During this summer recess, I am traveling across Virginia’s Fourth to talk to hear directly from constituents about how the disastrous policies of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have impacted them.
Last week, I provided a legislative update to Delegate Destiny LeVere Bollings’ Town Hall Meeting in Lakeside and my Senior Town Hall in Fairfield. At both events, residents shared their concerns about how the disastrous policies of the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans have made the cost-of-living crisis facing our communities worse. From the Big Ugly Law’s cuts to Medicaid, SNAP benefits, college financial aid, clean energy and energy efficiency programs, to the expiration of the enhanced premium tax credits under the Affordable Care Act, tariffs and the war in Iran, my constituents have seen the price of health care, housing, groceries, gas, electricity and more skyrocket.
I finished the week visiting the S.T.R.E.A.M. (Science, Technology, Reading, Engineering, Arts, Math) Academy to discuss my role in Congress with eight- to 11-year-old students participating in this literacy and STEM-based summer enrichment program in Petersburg.
Keep reading to see more of what you may have missed last week.
FIGHTING TO SAVE MEDICAID AND MEDICARE AMIDST THE BIGGEST CUTS IN THEIR 61-YEAR HISTORY
July 30th marked the 61st anniversary of President Lyndon B. Johnson’s signing of the Medicare and Medicaid Act establishing a national health insurance program for seniors, people with disabilities and people with limited incomes. In its first three years, Medicare and Medicaid enrolled nearly 20 million beneficiaries. Today, these vital programs provide health insurance to over 140 million people. Yet both programs face their biggest threat thanks to cuts in Republicans’ Big Ugly Law. Specifically, the Big Ugly Law’s over $1 trillion cuts in these programs are estimated to strip health insurance from 10 million people and accelerate the timeline for insolvency of the Medicare Trust Fund, triggering automatic spending cuts of approximately $500 billion by 2034.
To discuss the impact of Medicaid cuts on Virginia and how I can partner with state officials and providers to mitigate that impact, I hosted a roundtable with Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Marvin Figueroa and representatives from Virginia’s hospitals, health care and safety net providers.
Medicaid covers nearly 2 million Virginians, and nearly 300,000 of them could lose coverage under the Big Ugly Law’s changes in eligibility requirements. Officials estimate that this coverage loss, administrative cuts and decreased provider reimbursements alone could cost the Commonwealth between $1.8 and $2.6 billion in revenue in one year. On top of that, the Commonwealth must invest new state funds to overhaul benefit eligibility and payment systems, with penalties assessed for errors.
Virginia hospitals face an estimated $1.2 billion cut in payments in 2028, which could balloon to over $30 billion. Rural and safety net providers such as Federally Qualified Health Centers and free clinics providing care to underserved patients will bear the brunt of these cuts.
In the midst of the chaos wrought by the Big Ugly Law, we remain focused on ensuring communities can access the care they need when they need it. From state subsidies for those who dropped their Affordable Care Act coverage due to rising premiums to a new Medicaid reserve fund, Virginia is taking proactive steps to mitigate the damage. My All-American Family Agenda published last month also calls for restoring Medicaid funding, preserving the program’s guaranteed benefits and expanding eligibility while reducing barriers to care. In Congress, I cosponsor legislation to repeal the Big Ugly Law’s Medicaid cuts and introduced the Medicaid Outreach and Assistance for Communities Act of 2026 with Rep. Troy Carter to help people stay covered under Medicaid with new eligibility requirements.
As the new Medicaid eligibility requirements take effect in January, Virginians concerned about their coverage should visit the Department of Medical Assistance Services website for more information. Stay tuned for more information on how my office will partner with state officials to keep Virginia Medicaid recipients covered.
DELIVERING COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING FOR NEEDED WATER INFRASTRUCTURE IMPROVEMENTS IN SOUTHSIDE VIRGINIA
Last week, I also visited Emporia, Lawrenceville and Prince George County to deliver community project funding for vital sewage and wastewater improvements.
The City of Emporia received $1,000,000 to support the extension of the Norwood Water and Sewer Line, a critical component of Emporia’s broader water and sewer infrastructure. This extension will promote public health, encourage economic development, ensure environmental compliance and leverage federal resources to benefit the city and surrounding communities.
Lawrenceville in Brunswick County received $1,092,000 to replace 30-year-old wastewater equipment and nearly double the facility’s wastewater capacity.
Prince George County received $800,000 for the Beechwood Manor Asbestos Pipe Replacement Project to modernize the community water system by replacing four miles of asbestos cement waterlines, originally installed in the mid-1970s and now in poor condition. The project will reduce the risk of breaks, service interruptions and declining water quality; ensure safer, more reliable drinking water for residents; protect public health and improve the long-term resilience of the county’s municipally owned and operated water system.
I look forward to continuing to deliver federal funding across Virginia’s Fourth for vital projects such as these. You can read more about all of the community project funding I secured for Fiscal Year 2026 here.
MY BRIGHT SPOT: MOMENTS WITH MCCLELLAN
The newest episode of Moments With McClellan is now out, featuring Vermont’s only Representative: Congresswoman Becca Ballint. Tune in to learn more from my friend, colleague and former school teacher.
ANNOUNCEMENTS AND REMINDERS
Join me TONIGHT for a climate action-focused town hall hosted by the Climate Action Campaign! The town hall will last from 6:00PM-7:45PM at the Science Museum of Virginia (2500 West Broad Street, Richmond, VA 23220). Doors open at 5:30PM and free food will be provided!
You can RSVP here or watch the livestream here.
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.
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!