In the Virginia Senate, subcommittees make recommendations to the full committee, which votes on whether to send the legislation to the full Senate.
But Senator Janet Howell doesn’t want her fellow Democrats to face a politically risky vote on Speaker Bill Howell’s Repeal Amendment or a Right to Work Constitutional Amendment. So, she just ignored Senator Obenshain’s motion to put the legislation on the committee’s agenda, citing her prerogative as the chair.
Obenshain writes on Facebook:
“Rules in a legislative process serve an important purpose — to operate as a check on the actions of a majority and to protect the minority from the arbitrary exercise of power. While those in the majority always have the force of numbers, with which they can control the outcome of any issue; it is rules and procedures that are often the only protection for those in the minority.”
Watch it here:
Republicans Obenshain and Martin were joined by Democratic Senator Colan in protesting Howell’s action.
