Since my last newsletter, Speaker Johnson sent the House into its July 4th recess two days early after his attempt to jam the SAVE America Act onto the National Defense Authorization Act went down in flames.
The Supreme Court finished its term with a series of significant decisions, ranging from upholding birthright citizenship and reaffirming the ability to vote by mail, to rolling back campaign finance restrictions, to holding that the president has broad but limited authority to fire independent agency leaders.
President Trump attended the NATO Summit, where he lashed out at our international allies, absurdly demanded loyalty from longstanding partners and ramped up his rhetoric against Iran as he resumed air strikes and a blockade of the Strait of Hormuz in a war the American people never asked for and rightfully oppose. From criticizing Spain for not contributing enough to NATO and threatening to cut off all trade, to calling Iran “scum,” his provocation does nothing to make us safer or strengthen our diplomatic ties as a leader on the global stage.
In other news, the most significant housing bill in decades became law, despite President Trump refusing to sign it in a huff over Congress not passing the SAVE America Act.
In the midst of the chaos, America celebrated its 250th birthday. During the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour, I reflected on the founding of the United States of America upon the revolutionary ideals that all people are created equal with the unalienable rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and that governments are created by, of and for the people to secure these rights.
The story of the last 250 years has been one of our nation striving towards a more perfect union in which its founding ideals ring true for everyone. We have made extraordinary progress, but we must resolve together to protect and build upon that progress in the midst of today’s unprecedented challenges.
Keep reading to see what you may have missed since my last newsletter.
THE ALL-AMERICAN FAMILIES AGENDA
Today, millions of people across the country work tirelessly every single day to raise and support their families. But it’s increasingly difficult to access the necessary resources and services as costs continue to rise in almost every imaginable area, from housing to childcare to health care and even retirement.
The cost-of-living crisis has only worsened under the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ relentless campaign to weaken the structure of certain families through forceful separation and funding cuts through their Big Ugly Law, narrowing the definition of family to one that does not live up to that founding promise.
Against this backdrop, the Heritage Foundation’s Saving America by Saving the Family report prioritizes procreation over partnership, heterosexuality over love and gender norms over shared responsibility. In contrast, as America celebrated the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I focused my attention on American families of all types. Every family in this country deserves the chance to thrive, especially in a nation formed on the ideals of liberty and justice for all. In a country that values the natural rights of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, everyone should have the freedom to plan when, whether and how to start a family and to get the care they need, when they need it, without fear of going bankrupt.
On the 250th anniversary of the Continental Congress voting to declare independence from Great Britain, I launched my All-American Family Agenda as an alternative framework to adopt polities that support all types of families in this country, not just the narrow definition adopted by the Heritage Foundation. My framework centers policies that make family life accessible, affordable and enduring. Although the harmful provisions of Republicans’ Big Ugly Law threaten the potential for families to access these proposed resources, I will not stop fighting until every family in this country is recognized and supported by our government.
I also shared the vision outlined in my All-American Family Agenda during the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour commemorating 250 years of the Great American Experiment — and the progress we have yet to make.
You can read the full agenda here and exclusive coverage from Once Upon a Hill.
ENERGY & COMMERCE COMMITTEE UPDATE
In the midst of the partisan chaos of the House floor, the Energy & Commerce Committee continues to find some common ground to advance bipartisan legislation.
On June 29th, the House unanimously passed the Rural and Municipal Utilities Cybersecurity (RMUC) Act, my bill with Rep. Miller-Meeks (IA-01) to reauthorize and strengthen a critical program that helps rural and municipal electric utilities defend against growing cybersecurity threats to the nation’s energy grid. I spoke on the House floor on the importance of this bill, which is now pending before the Senate.
The House also passed the Kids Internet and Digital Safety (KIDS) Act. While the bill does not go as far as we need to go, I voted in favor of the KIDS Act because it takes a critical first step to protect our children from invasive data collection, online exploitation, harmful content and more.
The Communications and Technology Subcommittee conducted a hearing on Oversight of the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA). During the hearing, I provided a Virginia-focused perspective and discussed with the NTIA Director how delayed guidance to states for use of federal broadband grants has made it harder to close the digital divide, especially for our rural and underserved communities that rely on efforts like the Broadband Equity Access and Deployment (BEAD) Program.
MY BRIGHT SPOT: NEW MOMENTS WITH MCCLELLAN EPISODE
My latest episode of Moments with McClellan featuring Congressional Progressive Caucus Chair Greg Casar (TX-35) dropped in time for the Fourth of July!
Watch the full episode to learn about his experience being a new dad while serving in Congress, representing San Antonio as a Spurs fan and more!
REMINDERS
Do you know a high school student interested in attending one of the service academies? They can apply for a service academy nomination today through Friday, October 30th!
Stay tuned for more updates and keep the faith, friends!