Richmond– On Sunday, the money committees in the House and Senate released their respective budgets, which provide a sharp change of course from the budget outlined by former Governor Youngkin. While lawmakers rejected many of the former Governor’s proposed tax cuts and made several meaningful investments in housing, education, and support for working families, they […]
Press Releases
Press Release
Right to Contraception Passes Senate, Heads to Governor Spanberger’s Desk
Richmond, Virginia— Advocates for reproductive health care access are celebrating today as HB6, sponsored by Delegate Marcia Price, passed the Senate on a vote of 23-15 today and will now move to the Governor’s desk. The bill would require health insurance companies to provide no-cost birth control to patients, mirroring the already popular provision of the […]
Press Release
Workers Celebrate as Virginia House of Delegates Passes Paid Sick Days Legislation
Richmond—Workers and advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating today as HB5, legislation sponsored by Delegate Kelly Convirs-Fowler that guarantees paid sick days for working Virginians, passed the Virginia House of Delegates on a vote of 65-35. When working people get sick, far too many are forced into an impossible decision: go to work sick and risk […]
Press Release
Bill Ensuring Counsel at First Appearance Passes House of Delegates
Richmond, Virginia— Advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating the successful passage of HB127, Counsel at First Appearance, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen, through the Virginia House of Delegates on a vote of 84-10. The legislation guarantees that people accused of a crime will have access to a lawyer the very first time they appear before a […]
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Two Bills Limiting Aggressive ICE Enforcement Tactics In Virginia Pass The House of Delegates
Delegate Charlie Schmidt’s bill HB1482 prevents law enforcement officers from wearing masks outside the context of a public health emergency, addressing and restricting a common tactic used by ICE and other federal immigration enforcement agencies. Delegate Alfonso Lopez’s bill HB1441 restricts anyone acting in a law enforcement role from cooperating with any federal immigration agency or facilitating immigration enforcement […]
Press Release
Bill Extending Minimum Wage Protections To Farm Workers Passes House
Richmond, Virginia—Advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating the passage of HB20, sponsored by Delegate Adele McClure, legislation that removes the long-standing exemption allowing farm workers to be paid less than the minimum wage. The bill passed the House of Delegates on a vote of 65-35, and it will now crossover to the Senate for another vote. […]
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Advocacy Organizations Express Strong Support in Defending Immigrant Rights with the Virginia Community Safety & Trust Agenda
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE February 4, 2026 MEDIA CONTACT: David Aldridge, daldridge@vac4progress.org Advocacy Organizations Express Strong Support in Defending Immigrant Rights with the Virginia Community Safety & Trust Agenda To Governor Spanberger, Speaker Scott, Senator Lucas, Senator Surovell, and Delegate Torian and all Virginians: The undersigned organizations write to express our profound gratitude and support for Governor […]
Press Release
Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights Applauds Governor Spanberger for Ending Agreements Between ICE and Virginia Law Enforcement
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Wednesday, February 4, 20206 Press Contact: Kelsey Cowger, Progress VA, 434-484-2795, kelsey@progressva.org, press@vacir.org Virginia Coalition for Immigrant Rights Applauds Governor Spanberger for Ending Agreements Between ICE and Virginia Law Enforcement Richmond, VA—In a move celebrated by immigrant communities and advocacy groups across the Commonwealth, Governor Abigail Spanberger has ended agreements between ICE and the four Virginia […]
Press Release
Bill Ensuring Counsel at First Appearance Passes Out of Subcommittee
Richmond, Virginia— Advocates across the Commonwealth are celebrating the successful passage of HB127, Counsel at First Appearance, sponsored by Delegate Katrina Callsen. The bill, which reported out of the House Courts Criminal Subcommittee today on a 9-0 vote, guarantees that people accused of a crime will have access to a lawyer the very first time they […]
Press Release
Workers Celebrate as House Subcommittee Takes First Step Towards Passing Paid Sick Days
Richmond—Workers and advocates are celebrating today as HB5, a bill to allow paid sick days, took the first step towards becoming law by passing out of the House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #2 on a vote of 5-2. When working Virginians get sick, far too many of them face an impossible choice: go to work sick […]