You think I’m joking about the “Depends” or Homer Simpson’s Lazy Man Reclining Toilet Chair? OK, I am – mostly – but in all seriousness check this out.
In his email to Democratic lawmakers, Toscano warned them against calling in sick when the legislature convenes for the 2018 session on Jan. 10 — or even taking an ill-timed bathroom break during the floor session, fearing that in an evenly split chamber, the GOP might seize any opportunity to call a vote and take control.
“If you are sick, you still need to come, even if we have to wheel you in (with my bad back, this actually might happen), provide cough medicine, or whatever else you need,” Toscano wrote. “If you need child care, let us know so we can work something out. Because if you are not in the chamber at the time of the vote on the Rules and Speaker, we will definitely lose the votes, and all of our energized voters will know that your absence kicked control over to the Republicans.”
So yeah, this all seems kinda funny, but I’d remind everyone that Virginia Republicans have pulled crazy stunts before. For instance, remember this?
While the eyes of the nation were turned toward President Barack Obama’s second inauguration on Monday, the Virginia State Senate managed to hurriedly pass a bill that would redistrict the state’s senate seats.
The vote, 20–19, would have been a tie had Democratic Senator Henry Marsh been present. Marsh, a civil rights leader, was in Washington, D.C., attending the inauguration.
Had Marsh been present, however, the state’s Lieutenant Governor, Bill Bolling, would likely have broken the tie. The bill was reportedly pushed through in a matter of hours…
…A reporter for a local Virginia paper reports that the Lieutenant Governor Bolling would not have provided the tie-breaking vote had all Senators been present.
So yeah, I’d say that House Democratic Leader David Toscano is absolutely right to warn his colleagues – especially the new ones, who might not be familiar with past Republican shenanigans – to stay close to their desks when the new Virginia House of Delegates convenes on Wednesday, January 10. As for not leaving even for bathroom breaks, I was mostly kidding about the adult undergarments, but perhaps Democrats might want to reread (or read for the first time – lol) articles like How To Pee In Your Car And Keep Your Pants Dry, How to urinate when on an automobile trip, etc. Or maybe invest in one of these for all the Democratic members of the Virginia House of Delegates? Perhaps we could start a fundraiser to help defray the costs? LOL
Sign up for the Blue Virginia weekly newsletter
