Virginia Dems Vote to Triple Their Pay While Promising Affordability for You [WATCH]

The Democrat-majority Virginia state Senate voted to significantly increase lawmakers’ salaries even as Gov. Abigail Spanberger (D) has said she is focused on making the state more affordable.

Under a provision included in the chamber’s final budget, state senators could see their salaries nearly triple if the measure reaches the governor’s desk, according to a Friday report by Fox News.

Virginia’s legislature was founded as a part-time body, described as a “gentleman’s chamber,” where lawmakers would return to their regular jobs when the General Assembly was not in session.

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Currently, senators receive $18,000 annually, while delegates are paid $17,640.

Those figures were established in 1988.

Lawmakers also qualify for a $237 per diem, mileage reimbursements, and coverage of office, meeting, and other related expenses.

Supporters of increasing the pay argue that the existing salary structure limits who can afford to serve in the legislature in the modern era.

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Under the proposed change, senators’ salaries would increase to $50,000, according to the Fox News report.

The move prompted criticism from Republicans in the state. In a social media post Friday, the Virginia GOP wrote, “Virginia Democrats are cashing in… with YOUR tax dollars! They promised affordability and instead voted to give themselves a 3x raise.”

Virginia Democrats are cashing in… with YOUR tax dollars!

They promised affordability and instead voted to give themselves a 3x raise. pic.twitter.com/g5cuT7LPlb

— Virginia GOP (@VA_GOP) February 28, 2026

The salary vote comes as Spanberger and fellow Democrats have advanced policy initiatives that critics describe as progressive.

On her first day in office, Spanberger signed several executive orders aligned with progressive goals, according to Breitbart News.

The report stated, “She also endorsed multiple tax hikes on Virginians in the beginning of her tenure, including rejoining the Regional Greenhouse Gas Initiative (RGGI) and creating a statewide paid family and medical leave program that increases childcare subsidies.”

During the Democrat Party’s official response to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address Tuesday evening, Spanberger argued that the president and Republicans have made “life more expensive.”

She also claimed she was working to lower costs, according to Breitbart News.

The proposed salary increase is part of broader legislative activity in Richmond as Virginia approaches the upcoming midterm elections.

Democrats have been pursuing redistricting efforts as they seek to strengthen their position in the General Assembly.

In addition, Democratic lawmakers have introduced measures related to firearms policy.

According to Breitbart News, one Democrat introduced a bill that would bar the state from verifying eligibility to receive federal taxpayer benefits.

The salary proposal remains tied to the final budget. If it advances through the legislative process and reaches the governor’s desk, it would raise senators’ pay from $18,000 to $50,000.

Delegates’ pay would also be affected under the broader compensation structure, though specific updated figures for delegates were not detailed in the Fox News report.

Virginia’s legislative compensation has remained unchanged since 1988, apart from per diem allowances and reimbursements.

The debate over pay centers on whether higher salaries are necessary to broaden access to public service or whether the move conflicts with messaging about affordability and fiscal responsibility.

As of Friday, the provision had passed the Democrat-controlled state Senate.

The measure’s future now depends on the final budget negotiations and whether it is signed into law by Gov. Spanberger.

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