House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “When Governor Northam admitted to wearing blackface and appearing in a racially offensive photograph, he sought the grace of the public’s forgiveness. If polling is to be believed, the public has largely extended that grace to him.” “Now the Virginia Military Institute stands accused of accommodating racist incidents. It’s a shame … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Mask Mandate Enforcement
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, issued the following statement: “When the Governor first issued his mask mandate in May, Virginians were assured that it was not up to businesses to enforce this rule. Today, the Governor has reversed course, telling businesses that ‘their licenses will be on the line’ if they do not enforce the mask mandate. This mandate … Read More
House Republican Leadership Statement on School Reopening
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, Caucus Chair Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, and Caucus Whip Jay Leftwich, R-Chesapeake, issued the following statement: “Both the Centers for Disease Control and the American Academy of Pediatrics have made it clear — the bigger risk for our students is keeping schools closed this fall. Governor Northam and his administration should immediately revise their guidance … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert Statement on Governor Northam’s Irresponsible School Flip-Flop
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “Any parent of a school-aged child in Virginia who saw today’s briefing by Governor Northam is probably livid right now, and they have every right to be. Earlier this month, the Governor rolled out a 100+ page ‘guidance’ document for the reopening of schools. Our local systems were mandated to comply … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert Statement on Governor’s Reversal on COVID-19 Nursing Home Information
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “I cannot fathom the reasoning behind the Governor’s announcement today. Families have sought this information — information they could use to protect their loved ones from a lethal threat — for months. Now, after the body count in nursing homes reaches 1,000, the Governor has reversed course. “If it is legal … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert: Governor Northam Should Follow the Data, Allow Phase 3 to Begin Friday
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “When Governor Northam laid out the criteria for reopening Virginia’s economy, he said the process would be led by science, data, and testing. Yet after two additional weeks of falling case numbers and a continual drop in the percentage positive of tests, Governor Northam called an audible yesterday and said Phase … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert Statement On Governor’s ‘Defund the Police’ Comments
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “Respectfully, Governor, the effort to “defund the police” is about more than ‘semantics.’ It’s a clear attempt to punish all law enforcement officers for the actions of a few, rather than providing them with the resources they need to keep our communities safe — a task made more difficult by your … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert: Release of Martin Before OSIG Investigation Completion Shows Northam Administration is No Friend to Law Enforcement
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “In 1979, Vincent Martin executed Richmond Police Patrolman Michael P. Connors. When Martin was initially granted parole several weeks ago, law enforcement organizations roundly condemned this decision. The process leading to his release was so flawed, and potentially illegal, that it sparked an investigation by the state Office of Inspector General. … Read More
House GOP Leader Gilbert: Governor Northam Must Condemn Calls to ‘Defund the Police’
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “As national, state, and local Democrats across the country have begun to acquiesce to calls to ‘defund the police,’ it is crucial that Governor Northam and Virginia Democrats condemn this destructive position. The overwhelming majority of law enforcement officers are men and women of good character who put their lives on … Read More
Statement of General Assembly Republican Leaders on Governor Northam’s Response to Protests and Riots
House Republican Leader C. Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) and Senate Republican Leader Thomas K. Norment, Jr. (R-James City) today issued the following statement: “Today, Governor Northam faced the people of Virginia for the first time since four days of protests, looting, and vandalism struck our cities. Hundreds of people were arrested after rioters did untold amounts of damage to homes, businesses, … Read More