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Video: VA State Senate Passes Legislation to Protect Right to Contraception – After LG Winsome Earle-Sears Breaks Initial Tie Vote to Defeat the Bill

"Virginia needs a governor who will strengthen Virginia's status as a reproductive healthcare haven in the South."

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lowkell
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This vote alone should disqualify Winsome Earle-Sears from being elected governor of Virginia. See below for more, including video and press releases from the Democratic Party of Virginia and the Abigail Spanberger for Governor campaign.

Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears Votes Against Access to Contraception
 

Today, Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears cast a tie-breaking vote in the Senate of Virginia against SB1105 — legislation to protect Virginians’ right to access birth control and emergency contraception. DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker released the following statement:

“Access to contraception is about allowing a woman to make decisions about her health. It is about allowing women to have a right to privacy. By casting a vote against legislation to protect access to birth control and other forms of contraception, Winsome Earle-Sears proved once again that she will not protect women’s freedom to make personal medical decisions. Virginia needs a governor who will strengthen Virginia’s status as a reproductive healthcare haven in the South.”

SB1105 was later passed by 21 to 19 votes.

Spanberger Statement on Senate of Virginia Passing Legislation to Protect Right to Contraception

Spanberger: “Virginians Deserve a Governor Who Will Defend Their Reproductive Freedoms — Not Pretend That Threats to Their Rights Aren’t Real”

RICHMOND, Va. — Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after a majority of the Senate of Virginia voted to protect Virginians’ right to access contraception.

“Virginia is the only state in the South that hasn’t passed further restrictions on women’s reproductive healthcare since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade — but we don’t know what the next attacks on our fundamental rights will be. Over the past two and a half years, we’ve seen how the Dobbs decision opened the door for renewed attacks on birth control and emergency contraception in states across the country.

“As a proud mom of three girls, I find it unacceptable that some politicians believe they’re entitled to a say in families’ personal medical decisions. I believe in Virginians’ fundamental right to privacy — and I believe we must make sure that right is protected for future generations. Today, the Senate of Virginia took a real step to do just that. I want to thank Senator Hashmi and every legislator who has continued to stand up for Virginians’ fundamental rights.

“Virginians deserve a Governor who will defend their reproductive freedoms — not pretend that threats to their rights aren’t real. When this legislation comes across my desk as Governor, I will sign the right to contraception into law.”

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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.

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Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears Leads Republicans in Blocking Progress on Protecting Contraception Rights
RICHMOND, Va. — Americans for Contraception (AFC) today sharply criticized Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears for casting the tie-breaking “no” vote against the Virginia Right to Contraception Act (SB 1105), vital legislation patroned by Senator Ghazala Hashmi (D-Richmond) to protect Virginians’ fundamental right to contraception.

The legislation only passed the Senate by a vote of 21-18 after a subsequent vote was called, overcoming the Republican opposition fueled by the tie-breaking “no” vote from Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears. Republicans’ unified opposition underscores their ongoing disregard for the health care rights and reproductive freedoms of Virginians. Americans for Contraception urges Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears to stop putting extreme ideology over the rights and reproductive freedoms of Virginians and to take action to safeguard the fundamental right to contraception for all Virginians.

Katie Baker, spokeswoman for Americans for Contraception, stated the following:

“Senator Hashmi’s persistence in advancing Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act demonstrates a steadfast commitment to protecting contraception for all Virginians. In stark contrast, by leading Senate Republican opposition to this bill, Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears prioritized extreme ideology over the rights and reproductive freedoms of Virginians. This blatant disregard for Virginians’ reproductive freedoms comes amid mounting right-wing judicial threats and growing uncertainty over the future of reproductive health care under Donald Trump.”

 

Senator Hashmi and Delegate Marcia “Cia” Price (D-Newport News) reintroduced the Virginia Right to Contraception Act to safeguard the fundamental right to contraception and provide legal protections for all Virginians. Their renewed effort follows Governor Glenn Youngkin’s veto of the legislation in May 2024 and growing national uncertainty over reproductive rights, which includes President Trump’s suggestion of restrictions on contraception and Justice Clarence Thomas’ call to revisit Griswold v. Connecticut, which established the right to contraception.

HB 1716, introduced by Delegate Price, passed the Virginia House of Delegates last week by a vote of 53-44, with nearly every House Republican voting against the bill.

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Americans for Contraception is a leading advocacy organization committed to protecting and expanding the fundamental right to contraception nationwide.
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