× Thanks for reading! Log in to continue. Enjoy more articles by logging in or creating a free account. No credit card required. Log in Sign up {{featured_button_text}}

The Republican Party of Virginia backed away from its plans for a party pledge in today’s presidential primary, but the issue could resurface in future elections after a House of Delegates panel voted Monday to table a bill to ban loyalty oaths.

The legislation was intended as an emergency measure to address the controversy over the GOP’s so-called statement of affiliation, but the measure lost its urgency after the party abandoned its plans last month to require the statement.

The ban on oaths in a primary — introduced by Sen. J. Chapman “Chap” Petersen, D-Fairfax City — was killed for the year by a voice vote in a House subcommittee.

Del. J. Randall Minchew, R-Loudoun, said in an interview that the subcommittee he chairs decided to table the bill because “there was no immediate exigency,” so the bill wouldn’t have an impact until 2020.

“Because the situation has been addressed for this year, we thought, while the bill is not legally moot, it is practically moot,” Minchew said.

The bill had passed the Senate on a 34-5 vote.