On Monday, Senate Democratic Caucus Chairman Sen.
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After Republicans denied the Democrats their choice for a Supreme Court vacancy during Monday’s special session, Senate Democrats concluded they would not be able to compromise on the redistricting, and called it a day. AFP Graphic Design Whether you need a fresh business card design, rack card, ad, flyer or full magazine design, we can help with all your graphic-design needs. But the effort had barely gotten off the ground when Senate Democrats put an end to the process.
Jones said he was optimistic that lawmakers could agree on a plan that Gov. McAuliffe would sign before the September 1st deadline the court set for lawmakers to fix the 3rd district’s lines.
Gov. McAuliffe said in a statement that “the opportunity for a legislative remedy has ended” because GOP leaders “offered nothing for Virginians to consider”.
Many questioned whether a legislative remedy was ever likely.
“We have not held ourselves very high in this hour”, Watkins said.
The main objective of the session was to come to a solution for congressional redistricting, but officials instead engaged in a politically-charged debate over electing a judge to the Virginia Supreme Court.
Both parties interviewed Alston at a committee hearing Monday morning. Only the General Assembly can bestow 12-year terms on the court, though the governor is allowed interim appointments when the legislature is not in session.
“It’s a fine development for Judge Roush”, McEachin acknowledged. “I ask that they walk across the street and invite Justice Roush to a new hearing, one that is open and fair, and gives this highly qualified judge the respect she is due”.
That makes Monday’s adjournment key.
Republicans appear to have the muscle to remove Roush, even if, with the potential defection of one or two moderate Senate Republicans, they fall short of their goal of installing Virginia Court of Appeals Judge Rossie Alston in her place.
Republicans blasted the Democrats’ maneuver as “blatantly hypocritical and deeply irresponsible”.
House Speaker Bill Howell, R-Stafford County, and Senate Majority Leader Tommy Norment, R-James City County, announced soon after Roush’s appointment they would be backing Alston for the post.
“The House of Delegates remains in session, pursuant to Article IV, Section 6 of the Constitution of Virginia”.
“Unfortunately, without the presence of the Senate, there is no possible path forward on redistricting”.
Later, Northam said that there was precedent for the ruling and motion, and that it had been done before.
With that move, Sen. But the General Assembly has final say in judicial selections and Republicans say McAuliffe created needless drama by not running his pick by GOP leaders ahead of time. “I have to do what I am under court order to do”.
Governor Terry McAuliffe called for the special session after a federal court ruled that Virginia’s Third Congressional district was unconstitutional.
He said he was told by the GOP leadership that Alston already had the necessary 21 votes in the Senate and over 50 votes in the house to win. House Republicans had nominated him to replace Roush. John C. Watkins (R-Powhatan) prevented Alston from taking the bench, but did nothing to stop Roush’s appointment from expiring within 30 days.
Republican lawmakers have refused to interview a Virginia Supreme Court justice appointed by Democratic Gov. Terry McAuliffe.
He let fellow lawmakers and the administration know that he disapproved of how the partisan process had played out.
Last month McAuliffe (D) used his power to make interim judicial appointments when the legislature is not in session to install Roush, then a Fairfax circuit court judge, on the Supreme Court.
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When it comes to the Supreme Court, Republicans have no beef with McAuliffe’s pick.
