Republicans continue to hide their MAGA views from Virginians
RICHMOND, VA – Today, House Democrats filed a rules change to force a vote on the Constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion here in Virginia. With just over a week left of session, Republicans have refused to vote on the amendment, following a similar pattern of Republican refusal to vote on abortion bills. This session, Republican House leadership refused to vote on two abortion bans that members of their own Caucus filed: a 15 week abortion ban and a personhood bill.
Chair Charniele Herring, who filed the House version of the amendment, said: “Women across the Commonwealth are rightly concerned in the wake of Dobbs, and they deserve to know that their rights are protected here in Virginia. The choice to have an abortion is a personal decision between women and their doctors, not women and their doctors … and their state legislators. It is shameful that Republicans continue to politicize a woman’s right to choose.”
“Republicans don’t want Virginians to know where they stand on abortion: because they don’t stand with Virginians,” said Leader Don Scott, “if they are serious about representing the will of the people, they’ll allow a floor vote to enshrine reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution.”
Today, Delegate Marcus Simon filed the rules change that would force a floor vote, saying in a floor speech, “In the last couple months, we have watched as the Republican party has brought forth some of the most intrusive, frankly dystopian, attacks against women and their freedoms… Virginians have been incredibly clear: they want abortion access protected. It’s time our Constitution reflects the will of the people.”
The rules change will be read for the next five days before it’s voted on. A “yes” vote on the rules change will allow for a floor vote on the Constitutional amendment protecting access to abortion here in Virginia.