RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Virginia Democrats are moving forward with their plans to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.
A proposed constitutional amendment set to be heard by the Democratic-controlled House Privileges and Elections Committee would give women the right to make their own decisions about all matters related to their pregnancy and that right “shall not be denied, burdened, or infringed upon, unless justified by a compelling state interest.”
“This has been overwhelmingly popular here in Virginia and we have been hearing from women across the commonwealth for years that this is something they hoped our Virginia Constitution would reflect,” Del. Cia Price (D-Newport News), who chairs the House Privileges and Elections Committee, told 8News.
However, Republicans say Democrats are going about passing the amendment the wrong way.
Democrats say that, because the amendment was “carried over” from last year’s session, they have until Nov. 18 to consider it in committee.