Progress Virginia

Trump is demanding that red state Republicans redraw congressional districts to RIG the midterm elections, but Virginia Democrats are fighting back. American democracy is under attack, and it's time for progressives and working Virginians to fight fire with fire. #redistricting

Constitutional Amendment Protecting Marriage Equality with - LaTwyla Mathias, Progress Virginia, Executive Director - Delegate Rozia Henson, 19th House District - Narissa Rahaman, Equality Virginia, Executive Director Video dropping soon on Instagram @progress_va

Looking for the inside scoop on the proposed Virginia Constitutional Amendments? Look no further. Coming very soon: a round table discussion between @henson4virginia.bsky.social, Narissa Rahaman of @equalityva.bsky.social, and our own LaTwyla Mathias about Marriage Equality. Check our IG!

Children wearing backpacks run together against a backdrop that looks like a green chalkboard with the words "Back to School" written across the top.

Donald Trump, Glenn Youngkin, and Winsome Earle-Sears against a green chalkboard backdrop with text that reads: "Backpacks are packed, but Republican policies are unpacking our future. No free school meals for thousands of hungry kids. Rising child care costs with no relief in sight. Cuts to health coverage for working families."

It's Back to School season in Virginia. While families stretch every dollar, Republican lawmakers are stretching the truth by claiming to be the pro-family party while gutting the very programs that help kids thrive. #BackToSchool #VaElections #FundOurFutures #SupportOurSchools

Campaign Legal Conversations The Fight to Abolish Felony Disenfranchisement Yeshua Downie - Campaign Legal Center Anthony Blankenship - Civil Survival Washington Selinda Guerrero - Millions for Prisoners New Mexico Sheba Williams - Nolef Turns

On July 21 at 2 PM, Campaign Legal Center, joined by local community leaders who have been working to combat felony disenfranchisement, will hold a conversation to explore how states across the country are making progress toward abolishing this practice. RSVP here!

campaignlegal.org/events/fight...

Black and white images of ICE agents arresting a Virginian with the Virginia State Capitol superimposed.

Collaboration with mass deportations betrays our values, fractures public safety, and drives undocumented Virginians into hiding. We call on Governor Youngkin and every Virginia lawmaker to withdraw from 287(g) partnerships with ICE and to protect all of our communities.

Images of ICE officers arresting Virginians with Glenn Youngkin superimposed over them. Text reads: "ICE invades Virginia. The New York Times. Virginia has become a hotbed for immigration arrests. Arrests in the state by Immigration Customs and Enforcement agents are up more than 350 percent since 2024, one of the steepest increases in the country. Gov. Glenn Youngkin, a Republican nearing the end of his term, has been full-throated in his support for President Trump's immigration crackdown."

Virginia deportations are up 350% since 2024, with nearly 3,000 Virginians arrested in the first 5 months of Trump’s presidency. 25% had no criminal record. 70% were longtime community members. 50% are parents of U.S. citizens. These aren’t just stats. They’re our neighbors.

"Virginia Republicans Sell Out Working Families" graphic by Progress Virginia

Excellent, accurate graphic by @progressva.bsky.social bluevirginia.us/2025/07/sund...

Not news, but newly relevant.

Images of Virginia's 5 Republican Representatives in Congress with orange skin and blonde hair like Donald Trump. Text reads: "Virginia Republicans sell out working families. Millions tossed off Medicaid. Massive cuts to SNAP benefits. Tax cuts for billionaires. Trillions of dollars added to the deficit."

Today, Rob Wittman, Jen Kiggans, John McGuire, Ben Cline, and Morgan Griffith chose fealty to Trump's MAGA agenda over Virginia's working families. We the people must hold them accountable and act to protect the vulnerable communities impacted by this terrible budget bill.

Sylvia Rivera and Marsha P. Johnson stand beneath an umbrella, behind a barricade stenciled "Police Line".

"Anti-fascist uprisings were the catalyst that started what is now known as Gay Pride."

Before we bid Pride Month 2025 adieu, we have one more great blog by our own Kierra Johnson. Read it at the link below!

pvef.org/blog-pride-b...

The Spanberger for Governor campaign bus is flanked by Jay Jones, Abigail Spanberger, Ghazala Hashmi, Jennifer McClellan, and Mark Warner. Text reads: Supporting A Progressive Commonwealth. All Aboard. AbigailSpanberger.com/bus

The Democratic ticket of statewide candidates kicked off their campaign together this weekend, and the only thing higher than the temperature is our enthusiasm for the most progressive slate of leaders ever nominated to lead Virginia! Catch them on their bus tour this week.

L. Douglas Wilder (1931 - ) - First African-American to hold Virginia statewide office - First African-American ever elected Governor of a state - First directly elected Mayor of Richmond - Professor at namesake Wilder School at VCU

Congressman Bobby Scott (1947 - ) - First African-American since Reconstruction to represent Virginia in Congress - First Filipino-American to serve as voting member of Congress - Dean of Virginia's congressional delegation - House Education and Labor ranking member

Historical leaders like John Mercer Langston and living legends like Dr. Fergie Reid, Doug Wilder, and Bobby Scott inspire us to celebrate our victories and champion the work still ahead. #VirginiaVotes #EveryVoteCounts

John Mercer Langston (1829-1897) - Abolitionist with the Underground Railroad - First president of Virginia State University - Only served six months before Jim Crow - Great-uncle of Langston Hughes

Dr. William Ferguson Reid (1925 - ) - Physician and civil rights activist - Co-founded the Richmond Crusade for Voters - First African-American since Reconstruction elected to the General Assembly - Inspiration for 90 for 90 bitter registration campaign

Virginia’s journey from past struggles to present victories is a testament to the power of collective action. Our history reminds us that defending voting rights is not just about the ballot, but about honoring a legacy of resilience and progress. #VirginiaVotes #EveryVoteCounts

Four diverse viewers show off their "I Voted" stickers. Text: Virginia Voting Rights Act - Passed in 2021 - Sponsored by Del. Cia Price & Sen. Jennifer McClellan - Voter Outreach and Education Fund - Prohibition of discriminatory voting laws - Public or AG review of changes to local voting laws - Multilingual accessibility for local elections - Assistance for disabled and senior voters

Our communities are stronger when every voice is heard. Thanks to the strides made with the Voting Rights Act of Virginia, voting is more accessible than ever in Virginia! Let’s continue to defend and expand these gains because you are shaping our future when you cast your vote.

Two voters with "I voted" stickers. Stylized people, yellow, and white outlines of Virginia with the text: "2025 Primary Voting For: House of Delegates Local Offices Lt. Governor Attorney General Primary Election Day is Tuesday, June 17. Early in-person voting is open through 5pm, Saturday, June 14. For in-person early voting locations, contact your local registrar's office or visit www.elections.virginia.gov"

We're exactly one week out from the 2025 Primary Election on June 17 and early voting is available now through Saturday June 14. Do you have a plan to vote in the primary for Lt. Governor, Attorney General, House of Delegates, and local offices in your community?

A portrait of Donald Trump with two Washington Post headlines. The first headline reads: "House approves Trump's massive tax and immigration package." The second headline reads: "GOP's scaled-back Medicaid plan still threatens coverage for millions." Text: Trump's budget by the numbers. Just how bad is the Republican budget bill for Virginians?

$800 million in funds cut from a Medicaid. $5 trillion in tax cuts for corporations and the 1%. 450,000 jobs lost as a result of cuts.

2 million Virginians who rely on Medicaid. 162,000 Virginians who will lose Medicaid. 101,000 Virginians who will lose ACA coverage.

Republicans in the House have passed Trump's budget, which could have terrible implications for Virginia families if it is passed by the Senate. Cutting #Medicaid for millions of families so corporations can have trillions of dollars in tax cuts is unacceptable. #BigBeautifulBill

Images of Lt. Governor Winsome Earle-Sears and Governor Glenn Youngkin with red "VETO" stamps over their faces, and a broken piggy bank next to them. Text: VA Republicans: The Guardians Of Poverty. Vetoed minimum wage increase twice. Vetoed tenant protections and affordable housing. Vetoed affordable energy initiatives. Vetoed Paid Family and Medical Leave twice. Vetoed expansion of health insurance coverage.

Virginia Republicans are busy killing policies that would bring relief to struggling families. Minimum wage, tenant protections, affordable housing, Paid Family and Medical Leave, and expanded health insurance coverage have all been vetoed by Gov. Glenn Youngkin.

A graphic showing child poverty rates in Virginia by county. Childhood poverty rates are as high as 34% in counties in the South and West of the state, the Eastern Shore, and in independent cities. Text: Child poverty by the numbers. Childhood poverty affects families in every corner of the Commonwealth. Children in independent cities, the Eastern Shore, and rural communities in the South and West face poverty rates that are shockingly high.

Childhood poverty isn’t limited to any one corner of the Commonwealth. Children are facing shockingly high poverty rates in communities on the Eastern shore, in independent cities, and in rural communities. Hundreds of thousands of VA children are at risk from federal aid cuts.

Portraits of Sen. Lashresce Aird and Del. Kathy Tran. Text: What can we do? At the General Assembly this year, Sen. Lashresce Aird and Del. Kathy Tran each proposed a Virginia Child Tax Credit, which would have sent $300 per child to families earning under $100,000. Unfortunately, both bills failed to advance.

An illustration of arms holding a sign that says "End Child Poverty Now". Text: With fears of an economic recession mounting, things are only going to get harder for Virginia families. That's why we must select candidates who will support the Virginia Child Tax Credit in next year's General Assembly session.

That’s why we must elect candidates who support the Virginia Child Tax Credit, which would send $300 per child to families earning less than $100,000. It’s not enough to solve child poverty, but it is a much-needed boost for vulnerable Virginia families.

Did you know? The expiration of the federal Child Tax Credit in 2022 caused the national child poverty rate to more than double. In Virginia, 13% of children currently live in poverty. That's nearly a quarter of a million children whose families are struggling with basic necessities - negatively impacting academic success, housing stability, nutrition, and mental health.

The elimination of the federal Child Tax Credit in 2022 caused the national child poverty rate to more than double. In Virginia, about 13%, or nearly a quarter of a million children, are currently living in poverty.

"There are well-known precedents throughout Virginia’s history that demonstrate why mass hysteria about immigrants is destructive and how it does not contribute to the safety of Virginians."

Read the full blog post by Progress Virginia's Kierra Johnson!

progressva.org/bad-informat...

Against a backdrop of trans pride colors, the portrait of HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. surrounded by gummy worms is placed alongside the logos for the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, the American Psychiatric Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists, and the American Academy of Physicians. Text: Who do you trust? Secretary brain worm? Or all these doctors?

Being transgender is a fundamental and deeply rooted part of who someone is and no amount of social pressure can "convert" a transgender person. That's why medical associations and doctors are standing up to defend evidence-based medical care for transgender youth.

National ranking shows despite hike, Virginia teachers’ pay is stagnant compared to other states • Virginia Mercury From last year to now, Virginia raised teacher pay by an average of $3,000. Still, the commonwealth’s average pay rate for educators remains stagnant compared to other states, according to the latest ...

virginiamercury.com/2025/05/01/n...

Portrait of Winsome Earle-Sears. Text: Under Glenn Youngkin & Winsome Earle-Sears Virginia teachers are falling behind A clip of a Virginia Mercury article with the headline: National ranking shows despite home, Virginia teachers' pay is stagnant compared to other states, by Nathaniel Cline on May 1, 2025. The sub-headline reads: VEA says inflation adjustments show less of an increase for teachers

According to a new National Education Association study, Virginia teachers earn $5,703 below the national average. We're in the bottom half of states for teacher pay. Students and teachers can't afford four more years of a Republican in the Governor's mansion.

Portrait of Donald Trump. Text: Trump's tariffs are taxes. Washington Post masthead with headline reading: U.S. economy shrank in first quarter of 2025, as tariffs sapped growth Sub-headline reads: GDP contracted at an annual rate of 0.3%, a new report shows, as imports surged with panic purchases ahead of tariffs.

100 days into Trump's second term and the economy is shrinking, workers are being laid off, and international relations are in shambles. Trump's tariffs are reckless, chaotic, and cruel, just like the rest of his administration. #TrumpTariffs #TrumpRecession

With more layoffs coming, it is clear that both President Trump’s and Governor Youngkin’s administrations are failing the people of Virginia by creating an environment of instability and fear.

Read the whole blog from our own Kierra Johnson.

progressva.org/virginia-wor...

Portraits of Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. A photograph of water flowing over the Lake Meade Dam & Reservoir. Text: FEMA Funding Canceled. Porstmouth Lake Meade Dam & Reservoir, $24 million in federal funds canceled.

The Lake Meade Dam is a critical drinking water reservoir for the City of Portsmouth and surrounding areas. It’s now short $24 million intended to strengthen and retrofit the dam. The Trump administration's reckless, cruel cuts to federal programs are impacting Virginia families.

Portraits of Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. An aerial view of the Richmond City Water Treatment Plant. Text: FEMA Funding Canceled. Richmond City Water Treatment Plant, $12 million in federal funds canceled.

The Richmond water treatment plant failed earlier this year, affecting hundreds of thousands of residents and impeding the General Assembly from convening. It just lost $12 million in vital federal funding for crucial upgrades.

Portraits of Donald Trump and Kristi Noem. Text: FEMA Funding Canceled DHS Secretary Kristi Noem announced FEMA is ending the Building Resilient Infrastructure Communities Program. Virginia had been set to receive tens of millions of dollars. That funding is now canceled.

The BRIC Program was a bipartisan effort enacted during Trump’s first term to help states recover from and prepare for natural disasters. But DHS Secretary Kristi Noem just eliminated the program, cutting off tens of millions of dollars allocated to Virginia projects.

HHS fires entire staff of program that helps low-income people afford heat and air conditioning The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has fired all of the workers in its program that seeks to help low-income Americans pay their energy bills.  Everyone who had been working on …

thehill.com/policy/energ...