governor and won a unanimous decision striking down 14 unconstitutional taxes. "Bob Marshall has been faithful to Virginia voters for so many years. He is a reliable, tried-and-true candidate. I urge all patriots to support Bob Marshall," Phyllis Schlafly said.

Marshall is running for the seat to be vacated by retiring 17-term GOP Rep. Frank Wolf.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In January Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

VIRGINIA: Anti-Gay Crackpot Bob Marshall To Announce Bid For U.S. House

Viciously anti-gay Virginia GOP Del. Bob Marshall will this week announce his candidacy for the U.S. House.

During his many years in the House of delegates, prior to and since redistricting, Bob has represented one-third of the current 10th district so he is very familiar with the people and the issues in the district. Since first running for office in 1991 Marshall has won thirteen elections—most by very large margins, up to 85%—despite being out spent in every contest. Marshall is a well-known social and fiscal conservative, always vigorously opposing tax increases. He is also the author of Virgina’s Marriage Amendment, the Marshall-Newman Amendment, which was ratified by Virginia voters in 2006 with 57% of the vote.

Marshall has the backing of Eugene Delgaudio. Shocking. (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last month Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Quote Of The Day - VA Del. Bob Marshall

"If he [Virginia AG Mark Herring] can't tell the difference between gender and race, he has a deficient intellect. And if the state and federal judiciary - as such - if they can't tell the front of the human body from the back, nor distinguish male from female, but claim to have clairvoyant powers that anybody that disagrees with them is animated by hate - these people shouldn't be judging a spelling bee, much less sitting in judgment over the must fundamental institution of humankind. This is not simply something religious, although I'll tell you what - nothing is wrong about religious people having a say in the public policies of this United States. Who is out there working to defend civil rights? Ministers of all denominations! Were they acting unconstitutionally or acting immoral? No, I don't think so. You can't tell me sodomy is some of a predicate for marriage." - Virginia Del. Bob Marshall, speaking to local talk radio. (Tipped by JMG reader Blair)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  Last week Marshall filed an amendment that would grant Virginia state legislators the right to claiming standing in marriage lawsuits. In September 2013, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In May 2012, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband." In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard. 

VIRGINIA: House Advances Bill To Give Itself Standing To Defend Marriage Ban

The Virginia House today advanced a bill that would (they claim) give members of the chamber standing to defend the state's marriage ban in federal court.

Del C. Todd Gilbert’s measure, which will be on the House floor for a final vote Monday, includes an amendment by Del. Robert G. Marshall, R-Prince William [PHOTO]. The amendment would also give the House of Delegates, the state Senate or the entire General Assembly standing to file suit in federal court. “We do not want to end up in a position like the people of California who voted for Proposition 8 and were abandoned by their attorney general and their governor,” Marshall said. Del. Joseph D. Morrissey, D-Henrico, questioned the proposal's constitutionality. “No state legislature can give itself such standing,” Morrissey said. “This bill cannot under any circumstance withstand a challenge in federal court. If you don't want to embarrass yourselves, you will resist the temptation and move that finger from the green to the red,” he said.

Gov. Terry McAuliffe is expected to veto the bill should it pass in both state chambers.

RELATED: Yesterday's scheduled opening arguments in federal court, which were canceled due to weather, have been rescheduled for Tuesday at 10AM.

The hearing is expected to last two and a half hours. AFER’s attorneys will make the case that bans on marriage for gay and lesbian couples, like that in Virginia, violate the Equal Protection and Due Process clauses of the Fourteenth Amendment. The plaintiffs are two couples: Tim and Tony, who have been together for nearly 25 years, and Carol and Mary, who have been together for nearly 30 years. This is the first time the plaintiffs are appearing in court.

(Tipped by JMG reader Rob)

Quote Of The Day - Terry McAuliffe

"I share your view that the effective administration of our legal system requires zealous advocacy on all matters before the courts. In the present case, Virginia’s same-sex marriage ban is being vigorously and appropriately defended by the Clerk of Court for the City of Norfolk and the Clerk of Court for Prince William County. Accordingly, I respectfully decline to appoint special counsel in this matter." - Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe, in a response to crackpot state Del. Bob Marshall, who sent him a letter also signed by other state GOP legislators. Virginia AG Mark Herring has joined the lawsuit brought by AFER and opening arguments begin on Thursday.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG:  In September, Marshall petitioned the US Supreme Court to overturn Virginia's legalization of sodomy. In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.  More recently, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband."

NOTE: The first draft of this post wrongly attributed the quote above to Herring. My apologies for switching the names.

Crackpots Petition US Supreme Court To Reverse Virginia Sodomy Ruling

A coalition of crusty crackpots including Eugene Delgaudio and freakshow Virginia Del. Bob Marshall have filed a petition to the US Supreme Court demanding their reversal of a ruling by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals which upheld the legalization of sodomy. As you surely know, in 2003 the Supreme Court overturned all statewide bans on sodomy in their landmark ruling, Lawrence Vs. Texas. Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli (who is running for governor), has filed his own SCOTUS petition on the Virginia case, which involved a man who was charged under the now totally illegal sodomy statute because he solicited oral sex from a 17 year-old girl.

Delgaudio trumpeted today's filing via email:

Public Advocate is taking legal action in Virginia to defend children from a dangerous court decision. They chose to apply an unrelated decision in Texas to justify their agenda of social “progress.”  The Texas case, Lawrence v. Texas, struck down a similar anti-sodomy law. However, it was never intended to be binding on any other state. The worst part, MacDonald v. Moose should have been an open and shut case. William MacDonald was convicted of demanding a 17-year-old girl perform an unnatural sex act upon him. And his appeal presented nothing to deny this.  However, his lawyers argued -- and the Fourth Circuit agreed -- that it was unfair to criminalize his actions, since it involved sexual acts defended by the Homosexual Lobby. That is the heart of this matter. The Homosexual Lobby is desperately trying to normalize their abnormal behavior in the eyes of the American people. MacDonald v. Moose was just the latest attack.

Obviously, this is an attempt to overturn Lawrence itself as the Supreme Court could not allow sodomy bans in only one state.  Read the full SCOTUS petition.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In 2011 Del. Bob Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.  More recently, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband."

VIRGINIA: Teabagger GOP Rep. Bob Marshall Wants To Bar Feds From Access To State Gun Crime Records

Crackpot Virginia GOP state Rep. Bob Marshall wants to ban his state from sharing gun crime records with the federal government. His bill reads:

Prevent any agency, political subdivision, or employee of Virginia from assisting the Federal government of the United States in any investigation, prosecution, detention, arrest, search, or seizure, under the authority of any federal statute enacted, or Executive Order or regulation issued, after December 31, 2012, infringing the individual Right to Keep and Bear Arms by imposing new restrictions on private ownership or private transfer of firearms, firearm magazines, ammunition, or components thereof.

Today the Virginia House Committee On Militia, Police and Public Safety approved Marshall's bill by a vote of 15-7 and sent it to the full chamber. (Via Think Progress)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: In 2011 Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.  More recently, Marshall attempted to block the appointment of an openly gay state judge because the nominee has "an illegal husband."

VIRGINIA: State GOP Rep Floats Bill Requiring Teachers To Carry Guns

Wackadoodle Virginia state Rep. Bob Marshall wants to introduce a bill that requires public schools to arm some of their teachers.

Gov. Robert F. McDonnell (R) said this week that there should be a discussion about whether school staff should be allowed to carry concealed weapons to protect children against intruders. Marshall’s proposal goes beyond the governor’s comments, which were made in the course of a radio interview Tuesday. Marshall would not only allow staff with concealed handgun permits to carry them in schools, but require school districts to designate some staff members to do so. Those employees would have to be certified in gun safety and competence, Marshall said.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last summer Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

VIRGINIA: Gay Judge Appointed

Despite his rejection by Virginia General Assembly, openly gay prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland has been appointed to the district court bench.

Thorne-Begland, whose appointment by Richmond Circuit Court judges will begin July 1, told the Richmond Times-Dispatch, “I am humbled by the circuit court’s decision.” “I look forward to serving the citizens of the city of Richmond as a jurist and, over the coming months, I hope that my service provides comfort to all Virginians that I remain committed to the faithful application of the laws and constitutions of Virginia and the United States of America,” he said.

The Assembly is expected to renew their objection when the next legislative session begins.

VA Delegate Bob Marshall On Gay Judge Vote: Sodomy Is Not A Civil Right

VIRGINIA: Wingnut Loon Bob Marshall Blocks Openly Gay Judicial Nominee

Crackpot Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall's campaign against openly gay judicial nominee Tracy Thorne-Begland was successful.

A late-hour lobbying offensive by social conservatives prevailed in the House of Delegates early Tuesday to torpedo bipartisan support for the judicial nomination of an openly gay Richmond prosecutor. After a lengthy discussion, the GOP-controlled House of Delegates defeated the nomination of Tracy Thorne-Begland, Richmond's chief deputy commonwealth's attorney. He would have been the first openly gay judge elected in Virginia. Thorne-Begland received 33 votes, and 31 delegates voted against him. He needed a majority of the 100-member House -- 51 votes -- to secure the judgeship. “I would like to thank my sponsors, Senator Donald McEachin, and Delegates Jennifer McClellan and Manoli Loupassi and my family for their support," Thorne-Begland said in a statement issued following the vote, which occurred after 1 a.m.

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last summer Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

VIRGINIA: Tea Party Loon Attempts To Block Openly Gay District Court Judge

Virginia Delegate Bob Marshall (left), who is second only to Eugene Delgaudio among his state's raving loons, is trying to block the appointment of an openly gay district court judge. Just because.

Delegate Bob Marshall said he will seek to remove the name of Richmond prosecutor Tracy Thorne-Begland from a list of proposed District Court judicial appointments. “I don’t even think it’s proper to put his name forward because of his behavior,” said Marshall, who called Thorne-Begland “a homosexual activist,” in a press release. Thorne-Begland has been nominated to serve as a judge for Richmond’s General District Court, but, Marshall challenges the nomination on the grounds of the prosecutor’s sexual orientation.

“We have a constitution which says marriage is between one man and one woman and if he’s taking an oath, he has to uphold and defend that as a judge,” said Marshall. “If his lifestyle is exactly contrary to that… I don’t see how he could do that,” he said. Thorne-Begland lives with a partner and they have two children. “I don’t know why the folks on the courts committee didn’t catch this before…but they didn’t…but it’s up to us to act as a backstop,” said Marshall, whose request has so far been denied by House Republican leadership.

Thorne-Begland is a former Navy aviator who was discharged under DADT. (Tipped by JMG reader Ryan)

PREVIOUSLY ON JMG: Last summer Marshall claimed it is a felony for a state office to fly the rainbow flag. Marshall has also called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. After the DADT repeal bill passed, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Quote Of The Day - Bob Marshall

"The Richmond Fed’s endorsement of costly, anti-social, immoral behavior is rejected by 6,000 years of Western Religious and moral teaching. You want the American people to trust your [judgment] in economic matters when your spokesperson celebrates an attack on public morals?" - Virginia state Delegate Bob Marshall, claiming that by flying the rainbow flag in observance of Pride Month, the Federal Reserve is celebrating an act that is a Class Six felony.

RELATED: The off-his-Jeebus-rocker Marshall has previously called on Virginia to issue its own currency, and has claimed that God punishes women who have abortions by giving them deformed children. And after the DADT repeal bill passed in December, Marshall tried to have gays banned from the Virginia National Guard.

Maddow On Bob Marshall's Idiocy And Virginia's "Hard Right Turn"

Rachel Maddow takes on Bob Marshall's statement about abortion and deformed children and his attempt to force an end to funding for Planned Parenthood. Virginia has undergone a "hard right turn" since Gov. Bob McDonnell has taken office.