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January 5, 2017 (LifeSiteNews) — Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe believes that vetoing a proposal next week during the General Assembly’s 2017 legislative session to ban abortion after 20 weeks would protect the state’s image.

Fifteen states have passed a similar abortion law, but McAuliffe does not intend to add Virginia to that number.

In an interview with the Associated Press, McAuliffe said, “If there's something that would be damaging toward business, and to our image around the country and the globe, I'll veto it, you bet I will.”

It is not typical for McAuliffe to comment on proposed legislation until after it passes through both chambers, but he stressed that he wanted to make his intentions clear to companies looking to invest in Virginia, saying the Republican-controlled General Assembly should not “waste time” with this effort that is “socially divisive.”

McAuliffe’s promise to ban the bill comes at a time when a majority of Americans have shown they’re not in favor of late-term abortions. According to an Election Day poll in November from the Polling Company Inc./WomenTrend, as reported by National Review, 64 percent of U.S. voters support a ban on abortion at 20 weeks, given the recent scientific evidence that indicates babies at this point can feel pain.

A previous poll conducted by the Polling Company found that “after being informed that there is scientific evidence that unborn children are capable of feeling pain at least by 20 weeks, 64 percent would support a law banning abortion after 20 weeks, unless the mother’s life was in danger.”

The most common abortion methods after 20 weeks are the Dilation and Evacuation (D&E) procedure and the Labor Induction procedure.

Through the D&E method, the cervix is dilated over time and the unborn baby is evacuated by a vacuum device reported to be 29 times stronger than a household vacuum cleaner. This procedure can result in injury to the cervix and uterine lining, infection, and moderate to severe bleeding.

The Labor Induction method often involves inserting Digoxin through the female’s stomach and into the unborn baby’s heart or bottom. The injection kills the baby, and the cervix is dilated over several days until the woman can deliver the child stillborn. Women who undergo this procedure could suffer a ruptured uterus, pulmonary embolism, infertility due to the damage, infection of the cervix, or death.

Legislation to ban abortion after 20 weeks failed to pass the House last year. However, Republican delegate Dave LaRock, who sponsored the bill, believes the public is behind it.

“It's outrageous for a person with any compassion to turn a blind eye while this torture takes place,” LaRock said.