Youngkin Talks Abortion, Education, Business Support At Eden Center

FALLS CHURCH, VA — With two weeks to go until Virginia's general election, Gov. Glenn Youngkin spoke with the Asian American community at the Eden Center in Falls Church — the East Coast's largest Vietnamese shopping center — about his legislative goals and successes.

While the visit was called a non-political stop by his staff, the governor spoke about issues from abortion to education and support for small businesses. While Youngkin is not up for election this November, all Virginia House and Senate seats are on the ballot Nov. 7. That will determine whether Republicans or Democrats control the House and Senate. Currently, the Virginia House has a Republican majority, and the Virginia Senate has a Democratic majority.

The visit was part of the governor's outreach program with past events geared toward the Korean, Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian and Pakistani communities. According to Youngkin spokesperson Macaulay Porter, the event was coordinated by the governor's director of community outreach and engagement with help from Anh Tu Do, Harold Pyon and others in the Northern Virginia Asian American Pacific Islander community. The Eden Center event included representation from Vietnamese, Chinese, Korean and Indian residents.

"I am always so excited to come to the Eden Center, because when we see the Vietnamese community come together in this way, it is so exciting," said Youngkin. "You know, broadly, the Asian community across Virginia is so important. It's so important because it adds so much to the fabric into the culture of all Virginia, and that's what makes Virginia special."

Among other topics, the governor discussed support for small businesses and a desire to lower regulations to help businesses thrive. The Eden Center includes Vietnamese legacy businesses established by immigrants who came to the U.S. after the fall of Saigon.

"Virginia is the heart of small business. And one of the amazing things is there's 800,000 small businesses in Virginia, it is the heart of our economy, and they employ over a million and a half people is at the heart," said Youngkin. "And so first, I just want to congratulate you and let you know that small business owners, I'm for you."

On the topic of education, Youngkin said the state has launched a tutoring program with funding from the state to help students in third through eighth grade to help with pandemic academic recovery. Earlier this week, the Washington Post reported only a handful of school districts have tutoring funding plans OK'ed by the state so far.

"Now in all of our schools, we're offering extra tutoring for students who need it," said Youngkin. "It's so important and it doesn't cost a family anything third through eighth grade, up to three to five hours of tutoring every week in math and in reading so that our students can catch up."

Youngkin also highlighted support for law enforcement, recognizing the Falls Church sheriff's office for providing law enforcement staffing support for the event.

The governor also fielded reporter questions on topics like abortion. Abortion access is seen as a top issue that could be affected by the party control of the Virginia House and Senate after November's election.

Youngkin reiterated support for a ban on abortion after 15 weeks, with exceptions for rape, incest or when the mother's life is at risk. He believes the 15-week threshold is one a majority of Virginians can get behind.

"I think the other side is mischaracterizing it all, and in fact they call it a ban," said Youngkin. "It's not a ban, it's actually a limit."

On early voting, Youngkin differed from some Republicans who have tried to reverse Democrat-supported policies on 45-day no-excuse early voting and ballot drop boxes. As Virginia allows voters to cast a ballot within 45 days of an election without a documented excuse, Youngkin said he's been encouraging Republicans to vote early.

"I think this is one of the ways with which we can get full participation and make sure everybody's voice is heard. I think it's going pretty well. We've had really strong early voting, and I look forward to it continuing for the next 10 days or so."

Before wrapping up remarks at the Eden Center, Youngkin made one final pitch on what his priorities are as his term continues.

"I believe we need to keep the taxes down and make sure that you keep more of your hard-earned money," said Youngkin. "I believe that we need to lower regulation so that businesses can do well. I'll continue to work for strong education and to make sure that parents are deeply engaged in your children's lives, and will continue to make sure that law enforcement is supported to keep our neighborhoods safe. And finally, that our behavioral health system works for you."