Democratic delegates in the Virginia state legislature met outrage by the GOP and constituents on Jan. 30, when Del. Kathy Tran (D-Fairfax) proposed a bill that would reduce restrictions on late-term abortions up to the point of delivery in cases if the mother’s life or health is at risk.

There is a current law in Virginia that allows parents to abort the baby in the third trimester when the mother’s life is in jeopardy. However, the bill repeals restrictions on the current law stating that only one physician has to certify the late-term abortion, reducing the requirement of having three physicians.

“There are so many corrupt physicians,” said Claire Akard, a member of Turning Point USA. “One could simply just sign off to let the women have an abortion when the baby and mother are perfectly healthy.”

The bill would also erase the phrase “substantially and irremediably” when referring to the threat the baby has on the mother’s life. By ignoring that phrase, the mother’s health risk does not have to be that severe in order to receive the abortion and would not be forced to go through treatment to save herself and the baby.

Tran’s bill would also allow abortions to be performed on babies with deformities and health issues.

In a heated debate on the House floor of the General Assembly, Majority Leader, C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) interrogated Tran on her sponsored bill asking if this law would allow abortions while the mother is in labor. After a long pause and silence in the room, Tran said: “my bill would allow that, yes.”

Catching the Democrats off guard, national attention was drawn to the statement. Many Americans from both parties were left stunned by Tran’s response.