Virginia Senate Committee Democrats Make a Mockery of Our Political System by Summarily Rejecting 14 Statewide University Board Members Without Cause and Without Debate

Today’s Senate Committee on Privileges and Elections in the Virginia General Assembly was a complete and utter mockery of representative government, more similar to Russia than the USA. That the Chair allowed only three brief remarks and then proceeded to a vote without allowing any discussion or debate is deeply troubling and undermines the core principles of transparency, accountability, and the democratic process. The vote in question concerned the rejection of 14 nominees to various Boards of Visitors of Virginia universities. Silencing discussion before a vote erodes public trust in the legitimacy of the outcome. Never in the history of the Commonwealth have we witnessed anything approaching this in regard to nominees for university boards.

The nominees were voted down along partisan lines in a predetermined manner as the meeting lasted less than nine minutes total. The committee was profoundly disrespectful to the individuals up for confirmation who were denied a fair hearing and the basic dignity of having their qualifications publicly considered. We are talking about superbly qualified individuals who have in the past served well in the Commonwealth and beyond, and who are willing to continue their service in the future without remuneration. The so-called hearing was an abject insult to the nominees and all the citizens of Virginia. Such actions set a dangerous precedent, by stifling open dialogue and informed decision-making. It is evident that the nominees were rejected solely by virtue of their appointment by Governor Glenn Youngkin. Citizens should be outraged by the blatantly partisan behavior of this committee, which has abandoned fairness and integrity in favor of political gamesmanship at the expense of public service and democratic norms.