Virginia Politicians React To Leaked SCOTUS Draft

Demonstrators protest outside of the U.S. Supreme Court Tuesday, May 3, 2022 in Washington. A draft opinion suggests the U.S. Supreme Court could be poised to overturn the landmark 1973 Roe v. Wade case that legalized abortion nationwide, according to a Politico report released Monday. Whatever the outcome, the Politico report represents an extremely rare breach of the court's secretive deliberation process, and on a case of surpassing importance. (AP Photo/Jose Luis Magana)

By Meghin Moore

May 3, 2022

On Monday evening, POLITICO reported on a leaked draft opinion from the Supreme Court, that could potentially shape the future of Roe v. Wade.

Back in January, we reported that reproductive rights were not a huge motivating factor for voters in Virginia’s statewide elections, but Gov. Glenn Youngkin established himself as someone who is “pro-life.” On Tuesday morning, he reiterated his pro-life stance to Brandon Jarvis, author of the Virginia Political Scope newsletter.

“I’m pro-life and I’ve been very clear about that from the very day I launched my campaign. One of the things we learned during the entire campaign is that Virginians have a lot of common ground here. They want fewer abortions, not more,” he said.

He believes that decisions about abortion should be left up to individual states to decide, much like taxes.

In the wake of the shocking news, many of Virginia’s leading Democratic politicians took to Twitter to talk about their feelings towards protecting Roe v. Wade, nearly 50 years after it was decided.

Virginians strongly support access to safe and legal abortion. I am 100% committed to protecting abortion access in the Commonwealth. Democrats can and will ensure Virginia remains a safe haven in the south.
— Marcus Simon (@marcussimon) May 3, 2022

When the Supreme Court overrules Roe women from throughout the south will be coming to Virginia for their basic medical care. Thanks to Democrats you will still have your right to choose here. VIRGINIA IS FOR WOMEN.
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) May 3, 2022

My name is L. Louise Lucas, I am the President Pro Tempore of the Virginia Senate and Chairwoman of the committee that deals with abortion rights.

I have one message tonight.

When Glenn Youngkin comes to take away our abortion rights- he is going to run into a BRICK WALL.
— L. Louise Lucas (@SenLouiseLucas) May 3, 2022

I hope women value control of their utersuses because a whole bunch of legislators and Governor's like @GlennYoungkin are about to be given the ability to tell them how they can use them @ACLUVA @PPAVirginia @VASenateDems https://t.co/nM7ON8uVik
— Senator Scott Surovell (@ssurovell) May 3, 2022

I was born into a world where women were no longer dying from back-alley abortions. As were my three daughters.

This leaked draft opinion indicates that after decades, that may all soon change.

We voted to codify Roe in the House, and the Senate needs to take it up for a vote.
— Abigail Spanberger (@SpanbergerVA07) May 3, 2022

States are the battleground for reproductive rights. I passed Virginia’s Reproductive Health Protection Act removing medically unnecessary barriers to abortion, making Virginia the first southern state to expand access. I will fight to keep Virginia a safe haven for abortion.
— Jennifer McClellan (@JennMcClellanVA) May 3, 2022

The House passed legislation to codify Roe v. Wade protections in federal law because we were worried about the exact hypothetical posed by this draft ruling. No matter what the Supreme Court does, the Senate has the power to send that bill to the President’s desk at any time. https://t.co/j9lIeW7FM4
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 3, 2022

Thinking about the many times Justices Gorsuch, Kavanaugh, and Barrett assured the Senate Judiciary Committee and the American people that Roe v. Wade was “established precedent.” I didn’t believe them, but they said it under oath.
— Rep. Don Beyer (@RepDonBeyer) May 3, 2022

I will continue to be a brick wall for women and their right to make their own reproductive choices! #protectchoice #choicematters #SCOTUS #WomensRights #ElectionsHaveConsequences @VASenateDems
— VA Senator Lionell Spruill, Sr. (@SenLSpruillSr) May 3, 2022

Let’s pass the Women's Health Protection Act to codify the protections in Roe v. Wade ASAP.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 3, 2022

The draft opinion shows why the Senate GOP denied Merrick Garland a hearing and rushed Amy Coney Barrett’s confirmation. 2 stolen seats = Taking away women’s rights. It’s been the goal all along.
— Tim Kaine (@timkaine) May 3, 2022

I’m outraged by the reported leaked SCOTUS decision overturning Roe.

I believe abortion care is health care, and I’ll keep fighting for that in the Senate.
— Mark Warner (@MarkWarner) May 3, 2022

My statement on the Supreme Court’s draft opinion to overturn Roe v. Wade: pic.twitter.com/Aualpolxya
— Ghazala Hashmi (@SenatorHashmi) May 3, 2022

Women should be able to make their own health choices. Not judges. Not legislators.

But if SCOTUS overturns #RoeVWade, I will oppose any attack on #ReproductiveFreedom in Virginia and support candidates who will join me. @PPAVirginia @NARAL #BansOffOurBodies #ReproRights https://t.co/QTvSfVZTKr
— Delegate Suhas Subramanyam (@SuhasforVA) May 3, 2022

Republican Response

Some of Virginia’s Republican lawmakers also voiced their reactions to the news, including Del. Nick Freitas, who had some particularly worrisome tweets in the aftermath of the news. Freitas was the representative who introduced House Bill (HB) 1274 to the General Assembly earlier this year. HB 1274, also known as the “Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act,” aims to ban abortion after 20 weeks gestation, and would also punish medical professionals who perform abortions after 20 weeks with a Class 6 felony. It did not pass through the House.

BREAKING: We may be on the verge of ending one of the greatest civil rights atrocities of modern history, with SCOTUS potentially overturning Roe V. Wade. https://t.co/qQXonlu0Kk
— Nick Freitas (@NickForVA) May 3, 2022

Something tells me we’re about to see a lot of “mostly peaceful protests” conducted by people constantly warning us about “threats to democracy,” all for the purpose of intimidating a judge.

Remember that the next time they’re lecturing us about “civility.”
— Nick Freitas (@NickForVA) May 3, 2022

Virginia’s Republican party also used their platform to voice their opinion about the leaked draft, also calling Sen. Mark Warner “twisted.”

Only in the twisted mind of far-left Democrats like @MarkWarner can killing an unborn baby be considered “health care.” https://t.co/aSjA3tAvjp
— Virginia GOP (@VA_GOP) May 3, 2022

Fifth District Rep. Bob Good tweeted from his campaign account about the news, starting out a long tweet thread with “Once again, when the Democrat Left feels power slipping away, because they cannot legitimately win at the ballot box, they seek to further tear down our traditional norms and burn down our institutions.”

Finally—The Democrat Left will undoubtedly be further revealed for what they are, by their reaction to this apparent decision.
— Bob Good for Congress (@GoodForCongress) May 3, 2022

State Senator Amanda Chase took to her Facebook to voice her opinion on the decision.

“As a pro-life state senator elected by the people of Chesterfield, Colonial Heights and Amelia, who sponsored the Pain Capable bill that recognizes babies unborn experience pain at 20 weeks, I will continue to sponsor and support legislation that is consistent with the Constitution that prohibits the deprivation of life without due process,” she wrote.

Abortion is healthcare, simply put. The fight for reproductive rights isn’t going to end if Roe v. Wade is overturned, but it’s only going to ramp up even more.