March 12, 2022 News & Press Releases

As Virginia General Assembly Adjourns Sine Die, Democrats Celebrate Legislative Victories And Success in Protecting Hard-Fought Progress


by Democratic Party of Virginia

Governor Youngkin’s Lack Of Leadership And Far-Right Agenda Leads To Stagnation On The Budget

Richmond, VA – The Virginia General Assembly adjourned Sine Die, concluding a successful legislative session for Virginia Democrats and marking major failures for Republicans. Throughout the legislative session, Democrats have fought to move Virginia forward and protect our progress. Democrats proposed a budget with record investments in public education and have stood as a Brick Wall against Republican attacks, successfully fending off countless efforts to roll back access to abortion, defund public education, and remove Virginia from the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative, which is critical to our fight against climate change.

Since taking office, Governor Youngkin and Virginia Republicans have demonstrated abysmal leadership and have focused on sowing division and rolling back our progress rather than governing. Their failed leadership was on full display today, when the legislature adjourned without passing a final budget due to Republicans’ refusal to fund our public schools and give our teachers a much-needed raise. 

Despite Republican pushback, Virginia Democrats have and will continue to work tirelessly to expand access to health care, grow our economy, and ensure that every Virginia student has the opportunity to have a world-class education.

“We’re seeing more of what we’ve known all along, Governor Youngkin's abysmal leadership and far-right agenda have no place in our Commonwealth,” said DPVA Chairwoman Susan Swecker. “Republicans' refusal to pass a budget with record funding for our schools and long-overdue teacher raises is an incredible disservice to the people of Virginia. I hope that Republicans will join them in that mission by putting partisan bickering aside and returning to Richmond ready to help all Virginians.”

###