Virginia Senators (Democrats) Caught on Tape Refusing to Follow the Rules of the Senate

Being a Senator isn’t easy. Sometimes it means casting difficult votes, and then explaining those votes to your constituents. That’s why we send Senators to Richmond — to debate the issues of the day and take a stand, one way or the other.

Unless you’re a Democrat member of the Senate’s Privileges and Elections Committee, that is.

On Tuesday, Democrat Chairman Janet Howell told the committee that she intended to violate the rules and let a sub-committee kill some vital legislation — the Repeal Amendment, which would let 2/3 of states overturn bad laws like ObamaCare and Cap and Trade. She also intended to kill a measure that would protect our Right to Work laws by including them in the Virginia Constitution.

But that’s against the Senate rules. When our Republican team, lead by Senators Mark Obenshain and Steve Martin, objected, the Democrats broke the rules again and shut down an effort to be sure that the bills got a fair hearing, as you can see in this video below.

The Democrats didn’t have so much as a fig leaf to hide behind, as you can see in this Washington Post report: http://voices.washingtonpost.com/virginiapolitics/2011/01/republicans_in_the_state_senat.html#more
“Upon what basis does the chair rule the motion to add the bill to the agenda out of order?” Senator Mark Obenshain asked Howell not long before the committee’s vote.

“I believe it’s out of order,” Howell responded after a pause.

Folks, the Democrats are scared.

They’re scared because they’re stuck between their liberal base and the overwhelming majority of Virginians — Virginians who sent a message loud and clear in November.

If they vote to send a message to Washington, they’ll anger their liberal friends who want the spending party in Congress to continue. And if they vote to protect our Right to Work laws, they’ll anger the big labor unions like SEIU they’re counting on the help them knock on doors this November.

Our Republican team in Richmond heard the message of November 2009 and November 2010 loud and clear, and they’re not going to roll over and let Democrats ignore the voice of the voters.

“I don’t know what the problem is in voting on a simple motion to add a bill to an agenda,” said Sen. Mark Obenshain, R-Harrisonburg. “The majority were unable to articulate any basis whatsoever for ruling that motion out of order. The chair, with great respect and deference, has abandoned the the traditions and the rules of this body.”

“Senators will be counted on votes,” added Sen. Ryan McDougle, R-Mechanicsville, speaking at an impromptu press conference after the votes. “That’s what the people sent them here to do. Whether they agree with the issue or not, we have legitimate debate. Senators should vote on bills.”

This is what is at stake this November. Will we re-elect a Democratic majority to the State Senate that will do whatever it takes, regardless of the rules, to prevent the will of the people from being voted upon, or will we gain a Republican majority by electing at least three new members who will work to solve the problems we face?

Will you join the Victory 2011 effort today? Your 2011 Republican Party of Virginia membership will help us regain control of the State Senate.

-Pat Mullins, RPV Chairman

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