The 163rd Virginia General Assembly, consisting of members who were elected in both the

House A house is a single-unit residential building. It may range in complexity from a rudimentary hut to a complex structure of wood, masonry, concrete or other material, outfitted with plumbing, electrical, and heating, ventilation, and air c ...

and Senate elections in 2023, convened on January 10, 2024. Both elections were the first to be held under maps for both houses of the

Virginia General Assembly The Virginia General Assembly is the legislative body of the Commonwealth of Virginia, the oldest continuous law-making body in the Western Hemisphere, and the first elected legislative assembly in the New World. It was established on July 30, ...

which were approved by the Virginia Redistricting Commission and the

Supreme Court of Virginia The Supreme Court of Virginia is the highest court in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It primarily hears direct appeals in civil cases from the trial-level city and county circuit courts, as well as the criminal law, family law and administrativ ...

in 2021, which were the first in Virginia history to not be drawn and approved by the legislature. Both elections resulted in Democrats winning majorities in both houses for the first time since 2021, with one-seat majorities in both chambers; it was the first time that Democrats won both houses of the legislature against an incumbent Republican governor since 1995.

Membership

Leadership

Delegate Don Scott, who was the minority leader of the House of Delegates in the previous General Assembly and won re-election, was nominated for speaker on November 11, 2023 by the incoming Democratic caucus. If voted into office, he would become the first House speaker of African descent in Virginia history, and the third person of African descent to preside over either house, after lieutenant governors

Justin Fairfax Justin Edward Fairfax (born February 17, 1979) is an American lawyer and politician who served as the 41st lieutenant governor of Virginia from 2018 to 2022. A member of the Democratic Party, he is the second African-American elected statewide ...

and

Winsome Sears Winsome Earle-Sears (born March 11, 1964) is an American politician, businesswoman, and Marine Corps veteran serving as the 42nd lieutenant governor of Virginia since 2022. A member of the Republican Party, she is Virginia's first female lieut ...

in their roles as presidents of the State Senate. Charniele Herring was elected Majority Leader and Kathy Tran as Caucus Chair. Republicans elected former speaker Todd Gilbert as Minority Leader (defeating a challenge from Terry Kilgore), Amanda Batten as Caucus Chair, and Michael Webert as Whip. In the Senate, due to the retirements of Democratic leader

Dick Saslaw Richard Lawrence Saslaw (born February 5, 1940) is an American politician who served as Majority Leader of the Senate of Virginia between 2020 – 2024, when he declined to run for reelection. A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the ...

and Republican leader Tommy Norment, elections were held for leadership of both Senate caucuses. On November 15, 2023, the Democrats elected Scott Surovell to Senate Majority Leader, with Mamie Locke being re-elected Caucus Chair. Republicans elected Ryan McDougle to serve as Minority Leader,

Mark Obenshain Mark Dudley Obenshain (born June 11, 1962) is an American attorney and politician. He is currently serving as a member of the Senate of Virginia from Harrisonburg. He is a member of the Republican Party. He took office in 2004. At the 2013 sta ...

to serve as Caucus Chair, and Bill Stanley and Bryce Reeves as Whips.

Legislation

Intended legislation of the Democratic majorities include: * Constitutional amendment to guarantee a right to abortion * Constitutional amendment to legalize same-sex marriage * Constitutional amendment to automatically restore voting rights to formerly-incarcerated individuals Constitutional amendments, under Virginia law, must be initiated by majorities in both houses in two consecutive legislatures before being sent to voters for approval.

Special elections

* Tammy Brankley Mulchi (9th senate district)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Virginia General Assembly, 163rd 163rd 2024 U.S. legislative sessions 2024 in Virginia