The Virginia Senate voted Wednesday to pass a bill that would abolish the death penalty. The vote was 21-17 along party lines, with 21 Democrats for and 17 Republicans against the measure. One person, Republican state Sen. Bill Stanley, abstained from the vote. The bill, SB 1165, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Surovell, a Democrat, now awaits approval by Gov. Ralph Northam, also a Democrat. Virginia would become the 23rd state in the country to abolish the death penalty if the bill becomes law. The House version of the bill, HB 2263, also passed on Wednesday. The 15-6 vote consisted of two Republicans joining 13 Democrats in favor of the bill. One person abstained. The House bill includes a provision that replaces the death penalty with a life sentence without parole, time off for good behavior, or conditional release. Both Senate and House bills will need to reconcile the provision before Northam can …