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Democrats look to history as Virginia’s General Assembly opens its session Democrats look to history as Virginia’s General Assembly opens its session
(about 3 hours later)
RICHMOND — Democrats had history in mind Wednesday as they convened this year's General Assembly session. RICHMOND — Gov. Ralph Northam called for an ambitious agenda of change Wednesday night as the Virginia General Assembly opened its annual legislative session with a series of historic firsts.
“It is our time,” state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-Richmond) proclaimed as she stood with members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus to outline legislative priorities. "It's a proud moment to look out and see a General Assembly that reflects, more than ever, the Virginia we see every day. This is truly an historic night," Northam (D) said in his annual State of the Commonwealth speech before the state Senate and House of Delegates.
With an all-time high of 23 members — one-sixth of the entire legislature — the black caucus will wield unprecedented influence in the new majorities that Democrats have won in both the House of Delegates and Senate. Democrats flexed their new majorities in both chambers, with women and people of color occupying more seats and positions of leadership than ever in the assembly's 401 years. Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) was unanimously elected speaker of the House, becoming the first woman and first person of the Jewish faith to hold that role.
Once the session gaveled in at noon, jubilant Democrats swore in a new slate of leaders. Del. Eileen Filler-Corn (D-Fairfax) was unanimously elected House speaker, the first woman to serve in that role in the body’s 401-year history. The Senate named Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) as president pro tempore, making her the first woman and first African American to hold that chamber's second-highest office.
“A new torch is being passed today,” Filler-Corn said. “One that ushers in a modern era, representing all Virginians, learning from our shared experiences and moving forward in our collective prosperity.” Flush with last fall's election victories that gave Democrats consolidated power, Northam urged the legislature to overturn a quarter-century of Republican dominance on issues such as guns, abortion and voting access.
Though both sides of the aisle applauded her remarks, Republicans quickly mounted a series of parliamentary challenges to trip up the new leader - a sign that this could be a contentious session. "We serve the people, and they have been clear: They expect us to face Virginia's modern challenges and to lead the way forward," he said.
In the Senate, members voted unanimously to make Sen. L. Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) president pro tempore, the second highest-ranking office in the chamber. The Republican who held that position last year, Sen. Steve Newman (R-Bedford), offered an extended tribute to Lucas’s fitness for the post, noting that she is the first woman and first African American to hold it. Northam's list of policy goals was exhaustive for a legislative session of only 60 days. He called for passage of the Equal Rights Amendment; criminal-justice reform, including decriminalization of marijuana; increasing the minimum wage; making community college tuition-free for low- and moderate-income residents; big spending on environmental programs and early-childhood education; and more.
“The Senate of Virginia will get a new face, and it’s a beautiful face and an improvement on the old face,” Newman said. And he urged Virginians to resist efforts to whip up hysteria about the topic of gun control. "Let's have an honest conversation based on fact, not fear," he said.
Overall, the House swore in 18 new members, the Senate five. After years in the minority in both chambers, Democrats hold a 55-45 majority in the House and 21-19 in the Senate. Republicans have derided the governor's proposed $135 billion, two-year spending plan as larded with giveaways. In their prepared response to Northam's address, Republicans took credit for building up Virginia's economy and raised concern that the Democratic call for change would be disruptive.
"Bills have been filed that would undo 50 years of Virginia labor law," Del. Roxann L. Robinson (R-Chesterfield) said, according to an advance copy ofthe response. "It is our sincere hope that Democrats will continue the policies that have served Virginia well for the past two decades."
There was no mention of the blackface scandal that nearly caused Northam to resign last February, and which Republicans have criticized him over for months. Polls indicate Virginians have largely forgiven Northam for the incident, which he alluded to only vaguely in his address.
"Every night, when I go to bed, I ask myself, How well did I do today?" he said. "How well did I serve Virginia? And when I'm down — and yes, I'm human too — I search for new ways to carry out my responsibilities. Believe me, I've found some over the past year."
Members of the Virginia Legislative Black Caucus were particularly eager to signal that they are looking ahead and not back at the scandal.
“It is our time,” state Sen. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-Richmond) proclaimed as she stood with other caucus members to outline legislative priorities, which mesh neatly with Northam’s. With an all-time high of 23 members — one-sixth of the entire legislature — the caucus will wield unprecedented influence.
Overall, the House swore in 18 new members Wednesday, the Senate five. After years in the minority in both chambers, Democrats hold a 55-45 majority in the House and 21-19 in the Senate.
Among the new members were the state’s first two Indian American lawmakers and its first Muslim senator. Both chambers gaveled in with record numbers of women, who now make up about 30 percent of the legislature — 29 in the 100-member House and 11 in the 40-seat Senate.Among the new members were the state’s first two Indian American lawmakers and its first Muslim senator. Both chambers gaveled in with record numbers of women, who now make up about 30 percent of the legislature — 29 in the 100-member House and 11 in the 40-seat Senate.
Most of the women are Democrats, although their numbers grew in both parties. In the House, 25 of the women are Democrats and four are Republicans, while in the Senate, seven are Democrats and four are Republicans. Women make up 45 percent of the Democratic Caucus in the House and 33 percent in Senate. Most of the women are Democrats, although their numbers grew in both parties. In the House, 25 of the women are Democrats, and four are Republicans; while in the Senate seven are Democrats, and four are Republicans. Women make up 45 percent of the Democratic Caucus in the House and 33 percent in Senate.
Gov. Ralph Northam (D) was set to deliver his annual State of the Commonwealth address Wednesday evening, laying out his priorities for the 60-day session. Northam, who less than a year ago almost resigned over a controversy about a blackface photo from his 1984 medical school yearbook, now has a chance to become one of the most consequential governors in modern Virginia history.
With consolidated Democratic power, he has set an ambitious agenda of gun control; passage of the Equal Rights Amendment; criminal-justice reform, including decriminalization of marijuana; removing restrictions on access to abortion; adding LGBT protections; increasing the minimum wage and more.
Northam also has proposed a $135 billion, two-year spending plan that makes big investments in environmental cleanup and early-childhood education.
What promises to be a busy session began relatively quietly, with lawmakers holding news conferences and lobbyists finding their way around to new offices.What promises to be a busy session began relatively quietly, with lawmakers holding news conferences and lobbyists finding their way around to new offices.
The first burst of activity focused on the Equal Rights Amendment, or ERA, as dozens of activists favoring passage rallied outside the entrance to the Capitol, cheering wildly as legislators friendly to their cause walked by. The first burst of activity focused on the Equal Rights Amendment, as dozens of activists favoring passage rallied outside the entrance to the Capitol, cheering wildly as legislators friendly to their cause walked by.
“Get it done!” and “Women’s rights, human rights!” they chanted.“Get it done!” and “Women’s rights, human rights!” they chanted.
At the same hour, the conservative Family Foundation and others warned that ratifying the ERA would be a setback for women, erasing distinctions on sports teams and in locker rooms, bathrooms and the military. The conservative Family Foundation and other opponents said ratifying the ERA would be a setback for women, erasing distinctions on sports teams and in locker rooms, bathrooms and the military. “Things may have changed around here, but we still have a voice,” said Del. Kathy J. Byron (R-Bedford).
“Things may have changed around here, but we still have a voice,” said Del. Kathy J. Byron (R-Bedford). Virginia would be the 38th — and arguably final — state to ratify the amendment, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. But the deadline to enact the amendment passed years ago, and the U.S. Justice Department released an opinion Wednesday that the process must begin anew for the amendment to take effect.
Virginia would be the 38th — and arguably final — state to ratify the amendment, which prohibits sex-based discrimination. But the deadline to enact the amendment passed years ago, and the U.S.. Justice Department released an opinion Wednesday that the ratification process must begin all over again for the amendment to take effect.
Republican leaders were adjusting to the loss of power — smaller offices, fewer staffers. Former Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) walked alone through the legislative office building, just another delegate now.Republican leaders were adjusting to the loss of power — smaller offices, fewer staffers. Former Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights) walked alone through the legislative office building, just another delegate now.
“We are still relevant,” House minority leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) said in an interview with reporters. “And we are still here and fighting for our beliefs. And we think that very quickly the voters of Virginia will begin to get buyer’s remorse about what they’ve done here.”“We are still relevant,” House minority leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) said in an interview with reporters. “And we are still here and fighting for our beliefs. And we think that very quickly the voters of Virginia will begin to get buyer’s remorse about what they’ve done here.”
Gilbert warned Democrats to remember that the majorities they won in November hinge on a handful of districts that could yet swing back toward Republicans. “Virginia is not deep blue yet,” he said. Partisanship took a break as GOP delegates applauded Filler-Corn when she became speaker, and then again when Suzette Denslow became the first woman to serve as clerk of the House in Virginia history.
Shorty after Filler-Corn took the gavel as speaker, she presented Suzette Denslow as the first woman to serve as clerk of the House of Delegates in Virginia history. Denslow has a long record in state government, including serving recently as Northam’s deputy chief of staff. She was warmly welcomed by both sides of the aisle, and a Republican delegate heartily seconded her nomination.
Moments later, though, Gilbert rose and began a series of parliamentary challenges. Pointing out that Democrats failed to present new rules to govern the conduct of the session, Gilbert suggested that no other group of leaders “has ever similarly not been ready to go on opening day.”Moments later, though, Gilbert rose and began a series of parliamentary challenges. Pointing out that Democrats failed to present new rules to govern the conduct of the session, Gilbert suggested that no other group of leaders “has ever similarly not been ready to go on opening day.”
“This day is unprecedented,” responded Del. Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria), the first woman and first African American to serve as House minority leader. “This day is unprecedented,” responded Del. Charniele L. Herring (D-Alexandria), the first woman and first African American to serve as House minority leader.
Privately, several Democrats said the delay in issuing rules was partly to avoid confronting a volatile issue on opening day: whether to allow guns onto Capitol grounds. Privately, several House Democrats said the delay in issuing rules was partly to avoid confronting a volatile issue on opening day: whether to allow guns onto Capitol grounds.
Passing some form of gun control is a priority for Northam and the new Democratic leadership. The prospect has whipped up a furor among gun rights advocates, with some national groups promising to send thousands of armed protesters to Richmond later this month.Passing some form of gun control is a priority for Northam and the new Democratic leadership. The prospect has whipped up a furor among gun rights advocates, with some national groups promising to send thousands of armed protesters to Richmond later this month.
On Wednesday, several groups of gun-control supporters gathered at the Capitol, many wearing the red shirts of Moms Demand Action. On Wednesday, several groups of gun-control supporters gathered at the Capitol, many wearing the red shirts of Moms Demand Action. Security was tighter than usual in the evening, with a heavy presence of state police that one official said was in response to threats against Northam and legislators over plans to pass gun restrictions.
Filler-Corn has signaled that she intends to curtail old rules that allow guns to be carried in and around the Capitol as a security measure.Filler-Corn has signaled that she intends to curtail old rules that allow guns to be carried in and around the Capitol as a security measure.
Gilbert scoffed at the prospect.Gilbert scoffed at the prospect.
“A sign on the fence saying ‘no guns’ is not going to stop someone who has evil intentions. The only thing that would stop them is someone with the right to defend themselves,” he said. “Yeah, we think tensions are high, and I hope the governor is paying attention to how upset people are across the commonwealth.” “A sign on the fence saying ‘no guns’ is not going to stop someone who has evil intentions. The only thing that would stop them is someone with the right to defend themselves,” he said.
As the Senate slowly cranked into action, the only visible friction was a sharp exchange between two Republicans: Minority Leader Thomas K. Norment (R-James City) and Sen. Amanda Chase (R-Chesterfield), who last year quit the GOP caucus in a dispute related in part to payment of caucus dues. In the Senate, regional and partisan tensions flared late in the day as Democrats presented their plan for committee assignments. Republicans complained that southwestern Virginia and Virginia Beach had no representation on two key committees, while Northern Virginia was overrepresented.
Chase rose to protest a change to the Senate rules that would prevent her, or anyone else who quits their party or caucus, from serving on any Senate committees. She said requiring caucus membership would force her into a corrupt “pay-to-play” system, relying on deep-pocketed donors to raise the money for the $10,000 yearly dues, used for staff and other expenses. “No room for one region, but there was room enough for supermajority power for another region,” said Sen. A. Benton Chafin Jr. (R-Russell). “I don’t think that’s what our Founding Fathers had in mind about a representative democracy.”
“We represent the people,” she said. “We don’t represent the caucus.” Senators otherwise united against a common foe: their counterparts in the House of Delegates. The two chambers spent hours locked in a parliamentary conflict over how many people to send over to the governor to formally notify him that the General Assembly was in session.
“I take extreme umbrage that we’re in a pay-for- play situation,” Norment responded angrily. The standoff lasted until shortly before Northam’s speech. Had the two sides not finally reached agreement, Northam would have had to deliver his address from his office.
Once the tiff played out, senators banded together against a familiar foe: their counterparts across the Capitol in the House of Delegates. The two chambers spent hours Wednesday afternoon locked in a parliamentary conflict over how many people to send over to the governor to formally notify him that the General Assembly was in session.
That, at least — on this day of historic firsts — amounted to business as usual.
Democrats will control both chambers in Virginia for first time in a generationDemocrats will control both chambers in Virginia for first time in a generation
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