Weekly Newsletter 10.31.23

October 31, 2023

After 22 days in limbo, the House finally elected a Speaker and returned to regular business. We now have just 17 days to pass funding bills to avoid a government shutdown, which would have a catastrophic impact on our nation’s economy, the livelihoods of federal employees and our servicemembers, and everyday Americans who rely on vital government services.

THE WEEK IN THE WASHINGTON

House Republicans Double Down on MAGA Extremism

After the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, the nomination and withdrawal of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, nomination and three failed votes of House Judiciary Chair Jim Jordan, and four hour candidacy of House Majority Whip Tom Emmer, House Republicans elected Representative Mike Johnson (LA-04) as the 56th Speaker. Democrats remained united behind Leader Hakeem Jeffries, who I was proud to vote for for the fourth time.

House Dems stand in applause for Hakeem Jeffries.

By electing Speaker Johnson, House Republicans unanimously doubled down on MAGA extremism. Speaker Johnson was a leading architect of former President Trump’s plot to overturn the 2020 election and a staunch defender of the deadly January 6th insurrection. He is vehemently opposed to LGBTQ+ equality and called same-sex marriage “inherently unnatural” and a “dangerous lifestyle” that would lead to legalized pedophilia and possibly even destroy the entire democratic system.” He supports criminalizing abortion nationwide and claimed school shootings were the result of abortions and teaching evolution in schools. While he seems more pleasant than Jim Jordan, he is just as pro-Trump and MAGA extreme as Jordan. As Representative Matt Gaetz told Steve Bannon, Speaker Johnson represents the ascendency of MAGA extremism.

Speaker Johnson is now the face of the House Republicans and responsible for navigating the House through several crucial, must-pass pieces of legislation in the coming weeks, including

All twelve appropriations bills and/or another Continuing Resolution to extend current spending levels until they can pass;
The Biden-Harris Administration’s supplemental funding request to support Ukraine and Israel, deliver humanitarian aid to civilians in Gaza, and support our immigration system;
The Biden-Harris Administration’s supplemental funding request to support critical domestic needs such as providing critical disaster relief, strengthen and extend the Affordable Connectivity Program; and reinvesting in the child care industry to stave off a child care cliff following expiration of child care stabilization grants;
The Farm Bill to reauthorize agricultural subsidies and set policy parameters for important social safety nets, like SNAP and other food benefit assistance programs;
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act, to protect America’s innovation and leadership in aviation; and
The National Defense Authorization Act, which House Republicans loaded down with poison pill MAGA extreme policy amendments that cannot pass the Senate.

Throughout this Congress, House Democrats have stayed ready to work with Republicans in a bipartisan fashion to serve the American people. House Republicans remain focused on a hyper-partisan approach to governing. And the American people expect us to focus on working together to solve problems and address their needs.

Rep. McClellan New Bipartisan Legislation to Address PFAS Releases from Military Facilities

This week, I filed my fifth bill in Congress. The bipartisan Department of Defense PFAS Discharge Prevention Act, introduced with Representative Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02) will protect service members, their families, and communities from toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), also known as “forever chemicals,” released from Department of Defense (DoD) facilities. Exposure to PFAScan causeincreased rates of cancer, birth defects, autoimmune disorders, higher levels of cholesterol, and more. Recent studieshave shown that DoD facilities are a major contributor to PFAS contamination in drinking water sources, because of the various technologies used at the installations. In our Commonwealth, Norfolk Naval Base, Joint Base Langley-Eustis, Fort Monroe, and Camp Pendleton are among the sites with known or suspected PFAS contamination. This bill requires the DoD to seek the necessary permits from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to install carbon filtration technologies at DoD stormwater and waste water management outflows. It also mandates that DoD begins monitoring and measuring PFAS contamination levels to help combat future contamination.

You can read more about the bill and find the text here.

Breast Cancer Awareness Press Conference

As we close out Breast Cancer Awareness Month, The Bipartisan Women’s Caucus held a press conference last week to focus on the importance of preventative screening and research. Breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, impacting one in eight women over their lifetime. While incident rates are similar between racial demographics, Black women face significantly worse health outcomes and are 42% more likely to die from breast cancer than white women. Preventative care and routine screenings are key to early detection. I encourage you to reach out to your health care provider to schedule your screening today! Additional information on breast cancer screening is available from the Center for Disease Control (CDC) or the Virginia Breast Cancer Foundation.

House Armed Services Seapower And Projection Forces Hearing on the Submarine Industrial Base

Last week, the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee held a hearing to learn more about the Defense Department and U.S. Navy’s efforts to support our submarine industrial base and maintain our nation’s military readiness. Our nation’s submarine fleet is crucial to our national defense strategy and plays a key role in promoting our national interests in various regions across the world. Among those is AUKUS, a trilateral agreement between America, United Kingdom, and Australia to support one another in the Indo-Pacific Region. I asked Defense and Navy officials about the strategies and technologies used to support AUKUS and improve workforce development.

THE WEEK IN DISTRICT

Advanced Pharmaceutical Consortium Receives New Tech Hub Designation

Last week, the Biden-Harris Administration designated 31 communities across the country to serve as Regional Innovation and Technology Hubs. Also known as theTech Hubs Program, this program was enacted as part of theCHIPS and Science Actto establish and support regional innovation centers across the country. Here in Virginia’s Fourth, the Advanced Pharmaceutical Manufacturing (APM) Consortium received an official Tech Hub designation by the Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA).

This designation follows a letter I sent to the Department of Commerce calling for additional federal funding and support for APM. The APM seeks to accelerate the growth, innovation, and sustainability of the U.S.-based pharmaceutical manufacturing industry to produce safe and affordable medicines through innovative technologies The APM Tech Hub builds uses existing regional assets, scientific capacities, and significant public and private investment to ensure critical pharmaceuticals are manufactured here in America. I am confident this newest designation will further strengthen this manufacturing cluster and ensure Virginia remains on the forefront of pharmaceutical innovation.

Virginia to Receive Funds for Winter Heating

Virginia will receive $93,123,844for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) through the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS)’s Administration for Children and Families’ Office of Community Services. This federal funding will help low-income Virginia households pay their home heating costs this winter and their cooling bills next summer. The award also includes funding appropriated by Congress through the bipartisan Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). Earlier this year, I advocated for increased federal resources to strengthen LIHEAP, and I am thrilled this robust funding is headed to our Commonwealth.

UPCOMING DEADLINES AND EVENTS

Congressional App Challenge

The deadline to submit an original application for the Congressional App Challengeis tomorrow, November 1st, 2023. The Congressional App Challenge seeks to increase middle and high school students’ interest and experience in coding and STEM.Additional information can be found on my website.

Veteran of the Year

Nominations for the inaugural Fourth District Veteran of the Year are due by Friday, November 3rd, 2023. This 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.Additional information can be found on my website.

Upcoming Mobile McClellans

Looking for help with a federal agency without driving to Richmond or DC? You can register here to meet with my staff on November 21st from 11:00 am to 1:00 pm at Surry County Parks & Recreation, 205 Enos Farm Drive, Surry, VA 23883.

Medicare Open Enrollment

Medicare Open Enrollment runs through Tuesday, December 7, 2023. During this time, Medicare enrollees can review and compare their options for health and prescription drug coverage. After checking options, they can enroll or switch plans for the coming year. Changes will take effect on January 1, 2024.

If you are satisfied with the current health care coverage and it will be available in 2024, then no need to take any action. For more information or to compare plans, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.