Halfway through session, Democrats say everything is going to plan, Republicans hope Youngkin puts veto pen to good use
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- With the 2025 General Assembly session at its halfway point, Republicans and Democrats have differing views on the session so far.
“To the hard-working people of Virginia, from Pulaski to Prince William to Norfolk to New Kent, here is our message. We are focused on you,” said House of Delegates Speaker Don Scott (D-Portsmouth).
“There's been a lot of really extreme bills this year,” Senator Glen Sturtevant (R-Colonial Heights) told 8News.
Democrats, who control both the House of Delegates and State Senate, highlighted several accomplishments including each chamber passing its own versions of bills to raise the minimum wage to $15 per hour by 2027, a bill to ban the sale of new assault weapons and more.
“We’re focused on our children,” Scott explained. “Protecting them from the number one cause of death -- guns -- and ensuring they receive a world-class education. We are focused on your picket books. Raising wages and lowering costs.”
Plus, House Majority Leader Charniele Herring (D-Alexandria) took a victory lap after both chambers got the ball started on a multi-year process to amend the state constitution to protect abortion rights in Virginia.
“We will have full protection for the full contusion of care, of reproductive care, from contraception to IVF to abortion care,” said Herring.
However, Sturtevant criticized Democrats for failing to prioritize car tax relief proposals proposed by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
“To not take this opportunity to solve this problem that affects Republicans, Democrats, and independents is a really missed opportunity,” Sturtevant told 8News.
Plus, Sturtevant was disappointed Democrats killed efforts to ensure local jails cooperate with Immigration and Customs Enforcement.
“We are also trying to do things at the state level to make sure that those who are not here legally are moving on and out of our country,” Sturtevant said.
Aside from constitutional amendments, any bills that Democrats pass out of the General Assembly will need to be considered by Governor Glenn Youngkin.
