RICHMOND — House Republicans introduced their agenda today for the coming 2023 General Assembly session. A continuation of the work begun in 2022, House Republicans will focus on what voters told us matters most to them: Creating Better Schools and Safer Communities for Every Virginian.

House Republicans look forward to working with Governor Youngkin to provide much needed tax relief to every Virginian, by cutting income taxes, ending the tax on groceries, and lowering prescription drug costs to put more money back into the pockets of hard-working Virginia families.

Our caucus will also focus on making our communities safer by giving police and other law enforcement officials the tools and support they need to get dangerous criminals off our streets. Additionally, House Republicans will put forward legislation that will put teachers back in charge of their classrooms and fight learning loss by bringing more resources to bear on the problem as quickly as possible.

Find statements from the House Republican Leaders team below:

Speaker Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah
“Just over a year ago, the people of this Commonwealth gave us a two-year lease on the People’s House. Halfway through that term, our Republican team remains committed to addressing the issues that confront Virginians every day. Helping keep day-to-day costs low, ensuring that their children get a good education, and knowing their communities are safe,” Gilbert said.

“Our colleagues on the other side of the aisle have made it clear that they intend to spend this short session fighting culture wars and treating the House of Delegates like social media. But our constituents didn’t send us here to see who can get the most likes on social media. They sent us here to work to make their lives better. That’s what Republicans will do for the coming 46 days,” he said.

“House Republicans are ready to work with Governor Youngkin, Lieutenant Governor Earle-Sears, Attorney General Miyares, and our Democratic colleagues to accomplish meaningful policy on behalf of Virginians,” Speaker Gilbert concluded.

House Majority Leader Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City
“It wasn’t that long ago that Virginians were watching our neighbors in Tennessee and North Carolina freeze in the dark as rolling blackouts turned off their lights and heat,” Kilgore said. “Virginia was far too close to the same fate.”

“We must ensure that Virginians have affordable and reliable energy that keeps the lights on. That’s why we will propose legislation that lowers electric bills. We will work to disconnect Virginia from California’s ‘clean car’ standards that will make it harder for families to buy cars and put an untenable strain on our power grid,” Kilgore said. “Republicans will also lay the foundations for our Commonwealth to be the new center of nuclear energy in our nation by finding the sites for the first Small Modular Reactors and creating educational programs to train the next generation of nuclear scientists right here in Virginia.”

Majority Caucus Chair Amanda Batten, R-James City County
“Republicans will advance legislation that creates affordable, flat-fee, no-frills degree programs for in-demand skills. We’ll also level the playing field for those who want to learn a trade rather than pursue a degree by extending Tuition Assistance Grants to trade schools,” Batten said.

“At the K-12 level, we will put teachers back in charge of their classrooms by letting them send intentionally disruptive students out of the classroom so their classmates can learn. Our agenda also includes legislation that will focus like a laser on raising standards and fighting learning loss. Our kids don’t get do-overs. We can, and will, fix these issues now,” she said.

House Republican Whip Michael Webert, R-Fauquier
“When Democrats took total control in 2020, they legislated as if police, not criminals, were the driving force behind crime on our streets. Two years after their criminal justice ‘reforms’ took effect, our streets are more violent than ever, and more of our young people are dying from gun violence,” he said.

“We will work to change that trend by listening to local officials on both sides of the aisle and giving police back the tools they need to get illegal guns and dangerous criminals off our streets,” Webert said. “We will look to restore safeguards that keep dangerous criminals behind bars until trial, and enact legislation that holds those who deal lethal drugs such as fentanyl, accountable for the lives they ruin.”

Deputy Majority Leader Israel O’Quinn, R-Washington County
“When health insurance and related companies save money on prescription drugs through rebates, those savings should be passed through to the consumer. Our caucus will advance legislation that will help families who are struggling with high prescription prices by emulating the best practices in other states that pass savings at every level on to the person paying at the pharmacy counter,” he said. “Far too many Virginians are struggling with the cost of these necessary drugs, and our legislation will help lower costs without creating new bureaucracy or costing taxpayers additional money.”

House Appropriations Committee Chairman Barry Knight, R-Virginia Beach
“Virginia is in a strong financial position, but with a looming recession, House Republicans are very cognizant of unnecessary government spending,” said Knight. “Ensuring Virginia is prepared for an economic downturn, lessening financial burdens for Virginians, and addressing the core functions of government will be our focus as we amend our two-year budget,” he concluded.