There were tears, yells and a call of “out of order” but by the end of the day Virginia’s Senate on Tuesday passed three resolutions aimed at enshrining certain civil rights into the state’s constitution.

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

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.

Members of the General Assembly are moving forward with three constitutional amendments proposed by Democrats.But they rejected an amendment supported by Republicans.

After a long and spirited debate, Virginia House Democrats have advanced a proposed constitutional amendment to enshrine abortion rights in the state constitution.

An incoming 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.