Speaker Scott talks special session and Youngkin’s response to federal cuts
Speaker of the House Don Scott talked about Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s response to federal spending cuts and how it will impact Virginia. He also gave an update on his plans for a special session.
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Speaker Scott talks special session and Youngkin’s response to federal cuts
Speaker of the House Don Scott talked Monday about Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s response to federal spending cuts and how it will impact Virginia. He also gave an update on his plans for a special session to address those cuts.
“The number one issue that we have right now is that we have a governor who has basically abdicated his responsibility to look out for Virginians. And it's sad,” Scott said.
Youngkin held a press event Monday morning to highlight job options across Virginia for federal workers who might have already or are preparing to lose their jobs due to cuts in spending from President Donald Trump’s administration.
“I don’t believe that the federal government downsizing is wrong, and in fact, we need to press forward and drive efficiencies in our federal government,” Youngkin said after the event. “And as a result of driving those efficiencies, I do expect that some Virginians will lose their jobs.”
“And that’s why it’s so important that we provide alternative opportunities for them,” he continued, citing multiple resources for federal employees who were fired can use.
While Youngkin said that these changes are what Americans voted for in November, Democrats point out that Kamala Harris won Virginia by 6 points and implore him to stand up to the president.
Democrats in the General Assembly voted this weekend to expand the scope of an already active special session to address the federal workforce and spending cuts that impact the commonwealth.
The resolution was filed late Friday night to expand the scope and it was approved on Saturday.
Scott said they are gathering information about what could benefit Virginians who are impacted by the cuts the most before deciding on what they want to accomplish during the special session.