Virginia Democrats have pushed through a radical constitutional amendment to enshrine abortions up to birth in the state constitution, sending the measure to voters in a November referendum after party-line votes in the General Assembly.

The amendment, which would establish a so-called “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” advanced quickly in the Democrat-controlled legislature. It cleared the House on party-line votes after committee action on January 14, and the Senate followed suit.

Republicans opposed the amendment unanimously. Some attempted amendments to preserve parental consent laws or ensure care for babies born alive, but these were rejected by extreme Democrats who want no limits on killing babies before birth.

From a pro-life perspective, the amendment represents a grave threat.

Virginia’s Catholic bishops, Bishop Michael Burbidge of Arlington and Bishop Barry Knestout of Richmond, condemned it as “extreme and deadly,” warning it would enshrine virtually unlimited abortion at any stage of pregnancy.

In their joint statement following the passage, the bishops called the fast-tracked approval “truly shocking to the conscience” and said the measure “would go far beyond even what Roe v. Wade previously allowed” by providing “no protections whatsoever for preborn children.”

They highlighted risks to Virginia’s parental consent law for minors, health and safety standards for women, conscience protections for healthcare providers, and restrictions on taxpayer-funded abortions.

“Parental rights and the health and well-being of minors must be defended,” the bishops said. “So too must religious liberty. No one should ever be forced to pay for or participate in an abortion. Health and safety should be enhanced, not diminished. Most importantly, human life is sacred. The lives of vulnerable mothers and their preborn children must always be welcomed, cared for, and protected.”

The bishops pledged to fight the amendment vigorously.

“We will be deeply engaged in the work of helping to educate voters on these proposed amendments, and will fight the extreme abortion amendment with maximum determination,” they declared.

Pro-life advocates argue the amendment would nullify meaningful restrictions, making Virginia more permissive on late-term abortions than under prior standards and eroding safeguards for the unborn.

If approved by voters in November 2026, the changes would be embedded in the state constitution and the state would never protect babies from abortions unless a new amendment was adopted.