RICHMOND, Va. — On Tuesday afternoon, the Virginia Senate reconvened for a special session to address adverse impacts resulting from changes to the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). The program is a tuition waiver for families of fallen or disabled veterans, allowing those who qualify to receive higher education for free.
Conversations started in the Senate Appropriations and Finance Committee. It centered around fixing the unintended consequences that came to the Virginia military survivors and dependents education program when the governor signed the budget in May.
Portsmouth Sen. Louise Lucas led the proceedings, with two pieces of legislation focused on VMSDEP and highly debated skill games. Lucas chose not to docket any items, meaning they could not be voted on.
She did forge a path forward with a piece of legislation on how to handle the program. It would include establishing a workgroup, similar to Gov. Glenn Youngkin’s Task Force to preserve VMSDEP. The workgroup would look at the financials of the program and aim to find a sustainable future.
"In addition, I am going to ask that JLARC expedite a review immediately to provide objective research to these members,” said Sen. Lucas.
Speakers at the committee, many of them veterans or families of veterans, voiced their concerns over the lack of action taking place Tuesday afternoon.
“You can posture your support for the military all you want but actions speak louder than words,” one man said.
“I think it just atrocious that we would throw them out like this without caring for them at all,” said a child.
Earlier this year conversations over ballooned costs, had lawmakers questioning its sustainability. Eventually, language in the signed state budget changed who qualified and how the waiver applied to those using it, causing outrage amongst Virginia military families.
This special session was called after pressure from military families and the Governor to fix "unintended consequences" for military families.
After the meeting, the Senate convened in their chambers. Senators from both sides of the aisle say not voting is a disservice to everyone affected.
"We owe it to the families of our fallen heroes and disabled veterans to treat their benefits with the utmost respect,” said Sen. Tara Durant.
"What we are asking today is to take a pause and continue with our current program, while we have the workgroup set up," added Sen. Barbara Favola.
Sen. Bryce Reeves noted the body's inaction "speaks volumes."
The House of Delegates is set to meet at the end of the month to work on legislation related to VMSDEP.