The 46-day 2023 Virginia General Assembly session began Jan. 11. As in 2022, there is a “divided government” in the legislature, with a narrow Republican majority in the House and a narrow Democrat majority in the Senate. As a result, any legislation will need at least some level of bipartisan support in order to pass.
As of Jan. 15, many bills have been introduced but additional ones will continue to surface. Of the bills that are filed already, some will move forward quickly and others will not get traction. Though the full picture is still emerging, what is certain this year and every year is the strong stand the Virginia Catholic Conference (VCC) will take for life, religious freedom, families, and protecting the poorest and most vulnerable across a wide spectrum of issues.
During the 2023 session, some of the issues the VCC will be especially focused on are:
- Advancing state policies that provide unborn babies and their mothers the protection, care and resources they need;
- Opposing assisted suicide;
- Protecting religious freedom;
- Promoting marriage and parental rights;
- Expanding Virginia’s Education Improvement Scholarships Tax Credits program;
- Curbing marijuana’s risks to children, health and public safety;
- Creating a state adoption tax credit; and
- Providing vital assistance to the poor and vulnerable.
As bills continue to be filed impacting key areas of VCC advocacy, the VCC will be on the lookout for emerging opportunities and challenges.
Virginia Pro-Life Day will be held Feb. 1 in Richmond. The day includes advocacy, witness and prayer for life. Go to vaprolifeday.org to register and learn more.
Caruso is executive director of the Virginia Catholic Conference.
Find out more
Go to vacatholic.org, click “Join us” to receive VCC email alerts, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram, and contact legislators on key issues.
For more on Virginia Pro-Life Day, go to vaprolifeday.org.
