BREAKING: VA House Dems Respond to Governor’s Vetoes of Contraception and Confederacy Bills
May 18, 2024
Yesterday, Governor Youngkin took action on this year’s remaining bills. He signed seven into law, and vetoed an additional 48 – bringing his already historic number of vetoes to 201. The House Democratic Caucus put out the following statement:
“We are disappointed, but not surprised by the actions of the Governor. The House Democrats did our part and protected access to reproductive healthcare in Virginia. With the veto of HB 609 to expand access to contraception – the Governor has shown Virginians where he and his party stand – and they do not stand for a woman’s right to control her own body.
After years of ducking and avoiding claiming support of the Confederacy and the Lost Cause narrative, Governor Youngkin finally showed his true colors. In vetoing HB 568 we know that he would rather protect groups who honor those who fought to keep people enslaved by maintaining their tax-exempt status, than take part in supporting Virginia’s healing and recovery from that legacy.
This is not the end for us, and we will see these bills return until they are signed. The right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness is dependent on individuals’ autonomy and self-determination, and they should be able to make those decisions in communities that celebrate the contributions of all members of society, rather than those who would continue to stand on the neck of our freedoms.”
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