(The Center Square) – After a fiery debate on both the Senate and House floors, Virginia lawmakers voted Wednesday to expand the scope of the ongoing special session to include redistricting.
The Senate approved House Joint Resolution 6006 on a 21–17 vote during the third day of the special session, ending hours of procedural debate over whether lawmakers could expand the session to include redistricting.
Before the procedural vote, Sen. Mark Peake, R-Lynchburg, introduced two amendments condemning political violence after several lawmakers reported receiving threats. Both amendments failed following extended debate.
Sen. Richard Stuart, R-King George, said the resolution should have united both parties, adding, “We are Virginians first.”
The House of Delegates later passed the same resolution, formally expanding the session to take up redistricting. Lawmakers plan to reconvene Thursday at 9 a.m. to begin considering next steps.
Wednesday’s procedural vote does not redraw any political lines but opens the door for a larger debate over how and when Virginia’s district maps should be reviewed.
As previously reported by The Center Square, senators spent much of Tuesday trading remarks over President Donald Trump, Washington politics, and whether Virginia should join other states in revising their political maps mid-decade.
Earlier Wednesday, a Tazewell County judge rejected a Republican request for an emergency injunction that sought to block lawmakers from taking up redistricting during the special session.
Attorney General Jason Miyares issued a legal opinion on the topic of redistricting, arguing that the Virginia Constitution cannot be altered by a last minute vote of the General Assembly during an ongoing election.
