Virginia House passes resolutions protecting abortion, voting rights, marriage equality

Source: AP

Updated 5:40 PM EST, January 14, 2025


RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions on Tuesday enshrining rights to abortion, voting and marriage equality in a critical step for Democrats hoping to amend the state’s constitution next year.

The chamber, where Democrats hold a razor-thin 51-49 majority, advanced the three proposed constitutional amendments Tuesday while sister resolutions work their way through the Senate. Unlike other bills, proposed constitutional amendments are not subject to vetoes by the governor, but they must be twice passed in at least two years, with a legislative election sandwiched between each legislative session. After that, the public can vote by referendum on the issues.

If the abortion ballot measure is ultimately successful, Virginia would become a rare southern state to join a growing trend of states putting reproductive rights-related ballot questions to voters. “I trust our Virginia voters,” said Democratic Majority Leader Charniele Herring, patron of the amendment protecting abortion. “It seems like the other side of the aisle does not.”

In a lively debate, Republicans blasted the proposed amendment to protect abortion, which passed along party lines. Republican Del. Mark Earley described the resolution as a failure to recognize the image of God in fetuses.

Read more: https://apnews.com/article/abortion-voting-rights-marriage-equality-democrat-majority-8f2e8f96a6cb071b26acda3a285a8749