FOR IMMEDIATE PRESS RELEASE

4/20/2026

History is not a weapon to be brandished in the pursuit of vengeance. The United Daughters of the Confederacy® (UDC) and other historical organizations have fought the unconstitutional bills designed to target Confederate organizations for four years. The first year, the bill did not make it out of committee. The next two years, it passed the General Assembly and was vetoed by then-Governor Youngkin. House Bill 167 has now been signed into law. If the Commonwealth of Virginia removed tax exemptions from all heritage groups, that would be neutral. The Supreme Court has ruled against laws that single-out organizations or impose burdens legislatively. Selective taxation is unconstitutional when used as punishment.

The goals of the United Daughters of the Confederacy® (UDC) have not changed since our formation in 1894: Historical, Benevolent, Educational, Memorial and Patriotic. We operate two libraries and a museum at our headquarters in Richmond, where we have owned property since 1950. These are open to the public by appointment. For 76 years, the Commonwealth of Virginia deemed our organization worthy of being caretakers of Virginia history until now. Museums and libraries are classified as tax-exempt. Passage of HB167 is viewpoint-based discrimination. The bill blatantly targets “Confederate” organizations.

This law has now set a precedent to open the door for other valuable historical museums and libraries to lose tax-exempt status. To target any group that does not conform to a delegate’s way of thinking is un-American. To punish descendants of those veterans who responded to the call of the Virginia legislature in 1861 to defend their state is discriminatory, based on misguided and biased opinions of our great philanthropic organization.

The UDC is considering our legal options and is grateful for the outpouring of support from our members and like-minded supporters.

Julie N. Hardaway, President General (2024-2026)