Statement by Bishop Burbidge and Bishop Knestout on Governor Youngkin's Vetoes of Coercive Contraceptive Bills 

 May 17, 2024 

We are pleased that Governor Youngkin has vetoed SB 237/HB 609 and SB 238/HB 819. These bills threatened to compel organizations to provide and pay for contraceptives and even some abortion-inducing drugs and devices against their deeply and sincerely held beliefs. In SB 237/HB 609, the asserted “right” to contraception was alarmingly broad: It would have applied even to minors seeking sterilization procedures - in direct conflict with Virginia's parental consent law. 

These two sets of coercive, expansive, and extremely harmful bills were rightfully rejected for many reasons, including those that previously led Hobby Lobby and the Little Sisters of the Poor all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court. We are grateful to Governor Youngkin for protecting life, liberty, and parental rights. We also thank the more than 2,000 people who used the Virginia Catholic Conference's action alert regarding this legislation to provide vital input to the Governor's office. Your participation matters and your voices were valued. 

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