A memorable week is in the rearview mirror, and the countdown to adjournment (scheduled for March 9) is underway. On Monday, the day before crossover, House members cast votes on hundreds of bills. Additionally, and more substantially, House members heard nearly 275 bills explained on second reading. Fireworks ensued around a controversial abortion-related bill. In a political maneuver, Democrat members of the Rules Committee last week voted to send a Republican freshman’s House Bill 404 straight to the House floor without allowing the patron to explain the bill, without hearing any testimony, and after rejecting a committee member’s amendment to correct the language of the bill. This extremely unusual ploy sent an unfinished bill straight to the House floor. Democrats then rejected an amendment providing exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. Without this language in place, the bill’s patron asked to strike his own bill. The Democrats denied this request (an unprecedented move), and instead forced a vote on a bill to prohibit taxpayer dollars be used for abortions—with no exceptions for rape, incest, and life of the mother. A series of complicated parliamentary actions ensued, and the bill was ultimately defeated on a vote of 95-N; 2-A; 1-Y. This outcome was clearly not what the Democrats wanted or expected, and they retaliated the next day by arbitrarily killing Republican bills (mine included!) on final passage.
Extending their tantrum, Democrats on Wednesday removed Delegate Barry Knight from the Appropriations Committee. Delegate Knight formerly chaired this committee, which is tasked with crafting the Commonwealth’s biennial budget. His removal was a retaliatory gesture that will do nothing except erode institutional knowledge and expertise. Signifying that I, too, committed a mysterious transgression against Democrats, I was removed from the Rules Committee. I carry with me no institutional knowledge, but am indeed grateful for one fewer committee assignment (many Republican members have two or three assignments; I had four).
The Commonwealth has survived more than 400 years, and there is little chance of imminent disaster as a result of this week’s antics; however, the retaliatory action is indicative of the Democrats’ petty priorities and general disregard for good governance.
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With crossover behind us, the House is currently considering only Senate bills while the Senate is taking up House bills. Additionally, the House and Senate are completing their respective versions of the budget, both of which are scheduled to be released on Sunday. Major issues—outside the hot-button ones often highlighted in the media—remain open for discussion. Democrats have proposed a further framework for establishing a legal market and complicated regulatory structure for recreational marijuana. Remaining in the headlines is the Governor’s initiative to bring an arena to Northern Virginia. A further underlying consideration is the sheer number of bills that passed each chamber on a near-party-line vote. The Governor will need to determine whether to sign, amend, or veto these bills (or not sign the bills, in which case they still become law).
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In a disservice to the citizens of the Commonwealth, this year marks the defeat of numerous commonsense bills that would keep our communities safe. Working with the parent of a student killed in a 2018 school mass shooting in Parkland, Florida, I introduced House Bill 1046 requiring silent panic alarms in public schools. With only feeble excuses, Democrats killed the bill on a party-line vote in subcommittee. Votes should be cast based on policy, and this year’s session indicates a clear rejection of that standard.
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Thank you to my friend and constituent Mrs. Landa Simmons (pictured at the top of this newsletter) for offering the invocation on February 15. This week also brought visitors from the following organizations:
- The Arc of Virginia
- College Republicans
- Dominion Energy
- George Mason University
- Medical Society of Virginia - 1st year Medical Students
- UVA Students for Equity and Reform VA
- Virginia21
- Virginia Catholic Conference
- Virginia Peninsula Association of Realtors
- Virginia Symphony Society
- Williamsburg Area Association of Realtors
My district office remains closed as we operate out of our Richmond office. If you'd like to visit, I am located in Room 712 of the General Assembly Building at 201 North 9th Street, Richmond, VA 23219. As always, we remain available to assist with constituent service. If you have a problem with a state-related matter or agency or would like to set up a meeting by phone, email, or in-person, please my legislative aide, Ms. Dayle Brittain by phone at 804-698-1071 or by email at DelABatten@house.virginia.gov.
Have a great weekend!
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Contact Delegate Batten
Legislative Aide: Ms. Dayle Brittain
Mail: P.O. Box 194, Norge, VA 23127
Phone: 757-741-7001
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Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Amanda Batten |
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