CHARLESTON — Del. Chris Anders (R-Berkeley, 97) sought to force action on a bill banning chemical abortions Thursday, but a procedural move by House leadership stalled the effort before it could reach the floor.
Anders submitted a written motion to discharge Senate Bill 85 from committee, which he described as a measure to “stop the trafficking of abortion pills into our state” and enforce West Virginia’s existing abortion laws. The bill has sat untouched since it passed the Senate earlier this session.
“Today, I stood up for life and for the rule of law in West Virginia,” Anders said in a statement released after the failed motion. “I submitted a written motion to discharge Senate Bill 85… well before the session began, following all the proper procedures.”
However, the effort was stymied when House Majority Leader Pat McGeehan (R-Hancock, 1) moved to bypass the Motions section of the agenda—a move that effectively blocked Anders’ discharge motion from being considered.
“This was a procedural maneuver designed to block even a debate on banning abortion pills in West Virginia,” Anders said.
He added that 31 lawmakers joined him in objecting to the motion, though it ultimately failed.
Anders’ statement included video footage of him delivering the discharge motion and expressed frustration with leadership’s decision.
“I followed the rules. I took action. And I will keep fighting to protect life and hold leadership accountable—no matter how inconvenient that is for them.”
SB 85 seeks to ban the distribution and use of abortion-inducing drugs, building upon West Virginia’s near-total abortion ban passed in 2022. Critics of the measure argue it would further restrict reproductive health access, while supporters say it enforces current law and prevents what they call “chemical trafficking” of abortion pills.
Earlier this week, a source told Mountaineer Journal that House Speaker Roger Hanshaw (R-Clay) allegedly stated privately that “there will be no pro-life bills this year.”
The failure of Anders’ motion highlights increasing tension within Republican ranks over the direction of pro-life legislation in the House of Delegates. While West Virginia law already prohibits most abortions, internal divisions appear to be emerging over whether to enforce existing law.
Anders has not indicated whether he will attempt to reintroduce the motion or pursue alternate strategies, but vowed to “keep fighting” in defense of who he called “the most vulnerable among us.”
