On Thursday Senator Colin Bonini began invoking Senate procedural rules. At one point during the proceedings, Democrat leadership asked to speak to Bonin off the Senate floor. (Top Left of the photo). Bonini was back on the floor very quickly.
Bonin issued a statement regarding his decision to invoke the procedural rules.
Bonini’s Statement
Senator Bonini Objects to Senate Bill 320, Firearms Bills
Vote-by-mail legislation and firearms-related measures fast-tracked through the Legislature.
On Thursday, June 16, 2022, Senator Colin Bonini (R-Dover) invoked multiple legislative procedures to slow down the legislative process as many bills were being fast-tracked through the General Assembly.
Senate Bill 320 (SB 320), which establishes a vote-by-mail system in Delaware, was introduced on Friday, June 10, 2022, heard in the Senate Election and Government Affairs committee on Wednesday, June 15, 2022, reported out of Senate Finance Committee yesterday, June 16, 2022, and was immediately added to the Senate Agenda prior to session beginning. Overall, it took three legislative days from the time the bill was introduced to being passed in the Senate.
“I have fundamental differences with SB 320 and believe it to be blatantly unconstitutional,” said Senator Colin Bonini. “I was prepared to introduce over 20 amendments to try and stop this runaway process, however a deal was struck just after 11:00 p.m. My Senate Amendment 27 requires an elector to provide a form of identification, be it the last four digits of his or her driver’s license or last four digits of his or her social security number, to prove the identification of the person submitting a mail-in ballot.
“I’m thankful my amendment was added and believe the safeguard will help, but this vote-by-mail system will surely be abused and create an environment ripe with voter fraud.”
Various firearms-related bills, such as House Bill 450 (HB 450) and House Bill 451 (HB 451), were also streamlined through the legislative process.
“In addition to having major differences with HB 450, HB 451, and others that were on the agenda yesterday afternoon, I totally disagree with how fast these bills moved along in comparison to other measures, especially many introduced by members of our caucus this year, a number of which have never been released from committee,” Senator Bonini said.
“To be frank, citizens’ Second Amendment rights were stripped and our elections will be compromised.”
The amended SB 320, SB 450, and other bills on the agenda did pass the Senate. SB 451 was tabled.
Senator Bonini represents the 16th Senate District, which encompasses South Dover, Magnolia, Frederica and Camden-Wyoming.