Batten voted against defining “birth control” as contraceptives for medical purposes, to ensure birth control shall not be considered abortion. This bill was introduced and passed (in spite of Batten) to protect contraceptive access should a future abortion ban be passed in Virginia.
Batten shared a Facebook post of her attending a “right to life” rally and proudly holding a “STOP ABORTION NOW” sign. Link to additional photo from this event here:
Batten removed her “Pro-life” stance from her website where she vowed to “ensure Virginia protects…through all stages of life,” which contradicts her claim for a “commonsense consensus policy.” 07/03/2019 Internet Archive:
Batten was the only Virginia Legislator On Writ of Certiorari for Thomas E. Dobbs, ET AL., BRIEF FOR WOMEN LEGISLATORS AND THE SUSAN B. ANTHONY LIST AS AMICI CURIAE SUPPORTING PETITIONERS AMICI LEGISLATORS 07/29/2021
Batten was the chief co-patron on a bill to defund our public schools. Her bill would have equated to $5k per student, per year, of community tax dollars being rerouted into for-profit private institutions at the detriment of the majority of students and families.
Batten killed a bill in Committee that would have lowered barriers for active duty military and veteran children to acquire in-state tuition after 4 years instead of 10. Why would an American Veterans Vote endorsed candidate make it MORE difficult for our military children to access higher education?
Batten did a podcast on February 21, 2023, with the VIP Podcast, where she laughed about allowing educators to use corporal punishment on children. Batten then claimed that parents don’t support teachers and went on to suggest parent’s failures are a “generational divide.” Does Batten believe parents matter or does she just think we’re incompetent?
Batten is fully endorsed and funded by the gun lobby, including the Virginia Citizens Defense League ($7,500 in contributions) and the National Rifle Association ($1,000 in contributions).
Batten voted not to disarm domestic abusers, believing that those who have been convicted of stalking, sexual battery, and assault of a family or household member should still be able to purchase, possess, or transfer firearms.
Batten voted against a bill that Prohibits a person who has been convicted of assault and battery of a family or household member, as defined in the bill, from purchasing, possessing, or transporting a firearm. The prohibition expires three years after the date of conviction, at which point the person’s firearms rights are restored, unless he receives another disqualifying conviction. A person who violates the provisions of the bill is guilty of a Class 1 misdemeanor.
2021 SPECIAL SESSION I (HB 1992)
In 2023, Batten voted in a subcommittee meeting to lay a bill on the table that would have established a Prescription Drug Affordability Board and Fund. The bill, SB-957, would have established the Prescription Drug Affordability Board for the purpose of protecting the citizens of the Commonwealth and other stakeholders within the health care system from the high costs of prescription drug products. Batten voted against making prescription drugs more affordable and accessible to Virginians in need.
In 2022, Batten voted against making it easier for Virginians to receive life-saving mammograms by not expanding existing health insurance coverage requirements.
Batten voted against prohibiting conversion therapy on minors, a dangerous practice that targets LGBTQ+ youth and attempts to change their sexual or gender identities. According to the Human Rights Campaign, “conversion therapy can lead to depression, anxiety, drug use, homelessness, and suicide.”
