Kaine Statement on Virginia Abolishing the Death Penalty

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement after Governor Northam signed legislation today ending the use of capital punishment in Virginia:

“I’m proud to see Virginia abolish this brutal and racist institution,” Kaine said. “As the death penalty capital of the United States, Virginia gives hope that work done for justice is not in vain and that progress is possible for all. I will continue pushing legislation in the Senate to end the death penalty at the federal level.”

Kaine recently published an op-ed in the Washington Post applauding the General Assembly for its work to abolish the death penalty in the Commonwealth. Kaine has long been opposed to the death penalty and, as a former civil rights lawyer, he represented death-row inmates on a pro-bono basis. As Governor, Kaine pushed back against legislation that would have expanded the death penalty in the Commonwealth. He has continued these efforts in the Senate, recently announcing his plan to reintroduce the Federal Death Penalty Prohibition Act of 2021, bicameral legislation to prohibit the use of the death penalty at the federal level and require re-sentencing of those currently on death row.

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