From Del. Dan Helmer’s office:
VIRGINIA GOP VOTES AGAINST MEASURE TO BAR INSURRECTIONISTS FROM SERVING AS TEACHERS, POLICE
RICHMOND, VA – This afternoon, on a party-line vote, Virginia House Republicans unanimously voted against House Democrats’ proposal to ban any individual convicted of participating in an insurrection from holding a position of public trust in Virginia.
This budget amendment was based on Del. Dan Helmer’s legislation, HB 1562, which was killed last week after House Republicans refused to give this bill a hearing to prevent any public votes on the legislation. Del. Helmer is a West Point graduate and veteran of the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Election denier Ginni Thomas is his constituent.
“Today’s vote shows that the Virginia House Republicans are more concerned with empowering MAGA election deniers who attacked our Democracy than protecting the ability of every Virginian to ensure their voice is heard in elections. We won’t stop until these Jan 6 insurrections are permanently barred from teaching our children, enforcing our laws, or administering our elections,” said Delegate Dan Helmer.
“January 6th was an attack on the very foundations of our democracy. Individuals who engaged in insurrection should not be permitted to hold positions of public trust in the government that they tried to overthrow” said Debra Perlin, Policy Director of Citizens for Responsibility and Ethics in Washington. “Delegate Helmer’s legislation barring insurrectionists from positions of public trust is a necessary step towards protecting our democracy”
Coverage from Virginia Public Media on the VA House Speaker Todd Gilbert blocking a vote on HB 1562 can be found here.
The text of the amendment can be viewed here.
Helmer’s previous recognition of the Virginia State Police and Virginia National Guard who responded to the 1/6 attacks can be viewed here.
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