ICYMI: Virginia Democrats have, once again, made it clear they believe California should decide what kind of car Virginians can drive.
As the Associated Press reported, Senate Democrats voted for the third year in a row to allow California lawmakers to dictate the personal decisions of Virginians, mandating electric vehicles and banning the sale of new gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
Democrats ignored the testimony of citizens who appeared before a Senate committee to plead with lawmakers to repeal the law.
“I feel like we have conceded our sovereignty to California. We need to repeal this bill… do not let California representatives enforce laws in Virginia,” one citizen said before the committee.
Watch as these Virginia citizens and Republican legislators make it clear that — as Governor @GlennYoungkin said last week — Virginia should NOT be held hostage to the EV mandates of California. pic.twitter.com/AmldZxug5d
— Team Youngkin – Spirit of Virginia (@TeamYoungkin) January 16, 2024
Democrats also ignored the 57% of Virginians – including 54% of Independents and 45% of Democrats – who want the General Assembly to repeal the California-dictated mandate.
As the Washington Examiner reported, support for repeal is even higher among Virginians previously aware the mandate was in place – “out of the group that was aware of the mandate, 68% of people were against it.”
Governor Youngkin’s spokesman Christian Martinez put it best in response to Democrats siding with California over Virginia… again:
“It’s disappointing that when given the option to choose their constituents in Virginia or California bureaucrats, Democrats in Richmond continue to side with bureaucrats 3,000 miles away. Government mandates like this for electric vehicles, which defy common sense, will hold Virginians hostage to higher costs and fewer choices. Governor Youngkin believes we should be empowering Virginians to make their own choice over the car they drive and will continue to work to lower costs and put power where it belongs – with the people.”