In a striking disregard for the values and will of Virginians, Gov. Glenn Youngkin last week proposed a substitute that would gut Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act (RTCA), vital legislation we introduced as a critical defense against the growing right-wing assault on reproductive freedom.
The governor claimed our bill, which would protect Virginians’ right to use condoms, the pill, IUDs and Plan B, went “too far.” Instead, he replaced it with a Section 1 bill, reducing the legislation to a non-binding suggestion rather than an enforceable law. Simply put, it’s not worth the paper it’s written on.
Furthermore, the governor deleted the definition of contraception from the bill, which is particularly concerning given the specific attacks we’ve seen leveled against IUDs and Plan B from extremists who conflate contraception with abortion. Virginians deserve to know: Why would their governor erase the right to use IUDs and Plan B? Does he agree with far-right extremists who equate contraceptive devices such as IUDs with abortion?
The threats to contraception are real, and rights that were established nearly 60 years ago are now in jeopardy. In his concurrence in the Dobbs decision that overturned Roe v. Wade, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas set his sights on contraception next, stating the court “should reconsider” landmark cases such as Griswold v. Connecticut, which found the state’s ban on birth control was unconstitutional. Should Griswold be the next to fall, our Right to Contraception Act would ensure that Virginia remains a safe haven for individuals who use contraception and for doctors who prescribe it.
Action is needed. From Florida to Arizona to Alabama, states have become the battleground for reproductive rights, with extremists across the country trying to take us back to the 1800s. These extreme voices are no longer on the fringe; they control the courts and state legislatures that have come after abortion, IVF and now contraception. In Oklahoma, lawmakers this year introduced legislation that would restrict IUDs and require physician approval for some contraceptives that are currently over-the-counter. Meanwhile, a Michigan state legislator recently asserted that lawmakers should consider banning hormonal birth control.
Amidst the nationwide clamor for safeguarding reproductive rights, Virginia’s Right to Contraception Act emerged as a beacon of hope. Supported by more than 80% of voters across all political affiliations, the act symbolizes Virginia’s clear demand for reproductive health rights and personal freedom.
We’ve seen these numbers reflected in the voices of our constituents. At a press conference in Richmond, we joined advocates in delivering 37,000 signatures of Virginians calling on the governor to sign the bill. Additionally, the legislation was supported by a broad range of advocates, including the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists and the American College of Nurse-Midwives.
Youngkin had an opportunity to break with MAGA extremists in his party by signing the Right to Contraception Act. Instead, his radical alteration reflects a surrender to them. By undermining the RTCA, Youngkin has positioned himself against the prevailing public opinion and on the wrong side of history. His amendment reveals a calculated political strategy that prioritizes MAGA ideology over the health and freedoms of Virginians.
Thankfully, the governor still has an opportunity to do right by his constituents by signing the original bill after the General Assembly rejects his toothless amendment when we reconvene in Richmond on Wednesday.
Virginians must respond decisively. Now more than ever, your engagement is critical. It’s time to remind Gov. Youngkin that he was elected to serve all Virginians, not just the extreme MAGA element of his party. Ask him to show some courage and sign the Right to Contraception Act as written.
State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi, D-Chesterfield, and Del. Marcia “Cia” Price, D-Newport News, are the patrons of the Virginia Right to Contraception Act.
