Virginia Senate takes no action against games of skill, VMSDEP returns to Richmond

Virginia Lieutenant Governor Winsome Earle-Sears (right) leads the Senate on Monday, Jan. 17, 2022, at the Capitol in Richmond, Virginia. (AP Photo/Steve Helber)

RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) — Despite returning to Richmond on Tuesday, the Virginia State Senate failed to pass legislation related to games of skill or a program to enable the children of qualified disabled military veterans to attend college, known as the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP).

Last month, lawmakers made it harder for families to access the program, which provides college tuition relief for children and spouses of recognized disabled veterans.

On Tuesday, lawmakers returned to Richmond to specifically address those changes, but did nothing, despite calls from Governor Glenn Youngkin, Senate Republicans and some Democrats for a complete repeal of the changes.

Instead, Senate Finance and Budget Committee Chairwoman Louise Lucas (D-Portsmouth) decided that the Senate would not take up any bills and opted instead to form a working group.

“We don’t have a bill to work on. So theoretically, I don’t know why we’re here,” Bryce Reeves (R-Orange) told 8News. “We’re wasting $40,000 to $50,000 of taxpayer money just so we can do finger exercises all day long, and that’s pretty upsetting. And you heard the testimony today, that young lady, she talked about our families. If that doesn’t touch your heart, I don’t know what will. But we’re not here to play games. We’re here to get work done. And so far, we’re not doing any work.”

Youngkin released the following statement on Tuesday afternoon:

“I stand today with our military heroes, first responders, and their families who are stunned that Democratic leadership in the Senate has not even considered a simple bill, supported by a bipartisan majority of Senators, to reverse the changes to the VMSDEP by completely repealing the language and addressing the issue in the broader light of day. These men and women deserve so much better,”

The House of Representatives is scheduled to return to Richmond on June 28 to discuss the changes to the VMSDEP. Democratic leadership in the House has expressed support for a complete repeal of the recent changes.