In his capacity as Vice Chairman of the Committee on Rules & Judiciary, Senate Vice President Kenneth L. Gittens successfully made a motion Thursday to remove Bills #36-0105 and #36-0144 from the October 9, 2025 agenda, returning them to the Committee on Homeland Security, Justice & Public Safety for further refinement.
The procedural motion was made on behalf of the bills’ sponsor, Senator Clifford Joseph, who was participating in the hearing remotely. Senator Clifford Joseph requested this action to ensure the proposed amendments were given the detailed review they merit, Senator Gittens said. The bills sent back to committee dealt with firearm and cannabis product regulations, complex issues that Committee members agreed required further expertise and examination before moving forward.
“This was not a rejection of the bills nor their underlying intent,” Senator Gittens stated Thursday during his point of information. “It is a responsible and necessary step to allow the committee of jurisdiction adequate time to strengthen the legislation before it advances.”
Senator Gittens motion was supported by all but one of the members of the Rules & Judiciary Committee. However, Senator Gittens expressed serious concern regarding the subsequent conduct of the Committee’s Chairwoman, who temporarily relinquished the gavel in order to object to Senator Gittens’ motion.
“Her decision to use a point of personal privilege to publicly demean fellow committee members was both inappropriate and inconsistent with the decorum expected within this institution,” he said. “Parliamentary rules clearly prohibit members from explaining a ‘no’ vote once it has been cast, whether under the guise of personal privilege or formal objection. These rules exist to preserve the fairness and integrity of our legislative process.”
Senator Gittens expressed growing concern over what he described as troubling pattern of conduct by the Chairwoman.
“I urge my colleagues to remain vigilant,” he said. “The integrity of our process and mutual respect among senators must be safeguarded at all times.”
Senator Gittens noted that he had hoped there would be further opportunity to explain his concerns Thursday, but that he was called away after learning a family member was experiencing a medical emergency.
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