PPAV Statement on Morrissey’s Attempt to Deceive Voters About His Anti-Abortion Record

Richmond, Va – Senator Joe Morrissey’s campaign recently authorized a mail piece that falsely says he has “never voted to restrict abortion access.” In response, Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia releases the below statement.

Statement by Jamie Lockhart, Executive Director of Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia: 

“Senator Joe Morrissey’s latest mailer and digital ad lie about his anti-abortion voting record. For him to say he has ‘never voted to restrict abortion access’ is simply false and his attempt to disregard over a decade of anti-abortion votes is offensive and disqualifying. 

• In 2023, he was the only Democratic Senator not to vote in support of allowing voters to directly vote on enshrining reproductive freedom in our commonwealth’s constitution. 

• In 2022, he cosponsored an abortion ban with Senator Amanda Chase that, if enacted, would have restricted access to care for Virginians facing severe fetal diagnoses like Erin. 

• In 2021, he voted against allowing Virginians to purchase health insurance that includes coverage for abortion. 

• In 2020, he voted to continue medically unnecessary restrictions on abortion when he was the only Democratic senator to oppose the Reproductive Health Protection Act. 

• In 2010 and 2011, he voted for legislation to close down health centers that provide abortion care. 

With abortion rights on the line, the 13th State Senate District cannot afford to elect a senator who has consistently sided with anti-abortion Republicans and who distorts his own record after recognizing how out of touch his views are with voters. Planned Parenthood Advocates of Virginia will not allow him to deceive voters and will ensure that Senator Morrissey’s anti-abortion record is known.” 

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 - Bans abortion after 20 weeks, unless the patient’s life or physical health is at serious risk and introduced by Senator Amanda Chase

    • *violations considered a Class 6 felony

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:

  • H.B.980 (Delegate Herring) - Permits licensed Nurse Practitioners to perform abortions in the first trimester; removed mandatory ultrasound requirement; removed mandatory 24-hour delay; removed “hospital” classification of abortion clinics

  • S.B.733 (Senator McClellan) - Identical to above

2011

• Voted in support of:

  • H.B.1428 - Would impose targeted restriction of abortion providers requiring costly, severe and medically unnecessary requirements, the aim of which is to shut down abortion providers and make it more difficult for people to access.

2010

• Voted in support of: 

  • H.B.393 - Would impose targeted restriction of abortion providers requiring costly, severe and medically unnecessary requirements, the aim of which is to shut down abortion providers and make it more difficult for people to access.

 

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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.