Senate Privileges and Elections Committee fails to report SJR 6002 on gubernatorial appointments

At a meeting in Richmond, the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee voted not to report Senate Joint Resolution 6002, a package of gubernatorial appointments, after members raised procedural concerns and objections to removing a slate of nominees.

The committee considered a motion “to report Senate Joint Resolution 6,002.” Senator DeStef asked, “why would we not wait for the Supreme Court to rule on this?” noting the matter is “actively in front of them.” The chair responded that the committee has “a job to do” in vetting appointments. After brief discussion and an attempted naming of several nominees, the committee opened the roll and the motion failed; the clerk was directed to notify the secretary of the Commonwealth that SJR 6002 did not report out of committee.

The dispute centered on two procedural issues raised during discussion: whether action should be postponed while related litigation is pending before the Supreme Court, and whether voting down experienced nominees without explanation risks politicizing appointments. Senator Durant asked what message the committee’s actions would send to prospective appointees, saying the process was becoming “a lot more politicized.” Senator Sturdivant said the resolution included 14 Virginians who appeared likely to be voted down on what he described as a bipartisan basis and urged the committee to explain why those individuals were considered unqualified. When Sturdivant began to name specific nominees, the chair admonished him to refrain, saying it is a tradition of the Senate to protect the privacy of potential nominees.

Committee members also noted that at least some of the nominees were not the subject of pending litigation; one senator said, “there's no pending litigation regarding these particular nominees.” The chair said members’ questions and objections would be noted for the record but maintained the committee’s responsibility to review appointments.

A motion to report SJR 6002 was made, seconded and put to a roll-call vote. The clerk announced the tally as six yes and eight no; the motion failed and the resolution did not report out of committee. The chair then directed the clerk to notify the secretary of the Commonwealth of the failure to report SJR 6002.

Discussion-only points included: whether the committee should delay action pending the Supreme Court’s decision; concerns about the perception that the committee was removing experienced, bipartisan appointees from boards of visitors and other bodies; and appeals for clearer explanations when nominees are rejected. No direction to staff or subsequent committee referral was recorded in the transcript.

Votes at a glance: Motion to report SJR 6002 — failed to report (vote announced as six yes, eight no).