House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert called on Governor Northam to explain why COVID-19 testing in Virginia is behind nearly every other state. As other states around the country begin measured reopenings, Virginia continues to lag behind in the testing required for Virginia to begin that process. Virginia currently ranks among the lowest in the nation for testing. “At first Governor … Read More
House Republican Leadership Statement on Governor’s Executive Order Extension
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah, Republican Caucus Chair Kathy Byron, R-Bedford, and Republican Caucus Whip Jay Leftwich, R-Chesapeake, issued the following statement: “Virginians are an industrious and creative people. In the weeks since all this began, we’ve seen some amazing efforts to improvise, adapt, and overcome. Businesses that have even the smallest ability to continue to serve their customers … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Governor Northam’s Actions on Minimum Wage, ‘Clean Economy’ Act
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “We are squarely in the middle of an unprecedented health and financial crisis. The hundreds of thousands of Virginians who have filed for unemployment and the businesses that employed them are going to be digging out of this financial hole well past May 1, 2021. The actions taken by the Governor … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Governor Northam’s Signing of Gun Control Bills
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “To take a victory lap on such a controversial issue at a time when Virginians are buying firearms at a record pace to protect themselves and their families is counterintuitive. “To do so at a time when we need all Virginians unified in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic is counterproductive. … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Governor Northam’s COVID-19 Response
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “Governor Northam was correct when he said there’s no playbook for dealing with a pandemic like this. COVID-19 is a public health crisis that has precipitated an economic crisis. Balancing the two is no easy task, but essential to ensure Virginians come out of this crisis both healthy and on reasonably … Read More
House Republican Leadership Statement on Conclusion of 2020 Legislative Session
The Virginia House of Delegates completed its work today for the 2020 General Assembly Session. Over 2,200 pieces of legislation passed the House including a new budget for the next two years. This session, with Democrats in complete control for the first time in 20 years, produced billions in new and increased taxes, a flourish of anti-business policies, and a … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Redistricting Amendment Developments
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert issued the following statement: “Governor Northam’s move to intervene in the House discussion over redistricting is confusing. Governors have no role in amending the Constitution, and the amendment itself cannot be changed at this point without restarting the entire process, killing nonpartisan redistricting for a decade. “Muddying the waters at this point with new legislation … Read More
House Republican Leader Statement on Legislation Ending Certain Mandatory Incident Reporting in Schools
House Democrats voted today to pass House Bill 257 that would remove requirements for school officials to report serious crimes to law enforcement such as sexual battery, stalking, and threats against teachers and staff. “House Democrats today adopted a policy that will make our students, teachers, and school personnel significantly less safe,” said House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert, R-Shenandoah. “Administrators … Read More
House Republican Statement on Passage of House Budget
The Virginia House of Delegates today passed its version of the biennium budget, sending House Bills 29 and 30 to the Senate. Members of the House Republican Caucus submitted numerous floor amendments that were killed by the majority with no debate. House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah), Republican Caucus Chair Kathy Byron (R-Bedford), and Republican Whip Jay Leftwich (R-Chesapeake) issued … Read More
House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert Statement on Proposed ‘Assault Weapons’ Ban
House Democrats have prepared an amended version of their ill-advised House Bill 961, legislation that would turn countless law-abiding Virginians into felons in short order. House Republican Leader Todd Gilbert released the following statement: “Any legislation that requires Virginians to surrender or destroy their lawfully possessed firearms or standard-issue magazines is tantamount to confiscation and a gross violation of our … Read More