Statement Regarding Unilateral Committee Meeting Notice

RICHMOND, VA – We have been advised that Senate Democrats have unilaterally scheduled a meeting of the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee for Monday, without any prior consultation with Republican members or notice sufficient to accommodate participation by all committee members.

Once again, they appear poised to take further action regarding pending gubernatorial appointments to college and university boards—actions that would depart from the traditions of the Senate, ignore established rules, and undermine the institutional independence of Virginia’s institutions of higher education.

This approach continues a troubling pattern of partisanship: first, the abrupt committee vote to block qualified nominees without debate; then, a letter from the Clerk issued at the direction of the Democratic Chair claiming a “refusal to confirm” appointments despite clear constitutional, statutory, and procedural grounds to the contrary; and now, a committee meeting called without even the courtesy of informing all its members.

The public deserves a process that honors transparency, fairness, and the constitutional requirement of bicameral action in confirming appointments. We will continue to pursue every appropriate legislative and procedural remedy to uphold those principles and ensure that the Governor’s appointees receive fair and timely consideration.

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