State’s Democratic Party Continues Public Criticism Of Anti-DEI Bill Procedure 

The West Virginia Democratic Party released a statement Tuesday afternoon sharply criticizing Senate Republican leadership for suspending Senate rules to pass Senate Bill 474. The bill would end diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives – referred to collectively as DEI – statewide.

The criticism stems from a motion by Sen. Eric Tarr, R-Putnam, to suspend Joint Rule 3 and bypass proposed amendments. Sen. Joey Garcia, D-Marion, had proposed 15 distinct amendments to the bill. Democrats point out a suspension of rules requires a two-thirds roll call vote, followed by concurrence from the House of Delegates—neither of which occurred Saturday night

“I think there is, technically, a legal deficiency with how that bill was passed,” Garcia told WVPB Saturday night. “The rules were not followed.”

With the clock ticking down to midnight, the suspension of rules in the Senate followed several hours of discussion on the bill on the floor of the House of Delegates. 

Democrats also called out Senate President Randy Smith, R-Preston, for claiming ignorance about the legality of the procedure, and particularly for stating the question was “above his pay grade.”

In the statement, West Virginia Democratic Party Chair Del. Mike Pushkin, D-Kanawha, said Smith “didn’t just neglect his duties; he actively abdicated his responsibility.”

“The Senate President is the presiding officer of the Senate. It’s literally his job to make sure rules and procedures are properly followed,” Pushkin said.

The West Virginia Democratic Party is demanding the reversal of the anti-DEI bill until what they call proper legislative procedures and transparent debate can take place.