FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Tuesday, January 21, 2025
Contact: Kelsey Cowger, kelsey@progressva.org, 434-484-2795
Richmond, Va. – Today the Virginia Senate passed SJ247, a resolution to amend the Virginia constitution to enshrine a fundamental right to reproductive freedom. The resolution passed the Senate on a floor vote of 21-19. The resolution’s House cognate (HJ1) was advanced by a floor vote of 51:48 on January 13. The resolutions will next move through crossover and ultimately appear for another full vote of the General Assembly in February. These are the first steps in a multi-year process to amend the Virginia constitution to enshrine the right to make decisions regarding their own reproductive health care without government interference. It is a particularly poignant vote as we mark the anniversary of Roe v. Wade, a reminder of the generations-long fight to secure and protect reproductive freedom. With Roe now overturned, Virginia must take decisive action to ensure that everyone in our state retains the ability to make personal decisions about their health, free from political interference. Recent polling suggests 61% of Virginians already support this resolution.
“Virginians for Reproductive Freedom is thrilled to see SJ247 advance to crossover,” said Gabriella Watson, Virginia State Policy Advocate for National Latina Institute of Reproductive Justice, a member of VRF. “This vote brings us one step closer to a time when our community can finally vote to protect our fundamental rights. The vast majority of Virginians are committed to keeping the government out of our doctors’ offices and making sure that decisions about pregnancy are left up to the pregnant people and their medical providers. We expect to make that clear at the ballot box next November. ”
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Virginians for Reproductive Freedom
American Civil Liberties Union of Virginia
American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists – Virginia
Birth in Color
Equality Virginia
Freedom Virginia
Hamkae Center
League of Women Voters – Virginia
National Council of Jewish Women – Virginia
National Latina Institute for Reproductive Justice – Virginia
National Women’s Political Caucus – Virginia
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia
Progress Virginia
REPRO Rising Virginia
Whole Woman’s Health Alliance
A Woman’s Choice Danville
Virginia Reproductive Equity Alliance
Young Feminist Party of Virginia