Democrats are jumping ship from the COVID narrative, likely noticing the poll numbers shifting and fearing devastating losses in the upcoming election.
Three Democrats jumped ship and joined with Republicans in Virginia to sign a bipartisan bill codifying GOP Governor Glenn Youngkin’s executive order regarding COVID policies in K-12 schools. The bill will now be sent to the state’s House of Delegates, where Republicans hold the majority, and it is expected to pass.
The state Senate voted 21 to 17 to pass the bill, which will require schools to be open for in-person learning, and will give parents the right to decide whether their children will have to wear masks in school.
Democrats have the majority in the Virginia Senate, so the bill could not have passed without bipartisan support. The three members of the left-wing party who chose to jump ship were Senators Chap Petersen, Lynwood W. Lewis Jr., and Joseph D. Morrissey.
Senator Petersen actually partnered with Republican Senator Siobhan S. Dunnavant to introduce the parental opt out legislation.
According to reporting from The Blaze, “Dunnavant introduced a bill that would require school boards to permanently offer in-person instruction, and Petersen offered an amendment that would give parents an opt out on mask mandates for their children in K-12 schools. The amendment passed with more support than the final bill, with 10 Democrats voting in favor. But by the time Wednesday came about, seven of those lawmakers switched their positions.”
Governor Youngkin released a statement to celebrate the bill’s passing.
“Kids across the Commonwealth win with this bipartisan vote today. Parents are now empowered to decide whether their children should wear a mask in schools,” he said.
“I promised that as governor, Virginia would move forward with an agenda that empowers parents on the upbringing, education, and care of their own children. I am proud to continue to deliver on that promise,” Youngkin continued. “This vote also shows that school boards who are attacking their own students are stunningly detached from reality. It’s time to put kids first and get back to normal.”
After the final vote on the bill, GOP Senator Dunnavant called on the House to take it up for a vote and the governor to quickly sign it into law.
“This is a big win for our kids and families! In person instruction and parental mask options are important to the well-being and development of our children,” she tweeted. “On to the House and a quick trip to the Governor’s desk!”
SB 739 has passed the Senate with bipartisan support! This is a big win for our kids and families! In person instruction and parental mask options are important to the well-being and development of our children. On to the House and a quick trip to the Governor's desk! pic.twitter.com/zrzGFA68pu
— Siobhan Dunnavant (@Dunnavant4VA) February 9, 2022
She also thanked Petersen and expressed her respect for him for standing up for what is right, and not being afraid to go against his own party.
“In anticipation of today’s final Senate vote on SB 739, I need to say that I respect Senator Chap Petersen because he does the hard things and I love him because he is a man of integrity who does what he believes is right,” she tweeted prior to the vote.
In anticipation of today’s final Senate vote on SB 739, I need to say that I respect Senator Chap Petersen because he does the hard things and I love him because he is a man of integrity who does what he believes is right. pic.twitter.com/Wg2mRdYXes
— Siobhan Dunnavant (@Dunnavant4VA) February 9, 2022
