Virginia Senate approves budget "caboose" with temporary suspension of redistricting criteria after heated debate
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Summary
The Virginia Senate passed a budget "caboose" amendment (Senate Bill 29) that temporarily suspends several state redistricting criteria tied to a pending constitutional amendment, drawing extended floor debate over parties' motives and legal safeguards. The measure passed 21-19.
The Virginia Senate on Feb. 10 passed Senate Bill 29 — a budget "caboose" amendment that includes language suspending certain Virginia Code redistricting criteria for a specified period tied to a forthcoming voter referendum. The measure passed on a recorded vote, Ayes 21, Noes 19.
Supporters said the language was a narrow, temporary response to changes in other states and defended releasing proposed maps before the referendum as a transparency measure so voters would "know what they're voting for." "We thought it's important in the interest of transparency to show voters exactly what they're gonna vote for so they can make a fully informed decision," the senator speaking for the measure said during floor debate.
Opponents said the provision effectively suspends longstanding protections — including provisions aimed at preserving communities of interest, compact districts and protections for racial and language minorities — and called it a partisan power grab. "This bill is about the partisan gerrymandering, a political power grab," one senator said on the floor, urging colleagues to reject the change. Other senators raised procedural objections, saying deadlines and posting rules for changes to redistricting criteria had been circumvented during the special session.
Debate focused on the relationship between state code, the Virginia Constitution and federal law. Sponsors argued that federal constitutional requirements and existing federal statutes remain binding and that the proposed suspension only affects specific statutory criteria for a limited period tied to the referendum. Critics countered that suspending the statutory criteria for redistricting would weaken protections that have helped preserve fair representation.
The passage means the Senate-approved language will be included in the budget package and, pending completion of conference processes and the governor's action, could become law. Supporters noted the step is linked to a separate constitutional amendment that voters will consider; opponents said drawing maps before that vote undermines the purpose of requiring protective criteria in the first place.
The Senate moved on after the vote to other business, including a series of housing and health bills later in the day.
