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Arrest of MS-13 Leader Highlights House Democrats’ Failure on Immigration

Arrest of MS-13 Leader Highlights House Democrats’ Failure on Immigration

Earlier today, law enforcement officers from Federal, state, and local agencies arrested a key leader of MS-13, a violent criminal gang responsible for a number of killings and other violent crimes in the Commonwealth.

“This is what happens when you let good cops be cops,” FBI Director Kash Patel, said at a press conference.

Operations like this make our communities safer. We’ve seen the carnage wrought by MS-13 all across Virginia. That’s why House Republicans made fighting criminal illegal aliens a priority this past session. House Democrats, however, weren’t interested.

House Republicans put forward a number of bills that would have helped law enforcement get dangerous illegal alien gang members off the street. None of them even received a hearing.

Those bills include:
• HB 2169 from Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah
Creates a rebuttal presumption against bail for an illegal alien charged with a crime of violence, making it easier to hold them until trial.

• HB 1885 from Del. Wren Willams, R-Patrick
Requires the Department of Corrections to inform Immigration and Customs Enforcement that an illegal alien who committed a crime while a juvenile is in their custody.

• HB 1891 from Del. Jason Ballard, R-Giles
Requires law enforcement to inform Immigration and Customs Enforcement of any illegal aliens in their custody before their sentence is completed, and then transfer them to ICE custody.

• HB 2354 from Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham
Requires law enforcement to transfer any illegal aliens in their custody to Immigration and Customs Enforcement upon the receipt of a valid detainer from the agency.

• HB 2623 from Del. Buddy Fowler, R-Hanover
Allows someone harmed by an illegal alien in a “sanctuary” city or county to sue the local government and hold them responsible for failing to enforce the law.

Time and time again, Virginia Democrats choose violent criminals over victims and police. A House of Delegates in Republican control will get these monsters out of our communities. A House of Delegates in Democrat control, as we’ve seen, will continue to do nothing.

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Virginia House Democrats Kill Legislation to Reform Virginia Clean Economy Act

Virginia House Democrats Kill Legislation to Reform Virginia Clean Economy Act

RICHMOND — Earlier today, House Republicans presented a number of bills to House Labor and Commerce Subcommittee #3 designed to prevent more than $450 million in ‘deficiency fees’ under the Virginia Clean Economy Act from being passed on to hard-working Virginia families.

They were all killed by Democrats on party line votes.

The fees are the result of a VCEA provision which penalizes utility companies if they don’t sell enough power from solar and wind installations, as opposed to traditional power plants. Fees are likely to be triggered this year as Dominion Energy is unable to meet the every-increasing requirement.

Under VCEA, utilities can pass those fees straight to consumers without any action from the State Corporation Commission, the state body that normally regulates utility rates.

“To say we’re disappointed is an understatement,” said House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. “We went to this committee with a reasonable proposal that would have ensured Virginians didn’t get hit with $450 million in higher power bills this year. But Democrats have no interest.”

“Democrats refuse to recognize that this ‘aspirational Virginia Clean Economy Act they passed has run head-first into reality, and the result is sky high power bills for no discernible reduction in Virginia’s carbon emissions. They just don’t care about everyday Virginia families,” Gilbert added.

Republicans came prepared to compromise in an effort to help consumers.

“Our initial bill would have simply removed the fees in their entirety,” said Del. Terry Kilgore, R-Gate City. “But Democrats made it clear they had no interest in that, so we brought forward a version that would reduce the fees and move them under the control of the State Corporation Commission. That still wasn’t good enough. The Clean Economy Act is quickly becoming the Clean Out Your Wallet Act.”

Bills that would have added nuclear power to the VCEA’s list of acceptable carbon-free power generation methods were rejected as well.

“When it passed, Democrats said they wanted the Virginia Clean Economy Act to reduce carbon emission for Virginia’s electricity needs. If carbon was the enemy, it wasn’t apparent today,” said Del. Rob Bloxom, R-Accomack. “Today we presented two bills that would have included carbon-free nuclear power into the VCEA’s mix of ‘clean’ power, giving our two biggest utilities a clear path to meet the demands of zero carbon power.”

“Apparently Democrats aren’t interested in carbon-free power. They simply want windmills and solar plants,” said Del. Tony Wilt, R-Rockingham. “We brought real solutions to the table, but Democrats weren’t interested. Now Virginia families are going to pay the price in the form of sky high electricity bills.”

The bills killed by Democrats include HB2200, HB2197, HB2365, and HB1875.

 

House Republican Leadership Statements on Governor Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth

House Republican Leadership Statements on Governor Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth

House Republican Caucus leaders issued the following statements regarding Governor Youngkin’s State of the Commonwealth address:

House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert:

“Republicans recognize that Virginia families are still reeling from years of inflation that has made the essentials of life such as food, shelter, and energy more unaffordable than ever. At a time when Virginia collects billions of dollars in surpluses, we have an obligation to help by lowering Virginians’ tax burdens further. I look forward to working with Governor Youngkin to reduce the car tax for hard-working families, ending the tax on tips for those in the service industry, and reducing regulatory burdens that unnecessarily drive up costs.”

House Republican Caucus Chair Amanda Batten:

“If we want Virginia’s economy to continue growing, we must ensure the Commonwealth has reliable and affordable electricity. As noted by the Governor, we import 40 percent of our power, a huge increase since the Virginia Clean Economy Act became law in 2020. Now is the time to stop taking existing power stations offline and begin the critical work of adding ‘all of the above’ to our power mix. If we fail to do so, economic growth will not be the only casualty. Hard working Virginians will be forced to spend even more of their paychecks to keep the lights on.”

House Republican Whip Michael Webert:

“Economic success means nothing if Virginians aren’t safe in their communities. Governor Youngkin is right that we have an obligation to work with our Federal partners to deport illegal aliens who commit violent felonies. Mandating local law enforcement cooperation with Immigration and Customs Enforcement will save lives.”

Deputy House Republican Leader Israel O’Quinn:

“I want to thank Governor Youngkin for his repeated and ongoing efforts to help our communities rebuild and refurbish schools as part of our joint effort to improve education for all of Virginia’s students. As we heard today, we have made tremendous progress, but there is much left to do. I look forward to working with him and our entire Republican team to make it happen.”

 

Arrest of MS-13 Leader Highlights House Democrats’ Failure on Immigration

Leader Gilbert Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Budget Amendments

House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“The budget amendments put forward today by Governor Youngkin represent a common sense, families-first approach to Virginia’s future.”

“Our Commonwealth has more than enough room in the budget to lower taxes, and to provide even more tax relief for our hardworking families, while continuing to invest in our schools and other critical priorities. I’m hopeful our colleagues across the aisle will agree.”

 

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Leader Gilbert Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Sanctuary City Ban

Leader Gilbert Statement on Governor Youngkin’s Proposed Sanctuary City Ban

House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“The safety of our communities cannot be sacrificed just so that Democrats can feel good about themselves at cocktail parties. Today’s proposal from the Governor is a common-sense approach that will ensure local governments cooperate with Federal officials to deport criminals who are in this country illegally. I look forward to working with him to see it enacted into law.”

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