The Diplomatic Reach

by Brian Reach

Newest Delegate Passes First Bill

Virginia’s newest Delegate, Holly Seibold (D-Vienna), passed her first bill, expanding access to interpreters in courts for deaf individuals. The bill passed unanimously.

Delegate Simon Hilariously Fails

During “Initiation” Prank

Delegate Marcus Simon failed miserably to catch Seibold offguard in a hilarious encounter on the House floor (see fcnp. com for a link). “I enjoyed participating in the time-honored tradition of initiating a new member with some light-hearted questions during the presentation of her first bill!” said Simon, who decided one question was enough after Seibold’s response. “Delegate Seibold was remarkably well-prepared for it.”

Indeed, his joking attempt to challenge her knowledge of a Supreme Court ruling resulted in a perfect clap-back by Seibold, who called out his background as a lawyer and cosponsor of a bill before, to howls of laughter, reminding him “that we are running out of time,” a playful reference to a frequent refrain of Simon’s as Floor Leader for the House Democratic Caucus.

At Town Hall, News of Gridlock

At a Town Hall with Senator Dave Marsden (D-Burke) and Delegate Kaye Kory (D-Falls Church), frustration and caution overpowered the occasional mention of bipartisan possibility.

Marsden warned that many bills from the Republicanrun House are expected to be only narrowly defeated by the