DE Senate Pro Tempore Announces Changes for the End of the Session in June

Delaware Senate President Pro Tempore David McBride today announced that the last day of the session on June 30th will NOT extend until the wee hours of the morning as in years past – including last session. The State Senate closed the 149th session at about 3am on July 1st after approving the Bond Bill – the State House approved it at 8:30am on July 1st.

“So today I announce that the three critical pieces of legislation — the operating budget, the bond bill, and the grant in aid bill — will be voted upon by the Senate no later than 1 a.m. on July 1, 2019. If this troika of finance legislation is not completed on or before 1 a.m. on July 1, I will recess the Senate to the call of the President Pro Tempore at 1 a.m., and then reconvene the Senate at 4 p.m. on July 1, and at the same time on each day following until these bills and passed and sent to the Governor.”

“I believe that putting an end to the all-night session will both promote a more deliberative resolution of any issues that would impede passage of the key finance measures at the end of session and at the same time allay a serious threat to those traveling n Delaware’s roads on July 1. The days when members and staff of the Delaware Senate must watch the sun rise over Legislative Hall on July 1 are over.”

Senator McBride says that this change should promote efficiency in the Senate’s June deliberations and provide added safety for legislators and staff.