Republican measures that would limit federal oversight of Virginia goods, regulate abortion clinics, and exempt residential buildings from federal energy standards cleared the Virginia House of Delegates Wednesday – with some support from Democrats in each case.
The House signed off on a bill that would exempt goods manufactured and kept in Virginia from federal regulation, a bill that Mark Cole, R-Spotsylvania, described as a check on creeping federal power.
Another bill that would tighten regulations on abortion clinics also cleared the House. Del. Kathy Byron, R-Lynchburg, argues that the measure protects the health of women, but Del. Vivian Watts, D-Fairfax, said the bill would place tremendous burdens on OB-GYNs and interfer with doctor-patient relationships.
A third measure that would exempt certain residential buildings from federal energy efficiency standards also passed. All three face a tough sled through the Democratic-controlled Senate.
