Weekly Newsletter, 11.14.23
We are three days away from a government shutdown as House Republicans continue to waste time on hyper-partisan appropriations bills that cannot pass the Senate - that is when they are not fighting with each other. Last week, Speaker Johnson failed to bring two appropriations bills to the floor for a vote because he could not get the votes in his own caucus to pass these bills loaded with devastating cuts and extreme amendments. Over the weekend, he unveiled a “laddered” continuing resolution to maintain current funding levels through late January for federal agencies and through early February for others, but it appears he cannot get the votes from his caucus to advance that either.
We’ve seen this before …. This is exactly where we were in September. As I stated then, a government shutdown would devastate Virginia, which has over hundreds of thousands of federal employees and active duty service members who will not get paid, small businesses and farms will be denied funding they need, and millions of air travelers will face significant delays. Learn more how a government shutdown would harm Americans - and Virginians specifically - here.
As we have done all year, House Democrats will continue to put People Over Politics and work to find a bipartisan solution to keep the government open, deliver funding to lower costs for child care, home energy, and high-speed internet, and protect our national security by supporting our allies and partners around the world.
Here’s what else you may have missed last week.
THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON
Introduction of Legislation to Combat Climate Change
As our nation continues to grapple with more frequent and severe extreme weather events, we must leverage every possible technology to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, minimize our carbon footprint, and accelerate the transition to a clean-energy future. Last week, I introduced my sixth bill, the bipartisan Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act with Congressman Mike Lawler (R-NY-17) to empower the federal government to support interagency work around soil carbon sequestration research and monitoring.
Soil carbon sequestration is a process to promote the absorption of carbon into soil. Experts estimate that soil could store almost 5 billion metric tons of carbon dioxide worldwide each year, which would drastically reduce our greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. The Coordination for Soil Carbon Research and Monitoring Act would streamline existing federal efforts around this approach and close gaps in research and monitoring.
You can learn more about this bill here.
Science, Space and Technology Committee Advances Weather Act Reauthorization.
Last week, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee unanimously advanced The Weather Act Reauthorization, a robust piece of bipartisan legislation to improve the United States’ forecasting and emergency preparedness. As the impacts of climate change become more severe, we must take necessary steps to ensure we can effectively monitor, predict, and respond to extreme weather events. The bill included my amendment to prioritize the assessment of storm impacts on traditionally underserved and marginalized communities. Low-income communities, communities of color, and Tribal and Indigenous communities are often located in areas that are more vulnerable to extreme weather events. These communities often have less resilient infrastructure and more limited resources for preparation and recovery, which can contribute to health disparities in the aftermath. My amendment ensures that prioritization of those most at risk and who have the least capacity to recover in the wake of storms.
Bipartisan Virginia Delegation Call for Reversal of FBI Headquarters Relocation to Maryland.
Last week, the General Services Administration (GSA) selected Greenbelt, Maryland as the site of the new Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) headquarters. This decision overruled the unanimous recommendation of a three-person panel of career experts from the GSA and FBI identifying Springfield, Virginia as the best location for the new headquarters due to its proximity to FBI Quantico and other key intelligence sites, more public transportation options, and a highly trained and skilled workforce. I joined Virginia Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine, Governor Glenn Youngkin, and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (R-VA), Gerry Connolly (VA-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Abigail Spanberger (VA-07), Jennifer Wexton (VA-10), and Jen Kiggans (VA-02) in a statement expressing our calling for this decision to be reversed.
THE WEEK IN THE DISTRICT
2023 Veteran of the Year
I am pleased to announce the inaugural Fourth Congressional District Veteran of the Year, Chief Warrant Officer Four Charles H. Talley, Jr. Mr. Talley dedicated 34 years of his life in service to our country as a member of the U.S. Army. A survivor of the 9/11 attack on the Pentagon, Mr. Talley fought against terrorism in Afghanistan. He rose through the ranks to Chief Warrant Officer Four before his retirement in 2018. Now, he uses his skills and experience from the Army and as an American Culinary Federation Certified Executive Chef to serve as the Quality Assurance Manager for the Joint Culinary Center of Excellence at Fort Gregg-Adams. He works diligently to assess and improve the food for the entire U.S. Army in a battlefield environment.
As the current president of his Nu Omicron Lambda chapter of the Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity, Mr. Talley organizes service events and activities in Petersburg and the surrounding area. He also devotes his time to lecture new Warrant Officers and young professionals at Virginia State University. He is a husband and father of three beautiful children.
Fourth District Photo Contest Winners
Last week, I announced the winner of my first-ever VA-04 District Photography Competition: Bobby Conner of Ebony.
I was impressed by the creativity, talent and vision of all the photographers who entered the contest. Participants demonstrated the diversity of our congressional district, from our rural vistas to our urban landscapes. I commend Teresa Bales from Disputanta and Penn Markham from Richmond on receiving second and third place in the competition. Their photos will hang in my Washington, D.C. and District offices.
View all submissions here.
UPCOMING DEADLINES
Applications for Spring Interns
Do you know someone who is eager to work in Congress and wants to make a difference in their community? My office is hiring Spring 2024 interns! This is a perfect opportunity for college students, graduate students, or recent graduates interested in public service, politics, or our nation’s legislative process. The deadline to submit an application is November 15th. You can find more information or submit an application 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. Sign up today here.
Medicare and Healthcare Exchange Open Enrollment
Are you enrolled in or eligible for Medicare? Don’t miss out on open, now through December 7th. During this time, Medicare enrollees can review and compare their options for health and prescription drug coverage, and 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, to compare plans or enroll, visitMedicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.
Virginians eligible for the Virginia Healthcare Exchange can also enroll now through January 15th. This state-based exchange replaces the federal exchange for Virginians as a result of legislation I passed as a state senator in 2020. For more information or to enroll, visit marketplace.virginia.gov.