Virginia State Senate Democrats blocked many bills sponsored by Republicans during the 2022 and 2023 General Assembly sessions. Among those that were successfully blocked: abortion restrictions; legislative attempt to remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI); voting rights (Republicans introduced bills to reinstitute voter ID, limit early voting, limit voter registration, eliminate drop-off boxes, and eliminate the permanent absentee voter list); attacks on public education (Republicans tried to ban the teaching of "inherently divisive concepts" also tried to expand charter schools); attempt to cap the minimum wage; anti-trans and LGBTQ bills. Three of Youngkin's picks for Health Commissioner, Parole Board, and Board of Education were also denied confirmation by the Senate Democrats.

During the 2021 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to pass legislation to legalize the sale of recreational marijuana in Virginia (however, Republican Governor Youngkin is blocking it from taking effect). Also repealed Virginia's "three-strikes" felony petit larceny statute and repealed presumptions against bail, restoring power to judges to evaluate individual cases.

During the 2021 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to prohibit the death penalty - Virginia became the first southern state to abolish capital punishment.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to make Virginia the 38th and last state needed to ratify the Equal Rights Amendment. NOTE: Due to the expired time limit for ratification plus the fact that 5 states rescinded their ratification, the fate of the ERA is tied up in Congress and the Courts.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to end mandatory ultrasounds and 24 hour waiting periods prior to abortions. Also repealed unnecessary regulations on abortion clinics.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to make Election Day a state holiday. Also expanded early voting to all Virginians, i.e. no excuse needed for absentee voting, authorized same day voter registration, created automatic voter registration, and repealed voter ID laws.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to add Virginia to the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) to cut carbon emissions. Also established the Virginia Council on Environmental Justice and extended the green job creation tax credit.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to pass universal background check for gun purchases. Also reinstated the one-gun-a-month purchase restriction and enacted a "Red Flag" law (civil process to temporarily remove firearms from people who pose an immediate danger to themselves or others).

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to increase the minimum wage in incremental stages to reach $15/hour in 2026. Also ended the ban on collective bargaining for public employees (NOTE: strikes are still prohibited) and cracked down on wage theft.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to expand hate crimes protections to include the LGBTQ plus people with disabilities. Also enacted anti-discrimination practices for pregnant people and for the LGBTQ community, banned hair discrimination, and eliminated the requirement for race to be disclosed on marriage records.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to ban conversion therapy for minors. Also created best practices for trans students in our schools, ended zero tolerance policies for disciplinary infractions in schools, and passed mental health training for teachers.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to decriminalize marijuana possession. Also passed parole for juvenile defenders.

During the 2020 General Assembly session, Democrats led the way to pass protections for undocumented immigrants who are victims of or witnesses to crimes. Also passed in-state tuition for DREAMers.

During the 2018 budget session, Democrats led the way to enact Medicaid expansion, effective 1/1/2019.