As West Virginia’s 2025 legislative session winds down, many residents are asking the same question: What has actually been accomplished? With just a few days remaining in the 60-day session, it appears that lawmakers have spent much of their time focused on controversial social issues rather than addressing the state’s pressing needs.
State Sen. Vince Deeds, R-Greenbrier, publicly voiced the frustrations many citizens feel, using the Senate floor on Monday to share a moment of reflection.
“We’re in the 11th hour of this session,” Deeds said. “This time next week, we’ll be home doing our regular duties as citizens of West Virginia. I want to take a moment and reflect on what we’ve accomplished — and frankly, I didn’t have an answer when folks at church asked me the same question yesterday. I cannot remember a session where we’ve come this far and done so little that’s noteworthy.”
Deeds’ comments captured what many believe to be the core issue of the 2025 session: a lack of meaningful progress on the state’s economic development, public services, and infrastructure. Instead, lawmakers have spent significant time debating hot-button social issues, including proposals to ease childhood vaccine requirements.
One of the most contentious debates this session has centered on expanding vaccine exemptions for religious or philosophical reasons. The effort, led by state Sen. Laura Wakim Chapman, R-Ohio, comes as the U.S. faces a rise in measles cases — including in most states bordering West Virginia, with the exception of Virginia.
Chapman has been persistent, despite earlier legislative defeats. Her attempt to pass a vaccine exemption bill was rejected twice in the House. However, on Monday, she pushed again, proposing an amendment to a House bill during a Senate Health Committee meeting. The amendment passed, despite previous opposition.
Deeds, also a member of the Health Committee, opposed the amendment, voicing concern that the Senate was revisiting a debate already settled earlier in the session.
“I’m kind of frustrated about that,” he told MetroNews. “I feel like we chewed that cabbage already. We’ve already dealt with this issue earlier on. It’s wasting our precious time when there are bigger challenges we should be facing.”
Deeds’ frustration points to a broader concern that lawmakers are avoiding the tough decisions that could actually move the state forward — such as improving education, expanding job opportunities, or addressing West Virginia’s struggling healthcare infrastructure.
As the session nears its conclusion, there’s growing pressure for lawmakers to shift their focus and produce results that will truly benefit residents. While political debates around social issues may make headlines, many voters are more concerned with practical outcomes that impact their daily lives.
Deeds issued a challenge to his fellow lawmakers to put aside political grandstanding and focus on serving the people of West Virginia.
“This is our time to rally together,” he said. “We need to put away selfish ambitions. We cannot be one-issue warriors. We’re here to represent the entire state. We have to work with the House, the governor, and each other to get something done. I want to be able to go home, look my family in the eye, and say, ‘We accomplished something this session.’”
It’s a message that resonates beyond the Senate floor. Many citizens are growing tired of symbolic battles and want to see meaningful policy changes that improve West Virginia’s economy, infrastructure, and quality of life.
With just a few days left in the session, lawmakers still have a chance to salvage their legacy — but time is running out.
As Deeds put it: “We’re in the 11th hour. It’s time for us to get together, to work together, and move forward.”
The people of West Virginia are watching closely. They’re hoping their elected officials remember who they serve — and finish the session with purpose, not posturing.
