The General Assembly passed the Contraception Equity Act and sent it to Governor Youngkin. He added an amendment undermining much of the intent of the law. Even though the General Assembly has rejected his proposed amendment, the governor is still trying to find a way to enact it.
Gov. Youngkin has proclaimed he believes Virginians have a "right to contraception," yet his amendment will undermine that right. Let's be sure Gov. Youngkin listens to Virginians. Contraception is basic health care and should be ensured under the law.
Call Gov. Youngkin on his office line or send him an email.
Phone : 804-786-2211
Email: glenn.youngkin@governor.
Our message:
We want the right to contraception to be protected and are 100% behind The Contraceptive Equity Act (SB 238/ HB 819) and the enforcement bill (SB 237/HB 609). No amendments are needed!
Thank you for taking action today.
Marj Signer, Advocacy Coordinator
Key Points
The Contraceptive Equity Act (SB 238/HB 819) was passed by the state Senate and House of Delegates with bipartisan support. It says that the state and localities are not allowed to enact any law or put in place any regulation that prohibits or restricts the sale or use of contraceptives.
The legislation would require health plans to cover contraception without cost-sharing so that people have access to the forms of contraception they need in reality rather than in name only.
Instead of signing the Act, the governor proposed an amendment that would add a vague, broad exception to the bill. If it had been accepted, this amendment would have essentially allowed any employer to claim a religious or ethical exemption and deny their employees the coverage required by the bill. Employers would not be required to notify their employees of their decision to deny contraception coverage, nor would there be a pathway for employees who receive health insurance through their employer to receive coverage in some other way if their employer claimed a religious or moral exemption.
Despite overwhelming public support, the constitutional right to contraception is being targeted by a range of nationwide candidates and policymakers who oppose reproductive health care, and indeed by the Supreme Court itself. In his concurring opinion of Dobbs, Justice Clarence Thomas voiced support for overturning the constitutional right to contraception – a right established in Griswold v. Connecticut in 1965.
Our actions are solely focused on the U.S. Senate and Get Out the Vote (GOTV) until the midterm elections.
Advocates need to:
SHOW UP
RSVP for the September 28 rally: https://vanow.org/legislative-priorities/action-alerts/rally-for-equal-rights-repro-rights
- Call and write Senators Warner and Kaine through October to have them pressure Schumer to bring ERA to the floor for a vote BEFORE the midterms so we can get objectors on formal record
Warner: 202/224-2023 https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?p=ContactPage
Kaine: 202/224-4024 https://www.kaine.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion
- Call and write Schumer’s office daily through October to pressure Schumer to bring ERA to the floor for a vote BEFORE the midterms so we can get Republican objectors on formal record
Schumer: 202/224-6542 https://www.schumer.senate.gov/contact/email-chuck
Rally on 9-28 for the 28th Amendment
Join us to rally on the 28th for the 28th Amendment (the ERA) and help Virginia DEFEND its 38th State status as the historic and final, requisite state needed to enshrine the Equal Rights Amendment in the U.S. Constitution. The ERA saves Abortion and other repro rights! So, now we need to take our respective state fights to the national level. On 9/28, oral arguments will be held at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit where the Office of the Illinois (37th State to ratify) Attorney General will argue on behalf of Americans to mandate that the U.S. National Archivist publish the ERA in the Constitution since all requirements have been met per Article V of our nation's founding document. This is a ministerial/secretarial obligation laid out in statute which requires the Archivist to publish a duly ratified amendment in the Federal Register.
June 1, 2022
Common sense gun safety is a feminist issue.
Sandy Hook was almost 10 years ago and nothing has changed. The carnage continues because too many legislators - essentially the entire GOP -- refuse to do anything about it. They are willing to sacrifice innocent lives if it means they will win re-election. They lack ethics and they lack humanity. We can’t let them get away with it. This political action alert was provided by The Democratic Women of Clifton and Northern Virginia. Virginia NOW is nonpartisan but this alert is of interest to anyone concerned about a just society. We hope the facts will help you to talk about gun violence with people who are undecided or not fully informed. Here are some actions you can take to channel your heartache and frustration.