The Fight over Life Isn’t Finished!
On Tuesday, the Senate Privileges and Elections committee carried over to the 2025 session the two constitutional amendments we’ve been warning you about that would initiate the process of amending the state constitution to enshrine abortion in the state constitution (SJ 1) and redefine the institution of marriage (SJ 11).
There are some procedures that we will be monitoring, but as of right now it appears the two resolutions will indeed be carried over to 2025. The House versions of the amendments (HJ 1 and HJ 9) remain alive.
Please know this is all part of their strategy – carry over to 2025 both amendments, pass bills that force the Governor to veto, and then talk about the need for the amendments all year long. It’s NOT over!
If the resolution is passed next year, then the exact same language would have to be passed again in 2026 following an intervening election of the House of Delegates. Click on the image below to view the chart showing how the state constitution is amended.
While the vote to carry the two resolutions (SJ 1 and SJ 11) over to 2025 is part of their strategy, it does provide us more time to help Virginians understand all of the terrible consequences from these two resolutions. Over the next year we will be working to educate the public about the real impact these two resolutions would have on women, the unborn, and society at large.
SJ 1 – An Amendment to Enshrine Abortion in the State Constitution
If approved, this resolution would create a new section in the Virginia Bill of Rights that would declare a fundamental right to abortion – regardless of age - at any point up to the moment of birth for any reason, legalize partial birth abortion, render parental consent laws void, and much more. Read more HERE.
SJ 11 – An Amendment to Redefine Marriage to be ANY kind of Marriage
This resolution, if approved, would for the first time in Virginia’s constitution create “sex” and “gender” as two distinct categories, making the concept of gender identity and transgenderism into a constitutionally protected class, which will affect women’s sports, changing facilities, etc. In addition, the proposed language states that “the right to marry is a fundamental right inherent in the liberty of persons.” However, it does not define what marriage actually is, and neither does the Virginia Code. As such, marriage could be anything.
Despite passing these amendments off until next year, abortion access and redefining marriage still remains a priority for the majority this session, as evidenced by other bills that have been introduced. There are also a number of good pro-life and pro-family bills that seek to give medical care to a baby that survives an abortion, provides financial relief to families who are grieving from a stillborn or adopting, and create reporting requirements for fetal and infant mortality in Virginia.
When we become aware of when these bills and others come before a committee for a hearing, we will be sure to inform you so you can share your concern or support with your representative.
