PPAV Statement on Morrissey Peddling Anti-Abortion Misinformation
For Immediate Release: June 15, 2023 (Updated: June 15, 2023, 6:50 p.m.)
Richmond, Va – This morning, State Senator Joe Morrissey appeared on the John Fredericks Radio Show, a conservative program hosted by John Fredericks, the Trump campaign chairman of Virginia in 2016 and 2020. Morrissey used the appearance as an opportunity to peddle harmful anti-abortion misinformation. He also encouraged Republicans and those who oppose abortion rights to vote in the Democratic primary next Tuesday, June 20th.
In response, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia released the below statement.
Statement by Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia:
“Senator Joe Morrissey is deeply out of touch with Senate District 13 voters on abortion rights that he’s taken to spreading misinformation and lying about how abortion care is provided in Virginia. He cannot be trusted. Virginians want to see their reproductive rights protected in the State Senate.
Abortion is on the ballot. With abortion rights on the line, the 13th State Senate District cannot afford to elect a senator who consistently sides with anti-abortion Republicans, distorts medical science, and misrepresents how abortion care works. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia will not allow him to deceive voters and will ensure Virginians know about Senator Morrissey’s unpopular anti-abortion record.”
A Reminder of Joe Morrissey’s Anti-Abortion Legislative Record:
2023
-
Did not vote:
-
SJ255 - Fundamental Right to Reproductive Freedom Amendment introduced by Senator McClellan
-
Only Democratic Senator not to vote in support of allowing voters to directly vote on enshrining reproductive freedom in our commonwealth’s constitution.
-
2022
-
Co-patroned:
-
S.B.710 - A 20-week abortion ban introduced by Senator Amanda Chase
-
2021
-
Voted in opposition to:
-
S.B.1276 (Senator McClellan) - Permits qualified health insurance plans sold through Virginia’s health benefits exchange to cover abortion
-
2020
-
Voted in opposition to the Reproductive Health Protection Act:
2011
-
Voted in support of:
-
H.B.1428 - This Targeted Restriction on Abortion Providers (TRAP) legislation would have required all abortion clinics to be licensed and regulated by the Board of Health and was intended to close down health centers that provide abortion care. As a result of similar legislation becoming law, that Morrissey supported, health centers in Virginia did close down.
-
2010
-
Voted in support of:
-
H.B.393 - This Targeted Restriction on Abortion Providers (TRAP) legislation would require all abortion clinics to be licensed and regulated by the Board of Health and was intended to close down health centers that provide abortion care. As a result of similar legislation becoming law, that Morrissey supported, health centers in Virginia did close down.
###
Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia (PPAV) is a statewide advocacy organization whose mission is to preserve and broaden access to reproductive health care through legislation, public education, electoral activity and litigation in the Commonwealth of Virginia. PPAV works to ensure that individuals and families have the freedom, information, and ability to make their own informed reproductive choices.
-