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It doesn’t appear that Republican legislators have an appetite for pursuing abortion restrictions in the Virginia General Assembly session that begins today in Richmond.

Despite backing from Gov. Glenn Youngkin for possible bans on abortion after 10 weeks or 15 weeks of pregnancy with exceptions for rape or incest victims, House Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, told reporters Monday that it’s unlikely such legislation will get traction this year.

Democrats, most of whom oppose abortion restrictions, still control the state Senate, and House Republicans who represent swing districts want no part of abortion changes after watching the issue cost many moderate Republicans their chances of winning in the congressional midterm elections nationwide.

We understand their reluctance. Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade last year, Americans have consistently resisted state efforts to outlaw or restrict abortions, either through voter referendums or by punishing lawmakers who pass them without citizen input.

That doesn’t mean that legislators can’t find some common ground on the societal problem of unwanted pregnancies.

We hope they take a close look at – and pass – Del. Emily Brewer’s recently filed bill that would create a nonrefundable tax credit for individuals or couples who adopt a child.

House Bill 1553 would award the tax credit for adopting children outside your own family. The issue is personal for Brewer, a Suffolk businesswoman who was herself adopted as a child.

“As a child of adoption, it is important to me to ensure that we encourage adoption throughout the commonwealth,” said Brewer, R-Isle of Wight. “The cost of adoption, while worthwhile, can be expensive. This tax credit creates an opportunity to relieve some of that burden.”

Regardless of how one feels about a woman’s right to abort a pregnancy, most all of us can agree that adoption of an unwanted child by a loving family is an optimal outcome.

We urge Democrats and Republicans to unite in support of Brewer’s proposed tax credit.