See below for reactions to Youngkin’s vetoes of “critical legislation that would have helped working families get ahead and improved public safety.” This includes bills in a wide variety of areas, from gun violence prevention to energy, environment, cannabis, collective bargaining, prescription drugs, education, you name it really. So…now that we’re past his last set of vetoes in his single, four-year term, we can ask the question: is Glenn Youngkin the worst governor in Virginia history? (hint: the answer isn’t “no” or “maybe” LOL)
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Youngkin Vetoes Bills That Would Help Working Families Get Ahead, Improve Public Safety
On Monday, Governor Glenn Youngkin moved Virginia backward by vetoing critical legislation that would have helped working families get ahead and improved public safety. Among the bills he rejected were those that would have raised the minimum wage, increased workers’ rights, provided paid family and medical leave, and enacted critical measures to enhance gun safety and reduce violence across our Commonwealth.
DPVA Chairman Lamont Bagby shared the following statement:
“Governor Youngkin’s reckless decision to veto these critical pieces of legislation is a clear and brazen act of ignoring the needs—and the very real demands—of Virginians across our Commonwealth.
Instead of standing up for the hardworking families who need help the most, the governor is choosing to advance his extreme, out-of-touch agenda, putting politics before the safety and well-being of our communities.
At a time when Virginians are facing so many threats—from Donald Trump’s relentless attacks on our workforce and economy to Republicans’ dangerous threats to cut Medicaid—this governor is failing miserably to protect the people he was elected to serve. Virginians deserve better than this. We deserve a governor who will fight for us, not against us.”
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Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell and House Majority Caucus Chair Kathy Tran Condemn Governor Glenn Youngkin’s Veto of Public Sector Collective Bargaining Legislation
The veto comes amid continued attacks on Virginia’s federal public service workers
RICHMOND, Va. — Virginia Senate Democratic Leader Scott Surovell and Virginia House Democratic Caucus Chair Kathy Tran today condemned Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s decision to veto their legislation that would have given more than half a million teachers, home care workers, higher ed workers, firefighters, state employees and employees of local governments in every zip code the freedom to come together as a union to collectively bargain for a fair contract that would empower workers to deliver better services for Virginians.
The passage of SB 917 and HB 2764 marked the first time that legislation to expand collective bargaining rights to both state and local public service workers in every corner of the commonwealth made it to the governor’s desk. The companion bills would have improved public services that Virginians rely on and fixed the current patchwork system that allows only some local workers to collectively bargain while leaving state workers behind entirely.
“Collective bargaining is a fundamental right that strengthens our workforce and ensures that those who serve our communities are treated with the respect and dignity they deserve,” said Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell. “By vetoing this bill, the governor has chosen to silence the voices of hardworking Virginians who dedicate their lives to public service. This decision not only undermines the rights of public employees but also jeopardizes the quality of services that our communities rely on. When workers are empowered to advocate for themselves, it leads to better outcomes for everyone.”
“By vetoing collective bargaining for public sector employees, Governor Youngkin is turning his back on Virginia’s hardworking public servants who provide critical services to our communities by teaching our kids, caring for our family members, and ensuring our public safety,” said Caucus Chair Tran. “At a time when the Musk/Trump administration is denigrating and illegally firing federal public sector workers, Virginia’s public sector employees deserve a seat at the table and to know that we have their backs.”
“This veto is disappointing, especially amid the continued attack on working-class people coming from the Trump administration,” said Jeanne Robinson, a home care provider in Henrico County and member of SEIU Virginia 512. “Governor Youngkin had a chance to show Virginians he stands with working families and believes everyone deserves a fair shot at getting good union jobs with benefits. But the hardest-hit will be the people that we, Virginia’s home care providers, care for. This is just a bump on the road to economic justice and I look forward to fighting alongside my union siblings to make sure we have a voice on the job.”
“The governor’s action is a complete betrayal to public service workers and the middle-class,” said Kurt Detrick, a career firefighter in Portsmouth and president of IAFF Local 539. “Through his veto pen, Governor Youngkin is saying that middle-class public service workers, the people everyone relies on for good services on a daily basis, should not have a voice. Our collective bargaining bill was about the freedom to come together as workers and fight for ourselves and the Virginians we serve. Without this bill, firefighters like me will be unable to negotiate for the proper staffing, training, and compensation needed to better protect our communities. Our union will not back down though and we plan to be back next year in full force.”
“As workers fighting to provide a quality education for our students in the face of federal funding freezes, campus workers deserve better from their governor,” said Harry Szabo, president of the United Campus Workers of Virginia. “Glenn Youngkin’s veto means that more campus workers will be forced to live paycheck to paycheck. We are thankful for the patrons who fought so hard for this bill, and we look forward to their continued support in 2026. We will not give up, and we are not going anywhere.”
“School staff like me have seen how powerful collective bargaining can be,” said Sharon Gilbert, an Administrative Office Associate at Richmond’s William Fox Elementary School and a member of the Richmond Education Association. “As a member of my unit’s bargaining committee, I fought for the workers who keep our school running so that these kids can be successful in elementary school. That is why I am fighting so hard to expand that right to educators and support staff in other localities – because we know what we need to do our jobs better for these children and their families. I’m disappointed by this veto, but it is not the end of the debate. We will be back next year to continue the fight.”
A Feb. 28 press conference at which public service workers called for the governor to sign the legislation can be viewed HERE.
BREAKING: Youngkin Guts Right to Contraception Act That Sears “Couldn’t Resist” Voting Against
WSET Political Analyst: “[…] I mean, what was she gonna do? Vote for something that she’s pretty clearly against […]”
VIRGINIA – Last night, Glenn Youngkin gutted legislation that would guarantee access to birth control and contraception for Virginia women. This comes after Winsome Earle-Sears “couldn’t resist” voting against this legislation.
“Winsome Earle-Sears supports a dangerous agenda that would strip Virginia women of their right to make decisions about their own bodies. Her tie-breaking vote against the right to contraception and birth control is yet another example in her extreme record of opposing reproductive rights and signals her extreme plans to roll back Virginians’ fundamental rights, ” said DPVA Spokesperson Maggie Amjad.
Read more on Sears’ dangerous record:
Sears “couldn’t resist” voting against a bill that would guarantee Virginia women’s access to contraception.
Sears supports an extreme six week abortion ban similar to the law that took effect in Texas that bans abortion before most women know they are pregnant.
Sears has said that she would support an abortion ban with no exceptions for rape or incest.
January 2021: The Winchester Star reported that Sears said she wanted to make abortion illegal in all cases, unless the life of the mother was at risk.
Sears vowed to “do everything in [her] power” to end abortion in Virginia.
Youngkin Veto Blocks Paid Family and Medical Leave for 3.4 Million Virginia Workers
RICHMOND, Va. – Last night, Governor Glenn Youngkin vetoed HB2531, patroned by Delegate Briana Sewell (D-Prince William), a bill guaranteeing access to Paid Family and Medical Leave for the 3.4 million Virginians who currently lack that benefit.
The bill would have set up an insurance fund so businesses could provide employees up to 12 weeks of paid leave for life events like welcoming a new child, caring for a loved one, or recovering from a serious illness or injury. The Paid Family and Medical Leave program would have provided employees with up to 80% wage replacement and allowed them to maintain their health care coverage for the duration of their leave.
“Governor Youngkin’s veto of Paid Family and Medical Leave is not only disappointing but deeply concerning for hardworking Virginians who need this essential support. This bill had the backing of small businesses, doctors, and Virginia families. Paid leave is vital to attracting and retaining a strong workforce and would have strengthened Virginia’s economy by ensuring workers can care for their loved ones without risking their livelihoods,” said Delegate Sewell. “I am disheartened for the small business owners who want to provide this benefit to remain competitive with large companies, the patients and caregivers who struggle to receive essential care and support their loved ones on their darkest days, and as if being a parent is not hard enough, those who will continue to make the impossible choice of caring for their child and keeping food on the table. Virginia deserves better. I remain committed to making Paid Family and Medical Leave a reality and look forward to working with our next governor to ensure it becomes law.”
“I’m disappointed in the governor’s decision to veto Paid Family and Medical Leave. This bill would have ensured Virginians access to paid leave when they needed it most,” said Senator Jennifer Boysko (D-Fairfax), who carried companion legislation in the Senate. “Too many families face the impossible choice between financial security and caring for themselves and their loved ones. This legislation would have guaranteed access to paid leave and made Virginia one of a growing number of states with a Paid Family and Medical Leave program. Our commonwealth needs this, and we will have the opportunity next year under a new administration to give all Virginia families access to Paid Family and Medical Leave.”
“I’m heartbroken to see Governor Youngkin veto legislation to establish Paid Family and Medical Leave in Virginia,” said impacted Virginia Beach resident Chrischa Ives. “This legislation hits home for me as a mother and caregiver. My daughter Gabrielle fought a lifelong battle with Hardikar Syndrome that ended in 2020. I was one of millions of Virginians without access to paid leave, and I sacrificed financial security to be by my daughter’s side when she needed me most. I would do it all again to support my daughter. Still, the governor’s decision to veto this bill will hurt hardworking Virginia families, forcing them to make impossible decisions. I hope next year Paid Family and Medical Leave will become a reality for Virginia families.”
“The governor has failed hardworking Virginia families with his decision to veto legislation to establish Paid Family and Medical Leave,” said Freedom Virginia co-Executive Director Rhena Hicks. “This is common-sense legislation that would provide Virginia workers with financial stability when they need to take time off to care for themselves and their families. The bill would have helped businesses retain and attract workers, allowing small businesses to compete on a level playing field with big businesses, which would have made a lasting impact on our economy in Virginia. Governor Youngkin’s veto is not a win for Virginia, but we will continue the fight for Paid Family and Medical Leave for families next year under a new governor.”
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Freedom Virginia is a nonpartisan 501(c)4 organization committed to building a Commonwealth where all Virginia families have the freedom to thrive. Freedom Virginia advances economic security policies through grassroots activism, voter engagement and legislative advocacy. Our efforts began in 2020 and since then we’ve pushed for a more economically secure Virginia by sharing real stories about Virginians’ lack of access to affordable healthcare, education, energy, and the need for policies that foster more safety for families. Visit our website at freedomva.org to learn more.
From Progress Virginia:
In A Last-Minute, Late Night Veto Session, Youngkin Vetoes Crucial Legislation
Richmond, Virginia—At 11:15 PM on the night of the Virginia law-mandated deadline for gubernatorial action on bills passed by the General Assembly, the governor had only vetoed eleven bills. By morning, dozens of bills had fallen to his veto pen, including many long-hoped for pieces of legislation designed to make life easier for working families, help ameliorate the affordable housing crisis, provide jobs in the Commonwealth, keep Virginia residents safe, and create a more just playing field for working people.
“Paid family and medical leave, raising the minimum wage, banning assault weapons, protecting our environment, and helping families access housing they can afford are basic, commonsense policies that improve lives and protect hard working families. Governor Youngkin’s decision to veto these and dozens of other critical bills is not just disappointing—it’s disgraceful,” said LaTwyla Mathias, Executive Director of Progress Virginia. “Governor Youngkin’s massive wealth may shield him from hardship, but it also blinds him to the realities Virginians face every day. With a single stroke of his pen, he’s chosen to put political ambition and wealthy special interests ahead of the people he was elected to serve. While he turns his back on hardworking people in our community in favor of his mega-wealthy friends, we will not back down. We will keep fighting—for dignity, safety, and opportunity for every member of our community.”
Spanberger Statement on Governor Youngkin Rejecting Legislation to Protect Right to Contraception & Birth Control
Spanberger: “As the Next Governor of Virginia, I Will Always Defend the Right to Access Contraception — and Should this Legislation Land on My Desk, I Will Sign it into Law”
**DOWNLOADABLE VIDEO: Spanberger Responds to Youngkin Gutting Right to Contraception Act**
RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after Governor Youngkin gutted legislation that would guarantee Virginians’ right to access contraception and birth control.
“Women across the country are watching anti-choice politicians block access to birth control and outlaw emergency contraception. In response, Virginia leaders should be defending our fundamental freedoms, just as our General Assembly voted to do when it passed the Right to Contraception Act earlier this year.
“No politician should ever be able to dictate when and whether Virginians have access to contraception. Governor Youngkin’s decision to gut this legislation leaves the rights of Virginians at risk. As the next Governor of Virginia, I will defend the right to access contraception — and should this legislation land on my desk, I will sign it into law.”
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In July 2022, Spanberger helped lead the charge to pass the Right to Contraception Act in Congress to codify Americans’ right to access and use birth control into federal law.
During her three terms representing Virginia’s Seventh District in the U.S. House of Representatives, Spanberger consistently worked to protect the right to access reproductive care — particularly in the wake of the Dobbs decision.
DPVA Chairman Lamont Bagby’s Statement on Youngkin Gutting Right to Contraception Act
On Monday, Governor Glenn Youngkin gutted and refused to sign the Right to Contraception Act, which would guarantee a woman’s right to access contraception and birth control, including the pill, IUDs, and emergency contraceptives.
DPVA Chairman Lamont Bagby released the following statement:
“Once again, Glenn Youngkin has demonstrated his extreme agenda—he believes the government should have a say in women’s personal health decisions. By gutting the Right to Contraception Act, he made a choice to prioritize politics over women’s health.
To be clear—Virginia remains the last bastion in the South for reproductive freedom because Democrats have blocked Youngkin’s dangerous, anti-choice agenda. When we elect a governor this November who will sign this bill into law, it won’t just be a victory—it will be a statement that we will not tolerate anyone standing in the way of women’s fundamental freedoms and health care.”
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