Yesterday, the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Virginia’s Partial Birth Abortion Ban was constitutional. Former Attorney General and now, candidate for Governor, Bob McDonnell had played an instrumental role in this decision, as he was the first to secure this appeal before the Fourth Circuit.  Ken Cuccinelli had voted in the State Senate to override the veto of the Partial Birth Abortion Ban.

McDonnell’s statement on the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision:

“I am pleased that the full U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals has upheld Virginia’s Partial-Birth Infanticide Ban. Virginia’s ban was passed by the General Assembly with bipartisan support. The law reflects the will of the people of the Commonwealth and is substantially similar to the federal ban on the procedure which was ruled constitutional by the Supreme Court of the United States. I congratulate Attorney General Bill Mims for his successful handling of this appeal.”

Cuccinelli’s statement on the U.S. Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals decision:

“Today’s ruling marks a major victory in a hard fought, six-year battle to end Partial Birth Abortion in Virginia. I want to extend both my appreciation and congratulations to Attorney General Bill Mims, Former Attorney General Bob McDonnell and their teams for their hard work in making today’s ruling a reality.”

Senator Cuccinelli noted that Steve Shannon, Democrat Candidate for Attorney General, refused to take a position on this issue in last week’s Virginia Bar Association Debate. During their debate, prior to the Courts ruling, Senator Cuccinelli declared that if Virginia lost the case he would appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. Senator Cuccinelli asked Delegate Shannon if Shannon would also appeal if Virginia lost and Shannon refused to answer.

Steve Shannon ducked the question – leaving yet another issue on the table at last Saturday’s Debate that he refused to take a position on. Ken Cuccinelli however clearly stated that he would continue in the footsteps of our past four Attorneys General in defending Virginia’s ban on Partial Birth Abortion. …”