On the eve of the opening of the 2024 session of the Virginia General Assembly, COS Virginia's Rally Day began early in the morning in Senate chambers with several state legislators in attendance: Delegate Wren Williams, Delegate Eric Zehr, Delegate Amanda Batten, and Senator Glen Sturtevant.
The morning began with an introduction by COS Virginia State Director John Dahmen.
Following Dahmen's welcome to the audience, Convention of States Senior Advisor Rick Santorum gave a motivating speech specifically tailored to Virginia politics, after which he answered questions from the audience.
After his speech, Santorum presented six volunteers from COS Virginia with Patriot Pins.
Following the morning session, the COS supporters divided legislative COS information packets among themselves to personally distribute to each of Virginia's 140 state legislators.
Meanwhile Rick Santorum spoke to the legislative aide for Senator McDougle about COS.
Santorum was also interviewed by Charlottesville radio host, Joe Thomas who began the program by sharing how they met in Pennsylvania during much political activism. "Then we both wound up back together, this time in Virginia helping the Convention of States!" Thomas proclaimed.
Later that week Senator Glen Sturtevant filed COS legislation: SB 527 (Faithful Delegate Selection Process) and SB 528 (Criminal Penalties for Rogue Delegates), both of which addressed our state legislators' unwarranted fears of an Article V Convention of States.
Before the end of the month, the Senate committees cast their votes on the COS legislation.
On Tuesday, January 23, 2024, SB 527 came to the floor of the Senate Committee on Privilege and Elections. (Watch the video here, starting at the 1:21:00 mark.)
Several people spoke in favor of SB 527, including both active COS volunteers and passionate citizens of Virginia.
A tie vote by the committee defeated SB 527.
The next day on Wednesday, January 24, 2024, SB 528 came to the floor of the Virginia Senate Committee on Courts of Justice. (Watch the video here, starting at the 1:40:00 mark.)
Again several people spoke in favor of SB 528, including both active COS volunteers and passionate citizens of Virginia.
SB 528 was passed by indefinitely by a 9 to 6 committee vote.
Despite the COS Virginia team reaching out to the House of Delegates, no COS legislation was filed on the House side.
The best way to make waves in the General Assembly is to keep growing our grassroots and volunteer team. We invite you to join us. There is much work to do, and many hands make light work.
