Virginia

The Federal Reserve Bank of Virginia on Wednesday began flying a gay pride flag under the American flag in honor of LGBT pride month.

President Obama had signed a proclamation on Tuesday that federally recognizes June as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender month. A spokesperson for the private financial institution said the appearance of the flag is not related to the statement the president made, but it does have to do with the month.

“We strongly support a diverse and inclusive culture at the Richmond Fed and have learned that it is important to value and embrace differences, both seen and unseen,” said Sally Green, chief operating officer at the Federal Reserve Bank of Richmond, as reported on Richmond.com. more >>

President Obama honored fallen American veterans on Memorial Day by participating in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns, followed by a service at the Arlington National Cemetery.

Obama said in his Memorial Day address that this day was to memorialize patriots who "gave of themselves until they had nothing more to give."

"Our nation owes a debt to its fallen heroes that we can never fully repay. But we can honor their sacrifice, and we must. We must honor it in our own lives by holding their memories close to our hearts, and heeding the example they set," he told a crowd at the cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater. more >>

A federal appeals court heard oral arguments Tuesday in two cases challenging President Barack Obama's health care law. It was the first time the law's constitutionality has been heard on the appellate level.

A three-judge panel at the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit, all appointed by Democrat presidents, appeared skeptical as they heard arguments seeking to invalidate the law.

Under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, the "individual mandate" provision would require Americans purchase health insurance by 2014 or pay a penalty. more >>

Virginia pro-life advocates are overjoyed at the passage of a legislation that allows the state’s abortion clinics to be regulated like a hospital rather than a physician’s office.

State pro-life advocates have been lobbying for the measure, approved by Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling on Thursday after a tied vote in the state Senate, for nearly two decades. This week, the Virginia General Assembly finally delivered. Pro-life advocates say the regulations are a step in the right direction.

Victoria Cobb, president of The Family Foundation of Virginia, praised, “After more than two decades, with today's vote Virginia's abortion centers will no longer be able to hide behind a veil of politically motivated secrecy." more >>

A Virginia federal judge ruled on Monday that a provision in the recently-passed health care reform bill mandating individual insurance coverage is unconstitutional.

Judge Henry Hudson of the U.S. District Court for Eastern Virginia ruled in a state lawsuit that the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act’s individual mandate for health care coverage exceeds the federal government’s power to oversee interstate commerce.

"Despite the laudable intentions of Congress in enacting a comprehensive and transformative healthcare regime, the legislative process must still operate within constitutional bounds," Hudson wrote in a 42-page opinion. more >>

Liberty University’s challenge to the health care reform bill was dismissed Tuesday in a district court. It is now expected to be heard by the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.

On Tuesday, U.S. District Judge Norman Moon rejected claims that the health law does not protect against the mandatory insurance payments being used to fund abortion coverage.

“The Act explicitly states that no plan is required to cover any form of abortion services,” the judge wrote. more >>