Virginia Lawmakers Advance Bills to Address Confederate Symbols

Measures aim to remove Confederate statues, tax exemptions, and license plates in the state

Published on Feb. 12, 2026

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The Virginia General Assembly is moving forward with a series of bills that seek to address the state's Confederate legacy. Proposed legislation includes removing Confederate statues from Capitol Square, revoking tax exemptions for organizations like the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and stopping the use of license plates honoring Confederate figures. Supporters argue these symbols are painful reminders of Virginia's history of slavery and racial oppression, while opponents view the moves as discriminatory against descendants of Confederate veterans.

Why it matters

Virginia's Confederate symbols have long been a source of controversy, with many seeing them as glorifying the state's racist past. These legislative efforts reflect a broader push to re-examine and remove public displays that celebrate the Confederacy, which for some represent an ideology of white supremacy and oppression.

The details

The Virginia Senate has passed a bill to remove three Confederate statues from Capitol Square, including one of Stonewall Jackson. Meanwhile, the House has approved a measure to revoke tax exemptions from organizations like the United Daughters of the Confederacy that have "celebrated the Confederacy for far too long." Additionally, a House committee has green-lit a bill to stop the state from using license plates honoring Robert E. Lee and the Sons of Confederate Veterans.

  • The Virginia General Assembly is currently in session and considering these bills.
  • The Senate has already passed the bill to remove Confederate statues from Capitol Square.
  • The House has approved the bill to revoke tax exemptions for Confederate heritage groups.

The players

Delegate Alex Askew

A Virginia state legislator who wrote the bill to revoke tax exemptions for Confederate heritage groups.

Julie N. Hardaway

The President General of the United Daughters of the Confederacy, which opposes the bill to revoke its tax-exempt status.

Edward Willis

A Virginia resident who testified against the bill to stop the use of Confederate-themed license plates.

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What they’re saying

“We have the opportunity to remove the United Daughters of the Confederacy, and other organizations that have celebrated the Confederacy for far too long and celebrated massive resistance for far too long.”

— Delegate Alex Askew, Virginia State Legislator (WRIC)

“To punish descendants of those veterans who responded to the call of your legislature in 1861 to defend their state reeks of discrimination, based on misguided and biased opinions of our great philanthropic organization.”

— Julie N. Hardaway, President General, United Daughters of the Confederacy (WRIC)

“License plates are harmful to no one. Only hatred and deliberate discrimination by the Commonwealth of Virginia would cause this committee to vote to remove them.”

— Edward Willis (WRIC)

What’s next

The bills passed by the Virginia House and Senate will now go to the opposite chamber for consideration. If approved, they would then head to the governor's desk for signature into law.

The takeaway

Virginia's efforts to address its Confederate legacy reflect a broader national reckoning with public displays that celebrate the Confederacy and its ideology. While supporters view these measures as necessary steps to acknowledge and heal from the state's history of slavery and racism, opponents argue the moves are discriminatory against Confederate descendants.