Lots of talk but no action on the floor of the Virginia Senate Tuesday.
Many lawmakers were expecting a vote on Medicaid expansion when the Senate reconvened for a brief budget session Tuesday, but instead Senate leadership opted to give themselves more time. They say they need it to review a new budget compromise, which includes expansion, unveiled late Monday by Republican Senator Emmett Hanger.
Speaking on the floor Tuesday, Hanger thanked everyone for their patience.
“As we work out some troublesome issues,” Hanger said, “we have, as a Senate, been working diligently. I think we are about there. That’s my opinion. We’ve reached some tentative agreements on some things that could happen.”
Tommy Norment, the Republican who co-chairs the Senate Finance Committee says the group will meet next Tuesday and he expects that by Wednesday May 30th the budget issue will be resolved “one way or the other.”
May 30th is exactly one month before a possible government shutdown.
Kirk Cox, Republican Speaker of the House of Delegates, chided the Senate for not having proposed or voted on a budget five weeks after the House already has.
“This delay adds unnecessary uncertainty and is a disservice to the people of the Commonwealth,” Cox said in a statement.
Although the Senate didn’t vote on a budget, a number of lawmakers chose to give floor speeches on Medicaid and the budget process.
Democratic Senator Janet Howell blamed Republican leadership for obstructing action against the will of most Senators, and the House of Delegates.
“And most importantly the overwhelming will of Virginians,” Howell said. “Virginians overwhelmingly want Medicaid expansion.”
A couple of Republican Senators have signaled support for Medicaid expansion, but most, including Republican Bill Stanley, remain opposed.
“If you want to bring quality healthcare to the people of southside and southwest Virginia, who built this commonwealth, then work on an economic solution to bring jobs and prosperity,” Stanley said during a fiery floor speech.
This report, provided by Virginia Public Radio, was made possible with support from the Virginia Education Association.
