Weekly Newsletter 03.25.24
After nearly six months of negotiations and looming government shutdowns, Congress finally passed all twelve appropriations bills to fully fund the government through Fiscal Year 2024! Without surprise, it was a chaotic process to get them passed in both chambers and sent to President Biden’s desk. Republicans’ clear inability to govern brought us to the brink of a government shutdown five times, and we narrowly averted a shutdown over the weekend.
On Friday morning, the House passed H.Res. 1102 on a 286-134 vote, with Democrats providing the necessary votes for passage. This resolution amended H.R. 2882, which funds two-thirds of all discretionary federal spending, in accordance with the deal struck by budget negotiators and the White House. You can read my full statement on the package here and a detailed summary of the legislation here.
Last-minute negotiations over amendments delayed Senate passage past the midnight deadline, but the Senate passed H.R. 2882 around 1:00am, and President Biden signed it into law around 2:00am, ending a turbulent government funding process.
Passage of the legislation may also mark the end of Speaker Johnson’s position – shortly after the House passed the legislation, Chaos Caucus member Marjorie Taylor Greene filed a motion to vacate. Once she provides notice of the motion, we will have two legislative days to act on it. As a reminder, the last time extreme MAGA Republicans pulled this stunt in a revolt against Speaker McCarthy, we went three weeks without a Speaker of the House while Republicans fought over who his replacement would be.
We are now in recess for two weeks. In the meantime, check out what else I was up to last week.
THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON
Republicans “Energy Week” – An Attack on Climate and Clean Energy
Extreme House Republicans dubbed last week’s legislative session “Energy Week,” but it really should have been called “Polluters Over People 2.0.” They advanced a slate of harmful, anti-science legislation seeking to undermine the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic climate progress, exacerbate the climate crisis, and undermine our transition to a clean energy future. I opposed each one:
- H.R. 6009, Restoring American Energy Dominance Act, seeks to prop up Big Oil profits at the continued expense of the American people by withdrawing the Bureau of Land Management’s (BLM) proposed rule that Big Oil companies – as opposed to taxpayers – pay for cleaning up and reclaiming public lands after drilling.
- H.R. 1121 prohibits any President from declaring a moratorium on fracking.
- H. Con. Res. 86 provides merely a platitude to Big Oil, expressing the view that a carbon tax would be detrimental to the American economy. This short-sighted political stunt aims to stoke fears of raising prices while disregarding the record-level domestic energy production under the Biden-Harris Administration.
- H.R. 7023 seeks to undermine the Clean Water Act, which has provided crucial protections to our public waters for the last 50 years. It would limit the EPA’s ability to issue water quality standards while protecting mining companies and landfills from being responsible for their contamination to public waters.
- H.R. 1023 would repeal two landmark programs – the Methane Emissions Reduction Program and the Greenhouse Gas Reduction Fund. Those programs, authorized under the Inflation Reduction Act, are designed to cut climate pollution and support homegrown American innovation.
All of these bills are dead on arrival in the Senate, but they are emblematic of Republicans’ continued efforts to give handouts to corporate polluters at the expense of our environment and the future of our planet.
New Legislation to Ban Cyberflashing and Protect Online Users
Did you know that nearly one in three Americans have received unsolicited, sexually explicit images? With the widespread use of social media and dating apps, American users are seeing a rise in online sexual harassment. Congress, however, has failed to pass regulations to protect online users. As artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning continue to develop at rapid rates, those issues are being further exacerbated by AI-generated content. In Virginia, cyberflashing is illegal thanks to legislation I carried in the Virginia General Assembly.
As a Member of Congress, I am seeking to extend those protections nationwide. Last week, I introduced the Curbing Online Non-consensual Sexually Explicit Nudity Transfers (CONSENT) Act with Congressman Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-01) and Senators Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Steve Daines (R-MT). The bipartisan, bicameral legislation ensures online users have legal recourse when they receive unsolicited, nonconsensual, sexually-explicit content, whether they are unaltered or manipulated by AI or machine learning. The bill will empower users to obtain statutory damages up to $500 or compensatory damages for emotional distress, reimbursement for attorney fees, and a temporary restraining order. I am grateful the bill has a wide coalition of support, including endorsements from the dating app Bumble, the National District Attorneys Association, the National Organization of Women (NOW), Virginia NOW, the National Political Women’s Caucus, and the Richmond YWCA. You can read the bill text here or a one-pager here.
Armed Services and Science, Space, and Technology Committee Updates
Last week, both of my committees held important hearings.
As we gear up for the Fiscal Year 2025 National Defense Authorization Act, The Armed Services Committee held two important hearings this week on U.S. military posture and national security challenges in the Indo-Pacific region and in the Greater Middle East and Africa. My questions focused on some of the proposed budget cuts for our submarine procurement and our efforts to support democratic governments in Africa. Watch here and here or below.
The Science Committee’s Space Subcommittee hearing focused on the status of NASA’s Science Mission Directorate. NASA Science does incredible work to explore the universe and protect and improve life on Earth and in space. As the mother of an aspiring astronomer, I was excited to hear directly from NASA about the work they are doing and how Congress can best support their continued efforts. You can watch it here or below.
Biden-Harris Administration Announces Another Round of Student Loan Cancellations
Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration announced $5.8 billion in student loan forgiveness for nearly 78,000 public-sector workers, including nurses, teachers, firefighters, and more. In the coming weeks, borrowers will receive emails from the Biden-Harris Administration that their loans have been forgiven, thanks to the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program and their contributions to our nation. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, nearly four million Americans have had their loans forgiven. I commend the Administration on their continued efforts, and I will continue fighting to address the costs of higher education.
THE WEEK IN THE DISTRICT
Touring the Sandston Postal Service Processing and Distribution Center
After I received complaints from constituents about mail delivery delays and pressed the postal service for answers for months, USPS representatives finally provided a congressional delegation a tour of the Richmond Regional Processing and Distribution Center. I was joined by Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Rob Wittman (VA-01), as well as representatives from Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representative Abigail Spanberger. During the tour, USPS officials outlined changes implemented to address challenges with the modernization of the processing and distribution system. However, it’s clear there is more work to do to ensure Virginians have the reliable, consistent mail delivery they deserve.
The facility is currently under an audit by the USPS Office of the Inspector General (OIG), and we expect that report to be released in the coming weeks. You can read more about our tour in the Richmond Times-Dispatch or watch this segment from ABC 8 clip below.
Celebrating the Life and Legacy of James Solomon Russell
Thanks to legislation I helped pass as a member of the Virginia General Assembly, March 28th is designated as James Solomon Russell Day in Virginia. Over the weekend, I attended the third annual James Solomon Russell Day Dinner hosted by the James Solomon Russell – Saint Paul’s College Museum and Archives. Born enslaved in 1857, Mr. Russell defied all odds and became a priest, educator, and the founder of what became Saint Paul’s College. His life exemplifies persistence and resilience in the face of unimaginable obstacles. Mr. Russell touched the lives of thousands of Virginians through his ministry and his commitment to expanding educational opportunities to everyone.
During the dinner, I presented remarks recognizing the indelible mark he left on our Commonwealth, which will be enshrined in the Library of Congress’ Congressional Record.
REMINDERS
Upcoming Mobile McClellan
Looking for help with a federal agency without having to travel to my Richmond or Brunswick offices? My staff hosts Mobile McClellan events throughout the district – opportunities to meet one-on-one with a constituent caseworker at a location near you!
My office’s next Mobile McClellan will be in Surry County on Tuesday, April 9th from 9:30-11:30am ET. You can RSVP here.
I look forward to hearing from you. Make sure to follow @RepMcClellan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington and Virginia’s Fourth and to catch the next episode of Moments with McClellan!
Sincerely,
Rep. Jennifer McClellan
Member of Congress