RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Democrats are moving forward with their plans to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
A proposed constitutional amendment set to be heard by the Democratic-controlled House Privileges and Elections Committee would give women the right to make their own decisions about all matters related to their pregnancy and that right “shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon, unless justified by a compelling state interest.”
“This has been overwhelmingly popular here in Virginia and we have been hearing from women across the commonwealth for years that this is something they hoped our Virginia Constitution would reflect,” Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News), who chairs the House Privileges and Elections Committee, told 8News.
However, Republicans say Democrats are going about passing the amendment the wrong way.
Democrats say that, because the amendment was “carried over” from last year’s session, they have until Nov. 18 to consider it in committee.
However, Republicans say that, while that is true, lawmakers typically let that deadline pass and simply re-introduce the amendment in January when the General Assembly reconvenes for its regular session.
In a statement, House Minority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenendoah) said, “To call a meeting like this unusual is an understatement. Constitutional amendments are typically handled during the regular course of business in odd-numbered years, since they must pass in back-to-back sessions separated by a House of Delegates election. Bringing an amendment — especially one so hotly contested as this one — outside the usual schedule tells me that Democrats don’t want people to see what they’re doing.”
Even if the Privileges and Elections Committee advances the amendment on Wednesday, there is still a years-long process ahead before any changes to the state constitution can be made.
