The controversy over the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP) continues, as the Virginia Senate failed to come to an agreement on how to repeal the program’s recent changes. The political blame game is now in full swing in Richmond.
According to Kayla Owen, founder of the advocacy group Friends of VMSDEP, we are currently experiencing a political nightmare that feels like Groundhog Day.
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On Monday, Senate Democrats presented a solution that could have been voted on. However, the Republicans did not support it, stating that it was not a complete repeal.
According to Senator Bryce Reeves from Orange, it is evident that we are currently at war. In his address on the Senate floor, he believes that if the people in the gallery were asked the same question, they would agree that we are indeed at war.
Lawmakers made accessing the program, which waives college tuition for the children and spouses of eligible disabled military veterans, more difficult in May.
Senate Democrats presented a plan on Monday to revoke the modifications while still demanding students to demonstrate acceptable academic progress. Unfortunately, the bill encountered a hurdle on the Senate Floor as Republicans opted not to waive Senate regulations, preventing the bill from advancing to final passage.
According to Senate Majority Leader Scott Surovell, (D- Fairfax), there is a proposed bill that can effectively solve all problems and answer any questions. However, the bill cannot be voted on today due to a procedural objection that could have been waived, even though it would repeal all the changes.
The Republicans raised objections as they preferred to vote on a bill that had been passed with unanimous consent by the House of Delegates. This bill proposed a complete repeal of the changes, without the requirement of students to demonstrate academic progress.
According to Senator Glen Sturtevant (R- Colonial Heights), the bill proposed is insufficient and does not provide a complete repeal or solution as requested and advocated for. He also stated that the majority of the General Assembly would not support this partial fix.
During a recent episode of Good Morning Richmond, Governor Glenn Youngkin weighed in on the ongoing debate regarding the state’s program changes. According to him, the changes were “tucked into the budget,” adding another layer to the controversy.
According to Delegate Luke Torian (D-Prince William), House Appropriations Committee Chairman, the responsibility of understanding the budget lies with the Governor and his staff. Torian stated that it is not accurate to suggest that lawmakers intentionally include hidden items in the budget.
