With one day to spare, Congress avoided a partial government shutdown… again. Once again, House Democrats provided the votes necessary to pass a continuing resolution to extend current government funding into March. Hopefully, we can pass the appropriation bills for FY 2024 by the new funding deadlines, as we cannot continue to operate under these stopgap measures with the constant threat of an impending government shutdown.
Here’s what else you may have missed last week.
Protecting Reproductive Freedom
Monday marked the 51st anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s landmark ruling in Roe v. Wade recognizing a constitutional right to an abortion. I was a month old when the Court issued Roe, and I lived most of my life with the peace of mind that the decision of whether and when to become a parent, as well as health care decisions related to my pregnancies, were mine. That all changed in 2022 when a Trump-packed conservative Supreme Court overturned 50 years of judicial precedent in Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization. Dobbs made me the first generation of my family to lose a constitutional right, and puts my daughter at risk of having fewer rights and health care choices when she reaches childbearing age than I did when she was born.
In 2010, I became the first member of the Virginia House of Delegates to be pregnant while in office. I learned everything I could about what could go right or wrong with my pregnancy, and how abortion restrictions impact access to care when things go wrong. As a result, I became a staunch supporter of reproductive freedom. Thanks to the Reproductive Health Protection Act that I carried as a state senator in 2020, Virginia is now the only state in the South without an abortion ban or extreme abortion restrictions.
Last week, I spoke on the House Floor about my own pregnancy experiences and how they fuel my fight to protect reproductive freedom at the national level. You can watch my speech here. I also shared my story yesterday with Zerlina Maxwell on her radio show, which you can listen to here.
I also joined Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra, Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, and fellow members of the House Pro-Choice Caucus to discuss the status of reproductive health in America. Following the roundtable, we held a press conference, at which a Fox News reporter asked, “Why are you all here? What is the message to my daughter?” Watch my response here or below.
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The next day, Secretary Becerra traveled to Richmond for a community conversation at the Planned Parenthood East End Clinic to discuss the impact reproductive freedom has on education, career choice, building economic opportunity, and making society more equitable.
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On Monday, President Biden convened key members of his cabinet to discuss reproductive healthcare in America and announced several important initiatives to protect patients’ ability to make their own care decisions. These include new efforts to improve access and expand coverage of FDA-approved contraceptives at no cost under the Affordable Care Act and to increase awareness about access to emergency medical care required under the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA).
Meanwhile, House Republicans continued to push their extreme anti-abortion agenda by bringing two harmful bills to the floor:
H.R. 6914 seeks to advance anti-abortion rhetoric and further stigmatize students for their reproductive healthcare decisions. The bill would prescribe the circulation of a limited and biased set of resources and information that institutions of higher education must provide pregnant students regarding their rights and protections.
H.R. 6918 diverts federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds from vulnerable children and families to anti-abortion Crisis Pregnancy Centers. These centers intentionally mislead pregnant people seeking comprehensive reproductive health services while providing inaccurate and harmful information.
I opposed both of these bills, because they seek to manipulate, mislead, and coerce patients into making uninformed decisions and carrying their pregnancies to term. I spoke out against the dangers of H.R. 6918 during debate on the House Floor. You can watch my remarks here or below.
Protecting America’s Membership in NATO
In September, I introduced a bipartisan joint resolution to prohibit any President from unilaterally withdrawing from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) without congressional approval. It was included in the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for FY2023 and signed into law by President Biden on December 23, 2023. My resolution is an important step in reaffirming the United States’ support for our global allies and partners, especially as we contend with conflicts around the world, including Russia and Ukraine, Israel and Hamas, and China and Taiwan.
During a recent Fox News Town Hall, the hosts asked former President Donald Trump if he would commit to NATO in a second Trump term. He responded, “Depends if they treat us properly. NATO has taken advantage of our country.” Recent reporting by Politico detailed how Trump told European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen in 2020 that America would not come to the EU’s aid if it was attacked militarily. My resolution protects against these threats and will ensure the United States continues its productive engagement in NATO. Last week, I discussed all of this with Steve Scully on The Briefing. You can listen to our conversation here or below.
Calling on FERC to Reconsider MVP Southgate’s “Redesigned” Project
Ten days after Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) received approval for a construction extension of its Southgate project, they announced a “redesigned” plan that would result in increased greenhouse gas emissions. MVP Southgate is a proposed pipeline extension from southern Virginia into central North Carolina. Last week, I joined Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Valerie Foushee (NC-04), and Kathy Manning (NC-06) to urge the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to conduct a robust review process of the redesigned project and require a new certificate. You can read our letter here. This letter built on our previous efforts to protect vulnerable communities in Virginia and North Carolina from the detrimental impacts of the pipeline. I will continue working to reduce our reliance on fossil fuels and accelerate our adoption of cleaner, greener technologies.
Federal Funding for Electric Vehicles Coming to Virginia
Last week, the Department of Energy announced $46.5 million in federal fundingfor 16 states and Washington, D.C. to expand access to electric vehicle charging. Among the 30 selected projects, “Project SYNC – Share Your eNroute Charge,” located in Richmond and led by Dominion Energy, will receive $1,487,838. Project SYNC will develop and test a business model in Virginia by installing en route electric vehicle chargers that provide strategic Transit Agency vehicles and the general public with reliable, affordable and convenient EV charging.
USPS Denies Requests for a Town Hall
Last month, Richmond Commonwealth’s Attorney Colette McEachin requested USPS participate in a town hall with residents in Richmond to address mail delivery issues and answer their questions. Unfortunately, USPS refused to participate in the event. Following their refusal and an inundation of complaints from our constituents, I met with Virginia District Manager Gerald Roane to discuss these issues and USPS’s lack of transparency with its customers. Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, and I followed up on the meeting with a letter requesting that USPS host a town hall for Richmonders by January 19th. Last week, USPS denied our request.
I’m frustrated with the postal service’s unwillingness to host a town hall, just as Richmonders are frustrated with the postal service’s lack of communication and transparency regarding these issues. People and businesses rely on the postal service for timely deliveries of medication, paychecks and benefits, and other important documents, and they have not been receiving the service they deserve. The Senators and I are exploring other options to ensure USPS provides the reliable service Virginians need.
If you experience mail delivery issues, please contact my Richmond or Brunswick satellite office for assistance. To begin the process of opening a formal case with my office, please fill out this privacy release form on my website.
Congressional App Challenge Winners
The Congressional App Challenge is a nationwide competition that aims to promote interest in STEM education. The competition challenges middle and high school students to develop an original application. Last week, I announced the winners of the Congressional App Challenge for Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District: Agastyya and Irra Kala, siblings who attend Appomattox Regional Governor’s School and Midloathian Middle School, respectively. The Kala siblings designed “Brainee'' to improve accessibility and address mobility issues for individuals living with disabilities. Brainee uses brain-computer interface technology and electroencephalogram data to measure the electrical activity of neurons in the brain. Brainee processes the data and sends signals to a wheelchair prototype to remotely control it using the electrical currents from the brain.
It was a pleasure to personally congratulate Agastyya and Irra on their award-winning app. I look forward to celebrating their accomplishment at this year’s #HouseOfCode Capitol Hill Reception in Washington, D.C. You can check out their submission video here.
NEW: Episode 3 of Moments with McClellan ft. Special Guest Delegate Michael Jones
I am thrilled to announce Episode 3 of Moments with McClellan. This episode features newly-elected Delegate Michael Jones, who represents southern Richmond and part of northern Chesterfield. Delegate Jones is a local pastor and most recently served as Richmond City Council’s President. Check out our latest episode here or below to learn more about Delegate Jones.
Launching My Women of Excellence Program
Ahead of Women’s History Month, I am excited to announce the launch of my Women of Excellence Program. This new program recognizes women in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District who make meaningful contributions to their communities and improve the lives of those around them.
Eligible nominees must currently reside in our district. The deadline to submit a nomination is March 1st, 2024. For more information or to nominate a candidate, please visit my website.
Tax Season is Here
It’s officially tax season, which means it’s time to start preparing your 2023 income taxes. The IRS has useful tips for filing your taxes here.
If you are a Social Security beneficiary who has yet to receive your SSA-1099 or SSA-1042S Benefit statement, you can request a replacement form through your Social Security account.
Valentines for Veterans
Show your appreciation to the hundreds of thousands of active-duty servicemembers, veterans, and military families in Virginia’s Fourth by participating in my Valentines for Vets program. You can deliver or mail Valentine’s Day cards to my Richmond or Brunswick offices by February 2nd for distribution to District veterans by Valentine’s Day.
Black History Month Essay Contest
Do you know a middle or high school student in the Fourth District who is a good writer? Encourage them to participate in my Black History Month Essay Contest by submitting an essay by February 12th.
Make sure to follow @RepMcClellan on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Threads to stay up-to-date on my work in Washington and Virginia’s Fourth and to catch the next episode of Moments with McClellan!
