This Week at the 2022 General Assembly–Veto Day and VA March for Life

Wednesday was a big day in Richmond! The fourth annual Virginia March for Life brought together hundreds of residents from across the Commonwealth in defense of the lives of unborn children. Like those who attended Defending Life Day in February, marchers urged action on pro-life policies including prohibiting public funding for abortions, a policy which, unfortunately, has been absent from recent Virginia budgets.

The tide is turning, however! Governor Glenn Youngkin became the first governor to participate in a state March for Life, and Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears spoke to marchers at the rally beforehand. Read this article for a full rundown of the day’s activities.

Wednesday was also the day on which the House and Senate voted on the Governor’s vetoes and amendments to bills that reached his desk earlier this year. We were following several amendments closely, including two on which many of you took action through alerts we sent. Here are the outcomes on those two items.

Bad news: The pro-life amendment we supported – to a bill relating to surrogacy contracts – was defeated. The Senate voted 20-19 to reject the amendment.

Good news: The pharmacy legislation amendment we opposed – an amendment that would have expanded minors’ access to contraceptives – was also defeated. By a voice vote, the House decided not to advance the package of amendments that contained this harmful provision.

Many of you responded to our alerts on both topics. Thank you for your advocacy!

Pregnant and need help?  Find pregnancy resources within the Diocese of Arlington and the Diocese of Richmond.

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In prayer and in public, your voices are urgently needed to bring Gospel values to bear on vital decisions being made by those who represent you.

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The Virginia Catholic Conference is the public policy agency representing Virginia’s Catholic bishops and their two dioceses.