Obenshain Statement on Executive Action by Governor to Restore Civil Rights

Obenshain Statement on Governor's Executive Action for Restoration of Rights

Governor's Action Unconstitutional

RICHMOND - Senator Mark Obenshain (R-Rockingham), Chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee, and member of the Virginia State Crime Commission, issued the following statement today in response to the Governor's Executive Action to automatically restore the civil rights of over 200,000 violent and non-violent convicted felons. 

"It is clear that the Governor has overstepped his statutory and constitutional authority by signing this executive action, which automatically restores civil rights to over 200,000 convicted felons.  Democrat and Republican Governors dating back more than 30 years have researched this issue and all have concluded that they do not have the sweeping executive authority the Governor has sought to exercise today. Even Governor Kaine reached this conclusion, which his counsel explained in a detailed letter sent to the ACLU on January 15, 2010. As Governor Kaine's counsel explained, absent an amendment to the Virginia Constitution, a Governor cannot do what this Governor did today.  This is the kind of unconstitutional executive overreach that we have seen all too often in Washington. We deserve better from a Governor of Virginia.

"While I do support a streamlined process to restore civil rights, the Governor has gone too far. I cannot endorse the Governor's sweeping and unconstitutional action today.  The Governor restored rights without any regard to the seriousness or violent nature of the crimes committed, whether these individuals have paid their court costs in full, whether they have stayed out of trouble since their release, or most importantly, whether they have paid restitution to the victims.  The action today by the Governor fails to respect victims of crime, the rule of law and is clearly unconstitutional."

Senator Obenshain represents the twenty-sixth district in the Virginia Senate.  The district includes the city of Harrisonburg and the counties of Warren, Shenandoah, Page, Rappahannock and Rockingham (part). He is the Chairman of the Senate Courts of Justice Committee and a member of the Virginia State Crime Commission.

Pic of the Day

Staff Members from Robert Hurt's Office to Hold Local Office Hours in Campbell and Buckingham Counties

Monday, April 11, 2016

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Staff members from Congressman Robert Hurt's (R-Virginia) office will hold Local Office Hours in Campbell and Buckingham Counties on Friday, April 15 to meet with constituents who need assistance with federal agencies. For more information, please visit our Local Office Hours Interactive Map. 

 

Friday, April 15, 2016

9:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.

Campbell County Public Library - Rustburg Branch, Program Room

684 Village Highway

Rustburg, VA

 

1:00 p.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Buckingham Administrative Building, Conference Room,

13360 W James Anderson Hwy

Buckingham, VA

 

April 14th in Orange: Suzanne Shattuck to discuss Refugee Resettlement Program

You're invited to hear Suzanne Shattuck Federal Refugee Resettlement Program in Central Virginia See below for car pooling -- Orange is 40 minutes From C'ville. Recommendation from Jim Moore: It's understandable that we are uncomfortable being critical of another religion. After all, what we believe is our most intimate right and the only one that can't be taken from us. However, Islam is more than a religion. Many or most followers support using judges with enforcement powers to govern at least some of the faith's mandatory support and participation tenents. Madison wrote that religion and government are incompatible because God created and leads us where as we create governments. It's important that we learn about Islam from leaders such as Suzanne so that we can effectively preserve our rights while respecting the rights of others. RSVP Orange County TEA Party Monthly Meeting Do Americans Come First Under The Current Refugee Resettlement Program? Please join us at the location date and time below to learn more about Refugee Resettlement. Our guest speaker, Suzanne Shattuck, is an ER nurse, former military wife of 22 years, and has four grown children. For the past six years she has worked with several grassroots organizations who educate citizens, legislators, law enforcement, pastors and business leader about the Islamic movement, and Refugee Resettlement in our country. Her interests for the welfare of America lead her to research Refugee Resettlement when she noticed an alarming number of foreign-born patients receiving treatment. As a well-informed citizen, she seeks to help others understand the ramifications of a government program with virtually no transparency or Congressional oversight for the past 35 years. In addition to speaking at numerous venues, she writes for several conservative websites as well as her own at www.suzanneshattuck.us. Bring a friend and/or neighbor and come out to learn more about what is going on in our country and especially here in Virginia as we explore this subject in more detail. Location & Time Town of Orange Public Works Community Room 235 Warren Street Orange, VA 22960 Thursday, April 14, 2016 7â€"8:30 PM Meetings are non-partisan, free of charge and open to the public For More Information: Jim Raughton €"540-672-1212 "jim@octpva.org Dewey McDonnell €"540-672-1212 dewey@octpva.org www.octpva.org Share Tweet Forward Copyright © 2016 Jefferson Area Tea Party, All rights reserved. Our mailing address is: Jefferson Area Tea Party 1213 Hazel Street Charlottesville, VA 22902