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Dear Friend,
In this week’s newsletter, I discuss our continued efforts around the Virginia Right to Contraception Act, provide updates on the Special Session, share information from recent Commission meetings, and highlight select community events. Thank you for reading this newsletter and staying informed.
Access to Contraceptives
As we continue to highlight in this newsletter and in public comments, access to contraception is in danger in America. In his Dobbs opinion, Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas stated that the Supreme Court must revisit the 1965 Griswold decision that gave married couples only the right to privacy and thus the right to use contraception. He also targeted subsequent legal decisions that provided for universal access to contraception. It is not an exaggeration to say that contraception is in danger in this country and that is why Virignia must pass the Right to Contraception Act.
During this past 2024 Session, Delegate Cia Price and I passed identical bills for the Right to Contraception out of the House and the Senate. Regrettably, Governor Youngkin chose to first gut the legislation entirely and then vetoed our bills when refused to accept his actions.
One of the reasons that Youngkin cannot bring himself to sign the legislation is the fact that the far-right continues to conflate contraception with abortion. These groups and individuals target the intrauterine device (IUD), in particular, as an abortive device, despite the fact that it is not. Millions of American women use the IUD not only for contraception but also to manage the pain of menstruation and other medical concerns.
To continue to draw attention to the potential crisis we face because of the zealotry of Justices Thomas, Alito, Coney Barrett, and Kavanaugh, a 20-foot inflatable IUD has been traveling the country as a part of the Americans for Contraception [[link removed]] ’s “IUD Express” Tour. The tour made two stops in Richmond: at the Capitol and at Diversity Thrift.
News coverage by NBC12 [[link removed]] , ABC8 [[link removed]] , Axios Richmond [[link removed]] , and DC News Now [[link removed]] highlights the essential concerns at stake if we do not pass legislation to protect contraception for Virginians.
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Pictured from left to right: Rae Pickett, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia Communication Director; Senator Mamie Locke, Senate Democratic Caucus Chair; Senator Ghazala Hashmi, Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee and Vice Chair of the Joint Commission on Health Care; Delegate Marcia ‘Cia’ Price; and Kenda Sutton-El, Founder and Executive Director of Birth in Color.
Special Session
On Thursday, members of the Senate and House of Delegates unanimously passed SB6012 [[link removed]] / HB6004 [[link removed]] , repealing changes made to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program [[link removed]] (VMSDEP) during the 2024 session. The Senate’s Special Select Workgroup on VMSDEP will continue to work with the Joint Legislative Audit and Review Commission (JLARC) to provide expedited recommendations on VMSDEP prior to the 2025 legislative session. Information on future Workgroup meetings will be available on the Legislative Information System (LIS) [[link removed]] .
Commission Meetings
This past week was busy with numerous Commission meetings. Monday’s Virginia Housing Commission [[link removed]] focused on the latest data, challenges, and solutions to Virginia’s extensive housing needs. Presentations included information on the economy’s impact on housing market trends [[link removed](12)-1.pdf] , the Eviction Diversion Pilot Program [[link removed](3)-1.pdf] and analysis on eviction data, and efforts by local, state, and federal funding to increase housing stability across the state [[link removed]] .
On Wednesday, the Joint Commission on Health Care [[link removed]] heard presentations on two critical areas impacting Virginians: the benefits and risks of technology on children’s health [[link removed]] and access to brain injury services in long-term care facilities [[link removed]] for Virginians with traumatic brain injuries (TBIs). Later that day, the Joint Commission on Technology and Science [[link removed]] convened to discuss the use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Virginia and how the new and emerging technologies of blockchains and digital assets will affect economic structures.
Select Community Engagements
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Last Friday, I joined the Arlington Democrats Interfaith Outreach and Advocacy Caucus for the 7th Annual Interfaith Eid al-Adha Celebration. I was asked to participate on a panel examining how community members, organizations, and elected officials can unite to overcome bigotry and hate within our communities. Also speaking that evening were United States Senator Tim Kaine, State Senator Adam Ebbin, Democratic nominee for Arlington County Board, JD Spain, and community leader, JJ Singh.
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Saturday afternoon, I joined the Chesapeake Democratic Committee for its 2024 Democratic Kick-off Barbeque. Ahead of a critical election year, Chesapeake Democrats are eager to elect Democrats from the local to the national level, including Missy Cotter Smasel (pictured left) whom I have endorsed for her Congressional race in CD02
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That same Saturday, I joined community members from across the Tidewater area for the inaugural Muslim American Heritage Festival in Norfolk. Participants highlighted the contributions of Muslim Virginians, showcasing diverse cultures and communities across the Muslim American spectrum.
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From Norfolk, on Saturday evening, I traveled back to Richmond to attend SEIU 512’s Summer Meeting to discuss how union members can best engage legislative offices and advocate for our shared values of living wages, public education, paid medical and family leave, healthcare accessibility, affordable housing, and more. Also representing the General Assembly that evening were Virginia Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus Chair, Delegate Irene Shin and Senator Schuyler VanVanlkenburg.
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On Sunday morning, I spoke at the American Muslim Heritage Celebration held at the Institute of Contemporary Art at Virginia Commonwealth University. In attendance also were Imam Ammar Amonette of the Islamic Center of Virginia, Richmond Mayor Levar Stoney, and Chase Westfall, Interim Executive Director of the ICA. Last year, the City of Richmond issued a proclamation declaring July as Muslim American Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and communities of Muslim Americans here in Virginia.
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Later on Sunday evening, I was delighted to join supporters and friends for a fundraiser in support of my Lieutenant Governor campaign in Henrico County. Thank you to our special guests, Delegates Rodney Willett and Betsy Carr, for joining us, and to our gracious hosts, Dr. Wendy Klein and the Silber Family, and to all of our numerous co-hosts for that evening.
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On Tuesday evening, I joined the Fauquier County Democratic Committee for its monthly meeting. We discussed vital issues ahead of this November’s election, including protecting reproductive rights and public education. Fauquier Dems are ready for the work ahead for this election cycle.
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Prior to Special Session on Thursday, I joined students attending the Sorensen Institute for Political Leadership to share my perspectives as a lawmaker. My comments largely focused on my role as the Chair of the Senate Education and Health Committee. The students raised interesting questions regarding mental health access, our workforce needs, insurance coverage for all, health care services through programs such as Community Schools, and much more.
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Following the Special Session, on Thursday evening, I traveled to Goochland to join the Goochland County Democratic Committee for its monthly meeting. Members shared their concerns regarding GOP-led efforts to disrupt public education, and their support for our work to update the K-12 funding formula through the Joint Subcommittee on Elementary and Secondary Education Funding.
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On Friday morning, I spoke to the graduating cohort of the Virginia Aerospace Science and Technology Scholars (VASTS) at NASA Langley in Hampton Roads. This unique and intense program offers Virginia’s high school students the opportunity to work directly with NASA scientists and engineers to design a Mission to Mars. The talent, ingenuity, and creativity of these young scholars was on full display as they presented the efforts of their week-long collaboration among themselves and with their teachers, industry partners, and the NASA Langley team.
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On Friday afternoon, I joined United States Senator Mark Warner’s roundtable to discuss the impacts and opportunities of tourism in Virginia and in Richmond. We discussed a variety of opportunities including sports tourism, the role that culture and history plays in Virginia’s tourism industries, our hotel and hospitality industries and much more. Pictured with me and Senator Mark Warner are Delegates Betsy Carr, Rae Cousins, and David Owens.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: [email protected] [gmail.com]
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here [[link removed]] .
— Ghazala
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