Virginia's Public Square
Virginia's Public Square
“We are not going to participate in that. We are not going to discuss that. That is a non-starter for this caucus, and we are not going to go along with it,” said House Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) regarding Governor Ralph Northam’s tax proposals.
As the 116th Congress returns to Capitol Hill for its first full week of legislative business since Democrats reclaimed the majority in the House of Representatives, both parties in power will continue to struggle to reach a funding deal to reopen 25 percent of the federal government. Even though money ran out on December 21, 2018 – marking the longest ever federal closure – no ground has been made by either President Donald Trump and Republicans or Democrats.
The next landmark adding to the shutdown saga is likely to be the State of the Union address set to air January 29. For the next two weeks, there is little sign of a deal yet to be made; however, the political consequences of the impasse are continuing to build.
Over the weekend, 2,000 federal workers protested outside the White House that has so commonly been associated with contentious talks with congressional leaders over the shutdown. At least 800,000 furloughed federal workers have come to terms with missing paychecks, highlighting the fact that nearly 80 percent of American workers live paycheck to paycheck.
Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) has encouraged Trump to reopen the government for several weeks to continue negotiating with Democrats over the U.S.-Mexico border wall. The short-term fix would at least allow federal employees to be paid, dampening the negative consequences of the over three-week-long standoff in Washington.
Regardless, the president has stood firm on his $5 billion request for funding his campaign promise of a southern border wall, adding during last week’s national address from the Oval Office that there is a “growing humanitarian and security crisis” at the border.
President Trump, targeting Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (CA-14) and Senate Minority Leader Schumer (D-NY) for inaction, said on Twitter earlier today, “I’ve been waiting all weekend. Democrats must get to work now. Border must be secured!”
Although the commander in chief asserted weeks ago that he would “take the mantle” on the government shutdown, he is now placing the blame on Democrats in Congress. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY), also ready to battle a Democratic lower chamber, said the GOP majority in the Senate will not deliberate anything the president will not sign.
Trump is currently warming to the idea of declaring a national emergency to build the southern border wall, allowing the White House to bypass congressional appropriations and tap into various unspent federal money, which will come from military construction and disaster relief. However, Democrats, and even some Republicans, oppose an emergency declaration that would undoubtedly be challenged at the Supreme Court level, and be an unprecedented move that could affect the power of the presidency for generations to come.
If the funding impasse remains unresolved through President Trump’s second address to the union at the end of January, the country could face dire economic repercussions if the government shutdown lasts, as Trump has said before, for “months or even years.”
With nine of the 15 federal agencies closed, disaster relief could be delayed, leading to unforeseen circumstances as the winter storm season grows on. The federal court system would nearly cease operations as asylum requests are already back logged by months. Lapsed inspections from both the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) could lead to dangerous outbreaks. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) will not be able to process and send out tax refunds. Over eight million low-income Americans could lose food stamps, and at least two million without rental assistance could face eviction.
One way or another, though, President Trump says his proposed border wall, which has now been dubbed “peaches,” for currently unknown reasons, will get built. The question is, however, who will pay for it and will the federal government fully reopen anytime soon?
“Providing a wholesale tax of 5% will go unnoticed by people filling up at the pump,” says Senator John Edwards (D-Roanoke).
Republicans currently have a 51-48 edge in the House of Delegates during the 45-day session in Richmond set to adjourn on February 23.
In December, 68 percent of Virginians supported the hefty deal between the Commonwealth and tech and retail giant Amazon, with just 49 percent of Virginians approving of the deal one month later.
Speaker Cox, who taught school for 30 years, wants to expand partnership and work-study opportunities for graduates of Virginia colleges and universities with a program designed to align curricula with in-demand, high-paying jobs. The bill addresses access and tuition affordability for students preparing for the careers of tomorrow.
The bill allows outpatient late term abortions, repeals informed consent and abdominal ultrasound requirements, eliminates the 24 hour waiting period, allows abortionists to self-certify third trimester abortions, and exempts abortion clinics from health and safety standards.
“By narrowing the focus to Civil War monuments, I think it has a greater chance of passing,” Delegate David Toscano (D-Charlottesville) said.
The Virginia Retirement System (VRS) estimates that Governor Ralph Northam’s proposal would increase the long-term, unfunded liabilities by $33.7 million for the state fund, and $42.3 million for the sheriffs’ and deputies’ plan.
On the first day of the legislative session, Republican and Democratic leaders laid out dramatically different visions for Virginia, offering a glimpse into some of the highest-profile policy debates likely to dominate the agenda for the General Assembly, as it enters its 400th year.
During the annual State of the Commonwealth address, Democratic Governor Ralph Northam laid out a list of liberal priorities, urging lawmakers to back his proposals for higher spending, strict gun control, repealing Virginia’s voter ID law, and establishing what he called a “fundamental right” to abortion.
Republicans, however, took a different approach.
In a joint response from the House and Senate GOP, Delegate Bob Thomas (R-Stafford) and Senator Steve Newman (R-Bedford) emphasized tax relief, bringing down high health care costs, and implementing the recommendations of the House Select Committee on School Safety.
“We plan to reduce the cost of health care for Virginia families struggling to afford higher insurance premiums,” said Newman, who chairs the Senate’s committee on Education and Health. “Virginians have endured skyrocketing skyrocketing out-of-pocket expenses that have accompanied the Affordable Care Act passed during the Obama administration. Too many Virginians find they simply can’t afford the premiums today.”
Newman said Republicans planned to introduce legislation aimed at lowering health care costs, including legislation expanding affordable group coverage, as well as bills allowing patients to purchase catastrophic or short-term coverage with more affordable premiums.
A number of these measures passed the General Assembly last year, only to be vetoed by Governor Northam, an avowed supporter of the Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare.
Undaunted, Newman said Republicans would continue the fight.
“Our health care initiatives will increase choice and lower the cost of available policies,” continued Newman. We plan to provide more Virginians with insurance coverage that their families can actually afford.“
Thomas, a freshman delegate, highlighted Republican proposals aimed at bolstering school safety and providing tax relief for 2.7 million Virginians, including the 600,000 middle class taxpayers impacted by Northam’s $1.2 billion tax hike.
“A few weeks ago the select committee presented a comprehensive set of recommendations to make our students and schools safer through threat prevention, improved mental health services, and increased training for school personnel and school security,” said Thomas. “Among the recommendations are proposals that would utilize the latest technology and school security and infrastructure equipment. Our goal is to employ every means available to keep dangerous individuals out of our schools.“
Following months of bipartisan work, the committee identified 24 priority recommendations in its 709 page report, many of which have already been introduced in the form of legislation.
Among the recommendations lawmakers will consider are improvements in mental health care, new threat assessment procedures, facilities improvements, and an expanded role for school resource and security officers.
Under the direction of Speaker Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), a retired teacher who spent 30 years in the classroom, the committee did not consider any new restrictions on the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, preferring instead to focus on the root causes of school violence, as well as improving crisis response procedures to prevent another failure like that seen in Parkland, Florida, where a school shooter known to authorities killed 17 while deputies waited outside.
Thomas also highlighted Republican plans for tax relief.
“Republicans are committed to stopping Governor Northam’s tax hike on the middle class,” continued Thomas. “Our tax reform plan will return the tax windfall resulting from the federal tax cuts along to taxpayers while providing targeted tax relief to middle and low income Virginians and protecting our coveted triple-A bond rating.“
Lawmakers will consider these proposals and others in the 45 day session, scheduled to continue through mid-February.