Weekly Newsletter, 11.26.24
The House returned to session for two jam-packed weeks before the Thanksgiving recess.
House Republicans passed a series of bills from the Natural Resources Committee that undermine environmental protections, silence community input, and allow public land grabs by corporations wanting to mine critical minerals. They also passed a bill giving the Secretary of the Treasury unilateral power to label a nonprofit organization as a supporter of terrorism and strip them of their nonprofit status with no evidence or explanation. This bill is unnecessary, as nonprofit organizations are already prohibited from providing any “material support” to any foreign terrorist organizations with severe criminal and civil penalties for violations. Yet it allows the Secretary unlimited power to arbitrarily shut down any tax-exempt organization, including nonprofits, universities, faith organizations, and news outlets, that disagree with or protest Administration action. I voted against these bills.
In a broad show of bipartisanship, the House passed The FAFSA Deadline Act on a vote of 381 to 1 to ensure that the Department of Education releases the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by October 1st of each year. The Senate quickly passed the bill by unanimous consent, and it will soon head to President Biden’s desk for signature.
In the meantime, the House Democrats and Republicans held leadership elections, and Donald Trump began announcing appointees for his second term that look more like the cast of a reality TV show than a presidential cabinet. More on that next week….
As we break for what I hope is a restful and happy Thanksgiving break for you and your family, here is what else you missed since Congress returned from the October recess.
IN WASHINGTON
Designating November as Prematurity Awareness Month
The United States has one of the highest preterm birth rates in the world, which is a leading cause of infant mortality. The March of Dimes recently released its 2024 Report Card on the State of Maternal and Infant Health, and the United States received a D+ preterm birth grade for the third consecutive year in a row. In 2023, 10.4% of babies were born preterm with the worst rates in the southern region of the United States. Virginia’s preterm birth rate slightly increased from 2022, earning our Commonwealth a C grade. Black families face disproportionately higher rates of preterm birth and are 1.4 times more likely to have a preterm baby. These rates increasingly contribute to poor infant mortality rates, as preterm birth remains the leading cause of infant mortality and rose by 3% in 2023—the largest increase in over 20 years.
Countless factors contribute to these disparities and the preterm birth crisis, including chronic health conditions, smoking, unhealthy weight, and environmental factors like extreme heat and poor air quality. Moreover, preterm birth rates continue to disproportionately impact Black and indigenous communities.
These statistics are personal. My daughter was born nine weeks early when my placenta ruptured. We both nearly died, and she spent the next six weeks in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Thankfully, we were among the lucky ones, but far too many mothers and babies do not have the same outcome.
Last week, I introduced a bipartisan resolution to designate November 2024 as Prematurity Awareness Month, raise awareness of this widespread crisis, and encourage communities and parents to leverage preterm birth prevention programs. I’ll continue fighting to address this crisis and improve birth outcomes for mothers and babies nationwide. You can learn more about my resolution below and read the text here. I also spoke on the floor in honor of Prematurity Awareness Month, and you can watch my remarks below.
Extending Federal Recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia
Virginia is home to seven state and federally-recognized Indian Tribes, including the Chickahominy Tribe in the Fourth District. Four additional Virginia Indian Tribes have received state-recognition. One of them, the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia, has a long history in southeast Virginia. These Iroquoian-speaking people lived along the Nottoway River in what is the present-day counties of Southampton, Nottoway, Dinwiddie, Sussex, Surrey, and Isle of Wight. They first appeared in the written record in the mid-17th century, when Edward Bland documented his journey along the Nottoway and Meherrin river valleys.
In October, I visited the Nottoway Indian Tribe’s Community House and Interpretive Center in Capron, Virginia, where I met with Chief Lynette Allston and Tribal Chair Denise Walters to discuss their rich history and culture. Last week, during Native American Heritage Month, I introduced a new bill to extend federal recognition to the Nottoway Indian Tribe of Virginia. Federal recognition formally acknowledges a Tribe’s sovereignty, allows for government-to-government relationships with the United States, and grants them eligibility for certain federal benefits, services, and protections. I look forward to advocating for this legislation and continued collaboration with the Nottoway Indian Tribe. You can learn more about my legislation below and read the bill text here.
New Legislation to Clean Up Schools and Protect Children
Toxic substances, including lead, asbestos, and polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) impact millions of our nation’s schools, threatening the health of our children. These toxic substances disproportionately impact schools in low-income areas throughout the United States. Every child deserves to get a high-quality education in a safe and healthy environment, but far too many children have been exposed to these dangerous substances that pose serious health and academic risks. I recently introduced legislation with Senator Edward Markey (D-MA) to clean up our school buildings and protect our children.
The Get Toxic Substances Out of Schools Act will authorize $52 billion in grants to monitor and address hazardous substances while creating and protecting good-paying union jobs. Additionally, the bill authorizes $1 billion to improve indoor air quality and cut down exposure to airborne hazards that jeopardize our children’s health. You can read the bill and get more information here.
Fighting to Mitigate PFAS on Military Bases and Protect Servicemembers
Did you know that Department of Defense (DoD) facilities are some of the largest contributors to toxic chemical contamination in ground and drinking water? The firefighting foam used by military personnel to extinguish aircraft fires contains high levels of PFAS, or “forever chemicals.” PFAS exposure can lead to adverse health effects, including decreased fertility, high blood pressure, birth defects, increased risk of cancers, autoimmune disorders, hormone imbalances, high cholesterol, and obesity. A recent report by the DoD determined that 718 active military installations require an assessment of PFAS use or potential contamination. In Virginia, that includes St. Juliens Creek Annex in Chesapeake, Fort Gregg-Adams in Petersburg, Naval Air Station Oceana in Virginia Beach, and Vint Hill Farms Station in Fauquier County.
As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I have been fighting to address this issue and protect servicemembers, military families, and residents living near DoD facilities. Last October, I introduced the bipartisan DoD PFAS Discharge Prevention Act to help DoD facilities clean up PFAS. This bill would empower bases and military installations to use base-specific best practices and carbon filtration technologies to stop PFAS at the source before it contaminates ground and drinking water systems. Last week, I led a bipartisan push with twelve other lawmakers, urging House and Senate Armed Services leadership to include my bill in any final version of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25 NDAA). This is an important priority that I will continue advocating for with Members on both sides of the aisle. You can read more, including my full letter and the DoD PFAS Discharge Prevention Act bill text here.
The Latest Episode of Moments with McClellan Features Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse
The newest episode of Moments with McClellan is now live featuring Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse, who represents Colorado’s Second Congressional District. We discussed how we decompress after a long week in Washington, who we’d want to be stuck with on a deserted island, our favorite go-to dinner spots, and more. Check out the latest episode below.
IN THE DISTRICT
Apply Now for My Youth Advisory Council
My office is now accepting applications for my inaugural Youth Advisory Council. This program provides high school students in Virginia’s Fourth with the opportunity to share their perspectives, learn more about our democratic processes, and see the inner-workings of a congressional office. Participants will meet once a month with members of my staff and me to learn more about the legislative process, constituent casework and district outreach, and congressional communications and media relations. You can learn more about the program and submit an application on my website. Or you can watch this video, written by my GenZ interns: