Abortion Policy
Youngkin reintroduces proposal to end state-funded abortions for fetal anomalies
For the third consecutive year, Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s proposed budget includes language seeking to eliminate state-funded abortions for severe fetal anomalies. Virginia law currently allows state insurance to cover abortions if a physician certifies that a fetus would be born with a “gross and totally incapacitating physical deformity or with a gross and totally incapacitating […]
Early voting kicks off in Virginia’s key special elections as reproductive rights take center stage
Early voting began on Wednesday for two key special elections in Virginia’s General Assembly, with reproductive rights groups urging support for the Democratic nominees. Voters in House District 26 and Senate District 32, many of whom had just cast ballots in last month’s presidential and congressional elections, are now being called back to the polls. […]
National Democratic group boosts Srinivasan, Singh in upcoming Virginia special elections
With a Republican-controlled White House, U.S. House and Senate on the horizon, some special elections in Virginia next month are the first opportunity for voters to challenge or reinforce Democratic majorities in the state legislature. That’s why the Democratic Legislative Campaign Committee is putting a spotlight on Senate District 32 and House District 26. After […]
Va. House panel advances amendments on abortion rights, marriage equality and voting rights
A Democratic-led House of Delegates panel on Wednesday advanced three proposed constitutional amendments, including a revised measure seeking to enshrine abortion rights in the state’s highest law. The new proposal would also require third-trimester abortions to be approved by one doctor instead of three, as the law currently mandates. The 22-member House Privileges and Elections […]
‘How do you treat a person who isn’t the standard in this post-Roe world?’
Editor’s note: The Virginia Mercury is not using the last names of the women in this article to protect their privacy and safety. The accounts of all three women have been verified with medical records and by a medical professional with knowledge of their experiences. Nisa knew her third pregnancy was a non-starter. She didn’t […]
Kiggans and Smasal face off in highly competitive 2nd District
Republican incumbent U.S. Rep. Jen Kiggans faces Democratic challenger Missy Cotter Smasal this year in Virginia’s 2nd Congressional District. Both Navy veterans have been involved in their local communities for years – Kiggans as a former state senator and Smasal as a member of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. While both women share some priorities, like […]
Harris tears into Trump over abortion rights and race in tense presidential debate
Vice President Kamala Harris and former President Donald Trump touted policy proposals and traded barbs Tuesday during a presidential debate packed with promises to revive America’s economy and riddled with Trump’s falsehoods about abortion, the 2020 election results and immigration. The debate at the National Constitution Center in Philadelphia hosted by ABC News just 56 […]
Harris-Walz ‘Fighting For Reproductive Freedom’ bus tour coming to Virginia this week
A national bus tour will be making pit stops in Virginia this week to highlight Vice President Kamala Harris and Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz’s commitment to reproductive rights policy. The tour will tout campaign promises to voters, such as Harris’ plan to sign into law a bill to restore federal abortion protections, should congress send […]
Where do Virginia congressional candidates in key districts stand on top policy issues?
As Election Day draws closer, The Mercury asked candidates in four key Virginia congressional races — Districts 2, 7, 9 and 10 — to share their views and policy plans on the issues that most impact the commonwealth, and reviewed their positions on their campaign websites, social media pages, and in other media. Read their […]
‘Perfect storm’ of crises is leading to cutbacks in abortion care, advocates say
Advocates for abortion access say compounding crises of abortion bans, rising economic costs and systemic health care issues are beginning to cause significant funding challenges and potential disruptions to reproductive care of all kinds. Several people described it as a “perfect storm” of problems with the U.S. health care system, particularly post-pandemic, and the rise […]
Virginia Democrats do not support infanticide, but here’s why Trump keeps saying they do
Former president Donald Trump keeps saying that Virginia Democrats support killing babies. Though the false allegation has been fact-checked numerous times, he’s made the claim multiple times this summer. He said it in the June presidential debate, on a panel at the National Association of Black Journalists conference in July, and more recently during an […]
Rhetoric versus reality: Addressing common misconceptions about abortion
Reproductive rights has taken center stage in the first post-Roe presidential election that presently features a longtime advocate for reproductive rights in possible Democratic nominee Vice President Kamala Harris, opposite former Republican President Donald Trump, whose three appointed U.S. Supreme Court justices helped overturn federal abortion rights. Although Trump’s former health staffers have co-authored the Heritage Foundation’s […]