House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“Colonel Gary Settle has been a fixture in Virginia’s law enforcement community for decades. His stalwart, professional leadership of the Virginia State Police has been one of the few bedrock constants in a turbulent Richmond. I will forever be grateful for his assistance during my time as Speaker of the House, and the help he gave when I was a young prosecutor. Whoever succeeds him will have large shoes to fill. I congratulate him on well-earned retirement.

House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“Today, the hard work and perseverance of Virginia’s Gold Star families, disabled veterans and first responders paid off. Both the House and Senate have finally passed a clean repeal of the changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program.

“The beneficiaries of this program have already paid the cost in blood: either their own, or that of someone dear to them. I look forward to working with Governor Youngkin to ensure VMSDEP’s long-term sustainability.”

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Richmond, VA – Today, Speaker Don Scott and Minority Leader Todd Gilbert put out the following statement in response to the shooting at the Trump rally in Butler, Pennsylvania:

“We were shocked and alarmed to learn of the violence that took place at the rally today. This is not a reflection of our shared values.

“In America, we settle political differences through free and fair elections. There is no place for violence in politics. Every American has the right to gather peacefully and participate in our political system. We are praying for the victims and President Trump and their families.”

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House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement:

“Today’s inaction by the Senate regarding the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program is shameful and inexcusable. Senate Democrats had a bill available that was backed by a bipartisan majority. It would have cleanly repealed the changes made to the program that threaten to cut off education benefits to not only Gold Star families and combat disabled veterans, but also the families of fallen first responders.

“The fix was there. It likely would have passed and started a process of reform to ensure the program is sustainable for the foreseeable future. But Senate Democrats refused to hear the bill, apparently choosing to tie it to the unrelated issue of so-called ‘skill games’ in an effort to force that legislation through.

“A bipartisan majority in the House of Delegates is ready to act on June 28th to fix this error. The families of Virginia’s heroes who have given their last full measure of devotion to our country and Commonwealth deserve no less. House Republicans stand firmly with them.”

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