Virginia legislators get Twitter-savvy

RICHMOND — It used to be easier to end debate in the Virginia General Assembly.

A legislator — in the majority party, of course — fed up with the heated rhetoric on any issue simply made a motion. There was a quick vote. Voila: It’s over.

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But these days, the debate can drag on — and on.

In this legislative session more than any other — particularly in the younger, rowdier House of Delegates — lawmakers who want to be heard when they’re denied speaking time take to the Twitterverse. Right there in the ornate House chamber.

Twitter has become the social media outlet of choice this year for an increasing number of legislators seeking to publicly disagree with the other party, other chamber, or other branch of government. They also tweet to urge followers to contact lawmakers on contentious legislation — once even rounding up activists to what turned out to be biggest protest of the session (#waronwomen).

“Debate cut off on mandatory ultrasound bill. Did not get a chance to respond to Del. Gilbert’s claim abortion is about lifestyle convenience,” Del. Jennifer L. McClellan (D-Richmond), 39, a.k.a. @JennMcClellanVA, tweeted on Feb. 14 after the lengthy and impassioned discussion ended abruptly on a measure requiring women to undergo ultrasounds before abortion.

Twitter has changed the oldest legislative body in the Western Hemisphere — in ways Thomas Jefferson never could have envisioned.

“It has become a full-fledged political tool,’’ said Del. Ben L. Cline (R-Rockbridge), 40, a.k.a. @DelBenCline.

The General Assembly, which thrives on the traditions that stem from its 400-year-old history, has changed with the times — some legislators more reluctantly than others. Paper gave way to computers. Lawmakers joined Facebook. Others have grown adept on state-issued iPads.

And even though some of the more tech-savvy — and mostly younger — members began tweeting a year or two ago, Twitter became a regular part of the session only this year.

Legislative staffers estimate that 36 delegates in the 100-member House have Twitter accounts. Some tweet directly from the House floor.

“Great work by the members of Appropriations. Both parties worked hard for a great bill. This is the REAL news of this session,” Del. Greg Habeeb (R-Salem), 35, a.k.a. @GregHabeeb, tweeted on Feb. 23.

That’s not to say that legislators don’t do exactly what the rest of Twitter’s 300 million users do. They write about their day, gossip about their friends and make obvious and not-so-obvious observations. All in 140 characters or fewer.

After 16 new delegates were sworn in at the start of the session in January, Del. David L. Englin (D-Alexandria), 37, a.k.a. @dlenglin, tweeted: “It’s official: “David” is now the most prevalent name in the Hse of Delegates: Toscano, Englin, Bulova, Ramadan, Yancey, Albo.”

But it’s become so much more.

House Democrats’ strategy for the 60-day session included legislators and caucus staff tweeting daily, complete with a hashtag that reflected their view of a chamber dominated 2-to-1 by Republicans. Midway through, House Republicans followed suit.