Spanberger: “Virginians Deserve Leaders Who Will Stand Up for Their Fundamental Rights and Against Efforts to Roll Them Back”

RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after a majority of both the House of Delegates and Virginia Senate voted to protect Virginians’ right to access contraception — sending the legislation to Governor Youngkin’s desk.

“Virginia is the last bastion in the South for protecting reproductive rights. In the two and a half years since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, anti-choice politicians across our country have cited the Dobbs decision as justification to restrict Americans’ freedom to make their own healthcare decisions. States have — either explicitly or by creating confusion — threatened access to forms of birth control and emergency contraception that Americans have for decades understood to be available.

“Personal medical decisions should be made by patients, their families, and their medical providers — without the unwanted input of politicians in Richmond or capitals across the country. Virginians deserve leaders who will stand up for their fundamental rights and against efforts to roll them back. Thank you to Senator Hashmi, Delegate Price, and every legislator who has continued to affirm Virginians’ freedoms.

“As a mom of three young girls, I believe we must protect future generations’ fundamental right to privacy. Governor Youngkin should do the right thing and sign these bills into law. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will always defend Virginians’ right to access contraception — and should this legislation land on my desk, I will sign it into law.”

—

During her three terms representing Virginia’s Seventh District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Spanberger worked to protect the right to access reproductive care. As a Member of Congress, Spanberger voted to pass the Right to Contraception Act to codify Americans’ right to access and use birth control into federal law.

###