After a false start last week due to the Richmond water crisis, the General Assembly returned to the Capitol this past Monday for our 46-day legislative session. Several people have asked if the legislative session will be extended because of our delayed start. I hope it does not. In fact, I get the sense that most of my colleagues would prefer to have a few Saturday sessions rather than go past our scheduled adjournment date.
Just as in past years, I will send weekly updates covering the major topics of discussion at the General Assembly. I hope you will continue to find these updates informative and worth reading. If you have any questions, you can always email me at DelMCherry@house.virginia.gov.
State of the Commonwealth Address
On Monday morning, Governor Youngkin delivered the annual State of the Commonwealth address before the combined House and Senate. In his speech, the Governor reported that “Virginia is winning!” He highlighted the progress Virginia has made in cutting red tape and reducing the crime rate while also setting out a path for additional tax reform.
You can watch his full speech below:
HJ1
Each session, there are always a few bills that produce the most feedback from the public. I have already received significant feedback opposed to HJ1. This resolution would amend the state constitution to allow for abortion up to birth. I voted against HJ1.
You may recall the House Privileges & Election Committee on which I serve held a rare fall meeting this past November. At that meeting, Democrats offered a significantly new version of HJ1 for consideration and only provided Republicans with five minutes to review the new text.
The majority party has suggested this amendment would codify Roe v. Wade. In fact, this proposal goes significantly further than either that case or existing state law. There are also valid concerns that it would erode the state’s existing parental notification laws that are applicable when minors seek an abortion.
There will be continued debate over the course of this legislative session and I will update you on any significant happenings.
Fight Against Human Trafficking
With its ports, airports, and interstates, Virginia is sadly a hot spot for human trafficking. I am proud of the bipartisan work that has been done to tackle this horrific crime, including passing two bills I authored that ban the sale of children and criminalize labor trafficking.
While fighting human trafficking is of the utmost importance, we must also give attention to its victims and do everything possible to support them. Human trafficking targets humans–no people group is exempt from its horrors.
This year, I am sponsoring HB 2227 to allow victims of human trafficking to petition the court for an expungement of certain crimes they committed while under the duress of their trafficker. Many of these crimes are holding victims back from obtaining steady employment and a safe place to live. I believe this bill will make an impactful difference on victims, who truly are survivors.
2025 Survey
If you haven’t had the chance to yet, I would ask that you complete my 2025 Session Survey. This survey covers a few key areas that the General Assembly will debate. It does not cover every issue we will debate as that would be a rather lengthy survey. If there’s an issue important to you that isn’t included in the survey, feel free to email me with your thoughts at DelMCherry@house.virginia.gov.
Click here to access the 2025 survey.
Visitors to the Capitol
My favorite part of each legislative session is discussing bills with constituents from our district. Meeting with different groups gives me an opportunity to learn more about the impact legislation will have on real people.

Local dentists and dental students from Colonial Heights, Chesterfield, and the greater Richmond region visited to discuss challenges to the dental profession. This includes ensuring that we are doing everything possible to train new dentists who are ready to enter the workforce and serve patients in their local communities.
If you are coming to Richmond during the legislative session, please feel free to drop by my office. If you would like to make an appointment, please call (804) 698-1074.
In the News
Here’s a few news articles from the past week that you may find interesting:
- WTKR: Virginia lawmakers take up bills to address human trafficking
- Richmond Times-Dispatch: Virginia effort seeks to ease the stress of a mental health crisis
- Radio IQ: Republicans push for ‘opportunity scholarships,’ but Democratic leadership is a no right now
- VPM News: Chesterfield County names John Murray school superintendent
It remains an honor to represent our community in the House of Delegates. If I can assist you in any way, please let me know.
Sincerely,
Mike Cherry
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