In a recent CNN interview, Governor Youngkin embarrassed himself and Virginia when he failed to firmly reject former President Trump's remarks about using the military to combat so-called "radical-left lunatics" on Election Day. Instead of distancing himself from the dangerous rhetoric, Youngkin deflected the question by focusing on border issues. He tried to sidestep the core issue - Trump's suggestion that the National Guard or military should target political opponents like Rep. Adam Schiff.
Youngkin's inability to directly address this clear attack on democratic norms is deeply troubling. Rather than standing up for the integrity of our electoral process and rejecting the use of military force against American citizens, he covered for Trump’s divisive rhetoric, missing an opportunity to uphold the values of democracy and civil discourse.
While this year is unquestionably a big election year for the country, next year will be a big one for Virginia as all the House members (including me!) and the three statewide offices (Governor, Lt. Governor, and Attorney General) will be up for election.
Which also means we’re officially entering lame duck season. But I can’t say I’m sorry to see the light at the end of the long dark tunnel that has been Governor Youngkin’s one term in office.
Which begs the question – where does the term “lame duck” come from?
The term first made its debut in 18th-century London, referring to stockbrokers on the London Stock Exchange who defaulted on their debts or failed to meet their financial obligations. These brokers were described as "lame ducks" because, like a lame duck that could not keep up with the flock, they were unable to fulfill their commitments.
“Lame duck” made its way into American politics in the 19th century, where it began to refer to politicians who were still in office after having lost an election or reached the end of their term but before their successor had taken office. Such politicians were seen as having diminished power or influence because they were no longer accountable to the voters and could not be re-elected.
With performances like what we saw on CNN, it’s difficult to imagine Youngkin being anything but a lame duck during the upcoming session. He not only suffers from the diminished leverage of an executive nearing the end of his run, but also lacks any of the credibility needed to reach across the aisle to build the trust necessary to work with Democrats who control the House and Senate.
The 2025 General Assembly Session
Along with the Governor’s lame duck status and his new reputation as a glib MAGA apologist, opportunities to make major strides forward during the upcoming 2025 Session will also be limited by the session’s duration - a mere 46 days. There are also bill limits in both chambers and there are generally only minor tweaks to the second year of the biennial state budget.
As you know from previous columns, the General Assembly Session is always fast-paced and jam-packed. We often struggle to finish on time, which is why short sessions are not known for showcasing complicated or overly controversial legislation. What you can mostly expect to see is clean-up legislation and updates to existing laws.
That said, 2025 is still an election year for everyone in the House, so expect to see some hallmark legislation from both sides that can be touted in campaign mailers – whether they actually pass or not.
It is unlikely that Youngkin will be able to break his already record-setting 201 vetoes from the 2024 Session, but that doesn’t mean he won’t try to keep his name in the press. I suspect that the Governor will do whatever he can to maintain relevance in the last year of his term.
This week’s CNN debacle is not the first time Youngkin has fallen short of his commitments to Virginians. Throughout his term, he’s been more focused on bolstering his national profile -campaigning for losing far-right candidates in other states - than addressing the real concerns of our Commonwealth. Youngkin's ambitions seem to have always been elsewhere.
While he can’t be held directly accountable by voters, since Virginia governors cannot seek consecutive terms, his party can. Next November, Virginians have the power to hold Youngkin’s Republican Party accountable by maintaining the Democratic majority in the House of Delegates and electing Democrats to key statewide offices. Doing so would set the stage for major legislative progress in the 2026 Session, ensuring that Virginia continues to move forward, despite the distractions and diversions of the current leadership.