WV Senate Majority Whip withdraws bill tightening abortion restrictions after receiving threats

By Autumn Shelton, RealWV

CHARLESTON, W.Va. – One West Virginia senator has withdrawn a bill that would have removed rape and incest exceptions in the state’s abortion laws, after his family allegedly received threats.

Senate Majority Whip, Jay Taylor, R-Taylor, withdrew Senate Bill 51 on Thursday, stating that although he believes in “protecting the lives of unborn children,” he hopes to “reduce tensions.” 

Here is Sen. Taylor’s complete statement: 

“I am announcing the withdrawal of Senate Bill 51, which I originally introduced with the intention of protecting the lives of unborn children. I have always believed that life begins at conception, and this belief guided my decision to support this bill for several years. However, I recognize now that reintroducing the bill this year was a mistake, particularly given its unrealistic path forward.

I sincerely apologize to my friends and supporters whom I may have offended with this action. It was never my intent to cause distress, and I regret any unintended harm my actions may have caused.

Recently, I have been the recipient of numerous communications, some of which have involved threats directed toward my family. This situation has deeply disturbed me, and I hope that withdrawing the bill, alongside my genuine apology, will help reduce tensions.

I am committed to open dialogue and would welcome the opportunity for constructive conversations. Please feel free to reach out to me directly to discuss how we can collaboratively improve our beloved West Virginia, making it a better place for everyone to live, work, and raise a family.

Thank you for your understanding, support, and prayers.”

Currently, West Virginia code bans abortion with few exceptions, including a nonviable embryo or fetus, ectopic pregnancy, or medical emergency. 

Abortion prohibitions do not apply during the first eight weeks of pregnancy if the pregnancy is due to incest or sexual assault and “and at least 48 hours prior to the abortion the patient has reported the sexual assault or incest to a law enforcement agency having jurisdiction to investigate the complaint and provided the report to the licensed medical professional performing the abortion.”

Additionally, abortion prohibitions do “not apply to a minor or incompetent or incapacitated adult within the first 14 weeks of pregnancy” if the pregnancy is a result of sexual assault or incest and a “report of the sexual assault or incest has been made to law enforcement having jurisdiction to investigate the complaint” within 48 hours.

Senate Bill 51 would have only allowed for abortions in cases of a nonviable embryo or fetus, ectopic pregnancy, or medical emergency. 

Note: The text for Senate Bill 51 has been removed from the West Virginia Legislature’s website as of this writing.