Dear Friends,
I hope you had a joyful Labor Day as summer comes to a close.
I finished out the August recess delivering community project funding to Virginia’s Fourth District, holding town halls in Surry and Hopewell, and holding a health care roundtable as part of Protect Our Care’s “Sick of It” tour. I also joined MS NOW’s The Weekend to discuss reports of deplorable conditions on the USS Lincoln during its record-breaking deployment, President Trump prioritizing his vanity projects over the cost of living crisis and more.
After weeks of hearing from constituents and stakeholders about the cost-of-living crisis gripping our communities during the August recess, I was eager to return to Washington last week to tackle legislation that can bring some relief. Instead, Republicans set a legislative agenda that included condemning socialism and calling yet again for their voter suppression bill to become law; suppressing freedom of speech and expression on college campuses; weakening protections for whales; and slashing regulations protecting public lands from mining.
I voted no on all these measures, which do nothing to address the cost-of-living issues raised by my constituents during the August recess.
The House also passed a resolution extending government funding through December 11th, and the Energy & Commerce Committee advanced several bipartisan bills addressing environmental, energy, communications, technology, commerce, manufacturing and trade issues.
We are now back in recess this week, then return to Washington for a final legislative session before the midterms, as Speaker Johnson canceled the last two weeks of votes in September.
Read on to see what else you may have missed since my last newsletter.
HEALTH CARE CUTS CONTINUE TO WEIGH ON VIRGINIA’S PATIENTS AND PROVIDERS
During the 2025 August recess, I traveled across Virginia to talk to patients, health care providers and communities about what the Big Ugly Law would mean for access to care, particularly for rural Virginia. At that time, Senate Democrats identified six rural hospitals in Virginia at risk of closure once the Medicaid cuts took effect, including one in Emporia in the Fourth District.
I visited that hospital to discuss with its leaders the devastating impact the cuts would have on their ability to serve the community. I also visited Tazewell in the Ninth District, which had a hospital on that list, and discussed the potential impact with providers and community advocates. I then toured the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center (AHCDH) in Abingdon, where more than 80% of patients rely on Medicaid and the remaining patients are uninsured. At that time, approximately 2,800 sat on a waiting list for services. Their Co-Founder and Site Director shared with me how the clinic fills a health care gap in Southwest Virginia and his concerns over how Medicaid cuts could impact that work. When I shared what I heard in these meetings with local press, Representative Morgan Griffith (VA-09) accused me and Democrats of “spreading fear.”
Yet around the same time, a rural clinic in Nebraska announced plans to close as a result of the Medicaid cuts. And about a week later, Augusta Medical Group announced the closure of three health clinics in Virginia’s Shenandoah Valley as “part of Augusta Health’s ongoing response to the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.”
One year after the Big Ugly Law took effect, we see our fears coming to life, and Americans today already feel the effects of these cuts in their wallets and within their communities. We see fewer people insured, fewer people getting the care or preventative care that they need, fewer providers and hospitals able to provide that care and higher prices across the board.
I spent much of August this year hearing directly from patients and providers alike about how the Big Ugly Law is weighing on them and their medical decisions — and how this is only going to get worse as more price spikes and limiting provisions in the Big Ugly Law go into effect in January next year. Earlier last month, I met with Virginia Secretary of Health Marvin Figueroa and providers. Then, I joined Virginia Deputy Secretary of Health Lauryn Walker, Protect Our Care Virginia and more to sound the alarm on how the Big Ugly Law has impacted the Commonwealth. In the final week of recess, I met with officials of the Virginia Marketplace to discuss enrollment losses in light of the Big Ugly Law’s Medicaid cuts and expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
I returned to Charlottesville to join former Congressman Tom Perriello, Dr. Mohan Nadkarni of the Charlottesville Free Clinic and Augusta resident Christina Rivera at a roundtable as part of Protect Our Care Virginia’s “Sick of It” tour to discuss that impact.
I returned to Charlottesville to join former Congressman Tom Perriello, Dr. Mohan Nadkarni of the Charlottesville Free Clinic and Augusta resident Christina Rivera at a roundtable as part of Protect Our Care Virginia’s “Sick of It” tour to discuss that impact.
I rounded out the week by visiting residents at the VCU School of Medicine to answer their questions, discuss their ideas on how to improve access to care and hear about their experiences working in this post-Big Ugly Law reality.
My travels painted a dire picture. Eight million Americans and counting have lost their health care. Approximately 100,000 Virginians have been priced out of their ACA plans, 300,000 Virginians are at risk of losing their Medicaid, and Virginia’s Joint Commission on Health Care has identified 13 Virginia hospitals at risk of closure due to the cuts.
Back in Washington last week, I shared what I heard throughout the recess as I anchored the Congressional Black Caucus Special Order Hour.
I also called on my colleagues to pass legislation that I cosponsored to reverse the Medicaid cuts in the Big Ugly Law and reinstate the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. Until Congress does so, I will continue elevating the impact these cuts have on Virginia communities.
CONTINUING TO DELIVER COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING DURING AUGUST RECESS
During the final weeks of August recess, I presented additional community project funding to localities.
First, I visited Surry County for a town meeting with Senator Lashrecse Aird, during which I delivered $1,092,000 for the county to build a new combined water system serving Surry County Schools and nearby industrial parks. This project will allow Surry schools to serve more students and provide opportunities for rural housing and economic development.
I presented $850,000 to the Chesterfield County Board of Supervisors to help modernize the Willis Road/I-95 interchange and met with officials and local businesses to discuss the need for those improvements.
Lastly, I visited the VCU College of Engineering to present community project funding to support their robotics and autonomous systems research. We then toured the engineering labs to see that research up close.
I look forward to continuing to deliver this funding to these localities as we get closer to the end of the year!
MY BRIGHT SPOT: THE COMMUNICATIONS & TECHNOLOGY COMMITTEE UNANIMOUSLY ADVANCES THE GUARD ACT
Last week, the Communications & Technology Committee advanced my bipartisan GUARD Act with Chairman John Moolenaar of the Select Committee on China (MI-02) and Representative Jay Obernolte (CA-23). This bill requires scrutiny of robots made by China and other foreign adversaries and prohibits the importation of robots determined to be a national security threat to the United States.
The bill now heads to the Energy & Commerce Committee for a vote.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
On Saturday, September 12th, join my office for a joint Service Academy Day event with Rep. Rob Wittman’s team! This event will provide information aimed at high school students interested in attending one of our nation’s great service academies, including where and how to apply. RSVP here and stop by the Virginia War Memorial, Veterans Hall (621 S. Belvidere Street, Richmond, VA 23220) between 9 AM and 11 AM (doors open at 8:30 AM) to learn more!
The 2026 Congressional App Challenge is now open! Middle and high school students living in the district can submit an original software app written in any programming language for a chance to have the work officially recognized, meet me and attend the annual #HouseOfCode science fair in Washington, D.C.! Submissions are due October 26th, and more information can be found here.
Stay tuned for more updates and keep the faith, friends!