RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite coming back to Richmond Tuesday, the Virginia Senate has failed to pass any legislation related to skill games or a program designed to help the kids of qualified disabled military veterans attend college known as the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).
Last month, lawmakers made the program, which waives college tuition for the kids and spouses of qualified disabled military veterans, harder for families to access.
On Tuesday, lawmakers returned to Richmond to address those changes specifically, but failed to do anything, despite Governor Glenn Youngkin, Senate Republicans and a few Democrats supporting repealing the changes entirely.
(PREVIOUS) Virginia Senate returning to Richmond to discuss legislation on skill games, education for military dependents
Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) instead decided the Senate wouldn’t take up any bills and instead opted to form a workgroup.
“We don’t have a bill to take up. So theoretically, I don’t know why we’re here,” Bryce Reeves (R-Orange) told 8News. “We’re wasting taxpayer dollars to the tune of $40,000 to $50,000 for us to come in and do a finger drill all day, and that’s pretty upsetting. And you heard the testimonies today, that young lady, they spoke about our families. If that doesn’t touch your heart, I don’t know what does. But we’re not here to play games. We’re here to get work done. And so far, we’re not doing any work.”
Youngkin released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:
“I stand with our military heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP by fully repealing the language, and addressing this in the full light of day. These men and women deserve so much better,”
The House of Delegates is slated to return to Richmond on June 28 to address changes to VMSDEP. Democratic leadership in the chamber has expressed their support for a full repeal of the recent changes.
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite coming back to Richmond Tuesday, the Virginia Senate has failed to pass any legislation related to skill games or a program designed to help the kids of qualified disabled military veterans attend college known as the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).
Last month, lawmakers made the program, which waives college tuition for the kids and spouses of qualified disabled military veterans, harder for families to access.
On Tuesday, lawmakers returned to Richmond to address those changes specifically, but failed to do anything, despite Governor Glenn Youngkin, Senate Republicans and a few Democrats supporting repealing the changes entirely.
Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee Chair Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) instead decided the Senate wouldn’t take up any bills and instead opted to form a workgroup.
“We don’t have a bill to take up. So theoretically, I don’t know why we’re here,” Bryce Reeves (R-Orange) told 8News. “We’re wasting taxpayer dollars to the tune of $40,000 to $50,000 for us to come in and do a finger drill all day, and that’s pretty upsetting. And you heard the testimonies today, that young lady, they spoke about our families. If that doesn’t touch your heart, I don’t know what does. But we’re not here to play games. We’re here to get work done. And so far, we’re not doing any work.”
Youngkin released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:
“I stand with our military heroes, first responders, and their families today who are stunned that Senate Democrat leadership failed to even consider a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to VMSDEP by fully repealing the language, and addressing this in the full light of day. These men and women deserve so much better,”
The House of Delegates is slated to return to Richmond on June 28 to address changes to VMSDEP. Democratic leadership in the chamber has expressed their support for a full repeal of the recent changes.