The first day of the Virginia General Assembly session is usually mostly ceremonial, but not Wednesday with the Democrats’ new, sizable majority in the House of Delegates.
Democratic leaders immediately started pushing ahead four constitutional amendments — with the House approving all four — including one in the national spotlight: the plan to redraw congressional districts.
And with Democrats still in charge of the Virginia Senate, they quickly flexed their muscle, fast-tracking a resolution that could bring new congressional maps. They say their hands were forced by President Donald Trump’s push for Texas, North Carolina and other states to redraw their maps to favor Republicans.
“Virginia literally cannot afford to let the system continue to be rigged,” said Del. Marcia Price, D-District 85. “So, here in Virginia, we will let the voters decide whether they want to live in a dysfunctional new normal of a rigged system or fight back.”
Democrats insist no new congressional maps have been created, yet. They promise they will have a map ready to show voters by the end of January with a special election on the constitutional amendment slated for April.
Republicans — recognizing they don’t have the numbers to stop the measure — hoping voters reject the plan.
“I think it’s gonna ruin what we call the Virginia way,” said state Sen. Bryce Reeves, R-District 34. “Any time you have one party rule, you have policies that often go into place that are not the greatest policies out there.”
Democrats say their chief focus remains affordability.
“People want us to bring down the cost of gas and groceries, housing and health care,” said state Sen. Jennifer Carroll Foy, D-District 3. “So, we’re on a mission to do just that.”
Before the gavel fell Wednesday, lawmakers were visited by Republican Gov. Glenn Youngkin and Democratic Gov.-elect Abigail Spanberger.
Spanberger, who will be sworn in Saturday, stopped by both the Democratic and Republican caucus meetings, earning applause in both.
Youngkin, for a time, manned the capitol information desk. He also popped into the GOP gatherings before bumping into his successor and offering a few words of advice.
“Four years at the beginning of four years seems like a long time, and at the end of four years, it seems like the blink of an eye,” he told Spanberger. “And so, thank you. Wish you the best of luck.”
The other three constitutional amendments — including marriage equality and reproductive rights — would go before voters in November’s election.
The Senate is expected to take its final votes on the resolutions Friday.
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