A schism between Democrats in Richmond may have sunk their eleventh hour hopes to shore up abortion rights before Republicans seize control of most of state government.
However, some members of the state legislature haven’t given up and likely won’t until Republicans officially become the majority in the House of Delegates on Jan. 12. (The Washington Post)
Their goal is to codify Roe v. Wade, the landmark 1973 U.S. Supreme Court ruling that legalized abortion, in state law.
“Let’s make it happen. We owe it to Virginia women!” Del. Elizabeth Guzman (D-Prince William) tweeted Friday along with a warning that Youngkin and the high court “cannot be trusted to protect the right to an abortion.”
Democratic leaders of the House of Delegates and state Senate have the power to call lawmakers back to Richmond with 48 hours notice because the General Assembly never formally adjourned a summertime special session called to allocate federal coronavirus funding and elect judges.
House Speaker Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) has said she is willing to call her chamber back. But Senate Democrats have resisted what they see as a futile effort.