DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker shared the following statement on the anniversary of the overturning of Roe v. Wade:
“Two years ago, six justices – three of whom Donald Trump appointed – overturned Roe v. Wade, launching a new war on women’s freedoms. Since that dangerous ruling, 14 states have totally banned access to abortions, and more states now with strict limitations. This is not only about MAGA Republicans hellbent on taking away women’s freedom; this is also about MAGA Republicans denying healthcare to women.
“Virginia is the only state in the South without an abortion ban or restrictions. Thousands of women are forced to travel to our Commonwealth for care because of those bans. This year, Virginia Democrats protected our status as a safe haven by blocking Glenn Youngkin’s extreme anti-abortion agenda. However, that didn’t stop Youngkin from vetoing a bill that would have protected women from extradition who travel from out-of-state to Virginia for abortions.
“As MAGA Republicans promised, they do not just want to take away access to abortions. Overturning Roe v. Wade was just the beginning. In Virginia, Youngkin vetoed a bill to protect access to birth control. In Congress, Republicans blocked bills to protect access to birth control and IVF treatment. Their deplorable actions speak much louder than words.
“This November, we must reelect President Biden and Vice President Harris, keep our majority in the Senate by reelecting Senator Tim Kaine, and take back our majority in the House by electing our Democratic nominees. Defeating Republicans at the ballot box is the only way to ensure the next generations of young women will have more rights than we do right now.”