The votes followed an emotional floor debate on abortion — and an unusual parliamentary tussle over whether the Democratic leader had violated the chamber’s decorum,

The state Senate also backed proposed amendments to repeal the ban on same-sex marriage in the state constitution and to automatically restore voting rights to felons who served their terms.

A new president and state legislative sessions ramping up are likely to bring more changes to abortion policy across the U.S., which is still settling after the seismic shift in 2022 when the U.S. Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade and opened the door to state bans.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions on Tuesday enshrining rights to abortion, voting and marriage equality in a critical step for Democrats hoping to amend the state's constitution next year.

In Virginia, Democrats pushed forward resolutions in the House of Delegates aimed at getting measures on abortion, marriage, and felon voting on the ballot in 2026. Democrats, who hold a narrow 51-49 majority in the state House,

Virginia Democrats are hoping to pass a bill to make abortion more accessible in the third trimester under specific situations.

The resolution has a long way to go before it can become part of the state's constitution. However, House Republicans said it already violates state law.

The Virginia House of Delegates passed three state constitutional amendments Tuesday that would enshrine in state law reproductive rights, same-sex marriage and automatic restoration of voting

The amendment would ensure a “fundamental right to reproductive freedom,” protecting abortion in the first two trimesters and in the third trimester with some restrictions.

It’s not easy to amend Virginia’s constitution, but Democrats in the House of Delegates took the first step to amend it three times Tuesday.

The House also backed proposed amendments on restoration of rights for felons who have served their time and to remove moot language barring same-sex marriage.

Virginia House Passes Resolutions Protecting Abortion, Voting Rights, Marriage Equality RICHMOND, Va. (AP) — The Virginia House of Delegates passed resolutions on Tuesday enshrining rights to ...