Focus on the BIG picture.
Thursday, Jan 22, 2026
Outside the box.
Virginia Democrats Move to Reevaluate Funding for Military College After Dispute Over Inclusion and Historic Legacy
New resolution seeks task force to review whether Virginia Military Institute should continue to receive state taxpayer support amid concerns over discrimination and resistance to diversity reforms
Virginia Democratic lawmakers have introduced a resolution that would establish a task force to determine whether the Virginia Military Institute (VMI), the nation’s oldest state-supported military college, should continue to receive public funding as questions mount over its response to historical discrimination and recent cultural disputes.
The initiative comes as Democratic control of both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor’s office gives the party fresh leverage to examine institutional practices and fiscal priorities.
The proposed task force would conduct a comprehensive review of VMI’s compliance with a 2021 state-ordered report that identified widespread racism and sexism at the institution, including its celebration of Confederate history and longstanding traditions that Democrats say perpetuate exclusion.
The panel would also assess whether other public universities could assume the Commonwealth’s military training responsibilities and determine the value that VMI provides to taxpayers, given that state funds comprised roughly forty-three percent of its budget in the two thousand twenty-four to two thousand twenty-five academic year.
Delegate Dan Helmer, a co-sponsor of the resolution and a West Point graduate, said the review is essential to ascertain whether VMI can evolve beyond what he described as narratives rooted in the “Lost Cause” and to ensure that taxpayer dollars support institutions capable of change.
Helmer has previously championed reforms to strengthen protections for sexual assault reporting at VMI, reflecting his long-standing engagement with military education policy.
Critics of the proposal, including some VMI alumni and board members, argue that the college remains a valuable asset to the Commonwealth and that efforts to reevaluate its funding could weaken an institution with deep historical ties and a robust alumni network.
VMI’s current superintendent, retired Lieutenant General David Furness, stated that the college welcomes dialogue and will engage constructively with legislators as the discussion unfolds.
The resolution directs the task force to complete its work by November thirty, two thousand twenty-six, and provide a report to the governor and the General Assembly by the start of the two thousand twenty-seven legislative session.
The initiative comes as Democratic control of both chambers of the General Assembly and the governor’s office gives the party fresh leverage to examine institutional practices and fiscal priorities.
The proposed task force would conduct a comprehensive review of VMI’s compliance with a 2021 state-ordered report that identified widespread racism and sexism at the institution, including its celebration of Confederate history and longstanding traditions that Democrats say perpetuate exclusion.
The panel would also assess whether other public universities could assume the Commonwealth’s military training responsibilities and determine the value that VMI provides to taxpayers, given that state funds comprised roughly forty-three percent of its budget in the two thousand twenty-four to two thousand twenty-five academic year.
Delegate Dan Helmer, a co-sponsor of the resolution and a West Point graduate, said the review is essential to ascertain whether VMI can evolve beyond what he described as narratives rooted in the “Lost Cause” and to ensure that taxpayer dollars support institutions capable of change.
Helmer has previously championed reforms to strengthen protections for sexual assault reporting at VMI, reflecting his long-standing engagement with military education policy.
Critics of the proposal, including some VMI alumni and board members, argue that the college remains a valuable asset to the Commonwealth and that efforts to reevaluate its funding could weaken an institution with deep historical ties and a robust alumni network.
VMI’s current superintendent, retired Lieutenant General David Furness, stated that the college welcomes dialogue and will engage constructively with legislators as the discussion unfolds.
The resolution directs the task force to complete its work by November thirty, two thousand twenty-six, and provide a report to the governor and the General Assembly by the start of the two thousand twenty-seven legislative session.
