West Virginia Senate adjourns until Jan. 27 after presiding officer cites state of emergency and lack of quorum

CHARLESTON, W.Va. — The West Virginia Senate adjourned its session on Jan. 26 after the presiding officer declared an absence of quorum, citing a governor-declared state of emergency affecting all 55 counties.

"With the governor having declared a state of emergency in all 55 counties, I declare the absence of a quorum," the Presiding Officer said on the chamber floor, pausing legislative business.

Following that announcement, the Senator from Lewis moved that "subject to announcements, I move the senate stand adjourn until tomorrow at 11AM." The motion was put to a voice vote; the presiding officer called for those in favor to say "aye" and those opposed to say "no," and then declared, "I declare the Senate adjourned."

Before the adjournment vote, the Senator from Lewis said the Senate intends to resume normal activity the following day and announced committee meetings: the Committee on Government Organization will meet in room 208 West and the Committee on Education will meet in Room 451M, both at 9:30 a.m. on Jan. 27.

No recorded roll-call vote or individual tallies appeared in the transcript; the adjournment was decided by a voice vote in the chamber.

The Senate is scheduled to reconvene at 11 a.m. on Jan. 27, with the committee meetings set to occur earlier that morning.