What a historic afternoon! Virginia is officially the first southern state to legalize marijuana, I’m so glad to have been able to patron this monumental legislation, and I’m grateful to have
@GovernorVA
’s support.
Huge win!! My marijuana legalization bill, HB2312, just passed through the full House. This legislation will provide long overdue justice for so many marginalized communities in Virginia.
What a week for
@VAHouseDems
. I cannot let this evening end without saying congratulations to my friend
@EFillerCorn
our first woman Speaker in VA’s 400 year history. It has been pleasure leading the way with you to get to our majority.
#girlpower
My bill, HB 972 just passed the House! It decriminalizes simple marijuana possession in the Commonwealth. Since this issue disproportionately affects people of color, it is an important first step in combating the racial disparities in the Virginia criminal justice system.
I was honored to announce to the Senate that the Virginia House of Delegates has finally passed the Equal Rights Amendment. It is inspiring to see the amendment finally be considered, voted on, and passed – long-awaited recognition that women deserve.
Today a Republican legislator proposed an amendment to a maternal mortality bill being considered by the Rules committee. He wanted to remove the following words: "The root cause of these disparities is longstanding structural racism.” Here is my response.
Today, I stood by
@GovernorVA
as he announced that his proposed budget includes a 10% pay boost for teachers. With this, Virginia teacher pay will exceed the national average. I’m grateful for a leader who prioritizes educators, and for educators who prioritize our students.
Over a year ago
@efillercorn
& I were campaigning across VA to win the majority. But we didn't know then that we would end up being the first women to be Speaker & Majority Leader in VA's 400+ history. Happy women's history month!
#womenshistorymonth
The Reproductive Health Care Act has officially passed the House and Senate! I am proud to carry this bill that puts healthcare decisions back in the hands of women and their healthcare providers!
VIRGINIA! My sweet VIRGINIA! She makes history again! The
@VASenateDems
just elected my friend
@SenLouiseLucas
President Pro Tempore-designee she will be both the first African American & 1st woman to serve as President Pro Tempore in the Commonwealth!
My bill, No Excuse Abentee Voting, just passed the floor of the House and is on its way to the Senate! I am proud to carry this bill to make voting more accessible in the Commonwealth.
For many years
@vahousedems
worked to get early voting in Virginia and finally it passed this year. It is good to see people taking advantage of this opportunity & I am proud of the work. This is good to see.
Tonight I retraced 3.5 miles of Harriet Tubman’s Christmas Eve escape 169 years ago-Sunday, December 24, 1854. On this day, she led her brothers & others to freedom. Here are just a few pictures. More will be up on Facebook. What a spiritual experience.
Yesterday I spoke on the House Floor about how we absolutely cannot let the legacy of Martin Luther King Jr. falter here in the Commonwealth, especially within our classrooms.
Had an absolute blast yesterday at the Black Women on Deck reception in Manassas. Good weather, good food, and great people. Everybody is fired up & ready to elect
@TerryMcAuliffe
,
@HalaAyala
, & our amazing House candidates.
Ending felon disenfranchisement is vitally important. HJ555 is my constitutional amendment that automatically restores political rights, including the right to vote, upon completion of an individual's time in prison. Today, HJ555 passed through the full House!
In celebration of the 60th anniversary walk of Ruby Bridges, let this sink in — there are times that children lead the way and change the course of history.
Virginia just voted to increase access to abortion by rolling back restrictions to care including unnecessary ultrasounds, a 24-hour mandatory waiting period, and biased counseling
The General Assembly has just elected 8 incredibly qualified candidates to the Court of Appeals of Virginia. This will be the most diverse bench in the history of this Court. I am proud of this step toward making our legal system more equitable and accessible. ⚖️
Congratulations
@C_Herring
on becoming the Majority Leader of the Virginia House of Delegates! Charniele will be the first woman and the first Black person to hold this position!
It was wonderful to be with
@VP
Harris today
@_HamptonU
with so many young leaders. Thank you Madame Vice President for making VA a priority as we near our elections!
Today is
#WomensEqualityDay
and I want to recognize how far we’ve come in Virginia.
@EFillerCorn
is the first woman Speaker and I am the first woman Majority Leader serving in the House of Delegates. I’m proud of the historic progress we’ve made together.
Today House Republicans criticized my colleagues and I for passing legislation that they claim isn’t good for Virginians. Well, I say we are passing exactly what Virginians voted for in the fall. Here is my response:
#movetogetherforward
Spent the day canvassing for
@HollySeiboldVA
in House District 35 for her special election this Tuesday. Let’s make sure we send Holly down to Richmond!
It’s official we have an octogenarian in the house!! Happy Birthday to my sweet Momma! I have several gifts for you but you have given me the best gift - the capacity to love & think of others. Love you always. Looking forward to our dance party & full day of FaceTime calls!!!
Our bill on cannabis legalization is continuing to make its way through the process. It passed House Courts committee & is moving to Appropriations next week. Proud to serve as Chief patron on this ground breaking legislation that is huge step towards justice in the Commonwealth.
Brown v Bd of Ed was decided 67 yrs ago today. At 16 Barbara John’s lead a protest against her segregated VA school & it is part of the Brown story. Her leadership reminds us that everyday we need to embrace each task with a bold determination to do what is just.
#mondaythoughts
Had a wonderful afternoon with
@GabbyGiffords
supporting these amazing candidates for the VA House. Our majority has championed gun violence prevention, and I look forward to continuing to work with these strong women to make Virginia a safer place to live and raise a family
Do you recognize this woman? She is Elizabeth Mumbet Freeman. She took her battle for freedom to court on this day, August 21st, in 1781. She won her freedom from enslavement the next day. One word - TENACITY!!
Wow, it's happening. Virginia's Clean Slate Act has passed through Judiciary and is headed to Finance. 👏🏽 This is groundbreaking criminal justice reform that will change so many lives for the better. Thank you to everybody who helped make this a reality.
(📸:
@SenLouiseLucas
)
So great to join
@shannonrwatts
&
@MarkHerringVA
in Alexandria this morning for a canvass kick-off as we work to elect gun-sense candidates. Knocking doors makes a difference &
@MomsDemand
volunteers are working hard to ensure a safer Commonwealth!
Yesterday the Governor officially signed my bill to decriminalize marijuana in Virginia. This is a significant step to combat the racial disparities in the criminal justice system, and I’m proud to have sponsored this legislation.
If you truly want to understand the struggle you keep hearing about take note: Only 53 yrs ago, my predecessor Del. Cohen & Mr Hirschkop made these arguments for basic civil rights & against the legacy of slavery. This is just a glimpse of “why”
#LovingDay
Medical decisions should be between a woman and her health care providers. I am so glad to see this bill become law here in Virginia, thank you
@JennMcClellanVA
for leading this charge with me!
This morning I had the privilege of attending the
@whitehouse
convening on Reproductive Rights. We discussed the need to protect patient privacy and the importance of safeguarding access to reproductive care, including contraception and abortion for all Americans.
This year the VA State Crime Commission under took a comprehensive study automatic Expungement as a result HB5146 passed the house with bipartisan support. If MI can do it so can we. It’s been studied, it’s been vetted, let’s get this done.
#redemption
Great news! 🎉 With today’s Senate vote, mine and
@ssurovell
’s companion expungement bills have officially passed through BOTH chambers. What a huge milestone that represents much needed change in Virginia.
I was incredibly pleased to meet with the first-ever Executive Director of
@MomsDemand
,
@FerrellZabala
, this morning to discuss the daily scourge of gun violence and the
@VAHouseDems
efforts to push for common sense reforms. Thank you for your partnership!
#MovingForwardTogether
Today on the floor I set the record straight on the Reproductive Health Protection Act. It’s time politicians leave medical decisions to the medical professionals and their patients.
What a week for
@VAHouseDems
. I cannot let this evening end without saying congratulations to my friend
@EFillerCorn
our first woman Speaker in VA’s 400 year history. It has been pleasure leading the way with you to get to our majority.
#girlpower
No better way to celebrate International Women’s Day than working for the people of Virginia. Proud to serve as floor leader & lead an amazing caucus with my friend Speaker
@EFillerCorn
.
#girlpower
#InternationalWomensDay
ICYMI: Some VA localities have general elections soon. Due to Covid-19,
@GovernorVA
has moved elections back to May 19th. We encourage voting absentee & use reason 2A “my disability or illness” to complete your application.
On the phone with Candi King winner of the democratic nomination for HD2. I had a quick special election just like her. It’s a sprint like no other-she needs your help ASAP!💥Volunteer & contribute! We need her representing the 2nd district.
.
@DelegateFowler
‘s daughter looks like a future delegate - confortable in her seat.
“Sophie Convirs-Fowler, 6, listened closely Friday as she occupied the seat of her mom, Del. Kelly Convirs-Fowler, D-Virginia Beach, during the floor session of the House of Delegates.”-RTDNews
I am humbled by the honor of giving the commencement address for
@GeorgeMasonU
. GMU is place that I grew and learned so much. I will be forever grateful for the GMU Step Program which gave me and so many an opportunity. Congratulations to all of our graduates!
#patriotforever
Mason alumna Charniele L. Herring, who is the first woman & the first African American to be named majority leader of Virginia's House of Delegates, will address graduates virtually at 2 p.m. on Dec. 17 for Commencement.
Learn more about her >>
Today I had the opportunity to present representatives from my alma mater
@GeorgeMasonU
with HJ34, a commending resolution honoring GMU’s 50th anniversary. Here’s to 50 more years of academic excellence! 📸:
@RTDNEWS
It was a joy to be with my colleagues & Maya from Alexandria City High School today as we saw
@VP
She talked about the importance of small businesses & Biden administration investments in them.
Thank you
@KamalaHarris
for helping
@VAHouseDems
campaign & end strong. We had a packed house at my fundraiser today & your words resonate for so many—justice is on the ballot. I am proud to stand with you & I am proud that you stand with us!
#FliptheHouse
Certainly something to celebrate. Virginia makes history again this time by being the 1st time that women are in the majority of the
@VAHouseDems
caucus!
@GalGadot
@PattyJenks
I will so be there with my
@vahouse
friends & colleagues. The 2017 movie was our girls movie night pick. And the bonus this year we have record number of women serving. There will be more of us for movie night 2020! Sending love & strength from Alexandria VA
#WonderWoman
#WW84
Thank you
@naacpvirginia
for pushing for automatic expungement HB 2113. The time of “dipping the toe in the water” when it comes to reform is done. Erecting barriers on the path toward justice is nothing but an injustice.
@VaBlackCaucus
The culture perpetuated at VMI is unacceptable. No student should face threats of lynching & glorification of the KKK. Signing onto this letter & demanding change with accountability isn’t difficult to do. It’s the right thing to do. Silence is akin to acquiescence.
I like many of you am horrified by the SCOTUS decision overturning Roe. I’ve fought my entire career in the Virginia House to protect women’s right to privacy. Abortion is LEGAL in Virginia. I will continue to fight against any attempts to attack women’s reproductive healthcare.
Just paid the the filing fee to officially get back on the ballot for re-election! Excited to be running for the new 4th House District in the City of Alexandria and Fairfax County!
Each morning I see Ms Parks when I sit at my desk. She looks to the future and stands strong as our beloved Commonwealth does. My
@VAHouseDems
caucus is at work to continue to strengthen our economy and communities.
The harsh reality is that maternal mortality rates in Virginia are much higher for women of color, & particularly Black women. This has to change. I'm proud to carry HB2111 which establishes a Virginia Maternal Health Data Task Force. Through the House & headed to the Senate!
What a great way to start the day! My proposed constitutional amendment that will put an end to the disenfranchisement of felons has passed out of the Privileges and Elections Committee and is on its way to the house floor!
Today HB2312, legalizing adult-use marijuana, will be heard in Gen Laws sub cmte. This bill was crafted out of a JLARC study and Administration workgroup to ensure public safety and health, while taking great strides forward on equity.
Our
@GovernorVA
has presented his proposed budget. Thank you
@GovernorVA
for funding for: public education, broadband, equitable distribution of the Covid vaccine and a much needed justice reform-expungement.
Happy birthday to the best Chief of Staff in Richmond
@zachrickard
! Wishing you much joy today as you start your next trip around the sun!
#piedaybirthday
The governor’s amendments to my marijuana legalization bill have officially passed through the House of Delegates! I am so proud to have carried this monumental legislation and I’m ecstatic to see it come to fruition.
On this Women’s Equality Day, I celebrate 29 of my sisters in the
@VaHouse
. Women seized the vote in 100 years ago. Now VA has a woman Speaker & women in top leadership on both sides of the aisle. That is a mighty fine thing.
#girlpower
After selflessly donating a kidney, today is
@DonScott757
’s first day back in Richmond for the Cannabis Oversight Commission meeting. Welcome back, my friend!
Tomorrow is a big day for criminal justice reform. The VA Crime Commission studies on automatic expungement & earned time credit will be heard. We will meet virtually & we want to hear from you. Your voice is needed. Please sign up.
ICYMI: I'm honored to be appointed Chair the
@VaHouse
Courts of Justice Committee by our Speaker-Designee
@EFillerCorn
. This 2nd oldest committee's former Chairs incl. Chief Justice Marshall, Patrick Henry & Madison. Our law evolves & ultimately should serve justice for all.
Each election unsung heroes incl our postal workers & election officials (many are volunteers) work to ensure that every legally cast ballot is counted. Thank you! 🇺🇸 💪🏾🙏💥