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RICHMOND, Va. — In a move reflective of its political priorities, the Democratic-led Senate in Virginia voted on Tuesday to advance constitutional amendments concerning abortion and voting rights. These measures were met with immediate criticism from Republican lawmakers, who view these hot-button issues as key elements in their strategy for the upcoming statewide elections in November.
The resolutions passed along party lines, with a notable bipartisan vote of 24-15 also leading to the repeal of an obsolete ban on same-sex marriage, a significant step endorsed by Senator Adam Ebbin, who holds the distinction of being the first openly gay individual elected to the Virginia legislature. Earlier this month, the Democratic-controlled House of Delegates had already approved similar legislation regarding these three critical matters.
Democratic Senator Jennifer Boysko, who spearheaded the abortion resolution, emphasized the intent behind the amendments: “We will enshrine these rights to our Constitution, ensure our freedoms are no longer at risk, and hand the power back to the people.”
Key Issues for November Campaigns
The discussions in the Senate on Tuesday illuminated potential campaign themes for lawmakers heading into the November elections, wherein all 100 seats in the House of Delegates will be contested. To be placed on the ballot, proposed constitutional amendments must secure legislative approval twice across two years, allowing for an election cycle to occur in between the votes, ultimately leading to a public referendum.
In the wake of these developments, Republican lawmakers criticized the Democrats for their refusal to include provisions mandating parental consent for minors seeking abortions.
Senate Minority Leader Ryan McDougle articulated the party’s stance, stating, “When it comes to the amendments, we pick parents’ abilities to be able to be involved in their children’s decisions as the highest priority. Those are the things that we are fighting for this session and will continue to fight for.”
The debate became heated, with Democratic Senator Barbara Favola challenging the notion that all families provide a supportive environment. She raised critical points by stating, “Not every family is loving and supportive — not every family has the best interest of the child,” highlighting situations where minors could face dire circumstances, such as familial abuse or rejection due to pregnancy.
Conversely, Republican Senator Tara Durant characterized the abortion amendment as a direct threat to parental rights, expressing concern over decisions being made by individuals outside the family unit. “We are no longer going to respect parental authority and shred the very fabric of us as a mother, as a father,” she said, framing the debate around the role of parents in critical decisions affecting their children.
The opposition further condemned Senator Mamie Locke’s resolution, which aims to secure voting rights for individuals previously convicted of felonies. McDougle had sought to impose conditions whereby these rights would be restored only upon full restitution payments and excluded individuals convicted of violent offenses unless a governor’s pardon was granted.
Locke countered these arguments by asserting the inherent dignity of every individual, stating, “It has nothing to do with restitution. It has nothing to do with whether or not someone committed a violent or nonviolent felony. It has to do with the fact that the individual, once they have served their time, they have a fundamental right to vote once they get out.”
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Olivia Diaz is a corps member for The Associated Press/Report for America Statehouse News Initiative. Report for America is a nonprofit national service program that places journalists in local newsrooms to report on undercovered issues.
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