In Virginia or around the world, we each have a responsibility to do our best to defend basic human rights.
Sudan Divestment:
The genocide being perpetrated by the Sudanese government against the people of Darfur must be stopped. My bill to divest the Virginia Retirement System from companies that knowingly support genocide came very close to passing in 2007. Divestment works as a tool to stop this human rights abuse and I believe Virginia should join the 12 states that have already passed divestment legislation.
Human Trafficking:
In 2006, I sponsored successful legislation to close a loophole in Virginia law by making it a felony to blackmail someone based on their immigration status.
