The Senate Rules Committee on Friday voted 11-0 in favor of a bill to remove the statue of segregationist Gov. and U.S. Sen. Harry F. Byrd Sr. from Capitol Square.
At the center of the debate is the massive Paycheck Protection Program, federal relief that infused more than half a trillion dollars into businesses through low-interest bank loans last year.
Virginia Senate Approves Measure to Abolish State’s Death Penalty
Virginia’s Senate approved a bill on Feb. 3 that would make Virginia the 23rd state to abolish the death penalty if the measure becomes law.
The 21–17 vote in the Democratic-majority chamber was split along party lines, with 21 Democrats for and 17 Republicans against the measure. One lawmaker, Republican state Sen. Bill Stanley, abstained.
The bill, SB 1165, sponsored by state Sen. Scott Surovell, a Democrat, now awaits the approval of Gov. Ralph Northam, also a Democrat; Northam has said he supports the legislation.
The House of Delegates approved its version of the legislation, HB 2263. The 15–6 vote consisted of two Republicans joining 13 Democrats in favor of the bill. One person abstained.
A bill that would abolish the death penalty in Virginia cleared a hurdle in the state Senate on Tuesday and is poised for a final vote later this week.
Virginia Senate advances death penalty abolition bill for final vote (Source: wvir) By Associated Press | February 2, 2021 at 7:50 PM EST - Updated February 2 at 9:06 PM
RICHMOND, Va. (AP) A bill that would abolish the death penalty in Virginia cleared a hurdle in the state Senate on Tuesday and is poised for a final vote later this week.
The Democrat-controlled chamber voted to advance the measure for a third and final reading, likely Wednesday, after rejecting a Republican senator’s proposed changes to the bill that would have significantly altered it.
Senate Minority Leader Tommy Norment sought to recast the bill in a way that would not abolish the death penalty entirely but would reduce its scope. His proposals were defeated.