Weekly Newsletter 10.18.23
We are 30 days away from a government shutdown. The House of Representatives has been without a Speaker for 15 days. The American people are expecting us to do our jobs and pass legislation to fund the government and address their needs. After the horrific Hamas terrorist attack in Israel and the ongoing war in Ukraine, the world is watching us. Yet Republican infighting has ground the House to a halt, as we cannot conduct any legislative business until the election of a Speaker.
Here’s an overview of the past two weeks.
HAMAS TERRORIST ATTACK ON ISRAEL SHOCKS THE WORLD
On October 7th, the world watched in horror as Hamas launched one of the broadest and deadliest attacks on Israeli territory in fifty years. It was the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust, resulting in the deaths of hundreds of innocent civilians, including American citizens. About 150 people were taken hostage into the Gaza Strip. Following the surprise attack, Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu declared war on Hamas and launched a counteroffensive. Since the start of the conflict, the death toll nears 5,000 total lives lost in both Israel and Gaza, following the Hamas terrorist attacks, resulting counteroffensive, and last night’s explosion at a hospital in Gaza.
I strongly condemn the horrific terrorist attacks by Hamas and grieve the innocent Israeli and Palestinian lives lost. The United States stands with Israel and supports its right to defend itself and restore security in the area, while urging Israel to use all precautions to avoid civilian casualties in Gaza and adhere to the rule of law. As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to doing all I can to ensure Israel has the resources and support it needs to defend itself. Last Monday, I joined the Richmond Jewish community to stand in solidarity at an event organized by the Jewish Community Federation of Richmond.
My staff and I continue to monitor the events in Israel and Gaza. Any constituents who have family in Israel, Gaza, or the West Bank can contact the U.S. Embassy in Israel by completing this intake form or calling 1-833-890-9595 or 1-606-641-0131.
IN WASHINGTON
Republican Infighting Leaves House Without a Speaker
Following the removal of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker, Representative Patrick McHenry (NC-10) became Speaker Pro Tempore pending the election of a new Speaker under a procedure adopted in the wake of the 9/11 attacks to ensure continuity of government. McHenry immediately recessed the House subject to the call of the chair. He only has the authority to preside over the election of a Speaker, and the House is in legislative limbo until that happens.
As House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (NY-08) expressed in a recent Washington Post Op-Ed, a bipartisan coalition is the only path forward in the House. To be elected Speaker, a candidate must receive at least 217 votes. All 212 House Democrats are united behind Leader Jeffries.
Last week, House Republicans nominated House Majority Leader Stephen Scalise (LA-01) over Representative Jim Jordan (OH-04) on a vote of 113-99. However, Rep. Scalise withdrew from the race when it became clear he could not get the necessary 217 votes to become Speaker. Republicans then nominated Rep. Jordan, a founding member of the Chaos Caucus, a vocal 2020 election denier, and co-conspirator in the January 6th insurrection. He has failed to pass a single bill in his 16 years as a member of the House, yet supports an extreme national abortion ban with no exemptions. He is also accused of covering up rampant sexual abuse at Ohio State University. Watch the below video for more information.
Several House Republicans have expressed skepticism that anyone in their party can garner 217 votes without Democratic support. Yesterday, their predictions proved true, as Jordan only received 200 votes. I was proud to cast my vote for Hakeem Jeffries.
Today, we held another vote for Speaker. House Democrats remained united in our support of Hakeem Jeffries, and he received 212 votes while Jim Jordan actually lost one vote. It is clear we must move forward in a bipartisan fashion to elect a new Speaker, and House Democrats remain ready and willing to do so. House Republicans must come to the table so that we can resolve this standstill and get back to work on behalf of the American people.
Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC) Empowerment Act Introduction
Last week, I joined Representatives Don Davis (NC-01) and Nancy Mace (SC-01) to introduce bipartisan legislation reauthorizing and strengthening the Southeast Crescent Regional Commission (SCRC). The SCRC is an economic development partnership agency of the federal government and seven state governments to build sustainable communities and strengthen economic growth across the Southeast Region. Since coming to Congress, I have been a staunch advocate for the SCRC, including leading efforts to include $33 million in federal funding for the commission in the Energy and Water Appropriations Bill and to reauthorize and strengthen the commission in the 2023 Farm Bill. You can read more about the reauthorization bill here and read the bill’s text here.
IN THE DISTRICT
Richlands Dairy and Creamery Tour
Agriculture is Virginia’s largest private industry, with an estimated annual economic impact of $82.3 billion and providing over 381,000 jobs. The Fourth District is home to Richlands Dairy and Creamery, a family-owned and operated farm that has been in operation since 1952. Earlier this month, I visited Richlands to learn more about dairy production, agrotourism, and how the Farm Bill and Agriculture Appropriations Bills impact their operations.
Every five years, Congress passes a Farm Bill that sets national agriculture, nutrition, conservation, and forestry policy. The 2018 Farm Bill expires this year, but thanks to House Republicans’ infighting, no draft bill has been released in the House or Senate. Dairy will be one of the first commodities impacted if we fail to pass a new farm bill by January, which would be devastating for family-owned farms like Richlands. Additional information on the impacts of the Farm Bill’s expiration without further congressional action can be found in this report by the Congressional Research Service.
As a member of the New Democrat Coalition’s Farm Bill Task Force, I am following the progress of the 2023 Farm Bill. The Task Force endorsed a slate of bills that seek to revitalize rural areas, strengthen our nutrition programs to combat food insecurity, support local farmers, and utilize agriculture to improve our environment and strengthen our supply chains. I will continue fighting to ensure Virginia’s agriculture industry and farmers have the support they need to succeed in both the Farm Bill and the Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act (H.R. 4368), which languishes in the Rules Committee due to Republican infighting over extreme amendments on abortion, immigration, transgender issues, and banning Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives.
Celebrating 100th Years of Women at the University of Richmond School of Law
100 years ago, Jane Brown Ranson became the first woman to graduate from the University of Richmond Law School, joining University of Virginia Law School graduate Elizabeth Thompkins as the first women in Virginia to receive law degrees. On October 5th, I joined the University of Richmond Law School to commemorate these milestones. You can watch my conversation with Dean Wendy Perdue here.
University of Virginia School of Law Launches Education Rights Institute
This week, the University of Virginia School of Law launched its Education Rights Institute. Led by Kimberly Jenkins Robinson, the Institute aims to expand the opportunity for K-12 students across the United States to receive a high-quality education that empowers them to be college- and career-ready and engaged citizens. It was wonderful to return to my alma mater to celebrate the Institute’s launch and speak on a panel about the challenges in our nation’s public school system and different strategies to address long-standing inequities. You can watch the livestream of the full event hereor just my panel here.
Virginia Municipal League Conference in Norfolk
Last weekend, the Virginia Municipal League held its annual conference in Norfolk, bringing together over 100 local elected officials and nearly 400 local government officials to exchange ideas and discuss relevant issues facing our Commonwealth. I was pleased to attend the conference and speak to my experience transitioning from the state legislature to Congress and how local, state and federal officials can work together to address the needs of our constituents.
UPCOMING DEADLINES
Veteran of the Year
My inaugural Veteran of the Year Program seeks to honor the service and sacrifice of a veteran living in Virginia’s Fourth. Eligible nominees must be honorably discharged veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and must currently reside in Virginia’s Fourth. Nominations for our Veteran of the Year are due by Friday, November 3rd, 2023. Additional information can be found on mywebsite.
Medicare Open Enrollment
Medicare Open Enrollment period began on October 15th and runs to December 7th. Make sure you update your coverage and review to see if you need to make changes. Information can be found at Medicare.gov or you can call 1-800-MEDICARE.