Blyden Calls on Plaskett to Seek From Congress Amendment of Revised Organic Act to Allow Emergency Sessions Outside of Charlotte Amalie

Senator Marvin Blyden said Monday that last week he sent correspondence to Congresswoman Stacey Plaskett seeking her assistance in amending the Revised Organic Act to allow the V.I. Legislature to meet in emergency situations outside of the territory's capital of Charlotte Amalie. Currently, Section 7(b) of the Revised Organic Act states, “Sessions of the legislature shall be held in the capital of the Virgin Islands at Charlotte Amalie, Saint Thomas.” Mr. Blyden said this language prevents the Legislature from meeting if an emergency makes it impossible for members to be physically present in the capital. In his letter to Ms. Plaskett, Mr. Blyden noted that as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic, legislative bodies throughout the nation are amending their rules and constitutions to allow for remote voting in emergencies. The senator requested that the Delegate to Congress spearhead this effort as the USVI's representative in Washington, since the power to amend the Organic Act reside...