March 29, 2024 Newsletter
Dear friends,
This week’s newsletter discusses some of the political and legal concerns we face regarding reproductive health care within Virginia and the United States; reflects on office engagements from this week, including my town hall with Chancellor Doré as well as a recent “Shadowing the Senator” experience; and highlights select community meetings from this past week.
Reproductive Health Care
On this date in 1965, the landmark case Griswold v. Connecticut was heard before the Supreme Court of the United States; as a right to privacy case, Griswold ultimately established the constitutional right to contraception. Ironically, earlier this week, oral hearings of a reproductive healthcare medication were heard before the Supreme Court in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine. I shared my thoughts regarding these oral arguments; my statement can be accessed here.
Although we will not have a ruling on the case until later this summer, we have already seen several state legislatures act to make abortion access illegal, including access to medication abortion. Twenty-nine states currently have medically unnecessary barriers that restrict access to medication abortion.
Virginia remains the last state in the South to protect abortion access. For the past three Sessions, Democrats in the General Assembly have effectively blocked several bills that would completely ban abortion or ban it at 6 weeks or at 12 or 15 weeks, despite the recommendations of physicians and the life or health of the mother. Governor Youngkin has made promises that he would sign legislation to outlaw abortions.
This past session alone, the Democratic majorities in both Chambers prevented bills from moving forward that called for a near-total ban. The Chief Patron of the bill refused to state whether there would be exceptions for miscarriage care or when someone is a victim of rape. These bills are rooted in extremist political ideology rather than science and are, at their root, cruel policies that result in suffering and health crises for those seeking the medical care they need.
As state legislators, we now have the responsibility to protect all forms of reproductive health care; the federal government, through a rightwing Supreme Court, has abdicated its responsibilities. This Session, women within the Democratic Caucuses of both Chambers introduced legislation to a fundamental right to reproductive freedom within Virginia’s Constitution (SJ1/HJ1); these bills will be heard in 2025. I also patroned the Right to Contraception Act (SB237) with Delegate Marcia ‘Cia’ Price, and the Contraceptive Equity Act (SB238) with Delegate Candi Mundon King because Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas has stated that the high court “should reconsider'' its past rulings codifying rights to contraception access.
Virginia and its legislature have made significant strides since 2020 to remove barriers to access and strengthen reproductive rights. We have a fundamental responsibility to continue to uphold and preserve reproductive health care within the Commonwealth.
Thank You and Reflections on our Higher Education Town Hall
On Wednesday evening, I hosted a town hall focused on higher education in Virginia with Dr. David Doré, Chancellor of the Virginia Community College System (VCCS). VCCS plays a critical role within our higher education landscape, serving as an affordable and accessible start to baccalaureate degrees, as well as providing a flexible and responsive pathway for developing the workforce for in-demand careers. Our discussion focused on current trends in higher education, emerging needs, and the pressures of a changing economy on education in general.
A recording of the town hall is available here.
Shadowing the Senator
On Wednesday, my office hosted a “Shadowing the Senator” program participant: Rosalina. A high school student with an interest in pursuing public service as a career, Rosalina wanted to observe the day-to-day operations of a State Senator’s office. Our day included meeting with my staff, a one-on-one conversation with me, visiting the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield County, and attending our Zoom town hall with VCCS Chancellor, Dr. David Doré. Rosalina commented about her experience:
“Shadowing Senator Hashmi was a wonderful experience. I enjoyed being able to learn more about how our state government works. Getting to see behind the scenes and working with the dedicated individuals helping our state continue to thrive and grow was an amazing experience.”
Chesterfield County Restaurant Week
March 29 through April 7 marks the inaugural Chesterfield Restaurant Week, a time to support local businesses and highlight the dynamic food scene that exists across the County. Chesterfield Restaurant Week will support the Chesterfield Food Bank and Outreach Center (CFBOC), a nonprofit organization that focuses on ending hunger in our communities. Visit Chesterfield Restaurant Week for a list of participating restaurants.
Throughout Chesterfield Restaurant Week, my office will be visiting participating restaurants across Senate District 15 and highlighting their businesses in next week’s newsletter. We hope you will join us in supporting our Chesterfield restaurateurs, who are a crucial part of our economy in the Central Virginia Region.
Select Community Engagements
Last Friday, I joined the Richmond Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, and the National Council of Negro Women Richmond Section in a Celebration of the Life and Legacy of Dr. Dorothy Height. Dr. Height's tireless fight for equal rights for African Americans and women serves as an inspiration to continue to fight for justice and equity.
Later that evening, I traveled to Falls Church to join Edu Futuro for its 2024 Gala-themed “The Future is Now.” This past February, I had the pleasure of meeting Edu Futuro advocates and discussing the need for better support structures for our underserved Latino and immigrant youth. Approximately 117,000 students are English language learners (ELL) within our public school systems. Two of my items of legislation directly support our ELL population, establishing proficiency-based student-to-teacher ratios and funding positions for ELL teachers. Both of these successful bills now await the Governor’s action.
On Saturday morning, I joined the Fourth Congressional District Committee Democrats alongside Senator Lashrecse Aird and Delegate Mike Jones (both pictures) to share updates from the 2024 Session as well as the ongoing budget discussions.
Later on Saturday, I visited Masjid Bilal in Richmond to join in an iftar with community members from across the Metro Richmond Area. Muslims across the world continue to observe Ramadan, with a focus on personal reflections on piety, public and community service, and ongoing prayers for peace and justice among our shared humanity.
On Sunday, Senator Tim Kaine, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan, and the Black History Museum of Virginia hosted a panel of women legislators, healthcare providers, nonprofit leaders, and advocates, to share reflections on the state of reproductive health care in Virginia and across the nation. All agreed that the stakes for the future of maternal health, access to contraceptives, and access to safe, legal abortion could not be greater than at this moment. I thank the hosts and fellow panelists for providing invaluable insights on how policymakers and communities can work together to protect reproductive rights.
Tuesday morning, I stood alongside my colleagues in the Senate and the House to promote our forward-thinking budget that will put Virginia’s families first. Making long-overdue investments for K-12 education, promoting fair tax policies that do not favor high income earners over middle- and lower-income workers, expanding access to critical health care to all corners of our state, supporting critical mental health services, and much more are all included in the budget presented by the General Assembly. We will continue to hold Governor Youngkin accountable to the people of Virginia.
On Tuesday evening, I was pleased to join Initiative of Change, USA, for its town hall; joining me were Delegate Mike Jones, and Councilmember Andreas Addison. I highlighted our bipartisan General Assembly budget, which puts Virginia students and families first, as well as legislation represents key priorities for our constituencies: access to health care, ensuring our communities have the appropriate tools and resources to respond to the trauma of gun violence, and ensuring our most vulnerable Virginians have access to services to help their families thrive.
On Wednesday, I had the pleasure to speak to participants at the Lifelong Learning Institute in Chesterfield. This facility provides lifelong learning opportunities for midlife and older adults. I joined an engaged audience, and attendees shared their questions regarding the internal structures and procedures of the General Assembly. We also discussed policies ranging from climate change, education, transportation, and more.
Yesterday morning, I joined Delegate Mark Sickles (Chair of the House Health and Human Services Committee), Protect Our Care - Virginia, The Commonwealth Institute, Arc, and health care advocates for a press conference celebrating the 14th Anniversary of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and highlighting health care priorities included within the General Assembly’s budget.
Celebrating Nowruz, Purim, Holi, and Easter
Spring is marked by celebrations for cultures across the Commonwealth and across the world. We wish everyone a family- and friend-filled holiday season as our communities commemorate Nowruz, Purim, Holi, and Easter.
Connecting With My Office
My office can be reached at the following:
Email: SenatorHashmi@senate.virginia.gov
Phone: 804.698.7515
If you were forwarded this email, you can sign up to receive my office’s weekly newsletter here.
— Ghazala
