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Virginia Governor Spanberger Ends Youngkin-Era Rulemaking Effort Restricting Transgender Student Participation in Sports and Facilities

Virginia Governor Spanberger Ends Youngkin-Era Rulemaking Effort Restricting Transgender Student Participation in Sports and Facilities

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger has quietly terminated a rulemaking process initiated by her predecessor, former Republican Governor Glenn Youngkin, that aimed to restrict transgender students' participation in sports and their use of bathrooms and locker rooms. Youngkin's administration had requested the Virginia Board of Health in October 2025 to create a rule to "protect and preserve the public health of women and girls" by limiting transgender girls' access to these areas. However, Spanberger's administration intervened without public notice, and the effort was officially withdrawn in late July. Governor Spanberger announced the rule's demise at Virginia Pridefest, expressing her commitment to valuing the LGBTQ+ community. Her administration consulted with Attorney General Jay Jones's office and determined that the Board of Health lacked the legal authority to enact such a rule.

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman Supports President Trump's $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Amidst Re-election Campaign

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman Supports President Trump's $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget Amidst Re-election Campaign

U.S. Rep. Rob Wittman, a Republican representing Virginia’s 1st Congressional District, is seeking an eighth term and has publicly endorsed President Trump’s proposed $1.5 trillion defense spending budget. Wittman, who also serves as vice chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, argues that a robust military is essential for deterring adversaries and preventing future conflicts. He emphasizes the need for military modernization and investment in technology to reduce human deployment in global conflicts. This stance comes as the nation is in its eighth month of a war with Iran, initiated by President Trump without congressional approval. Wittman is currently campaigning against Democrat Shannon Taylor. An analysis by States Newsroom indicates that Virginia, with its high concentration of military bases and defense installations, stands to benefit significantly if the proposed spending plan is approved, potentially receiving around $50 billion annually.

Virginia Lawmakers' Legal Practice Allows Broad Court Case Delays

Virginia Lawmakers' Legal Practice Allows Broad Court Case Delays

A century-old Virginia law, Code § 30-5, grants attorneys serving in the General Assembly, legislative employees, and their represented parties the right to postpone court and administrative proceedings. This right applies during periods surrounding General Assembly sessions and various legislative meetings. Specifically, a continuance can be obtained 'as a matter of right' starting 30 days before a session and ending 30 days after its adjournment. The protection also covers the day before, of, and after meetings of legislative commissions, councils, and committees that the lawmaker is scheduled to attend. If a judge denies a qualifying request, the decision constitutes reversible error, meaning a higher court can overturn it on appeal. Temporary injunctions are exempt and remain within the court’s discretion. This provision has been invoked by lawmakers from both parties, including recently by Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore in a felony case and House Speaker Don Scott in a defamation suit. C...

US appeals court to hear DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

US appeals court to hear DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

By Andrew Goudsward RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday will consider the Justice Department’s bid to revive criminal cases against two of President Donald Trump's longtime adversaries, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James.

Virginia Law Grants Legislator-Lawyers Broad Power to Delay Court Cases, Raising Concerns Over Justice Delays

Virginia Law Grants Legislator-Lawyers Broad Power to Delay Court Cases, Raising Concerns Over Justice Delays

A century-old Virginia law, Virginia Code § 30-5, grants state legislators who are also practicing attorneys the right to postpone court and administrative proceedings. This provision allows for continuances during legislative sessions, including regular and special sessions, as well as the day before, of, and after meetings of legislative commissions, councils, and committees that the lawmaker is scheduled to attend. The law stipulates that if a judge denies a qualifying request for continuance, it constitutes reversible error, meaning a higher court can overturn the decision. This has led to significant delays in both criminal and civil cases, with some proceedings being postponed for months or even years. For instance, Buchanan County Supervisor Trey Adkins' felony case has been delayed for over four years, with Virginia House Minority Leader Terry Kilgore, one of his attorneys, invoking this law multiple times. While proponents argue it's essential for a part-time legislature, critics highlight the pot...

US appeals court skeptical of DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

US appeals court skeptical of DOJ bid to revive cases against Trump foes Comey, James

By Andrew Goudsward RICHMOND, Virginia, Sept 15 (Reuters) - A U.S. appeals court on Tuesday appeared wary of the Justice Department’s bid to revive criminal cases against two of President Donald Trump's longtime adversaries, former FBI Director James Comey and New York Attorney General Letitia James

Congressman Ted Lieu's 'Tyler's Law' Passes House to Combat Fentanyl Overdoses

Congressman Ted Lieu's 'Tyler's Law' Passes House to Combat Fentanyl Overdoses

The House of Representatives has passed 'Tyler’s Law,' a bipartisan bill aimed at preventing fentanyl overdoses across the United States. Introduced by Congressman Ted Lieu (D-Los Angeles County), Congressman Bob Latta (R-OH), and Congresswoman Sydney Kamlager-Dove (D-CA), the legislation mandates the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to conduct a study on the frequency of fentanyl testing in hospitals for overdose patients. Following this study, HHS will be required to issue guidance to hospitals on implementing fentanyl testing in emergency rooms. The bill is named in memory of Tyler Shamash, a 19-year-old who died in 2018 from a fentanyl overdose and was not tested for the substance at the hospital. Many emergency rooms currently do not include fentanyl in their standard rapid drug screenings, which typically cover substances like marijuana, cocaine, and opiates, but often miss synthetic opioids like fentanyl. According to HHS, fentanyl-related deaths have seen a dramatic 103-fold increase i...

Chairman Griffith Leads Health Subcommittee Hearing on Medicare Payment Reform and Cybersecurity

Chairman Griffith Leads Health Subcommittee Hearing on Medicare Payment Reform and Cybersecurity

Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health, delivered an opening statement at a hearing titled 'Examining Legislative Proposals to Reform Medicare Provider Payment and Bolster Health Care Cybersecurity.' The hearing focused on several bills aimed at addressing challenges within the Medicare physician fee schedule and enhancing cybersecurity in the healthcare sector. Griffith emphasized the need to improve the Medicare payment system to provide greater stability for healthcare providers, particularly independent and rural practices facing payment uncertainty and regulatory complexity. Key legislative proposals discussed included the 'Patients First Act' to modernize physician payment, the 'Provider Reimbursement Stability Act' to improve payment predictability, and the 'Ensuring Community Access to Pharmacist Services Act' to expand Medicare coverage for pharmacist services. Additionally, bills like the 'Alzheimer’s Screening and Prevention Act' and the 'Rural Obstetrics Rea...

Senators Kaine and Warner Introduce Bill to Curb Overcrowding at Reagan National Airport Following Deadly Crash

Senators Kaine and Warner Introduce Bill to Curb Overcrowding at Reagan National Airport Following Deadly Crash

Virginia's U.S. Senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner, both Democrats, have introduced the DCA Air Safety Act in response to a deadly 2025 crash near Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA) and ongoing concerns about overcrowding. The crash, which involved an American Airlines Bombardier jet and an Army Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River, killed 67 people. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) investigation revealed that one air traffic controller was managing 29 aircraft within an 18-minute period on the night of the collision. The proposed legislation aims to enhance safety by capping hourly arrivals at no more than 28 aircraft per 60-minute period, down from the current rate of 30 (which was 32 at the time of the crash). It also seeks to reduce flight clustering by requiring airports to set limits for each 30-minute period to spread out flights more evenly. Additionally, the bill proposes removing 30 flight slots over five years, starting in 2028, including at least 26 flights t...

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Launches Digital Service and Appoints New Inspector General Amidst Medicaid Fraud Convictions

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger Launches Digital Service and Appoints New Inspector General Amidst Medicaid Fraud Convictions

Governor Abigail Spanberger of Virginia has initiated a new effort to enhance state services and reduce issues with state contracts. This initiative includes the establishment of the Virginia Digital Service, with Andrea Fletcher, formerly the chief digital strategy officer at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, appointed as its first director. The Virginia Digital Service aims to modernize state systems, improve government websites, and expedite the delivery of essential services to families. This move follows a previous reform effort under former Governor Glenn Youngkin that resulted in a $52 million loss for the Department of Social Services due to a failed attempt to replace the child support enforcement system. Concurrently, Governor Spanberger has nominated Daniel Young, a former federal government official with experience at the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, to serve as the state's next inspector general. Young's role will invo...

House Majority PAC Launches Ads Targeting Representative Derrick Van Orden Over Healthcare Votes

House Majority PAC Launches Ads Targeting Representative Derrick Van Orden Over Healthcare Votes

The House Majority PAC (HMP) has launched a new television ad titled "No Luxury" in Wisconsin's 3rd Congressional District, targeting Representative Derrick Van Orden. The ad highlights Van Orden's voting record, specifically his vote to cut $42 million from local hospital funding. Additionally, the ad claims that this vote would eliminate health insurance coverage for nearly 300,000 Wisconsinites. This initiative is part of a broader campaign by HMP, which is rolling out new TV and digital ads across 15 districts in multiple states, including Alaska, California, Colorado, Michigan, North Carolina, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The ads aim to draw attention to the voting records of various Republican incumbents on issues such as healthcare, tariffs, and economic policies.

Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough

Trump agreed to new ethics rules to get a crypto bill across the line. But that might not be enough

To help get a sweeping cryptocurrency bill across the line, President Donald Trump has agreed to new ethics provisions