Richmond, VA – Today Virginia Senate Democrats passed Senator Jennifer McClellan and Senator Boysko’s Constitutional Amendment, SJ 255, to enshrine the fundamental right to reproductive freedom in Virginia’s Constitution.
This historic Constitutional Amendment enshrines every Virginian has the fundamental right to reproductive freedom and the right to make and effectuate one’s own decisions about all matters related to one’s pregnancy.
Senate Democrats have fiercely been defending Virginia’s reproductive rights against Republican attack this session. Just several weeks ago Senate Democrats voted to pass by indefinitely SB 1483, SB 1385, and SB 1284 all which would have ripped away Virginians’ reproductive rights and banned abortion.
“Thanks to the progress we’ve made in recent years, Virginia is now a safe haven for reproductive healthcare, including abortion,” said Senator Jennifer McClellan. “But, we have seen efforts this session to roll back that progress back through abortion bans. This constitutional amendment would enshrine in Virginia’s constitution the right to reproductive freedom taken away by the U.S. Supreme Court in the Dobbs decision. Passing this amendment out of the Senate is a key sign that Virginians are ready to protect reproductive freedom in the constitution.”
“I am so proud to see our Constitutional Amendment to enshrine reproductive freedoms pass the Senate today,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko. “After the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, now more than ever it is critical we pass legislation to defend reproductive rights in the Commonwealth. Through this Constitutional Amendment Senate Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to defending your reproductive freedoms. I hope to see the House do the right thing and swiftly pass this important legislation.”
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