By: Maria – Paula
[MW1] Virginia General Assembly recently received a letter from lawmakers A. Donald McEachin (VA-04), Elaine Luria (VA-02), Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Don Beyer (VA-08), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), together with Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA) calling for prompt action in protecting abortion access for all Virginians.
A verdict passed by the Supreme Court in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization is viewed to undermine reproductive health care and moves several states to either restrict or ban abortion access by taking away the constitutional right to choose.
The representatives wrote, “We are also concerned that Governor [Glenn] Youngkin has exhibited plans to take Virginia in a similar direction. Shortly after a decision on Dobbs v. Jackson, he urged Republican representatives in the General Assembly to draft a legislation that would limit abortion access in Virginia. Attacks on reproductive freedom disproportionately impact vulnerable populations. This includes women of color, low-income women, young Americans, and the rural community dwellers.”
Apart from a 67 percent choice by Virginians supporting rights to abortion and legalization during the 2022 elections, voters across the country rejected extreme abortion bans.
In August, Kansas majority rejected on ballot a plan on their state constitution to eliminate the right to abortion. In November, voters in Kentucky and Montana also rejected anti-abortion referendums in their states while California, Michigan, and Vermont, gave life to referendums codifying the right to abortion in their state constitutions.
Following the recent happenings, the Virginia lawmakers want the right to abortion incorporated in the Virginia Constitution and compiled to law in Congress. The legislature promised to ensureadvance enactment of the law to fight in their words, unmatched assault on reproductive rights.
The big question remains, will the inclusion of abortion rights included into Virginias laws by continually advocating for reproductive freedom at the federal level pay off?
