A Closer Look at Senate Committee Assignments
In the General Assembly, who sits on a committee can determine if a bill becomes law -- or is defeated. VPAP takes a deep dive into how Democrats have put their new majority stamp on Senate committee assignments.
Geographic Distribution of Committee Chairs
Money Committee
The Senate Finance Committee was renamed "Senate Finance and Appropriations"
The partisan split changes from 11-R, 5-D to 11-D, 5-R
Republicans removed from committee
- Sen. Siobhan Dunnavant
- Sen. Ryan McDougle
- Sen. Mark Obenshain
- Sen. Richard Stuart
Democrats added to the committee
- Sen. Creigh Deeds
- Sen. Adam Ebbin
- Sen. John Edwards
- Sen. Mamie Locke
- Sen. Dave Marsden
- Sen. Jennifer McClellan
- Sen. Chap Petersen
More Responsibility Brings More Duties
The shift in party control will give Democrats more seats on standing committees. For returning Democratic Senators, this will mean each will carry a larger committee workload.
Increased Committee Work for Democratic Senators
Less Responsibility Means Less Committee Work
The shift in party control means fewer seats for Republicans. For returning GOP Senators, this will mean more downtime when committees are meeting.
Less Committee Work for GOP Senators
New Member Assignments
Sen. John Bell (D-Loudoun)
- Commerce and Labor
- General Laws and Technology
- Local Government
- Privileges and Elections
Sen. Ghazala Hashmi (D-Chesterfield)
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- Education and Health
- General Laws and Technology
- Local Government
Sen. Jennifer Kiggans (R-Virginia Beach)
- General Laws and Technology
- Local Government
- Rehabilitation and Social Services
Sen. Joe Morrissey (D-Richmond)
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- Judiciary
- Local Government
- Rehabilitation and Social Services
Sen. Todd Pillion (R-Abingdon)
- Agriculture, Conservation and Natural Resources
- General Laws and Technology
- Local Government
- Transportation
Source: Virginia Legislative Information System