Richmond In an astonishing display of misplaced priority, Virginia Senate Democrats voted today unanimously against SB 746. This legislation would have held drug dealers responsible when their illicit acts directly led to the death another person. SB 746, that classifies illegal distribution or manufacture of Schedule I or Schedule II drugs resulting death as felony murder, is a commonsense measure designed to combat the deadly epidemic and provide law enforcement with the tools needed to prosecute the people responsible. Abigail Spanberger, the Democrat candidate for governor, is silent as her liberal allies put the justice of victims and their family members ahead of drug dealers.

The prospect that Abigail Spanberger, a Democrat, will win the governor’s election and bring the liberal agenda of the Democrats to life should be a source of fear for every Virginian. Virginians deserve leaders who are committed to keeping them safe. Not legislators who support criminals.

Senate Republican Leader Ryan McDougal has condemned the vote and stressed that public safety is not a partisan matter.

McDougal said, “Virginia’s families lose loved ones to fentanyl every day. Yet Democrats choose to protect criminals and drug dealers over delivering justice to victims.” “That is just plain wrong. We will continue to fight for tough policies on crime that will hold criminals responsible and protect our communities against the monsters who fuel this deadly epidemic.

Virginia law enforcement officials have raised the alarm about the increase in deaths related to fentanyl and the need for tougher penalties on dealers who knowingly distribute lethal substances.

“The men, women and children on the frontlines in this crisis need all the tools available to stop the deadly drug flow into our communities,” Greene County sheriff Steven Smith said . This bill would have been a powerful deterrent. However, Senate Democrats chose not to acknowledge the devastating effects of this crisis on Virginia families. It is a failure in leadership.

Shenandoah County sheriff Timothy Carter stated that “Fentanyl kills Virginians in alarming numbers. Those responsible must be held to account.” “Law enforcement officers fight every day to save life, but when General Assembly refuses us the resources to prosecute these crimes properly, our job becomes that much more difficult.” Democrats missed an opportunity to speak up for victims and families.

This vote, with overdose deaths at record levels, is a stark warning that in the coming election, the choice is clear: Stand with victims and law enforcement, or with criminals. Virginians deserve leaders who prioritize public safety and justice. They don’t need politicians that encourage lawlessness.