The Virginia Dream Act, which would have given young people with deferred action status in-state tuition at Virginia’s public colleges, went down to defeat in the Senate Education and Health Committee on a party-line vote of 8-7.
State Sen. Adam Ebbin (D-Alexandria) said after the vote that he was “disappointed that Republicans rejected an opportunity to provide the most basic chance to promising young people to further their education and become valuable contributors to their communities and the Virginia economy.”
“I think it sends a very unfortunate message that Virginia isn’t ready for prime time yet when it comes to fair treatment of its children. I’m disappointed that it broke down along party lines, and I’m sad that the GOP hasn’t yet opened up its heart to all of our children,” said State Sen. Donald McEachin (D-Henrico).