Democrats Muscle Agenda Through Legislature

This winter Democrats gained passage of a number of progressive measures, many of which were approved without a single Republican vote. Below are some measures that gained media attention during the just-completed General Assembly session.


Criminal Justice

Democrats Republicans

Abolish the death penalty

Votes shown: SB1165
Also: HB2263

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
2 - 43

Senate
0 - 18

Legalize marijuana in 2024

Votes shown: HB2312
Also: SB1406

House
48 - 0

Senate
20 - 1

House
0 - 43

Senate
0 - 18

Make it easier to seal and expunge record of criminal convictions

Votes shown: SB1339
Also: HB2113

House
54 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
4 - 41

Senate
4 - 14

Remove presumption that bail is required in criminal cases

Votes shown: SB1266

House
52 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
0 - 18

Expanding public inspection of criminal investigation files

Votes shown: HB2004

House
54 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
1 - 44

Senate
2 - 15

Elections/Voting

Democrats Republicans

Require localities to set up drop-off locations for absentee ballots

Votes shown: SB1245
Also: HB1888

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
0 - 18

Sunday absentee voting

Votes shown: HB1968

House
55 - 0

Senate
20 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
0 - 17

Eliminate witness signature on mail ballots

Votes shown: SB1097

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
1 - 17

Automatic restoration of rights of felons

Votes shown: HJ555

House
54 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
2 - 40

Senate
0 - 18

Wages/Business

Democrats Republicans

Requires Paid Sick Leave for Home Health Aides

Votes shown: HB2137

House
52 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 44

Senate
0 - 18

Virginia Overtime Wage Act

Votes shown: HB2063

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 43

Senate
0 - 18

Add workforce and wage protections for domestic workers

Votes shown: HB2032
Also: SB1310

House
54 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 44

Senate
0 - 17

Eliminate coal tax credits

Votes shown: SB1252
Also: HB1899

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 44

Senate
1 - 17

Social Justice

Democrats Republicans

Enslaved Ancestors College Access Scholarship Program

Votes shown: HB1980

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
6 - 39

Senate
0 - 18

Remove Harry F. Byrd Sr. statue from Capitol Square

Votes shown: HB2208

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
8 - 34

Senate
15 - 3

Require diversity, equity, and inclusion plans in state agencies

Votes shown: HB1993

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 44

Senate
5 - 13

Require racial and ethnic impact statements for criminal justice bills

Votes shown: HB1990

House
54 - 0

Senate
20 - 1

House
8 - 36

Senate
0 - 17

Recognize racism as a public health crisis

Votes shown: HJ537

House
54 - 0

Senate
Voice Vote

House
1 - 37

Senate
Voice Vote

Require 'cultural competency' training for teachers

Votes shown: SB1196
Also: HB1904

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
2 - 43

Senate
1 - 16

Guns

Democrats Republicans

Guns banned at polling places

Votes shown: HB2081

House
53 - 2

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
0 - 18

Firearms ban on Capitol Square

Votes shown: HB2295
Also: SB1381

House
51 - 1

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
1 - 17

Environment

Democrats Republicans

Ban on styrofoam food containers

Votes shown: HB1902

House
52 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
5 - 39

Senate
3 - 15

Set emission standards for motor vehicles

Votes shown: HB1965

House
53 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 44

Senate
0 - 15

Immigration

Democrats Republicans

Make undocumented students eligible for financial aid

Votes shown: SB1387
Also: HB2123

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
3 - 42

Senate
0 - 18

LGBTQ+ Rights

Democrats Republicans

Establish Virginia LGBTQ+ Advisory Board

Votes shown: HB2130

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
2 - 42

Senate
0 - 15

Abortion

Democrats Republicans

Repeal ban on abortion benefits in health plans offered under state exchange

Votes shown: HB1896
Also: SB1276

House
55 - 0

Senate
21 - 0

House
0 - 45

Senate
1 - 17

Courts

Democrats Republicans

Expand number of judges on Court of Appeals

Votes shown: SB1261

House
54 - 0

Senate
20 - 0

House
0 - 42

Senate
0 - 17

How these bills were chosen: VPAP analyzed all bills that passed the 2021 General Assembly on party-line or near-party line votes. It then narrowed the list to bills that got significant media coverage during the session.

How the roll-call votes were chosen: The roll-call votes shown represent the final passage in the House and Senate. In situations where the House and Senate approved identical bills, VPAP randomly selected the roll-call votes of one version.

What happened to 'missing' votes: In situations where the total number of votes is fewer than 100 in the House of Delegates or 39 in the State Senate, the difference can be explained by members who either did not vote or abstained. These details can be found by following the link to roll call votes displayed on vpap.org.

Source: Virginia Legislative Information System

March 2, 2021