Richmond, Virginia—Republican members of the House Courts of Justice Subcommittee #4 voted to pass two bills that will attack abortion access in Virginia. HB212, sponsored by Delegate Karen Greenhalgh, would repeal the Reproductive Health Protection Act, and send us backward. The bill would require people seeking abortion care are forced to listen to biased information about abortion and then wait a minimum of 24 hours before being able to get the abortion care they need. HB304, sponsored by Delegate Nick Freitas, would rip infants who have hours or days left to live out of their parents’ arms and force them to undergo painful medical procedures that would do nothing to save their lives. 

“It’s not only disappointing that Republicans passed two bills that would limit access to abortion, it’s disgusting and unacceptable. Politicians have no business inserting themselves in private decisions between pregnant people and their doctors,” LaTwyla Mathias, Executive Director at Progress Virginia, said. “All of us deserve to live good lives and have the opportunity to thrive in our communities. Being able to access abortion care and choose whether and when to become a parent for yourself is a crucial piece of that puzzle. We cannot and will not go backward. We hope that if these bills continue to advance, Democratic Senators will protect our progress and say no to attacks on a person’s right to get the abortion care they need when they need it.”

Background: 

Nearly 1 in 4 birthing people in the United States will have an abortion by the age of 45. 

79% of Virginians support access to abortion.