Reproductive Freedom Advocates and Legislators Condemn Governor Youngkin’s Veto of Bills Protecting Abortion Providers 

Reproductive Freedom Advocates and Legislators Condemn Governor Youngkin’s Veto of Bills Protecting Abortion Providers

Richmond, Virginia — Following Governor Glenn Youngkin’s recent vetoes of crucial bills aimed at protecting abortion providers, Reproductive Freedom advocates and legislators convened in a virtual press conference to address the ramifications of these decisions for the reproductive healthcare landscape in Virginia. The press conference featured remarks from Senator Barbara Favola, Delegate Marcus Simon, Delegate Candi Mundon King, Kenda Sutton-EL, founding executive director of Birth in Color, Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, and Tarina Keene, executive director of REPRO Rising Virginia.

Speakers expressed their concerns and disappointment over Governor Youngkin’s veto of SB15 and HB1539, bills designed to shield abortion providers from unwarranted criminalization from hostile states.  Additionally, Governor Youngkin vetoed companion bills,  SB716 and HB519 , that protected medical providers from unfair disciplinary actions by the Board of Medicine for providing  safe and legal abortion and other reproductive healthcare.

Senator Barbara Favola said, “We’re talking about honoring Virginia’s laws, first. What this bill does, and because of his veto, it says to our providers, ‘you’re not going to have that piece of mind to provide abortion care using your medical judgement and know that you would be free from prosecution in another state or extradition.”

Delegate Marcus Simon stated, “A pregnant person in Bristol, Tennessee should feel perfectly comfortable coming over the border to Bristol, Virginia to receive healthcare services without the fear of being prosecuted.”

Delegate Candi Mundon King said, “I am not surprised by the Governor’s veto, but I remain deeply disappointed. One, because of the bipartisan nature of the bill, and two, because it is consistent with the Governor’s attempt to remove care from women in Virginia.”

Kenda Sutton-EL, founding executive director of Birth in Color, states, “We are very disappointed, but hardly surprised at all. We know there’s a widespread project of intimidation, criminalization, and attack on our reproductive rights, doctors, and other medical professionals.”

Jamie Lockhart, executive director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia, stated, “By vetoing this legislation, Governor Youngkin has not only failed to stand against overzealous legal action from beyond our borders, but he has also sent a deeply discouraging message to the healthcare professionals dedicated to reproductive rights and the patients who rely on these essential healthcare services here at home”

Tarina Keene, executive director of REPRO Rising Virginia, said, “ Governor Youngkin’s vetoes send a clear message that he is perfectly fine with criminalizing medical professionals. Virginia healthcare providers should not be intimidated, and patients, no matter where they live, deserve to receive the care they need even when their home state has chosen to strip them of their bodily autonomy.”