Weekly Newsletter, 11.21.23

With days to spare, Congress took action last week to extend government funding and avoid a shutdown.  We are now in recess for the Thanksgiving holiday. Before you take off to celebrate, here is what you missed last week.

THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON 

Democrats Deliver the Necessary Votes to Avoid a Government Shutdown … Again 

In the midst of another week of Republican infighting and growing tensions, Congress passed The Further Continuing Appropriations and Other Extensions Act 2024 (H.R. 6363), a continuing resolution (CR) to temporarily extend current funding levels for the federal government. This “laddered” CR extends the following FY 2023 appropriations bills through January 19th, 2024: 

• Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies. 
• Energy and Water Development.
• Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies. 
• Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies. 

The CR extends all remaining FY 2023 appropriations bills through February 2, 2024: 

• Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies. 
• Defense.
• Financial Services and General Government.
• Homeland Security.
• Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies.
• Legislative Branch.
• State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs.

The CR also temporarily extends authorization for several programs including Community Health Centers and national health security authorities (through January 19th, 2024), the National Flood Insurance Program (through February 2nd, 2024) and Farm Bill programs (through September 30th, 2024). 

Since the first day of the 118th Congress, House Republicans have manufactured crisis after crisis. They brought our nation to the brink of a devastating default, nearly shut down the government, ousted the Speaker and left the House unable to operate for three weeks, and pushed their extreme partisan agenda and poison pill policies through must-pass legislation. In September, House Democrats bailed Republicans out and delivered the necessary votes to pass a continuing resolution and avert a devastating shutdown through November 17th. Last week, House Democrats again put people over politics to pass this temporary stopgap measure, delivering the majority of votes necessary to pass the CR. 

Recognizing November as Prematurity Awareness Month

Every November for the past 20 years, The March of Dimes has recognized November as Prematurity Awareness Month as part of a global spotlight on the current state of maternal and infant health in the U.S. and around the world and to raise awareness of preterm birth for the thousands of families who are affected. Each year, March of Dimes releases an annual report card on the state of maternal and infant health for American families.  The 2023 Report Card reaffirms that our nation is in the midst of an infant and maternal health crisis. The United States maintained a D+ preterm birth grade for the second consecutive year, and only had a modest 0.1%  improvement in our preterm birth rate. Stark disparities exist along racial and ethnic demographics, and Black women are 1.5 times more likely to give birth to a preterm baby than White women. Virginia scored better with a C, with a 0.2% improvement over 2021 preterm birth rates. However, the City of Richmond scored an F, with no change to its 11.7% preterm rate. We must do better.

I know the anxiety and challenges preemie parents face all too well. My daughter was born nine weeks prematurely by emergency cesarean after my placenta ruptured. We both nearly died, and Samantha spent the next six weeks in the NICU at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Yet, we were among the lucky ones. That’s why I am so committed to doing more to address the maternal and infant health crises plaguing our district, state, and nation. 

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As a state senator, I led the charge to designate November as Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17th as Prematurity Awareness Day in Virginia. I’m proud to continue that work in Congress, and on World Prematurity Day, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate November as National Prematurity Awareness Month.

House Science Committee Considers National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act and Commercial Space Act of 2023  

Last week, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee held a markup to consider two bills: the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act and the Commercial Space Act of 2023. During committee, my bipartisan Expand QISET Act was adopted as an amendment to the Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. This amendment seeks to increase research capacity, education, infrastructure capacity, and broaden participation in quantum information science, engineering, and technology by strengthening the ExpandQISE program at the National Science Foundation. You can watch me discuss the amendment here:

Quantum information science is an emerging field that combines the principles of quantum mechanics with information theory to study the processing, analysis, and transmission of information. The field has the potential to lead to important scientific and engineering breakthroughs, and I am actively working to improve workforce development, create new opportunities for historically underrepresented demographics, and broaden participation in the field. 

The final vote on the bills was postponed until after the Thanksgiving break. 

New Legislation to Help Military Personnel and Families Access Crucial Services

Last week, I introduced The Military OneSource Transparency Act to strengthen the Military OneSource Program. This bill will ensure our service members and their families can access the resources they need from Military OneSource, the central hub for quality-of-life programs and services provided by the Department of Defense (DoD). Many service members and their families are currently unaware of the program and its benefits, but the Military OneSource Transparency Act would help the DoD better promote the program to future users and increase utilization across the military.

Our service members and their families make incredible sacrifices to defend our democracy and they deserve better access to these necessary services and resources. This bill will  improve the quality of life for our servicemembers and close existing gaps in access to these services, and further strengthen the OneSource program to ensure it is a ‘one-stop shop’ for servicemembers and their families.

Inaugural “Moments with McClellan” Featuring Senator Tim Kaine

I am thrilled to launch “Moments with McClellan,” where I will interview special guests and give my followers an inside look into the lives of elected officials, community leaders, and more. It was an honor to have as my first guest, Senator Tim Kaine, who also happens to be my constituent. Senator Kaine has devoted decades of his life to public service in Virginia. Before coming to Washington, he was a civil rights lawyer and served the City of Richmond as a City Councilmember and Mayor, and the Commonwealth of Virginia as Lieutenant Governor and Governor. But here, you can learn some fun thing you might not know about Senator Kaine. 

Check out our conversation here: 

THE WEEK IN THE DISTRICT 

Medicare and Virginia Healthcare Exchange Open Enrollment

Are you enrolled in or eligible for Medicare? Don’t miss out on open enrollment, 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, visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE.

Virginians eligible for the Virginia Healthcare Exchange can also enroll now through January 15th. This state-based exchange, which I helped establish with Delegate Mark Sickles, replaces the federal exchange and offers more tailored policies to help meet Virginians’ health care needs. Go toHealthCare.gov, update your information for 2024, review your health coverage options, and enroll in a plan that best fits your needs. Four out of fivecustomers can find a plan for $10 or less per month, with financial help. For further information or to enroll, visit marketplace.virginia.gov. 

Social Security Benefits Available for Veterans and Their Families

The Social Security Administration offers specific benefits to veterans and their families. Family members of veterans, including their spouse, their divorced spouse, or their children under the age of 22, may qualify for dependent disabilityorretirementbenefits based on the veteran’s work.

Social Security also provides employment guidance for veterans with disabilities who receive benefits and are considering returning to work. This publicationJourney to Success: Employment Tools for Veterans with Disabilitiescan be helpful. To learn more about available benefits from the Social Security Administration, visit theirInformation for Military & Veterans webpage.