¶ Abortion, Generally
Brewer Said She Was “Pro-Life At The Moment Of Conception.” According to WRIC, “Delegate Emily Brewer said she is ‘pro-life at the moment of conception.’ When asked if she would support an abortion ban at conception if it’s introduced, she said she would have to see the legislation.” [WRIC, 9/7/22]
Brewer Called Herself A “Staunch Pro-Life Advocate” Who Advocated For Prohibitions On “Taxpayer Funding For Abortions.” According to the issues section of BrewerforVA.com, “Life: As a child of adoption and a staunch pro-life advocate, Emily has made encouraging adoption over abortion her mission. She fought tirelessly to add language in the state budget that prohibits taxpayer funding for abortions.” [Brewer for VA, Issues, accessed 11/28/22]
Brewer Claimed That Virginia House Democrats “Think Abortion At 9 Months With Taxpayer Funding Is Acceptable.” According to Emily Brewer’s Twitter, “As a child of adoption, I stand for life. Today, Democrats in Virginia refused to tell us where they stand. They must admit to their voters that they think abortion at 9 months with taxpayer funding is acceptable. Shout it if you’re proud: is 40 weeks where House Dems stand?” [Twitter, @BrewerforVA, 9/8/22]
When Speaking About An Proposed Abortion Ban, Brewer Held Up A Chart Of The Weeks Of Pregnancy And Said, “It’s Not Complicated, Just Numbers” That Represent “A Week In A Child’s Life.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “Mr. Speaker, I have a chart here that I want the members of the other aisle, the other side of the aisle to see one through 40. It's not complicated, just numbers. But each one of these represents a number in a week of a child's life from conception to birth. Mr. Speaker, I have a chart here that I want the members of the other aisle, the other side of the aisle to see one through 40.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Brewer Said Regarding Abortion Access In Virginia, “I Know People Are Very Passionate About This Issue, But If You Really Sit Down And Think Virginia Has Just Gone Too Far.” According to WVTF, “Currently abortion is legal before the third trimester in Virginia. ‘I know people are very passionate about this issue, but if you really sit down and think Virginia has just gone too far,’ said Delegate Emily Brewer, a Republican who represents a significant portion of southeast Virginia. ‘We get the opportunity now in the states to decide. The Supreme Court has ruled, it will come back to us.’” [WVTF, 6/24/22]
2021: Brewer “Pledged To 100 Percent Support Pro-Life Policy.” According to Students for Life Action, “Students for Life Action Congratulates the following lawmakers soon to be getting to work in the Commonwealth, all of whom pledged to 100 percent support pro-life policy, including: Les Adams, John Avoli, Jason Ballard, Amanda Batten, Emily Brewer.” [Students for Life Action, 11/3/21]
2021: Brewer Attended The Anti-Choice March For Life. According to the Arlington Catholic Herald, “Around 1,500 pro-lifers from around the commonwealth gathered at the Virginia State Capitol for the annual Virginia March for Life Sept. 17. […] At the rally, state legislators, including Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, shared why they support the pro-life cause. ‘I stand here so thankful for each and every one of you. I was adopted and am truly, honestly lucky to be here,’ she said. ‘As long as I sit in this chamber, I will stand up for the voiceless and defenseless every single day.’” [The Arlington Catholic Herald, 9/20/21]
2019: Brewer Touted Her Endorsement From National Right To Life.
[Facebook, @BrewerForVA, 10/29/19]
¶ Supported Glenn Youngkin’s Abortion Ban
Brewer Spoke Favorably Of Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin’s 15-Week Abortion Ban And Claimed Democrats “Don’t Want To Talk About Weeks,” But “Want To Give Us Ideations Of Margaret Atwood’s Gilead.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “We've heard a great deal from the other side of the aisle about abortion today. And I'm sure we'll hear it continually, about how Governor Youngkin and us evil Republicans are going to end abortion in Virginia now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. We know what the governor said, a restriction abortion set three weeks after the European standard, about the time a baby can feel pain with exceptions for life and health of the mother and rape and incest. That's right here, Mr. Speaker, 15 weeks. Now, I know the other members of this chamber on the other side of the aisle don't want to talk about weeks. They want to talk to their base, they want to stir a pot, and they want to give us ideations of Margaret Atwood's Gilead.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Regarding A Proposed 15-Week Abortion Ban, Brewer Said, “Anything Reducing The Number Of Weeks Is A Step In The Right Direction From My Perspective.” According to WRIC, “A series of speakers raised concerns that a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy would present barriers for women confronting severe birth defects and miscarriages. […] Brewer said lawmakers should have more conversations with voters before the 2023 session. ‘Anything reducing the number of weeks is a step in the right direction from my perspective but that’s a conversation every single member of our chamber is going to have to have with their voters,’ Brewer said.” [WRIC, 9/7/22]
¶ Spread Anti-Choice Conspiracy Theories
Referring To Abortion Legislation Democrats Proposed In A Previous Session, Emily Brewer Claimed, “A Woman Can Be Actively In The Process Of Giving Birth To A Viable 40-Week Infant And Still Opt For An Abortion.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “Just three years ago, in this body, we heard legislation that asked us. Abortion on demand without an apology was said. In fact, quote: ‘My bill would allow that. Yes.’ As far as I know, I would assume that opinion hasn't changed for many people that were serving at that time. A woman can be actively in the process of giving birth to a viable 40-week infant and still opt for an abortion. And at that time, the other side of the aisle was OK with that.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Emily Brewer Claimed That Without An Abortion Ban, Democrats Were Supportive Of “Abortion Until The Moment Of Birth.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “I would love for the members of the other side of the aisle to rise and tell us your actual position. Are you OK with 40 weeks? Are you OK with the moment of birth? Is that acceptable to you? Because if you don't draw any line, or you're too scared to say anything, you stand by idly. You've already communicated to us. It's between a woman and her doctor to decide. Then you're allowing abortion until the moment of birth, until you speak up and say different. You won't do it.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Emily Brewer Said Regarding A Potential Abortion Ban, “I Certainly Can’t Imagine That Where Democrats Were At Two Years Ago That At A 40-Week Possible At-Birth Conversation, Is Anywhere Where Actually Virginians Are.” According to WWBT, “‘We have to ask Virginians how they feel, but we really need to be asking legislators between one and 40 weeks what is our comfort level, and we need to be asking those that were the majority of the time where they stand now,’ Brewer said. Brewer said that any restrictions within 40 weeks of development would be a step in the right direction. Still, when asked whether she would support a 15-week abortion ban, the pro-life delegate refused to commit to the idea until she could see the language of the drafted bill. ‘I stop to weigh in on something that I can’t read, honestly, and that’s just how I feel,’ Brewer said. ‘I certainly can’t imagine that where Democrats were at two years ago that at a 40-week possible at-birth conversation, is anywhere where actually Virginians are.’” [WWBT, 9/7/22]
¶ Reaction To Dobbs
Regarding The Dobbs Decision And Proposed Abortion Bans In Virginia, Brewer Said, “When I Was Five Months Pregnant, I Could Still Have An Abortion In Virginia, And I Find The Majority Of Virginians Probably Find That Unconscionable.” According to WTVR, “Without the full text of bills to review, Delegate Emily Brewer (R-Isle of Wight) said she will not yet comment on what will happen down the line, but she said several voters in her conservative district approached her about limiting abortions following the Dobbs decision. ‘A couple of months ago when Roe v. Wade was overturned, I was five months pregnant. Thinking about that process as an expectant mother, it was more profound than I could ever imagine,’ Brewer said. ‘When I did interviews when I was five months pregnant, I could still have an abortion in Virginia, and I find the majority of Virginians probably find that unconscionable. I think people are really going to have to look, including legislators, introspectively about where they think life is.’” [WTVR, 9/7/22]
Brewer Celebrated The Supreme Court’s Decision To Overturn Roe v. Wade And Vowed To Sponsor Legislation To Restrict Abortion. According to Emily Brewer’s Facebook, “As a child of adoption, my mom chose life and every day I am thankful for it. I am proud the Supreme Court has overturned the wrongly decided Roe v. Wade decision. Next session, I will sponsor legislation that protects and will stand up for the unborn in Virginia. #roevwade” [Facebook, @BrewerForVA, 6/24/22]
¶ Supported Forced Ultrasounds
Brewer Voted Against A Bill To Eliminate Procedure Requirements Including An Ultrasound Prior To Receiving An Abortion. [HB 980, General Session, 2/26/20]
Voted Against Repealing A Law Requiring Mandatory Ultrasounds And A 24-Hour Waiting Period For Abortions. Chase voted against SB733 which, according to WHSV, repealed “Virginia’s mandatory ultrasound law and 24-hour waiting period prior to abortion. The bills also roll back restrictions on women's health centers, which Democrats said were designed to force centers that provide abortions to close.” [SB 733, floor vote, 3/02/20; WHSV, 4/10/20]
¶ Supported Forced Pre-Abortion “Counseling”
Voted To Require Mandatory Biased Counseling Prior To An Abortion. Brewer voted for HB212, which, according to Planned Parenthood, “would have reinstated mandatory biased counseling before an abortion, interfering in the relationship between a patient and their health care provider.” [HB212, vote on passage, 2/15/22; Planned Parenthood, press release, 3/16/22]
¶ Key Issues
¶ Abortion
Brewer Said She Was “Pro-Life At The Moment Of Conception.” According to WRIC, “Delegate Emily Brewer said she is ‘pro-life at the moment of conception.’ When asked if she would support an abortion ban at conception if it’s introduced, she said she would have to see the legislation.” [WRIC, 9/7/22]
Brewer Called Herself A “Staunch Pro-Life Advocate” Who Advocated For Prohibitions On “Taxpayer Funding For Abortions.” According to the issues section of BrewerforVA.com, “Life: As a child of adoption and a staunch pro-life advocate, Emily has made encouraging adoption over abortion her mission. She fought tirelessly to add language in the state budget that prohibits taxpayer funding for abortions.” [Brewer for VA, Issues, accessed 11/28/22]
Brewer Claimed That Virginia House Democrats “Think Abortion At 9 Months With Taxpayer Funding Is Acceptable.” According to Emily Brewer’s Twitter, “As a child of adoption, I stand for life. Today, Democrats in Virginia refused to tell us where they stand. They must admit to their voters that they think abortion at 9 months with taxpayer funding is acceptable. Shout it if you’re proud: is 40 weeks where House Dems stand?” [Twitter, @BrewerforVA, 9/8/22]
When Speaking About An Proposed Abortion Ban, Brewer Held Up A Chart Of The Weeks Of Pregnancy And Said, “It’s Not Complicated, Just Numbers” That Represent “A Week In A Child’s Life.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “Mr. Speaker, I have a chart here that I want the members of the other aisle, the other side of the aisle to see one through 40. It's not complicated, just numbers. But each one of these represents a number in a week of a child's life from conception to birth. Mr. Speaker, I have a chart here that I want the members of the other aisle, the other side of the aisle to see one through 40.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Brewer Said Regarding Abortion Access In Virginia, “I Know People Are Very Passionate About This Issue, But If You Really Sit Down And Think Virginia Has Just Gone Too Far.” According to WVTF, “Currently abortion is legal before the third trimester in Virginia. ‘I know people are very passionate about this issue, but if you really sit down and think Virginia has just gone too far,’ said Delegate Emily Brewer, a Republican who represents a significant portion of southeast Virginia. ‘We get the opportunity now in the states to decide. The Supreme Court has ruled, it will come back to us.’” [WVTF, 6/24/22]
2021: Brewer “Pledged To 100 Percent Support Pro-Life Policy.” According to Students for Life Action, “Students for Life Action Congratulates the following lawmakers soon to be getting to work in the Commonwealth, all of whom pledged to 100 percent support pro-life policy, including: Les Adams, John Avoli, Jason Ballard, Amanda Batten, Emily Brewer.” [Students for Life Action, 11/3/21]
2021: Brewer Attended The Anti-Choice March For Life. According to the Arlington Catholic Herald, “Around 1,500 pro-lifers from around the commonwealth gathered at the Virginia State Capitol for the annual Virginia March for Life Sept. 17. […] At the rally, state legislators, including Del. Emily Brewer, R-Suffolk, shared why they support the pro-life cause. ‘I stand here so thankful for each and every one of you. I was adopted and am truly, honestly lucky to be here,’ she said. ‘As long as I sit in this chamber, I will stand up for the voiceless and defenseless every single day.’” [The Arlington Catholic Herald, 9/20/21]
2019: Brewer Touted Her Endorsement From National Right To Life.
[Facebook, @BrewerForVA, 10/29/19]
¶ Brewer Supported Glenn Youngkin’s Abortion Ban
Brewer Spoke Favorably Of Virginia GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin’s 15-Week Abortion Ban And Claimed Democrats “Don’t Want To Talk About Weeks,” But “Want To Give Us Ideations Of Margaret Atwood’s Gilead.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “We've heard a great deal from the other side of the aisle about abortion today. And I'm sure we'll hear it continually, about how Governor Youngkin and us evil Republicans are going to end abortion in Virginia now that Roe v. Wade is overturned. We know what the governor said, a restriction abortion set three weeks after the European standard, about the time a baby can feel pain with exceptions for life and health of the mother and rape and incest. That's right here, Mr. Speaker, 15 weeks. Now, I know the other members of this chamber on the other side of the aisle don't want to talk about weeks. They want to talk to their base, they want to stir a pot, and they want to give us ideations of Margaret Atwood's Gilead.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Regarding A Proposed 15-Week Abortion Ban, Brewer Said, “Anything Reducing The Number Of Weeks Is A Step In The Right Direction From My Perspective.” According to WRIC, “A series of speakers raised concerns that a ban on most abortions after 15 weeks of pregnancy would present barriers for women confronting severe birth defects and miscarriages. […] Brewer said lawmakers should have more conversations with voters before the 2023 session. ‘Anything reducing the number of weeks is a step in the right direction from my perspective but that’s a conversation every single member of our chamber is going to have to have with their voters,’ Brewer said.” [WRIC, 9/7/22]
¶ Brewer Spread Anti-Choice Conspiracy Theories
Referring To Abortion Legislation Democrats Proposed In A Previous Session, Emily Brewer Claimed, “A Woman Can Be Actively In The Process Of Giving Birth To A Viable 40-Week Infant And Still Opt For An Abortion.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “Just three years ago, in this body, we heard legislation that asked us. Abortion on demand without an apology was said. In fact, quote: ‘My bill would allow that. Yes.’ As far as I know, I would assume that opinion hasn't changed for many people that were serving at that time. A woman can be actively in the process of giving birth to a viable 40-week infant and still opt for an abortion. And at that time, the other side of the aisle was OK with that.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Emily Brewer Claimed That Without An Abortion Ban, Democrats Were Supportive Of “Abortion Until The Moment Of Birth.” According to a speech Emily Brewer gave to the Virginia House of Delegates, “I would love for the members of the other side of the aisle to rise and tell us your actual position. Are you OK with 40 weeks? Are you OK with the moment of birth? Is that acceptable to you? Because if you don't draw any line, or you're too scared to say anything, you stand by idly. You've already communicated to us. It's between a woman and her doctor to decide. Then you're allowing abortion until the moment of birth, until you speak up and say different. You won't do it.” [YouTube, @emilybrewer9879, 9/8/22]
Emily Brewer Said Regarding A Potential Abortion Ban, “I Certainly Can’t Imagine That Where Democrats Were At Two Years Ago That At A 40-Week Possible At-Birth Conversation, Is Anywhere Where Actually Virginians Are.” According to WWBT, “‘We have to ask Virginians how they feel, but we really need to be asking legislators between one and 40 weeks what is our comfort level, and we need to be asking those that were the majority of the time where they stand now,’ Brewer said. Brewer said that any restrictions within 40 weeks of development would be a step in the right direction. Still, when asked whether she would support a 15-week abortion ban, the pro-life delegate refused to commit to the idea until she could see the language of the drafted bill. ‘I stop to weigh in on something that I can’t read, honestly, and that’s just how I feel,’ Brewer said. ‘I certainly can’t imagine that where Democrats were at two years ago that at a 40-week possible at-birth conversation, is anywhere where actually Virginians are.’” [WWBT, 9/7/22]
¶ Brewer Celebrated The Dobbs v. Jackson Ruling
Regarding The Dobbs Decision And Proposed Abortion Bans In Virginia, Brewer Said, “When I Was Five Months Pregnant, I Could Still Have An Abortion In Virginia, And I Find The Majority Of Virginians Probably Find That Unconscionable.” According to WTVR, “Without the full text of bills to review, Delegate Emily Brewer (R-Isle of Wight) said she will not yet comment on what will happen down the line, but she said several voters in her conservative district approached her about limiting abortions following the Dobbs decision. ‘A couple of months ago when Roe v. Wade was overturned, I was five months pregnant. Thinking about that process as an expectant mother, it was more profound than I could ever imagine,’ Brewer said. ‘When I did interviews when I was five months pregnant, I could still have an abortion in Virginia, and I find the majority of Virginians probably find that unconscionable. I think people are really going to have to look, including legislators, introspectively about where they think life is.’” [WTVR, 9/7/22]
Brewer Celebrated The Supreme Court’s Decision To Overturn Roe v. Wade And Vowed To Sponsor Legislation To Restrict Abortion. According to Emily Brewer’s Facebook, “As a child of adoption, my mom chose life and every day I am thankful for it. I am proud the Supreme Court has overturned the wrongly decided Roe v. Wade decision. Next session, I will sponsor legislation that protects and will stand up for the unborn in Virginia. #roevwade” [Facebook, @BrewerForVA, 6/24/22]
¶ Brewer Supported Forced Ultrasounds
Brewer Voted Against A Bill To Eliminate Procedure Requirements Including An Ultrasound Prior To Receiving An Abortion. [HB 980, General Session, 2/26/20]
Brewer Voted Against Repealing A Law Requiring Mandatory Ultrasounds And A 24-Hour Waiting Period For Abortions. Brewer voted against SB733 which, according to WHSV, repealed “Virginia’s mandatory ultrasound law and 24-hour waiting period prior to abortion. The bills also roll back restrictions on women's health centers, which Democrats said were designed to force centers that provide abortions to close.” [SB 733, floor vote, 3/02/20; WHSV, 4/10/20]
¶ Brewer Supported Forced Pre-Abortion Counseling
Brewer Voted To Require Mandatory Biased Counseling Prior To An Abortion. Brewer voted for HB212, which, according to Planned Parenthood, “would have reinstated mandatory biased counseling before an abortion, interfering in the relationship between a patient and their health care provider.” [HB212, vote on passage, 2/15/22; Planned Parenthood, press release, 3/16/22]