Virginia Senate

Virginia Senate
Name	Virginia Senate
House type	Upper house
Body	Virginia General Assembly
Term limits	None
New session	January 10, 2024
Leader1 type	President
Leader1	Winsome Sears
Party1	(R)
Election1	January 12, 2022
Leader2 type	President pro tempore
Leader2	Louise Lucas
Party2	(D)
Election2	January 10, 2024
Leader3 type	Majority Leader
Leader3	Scott Surovell
Party3	(D)
Election3	January 10, 2024
Leader4 type	Minority Leader
Leader4	Ryan McDougle
Party4	(R)
Election4	January 10, 2024
Seats	40
Political groups1	Majority (21), Minority (19)
Last election1	November 7, 2023
Next election1	November 2, 2027
Meeting place	Senate Chamber, Virginia State Capitol, Richmond, Virginia
Website	http://virginiasenate.gov

Virginia Senate. It is the upper house of the Virginia General Assembly, the state legislature of the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Senate consists of 40 members who each represent a district with approximately 215,000 residents. Its powers include confirming gubernatorial appointments and trying impeachments brought by the Virginia House of Delegates.

History

The body traces its origins to the establishment of the House of Burgesses in 1619 at Jamestown, Virginia, making it one of the oldest legislative bodies in the Western Hemisphere. Following the American Revolution, the first modern Senate convened in 1776 under the Virginia Constitution of 1776. The current Virginia State Capitol, designed by Thomas Jefferson and Charles-Louis Clérisseau, has been its home since 1788. Key historical figures like James Madison, Patrick Henry, and John Marshall served within its chamber. The Senate played a pivotal role in state debates leading to the American Civil War and later, during the Massive resistance era following Brown v. Board of Education.

Membership and elections

Members are elected to four-year terms, with elections staggered so that half the body is contested every two years, coinciding with elections for the Virginia House of Delegates. Senators must be at least 21 years old, residents of their district, and qualified voters. Following each United States census, district boundaries are redrawn by the Virginia Redistricting Commission to ensure equal representation. Recent elections, such as the 2023 Virginia Senate election, have been highly competitive, shifting party control between the Democratic Party and the Republican Party.

Powers and duties

The chamber shares legislative power with the Virginia House of Delegates, including the authority to introduce bills, levy taxes, and approve the state budget. It holds exclusive powers to confirm appointments made by the Governor of Virginia to positions such as cabinet secretaries, judges, and members of boards like the University of Virginia Board of Visitors. The Senate also serves as a court of impeachment for state officials, with a two-thirds vote required for conviction. All legislation must pass both houses before being sent to the Governor of Virginia for signature or veto.

Leadership

The Lieutenant Governor of Virginia, currently Winsome Sears, serves as President but may only vote to break a tie. Day-to-day presiding is typically handled by the President pro tempore, a position held by Louise Lucas. The majority party elects a Majority Leader, a role filled by Scott Surovell, while the minority party elects a Minority Leader, currently Ryan McDougle. Other key officers include the Clerk of the Senate and the Sergeant at Arms, who manage administrative and security functions.

Committees

The Senate operates through a system of standing committees where most legislative work occurs, including hearings, amendments, and initial votes. Major committees include the Senate Finance and Appropriations Committee, which oversees the state budget, and the Senate Courts of Justice Committee. Other influential panels are the Senate Education and Health Committee, the Senate Commerce and Labor Committee, and the Senate Privileges and Elections Committee. Each committee is chaired by a member of the majority party.

Current session

The 2024 session, which began on January 10, is the first year of a two-year cycle for the Virginia General Assembly. With a narrow 21-19 Democratic majority, key legislative priorities have included amendments to the Virginia State Budget, education funding, and policies related to Chesapeake Bay cleanup. The session will adjourn in March, after which the body will reconvene for a one-day veto session in April to consider any actions by the Governor of Virginia.

Category:Virginia Senate Category:State upper houses in the United States Category:Government of Virginia