Democratic Delegate Kathy Tran acknowledged Tuesday that her bill would permit abortions at 40 weeks, the end of the third trimester, if deemed necessary to protect her mental or physical health. But, Virginia Republicans voted down the Repeal Act in a House subcommittee with a vote of 5-3.

“Virginia House Democrats proposed legislation to allow abortions up to just seconds before that precious child takes their first breath,” the Virginia House Republicans said on Facebook. “Watch for yourself. Thankfully, our strong conservative majority was able to defeat this bill.”

During the subcommittee hearing, House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert asked Ms. Tran if it would be legal under her bill for a woman to receive an abortion after dilation begins.

“Mr. Chairman, you know, that would be a decision that the doctor — the physician — and the woman would make,” Ms. Tran said.

“I understand that. I’m asking if your bill allows that,” Mr. Gilbert said.

“My bill would allow that, yes,” Ms. Tran said.

Gov. Ralph Northam, a Democrat, defended the bill in a Wednesday radio interview, even making a statement that seemed to defend born-alive infants being allowed to die on the table.

Pro-lifers have, obviously, been watching this closely, as this bill appeared shortly after news that New York passed the Reproductive Healthcare Act, legalizing abortion up to 40 weeks gestation to protect a woman’s physical or mental health.