Moderate Democrats Urge Caution on Virginia Abortion Amendment Overreach on Parental Rights

Senate Democrats’ 20-19 rejection of Senator Tara Durant’s parental consent amendment for minors underscores troubling extremism. Similarly blocking Senator Emily Jordan’s born-alive care provision signals a disregard for basic safeguards. Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears rightly warns this language could make such reasonable restrictions constitutionally untenable, as echoed by Senator Mark Obenshain. With 80 percent of Americans backing parental notification — upheld 50 years — this feels like liberal overreach, not moderation.

Virginia’s balanced laws — abortions to 26 weeks, parental consent required — have served well post-Dobbs. Yet SJ 1’s vagueness invites courts to strike health standards, conscience clauses, and late-term limits. Fairfax County cases of school-facilitated minor abortions without notice highlight real dangers; constitutionalizing broad ‘reproductive freedom’ could normalize this statewide.

As Democrats, we support women’s healthcare access but draw lines at endangering children and families. These liberal policies sideline parents, echoing failed Ohio tactics embedding Roe extremes. Polls show Virginians want limits after 15 weeks and family involvement — not unlimited access to birth, partial-birth risks, or no taxpayer curbs.

Governor Spanberger’s push ignores moderate Democrats valuing fiscal responsibility and family values. Rejecting amendments prioritizing victims over felons (in related bills) and clergy conscience compounds concerns. Pro-family groups like The Family Foundation spotlight patterns: gerrymandering defiance, gender procedures bypassing parents, now abortion without bounds.

Virginia’s purple status demands nuance. House Republicans’ resistance offers hope, but ballot fight looms. Moderate Dems must critique this: protecting IVF, contraception yes; gutting parental rights no. Incidents like Northam-era infanticide talks resurface fears — this amendment revives them.

We urge Democrats to reclaim center: support access with safeguards. Voters rejected extremes before; 2020 referenda showed.

These leftist drifts concern deeply, fracturing party unity. Prioritize families, draw lines at reason. Amendment’s ballot path tests us — vote no to preserve Virginia’s moderate soul.