Virginia House of Delegates Speaker William J. Howell (R-Stafford), Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment Jr. (R-James City), House Majority Leader Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Senate Republican Caucus Chairman Ryan T. McDougle (R-Hanover), House Republican Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax), House Majority Whip Jackson Miller (R-Manassas) and Deputy Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) issued the following statement Monday.

“Senate Democrats’ unconstitutional attempt to adjourn sine die directly defies a federal court ruling, ignores repeated requests from Governor Terry McAuliffe and single-handedly eliminates any possibility of a legislative remedy on redistricting.

“As Governor McAuliffe repeatedly said, the General Assembly is under a court ruling to redraw Virginia’s Third Congressional District by September 1st. The Governor called this special session of the General Assembly specifically for the purpose of redistricting. The House of Delegates acted in good faith and announced five days ago committee meetings and public hearings in order to develop a remedy to comply with the Court ruling. In fact, Senate Democrats took this unconstitutional action almost exactly as the House of Delegates began a public hearing to solicit citizen input on redistricting.

“Not only is this attempt to adjourn blatantly hypocritical and deeply irresponsible, it also directly defies both a federal court ruling and the Governor. Democrats have single-handedly shutdown any possibility of a legislative remedy on redistricting and have no one to blame but themselves.

“The House of Delegates remains in session, pursuant to Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia. Unfortunately, without the presence of the Senate, there is no possible path forward on redistricting.”