[applause] the view from here is absolutely marvelous. Came to see all of you. [applause] state blessedher with that number of candidates all in one place. You are special. [cheers] my task is to introduce to you the members of congress who have joined us from all over the country. We do have a few. And if they would join me on the stage, i would appreciate it. And these members are the ones not running for president. First, we have representative barbara lee from california. 13th district. Secondly, we have marcia fudge from the 11th district of ohio. We have representative richmond from the Second District of louisiana. [applause] next, cheri bustos from the 17th district of illinois. [applause] shes probably out there swallowed by you. The next, we have representative from the 17th district of california. [applause] and we have some coming to the stage now. Next, we have Steve Forsberg from the Fourth District of nevada. [applause] and lastly, we have representative Joe Cunningham.
Ready to get started. We have the after lunch session. Vicki and i happen tasked with getting everyone really ready to go. Do not embarrass us. My mom is watching. All right. Im excited to start the second part of our program today. We still have a time of candidates to hear from. I am so, because they are not just articulating how they will protect access. They are talking about expanding it and getting bolding getting visionary. Exactly. Do you feel like you are hearing what you want to hear . [applause] ok. A couple reminders on our ground rules. Make sure our storytellers who are being so brave and sharing arer testimony, that we listening to those folks. Second ground rule. We are on the record, so our hair is right and tight because we are getting good love on social media from folks watching all across the country. Number three, this is a glitter, not shade environment. If youre not feeling moved, you do not have to cheer, but we will save the shade for the ballot box, all right
Plan to support abortion access. How would you go about implementing that . Heres how i think of this. 447 years, since roe versus wade, we have decided, to rely on the courts. To protectare going us. We have to worry about the Supreme Court. We have been on defense for 47 years. And it is not working. Heres how i see this. Three out of every four people in this country want to see the rule of roe v. Wade upheld. [applause] this is a democracy. In a democracy, the laws should reflect the values of the people. I say it is time to go on offense with roe v. Wade. It is not enough to say we are going to rely on the courts. Pass a federal law to make roe v. Wade the role of the land. [applause] that when we do that, we can add and say, no. Ore of this semirepeal take another bite out of it. Make it the law. Lets make up the raw for real again. And expand access across the board. She is a productive rights powerhouse. Shehas been a driving force is a member of the state and a basin campaign.
Ok, everybody take a seat. Democrats. G welcome to virginia blue commonwealth gala. This is important, so i want yall to listen up. Before we get started tonight, listen up. We talkportant that about the pain and sorrow suffered on may 31 in Virginia Beach. Here in virginia, and across the country, we are all too familiar with this pain. Action to stop the scorch of gun violence. And we will take it immediately. We will honor the 12 members of our Virginia Beach community, who we love. Who we love, with our actions. I agree with the governor, he said bots and prayers are not enough. We need action. Room, i dot, in this ask for we have a lot of people from the Virginia Beach community with us tonight, please stand. I asked that you all please stand with them and follow the solidarity for a moment of silence in their memory. Thank you. Crowd. This there are 1800 democrats here tonight. [cheers and applause] one for every democrat running for president. [laughter] in all seriousness, help
Everyone. Es from this is a very important issue to me. Im happy married 29 years and have four daughters so this is an issue i wont be saying these have daughters but very four daughtersnt make it personal. E, wife has been very activ shes on the board of an Organization Called International Center for research on women. Which deals with womens issues around the world. And the war were seeing waged on womens reproductive freedom erica United States of am is administration is also doing globally by the way. Of women w conditions laces the world this many are just horrific. Rights lobal human tragedy. And so not only need voices issues, asout womens it relates to domestic policy but we do as it relates to International Policy as well. I believe the United States of america has an obligation to lead on these issues. Orts overwhelming if you supp women, in destabilized parts of the world, its the fastest way places into stabilized areas. Youre not only different voices informing your poli