Gov. Bob McDonnell takes the lead in Virginia abortion battle

Virginia Gov. Bob McDonnell has often pleaded with his fellow Republicans to avoid divisive social battles and focus on kitchen table issues, but in one of his final legislative acts as governor, McDonnell has pushed lawmakers into a contentious debate on abortion coverage by private insurance companies.

McDonnell amended a bill last week to ban health insurance companies from offering abortion coverage in the federally run insurance exchange that will begin operating next year under President Obama’s health care reforms. Lawmakers will take up the amended bill, and 85 others, when they return to Richmond on Wednesday for the annual veto session.