The Virginia Senate passed a bill Wednesday that would abolish the death penalty, a measure that if passed into law would mark a major policy change for a state that over its centuries-long history has led the nation in the number of executions it has carried out.
The Democrat-controlled chamber approved the bill in a 21-17 vote that split along party lines and was seen as a key hurdle for the measure. Advocates now expect the House version of the bill to easily clear that chamber, and Democratic Gov. Ralph Northam has said he supports the legislation.
Wednesday’s vote followed a lengthy, emotional floor debate.
“I cannot think of anything that is more awful, unspeakable and wrong for a government to do than to use its power to execute somebody who didn’t commit the crime they’re accused of. The problem with capital punishment is that once it’s inflicted you can’t take it back, it can’t be corrected,” Democratic Sen. Scott Surovell, the bill’s sponsor, said as he introduced it.
Democrats raised concerns about the racial disparities in the application of the death penalty and pointed to research that shows it does not deter crime.
The death penalty is the best deterrent we have, if we keep everyone in prison Biden & Harris will find a way to pay them salaries and lots of perks, and a promise of paymt for time served, it will happen with this Presidency.