This is the Virginia Scope daily newsletter covering Virginia politics from top to bottom. Please consider becoming the ultimate political insider by supporting non-partisan, independent news and becoming a paid subscriber to this newsletter today.
Have a tip? You can reply to this email or reach out to me directly at Brandon@virginiascope.com.
Today’s Sponsor: Virginia REALTORS®
Representing over 34,000 members, who serve every Virginia community, while advocating for increasing housing supply, improving affordability and helping families achieve the dream of homeownership. Thanks to everyone for a great 2025 legislative session!
The first federal impact committee meeting
The House Emergency Committee on Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions is having its first meeting, which is happening now.
“We are very proud of our federal workers who call Virginia a home,” Bulova said when the meeting began.
This is happening ahead of the brief convening of the 2024 special session, which was focused on VMSDEP so that legislators can change the scope to focus on the federal workforce and spending cuts moving forward.
Del. David Bulova (D) will chair the bipartisan committee, and the vice chair will be Rob Bloxom (R).
“We are very proud of our federal workers who call Virginia a home,” Bulova said when the meeting began.
He said the federal cuts will have a ripple effect on Virginia’s economy and budget.
The committee is tasked with assessing the potential economic and budgetary consequences of federal cutbacks and provide policy recommendations to mitigate negative effects on Virginia’s families, economy, and state budget.
"This is not about politics—it’s about protecting Virginia’s workforce, economy, and essential services," Speaker of the House Don Scott said when announcing the committee’s formation. “We depend on a strong partnership with the federal government to provide critical services. The federal administration’s announced plans to ‘drain’ the federal workforce and the pause in federal funding raise serious concerns for Virginia’s economy and the ability to maintain essential services. This committee will evaluate the impact of these cuts and develop solutions to safeguard Virginia’s economic future. I have full confidence that we will work in a bipartisan manner to deliver thoughtful and effective solutions."
Scott’s announcement cites data from the U.S. Office of Personnel Management that ranks as the top state in the nation for federal contract awards, totaling $106 billion in 2023.
The newly announced federal workforce reductions, including a deferred resignation program aimed at cutting federal employment by up to 10%, and the mass termination of federal office leases could have significant repercussions for the state’s economy, particularly in Northern Virginia and the Hampton Roads region, his announcement said.
“This is about ensuring that Virginia remains prepared and resilient in the face of federal policy shifts,” Bulova said. “Our state budget must remain structurally sound, and we must take steps to protect our communities from sudden economic disruptions. The committee’s work will be critical in identifying ways to mitigate the effects of federal cuts while continuing to support Virginia families and businesses.”
The 12-member committee will be composed of legislators from both sides of the aisle and will be tasked with:
Dyer Strategies is a boutique political consulting firm that offers tailored fundraising, compliance, PAC management, and training services to progressive organizations on the federal, state, and local levels.
List of Committee’s tasks at the end is missing.