Virginia Democrats have pushed through a radical constitutional amendment to enshrine abortions up to birth in the state constitution, sending the measure to voters in a November referendum after party-line votes in the General Assembly.
The amendment, which would establish a so-called “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” advanced quickly in the Democrat-controlled legislature. It cleared the House on party-line votes after committee action on January 14, and the Senate followed suit.
Sen. Jennifer Boysko, D-Fairfax, a key sponsor, framed the amendment as protecting health care and contraception, even though it would allow killing babies up to birth for any reason.
Republicans opposed the amendment unanimously. Some attempted amendments to preserve parental consent laws or ensure care for babies born alive, but these were rejected by extreme Democrats who want no limits on killing babies before birth.
From a pro-life perspective, the amendment represents a grave threat.
Virginia’s Catholic bishops, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington and Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond, condemned it as “extreme and deadly,” warning it would enshrine virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy.
In their joint statement following the passage, the bishops called the fast-tracked approval “truly shocking to the conscience” and said the measure “would go far beyond even what Roe v. Wade previously allowed” by providing “no protections whatsoever for preborn children.”
They highlighted risks to Virginia’s parental consent law for minors, health and safety standards for women, conscience protections for healthcare providers, and restrictions on taxpayer-funded abortions.
Hellbound and Down 