VIRGINIA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS

News Release
Sen. Thomas K. Norment, Jr.
Senate Republican Leader Contact: Jeff Ryer FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Sen. Ryan T. McDougle Phone: 757.713.5333 14 July 2020
Caucus Chairman

Sen. Mark D. Obenshain

Caucus Co-Chairman SENATE REPUBLICANS CONDEMN GOVERNOR NORTHAM’S
LATEST THREATS AGAINST VIRGINIA BUSINESSES
Sen. William M. Stanley, Jr.
Sen. Bryce E. Reeves
Senate Republican Whips
RICHMOND, VA, 14 JULY 2020: Senate Republican Leader Thomas
Sen. Stephen D. Newman
Senate Republican Leader
Pro Tempore
K. Norment, Jr. (R-James City), Senate Republican Caucus

Sen. A. Benton Chafin, Jr. Chairman Ryan T. McDougle (R-Hanover), Co-Chairman Mark D.
Sen. John A. Cosgrove
Sen. Bill R. DeSteph, Jr. Obenshain (R-Rockingham), Caucus Whips William M. Stanley,
Sen. Siobhan S. Dunnavant
Sen. Emmett W. Hanger, Jr.
Sen. Jennifer A. Kiggans Jr. (R-Franklin) and Bryce E. Reeves (R-Spotsylvania), and
Sen. Mark J. Peake
Sen. Todd E. Pillion Republican Leader Pro-Tempore Stephen D. Newman (R-Bedford)
Sen. Frank M. Ruff, Jr.
Sen. Richard H. Stuart
Sen. David R. Suetterlein today issued the following statement in response to Governor
Sen. Jill Holtzman Vogel
Ralph S. Northam’s (D) announcement of stricter and more
stringent enforcement of his Executive Orders:

“In the midst of a challenging and struggling economy,

Governor Northam today further threatened Virginia
businesses with license revocation and closure, either if
they or their patrons fail to follow his mandates.

“Setting aside the Governor’s abject failure to enforce

laws to protect private and government property during last
month’s protests, today’s announcement is further evidence
this governor is intent on penalizing only the law-abiding.
~ more ~

PO Box 1697 ! Williamsburg VA 23187-1697 ! 757.259.3863

PAID FOR BY THE VIRGINIA SENATE REPUBLICAN CAUCUS
SENATE REPUBLICANS CONDEMN GOVERNOR NORTHAM’S
LATEST THREATS AGAINST VIRGINIA BUSINESSES
14 July 2020
Page 2

Has the Governor even considered that the rise in positive tests
among young adults in the Richmond and Hampton Roads regions might be
directly related to the large-scale protests he encouraged? He
apparently believes that being politically ‘woke’ conveys a special
immunity from COVID-19.

“Under the Constitution of Virginia, the powers of a governor

are not absolute. But for the last five months, this governor has
behaved as though they are. It is long overdue for Governor Northam
to call the General Assembly into session, allowing the elected
representatives of the people to consider the Commonwealth’s current
budget crisis, the necessity of opening our schools, and measures to
strengthen public safety.

“In the meantime, the Governor should stop threatening

Virginia’s businesses and begin trusting the people of Virginia.”