Weekly Newsletter, 12.7.23
I hope everyone had a relaxing and joyful Thanksgiving! I returned to Washington after the break to a busy schedule as Congress works to pass crucial pieces of legislation before the end of the year such as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) and supplemental funding for our allies and partners around the world. Check out what you may have missed in the past two weeks.
IN WASHINGTON
Representative George Santos Expelled from the House
Two weeks ago, the bipartisan House Ethics Committee released a deeply troubling report on its investigation into conduct by Representative George Santos (NY-3). The report outlines substantial evidence of wrongdoing presented by the Investigative Subcommittee that violates the public trust. Specifically, Mr. Santos lied his way to Congress with extraordinary fabrications of his background, upbringing, and professional and academic accomplishments, and engaged in a pattern of campaign finance violations, including using campaign funds for Botox, Hermes, and OnlyFans. Despite being given ample opportunity to do so, Mr. Santos did not deny or meaningfully respond to any of the allegations. Instead, he publicly lied about his cooperation with the investigation.
Following the release of the report, House Ethics Committee Chair Michael Guest – a Republican – introduced an expulsion resolution to formally remove George Santos from the House of Representatives. After careful consideration, I voted yes on the resolution, which passed 311 - 114, with two members voting “Present.” I did not make this decision lightly, as Mr. Santos becomes only the sixth member expelled from the House. However, expulsion was a necessary step to protect our democracy and the integrity of our institution, and the misconduct and illegal activities outlined in the report made it clear he is unfit to serve in Congress.
House Republicans Continue to Push Extreme MAGA Agenda
Before the Thanksgiving break, House Democrats delivered the necessary votes to pass a Continuing Resolution (CR) to temporarily fund the government at current levels through January 19th for some agencies and February 2nd for others. We now have about six weeks to pass the remaining five appropriations bills, negotiate with the Senate to reconcile differences over the twelve appropriations bills, and send the final package to President Biden for signature.
Last week, House Republicans failed to bring a single appropriations bill to the floor. Instead, they wasted time by forcing a vote on H.R. 5283, a harmful border bill that demonizes migrants and promotes harmful “invasion theory” talking points. The bill would prohibit the use of federal funds to provide temporary or permanent housing on public lands managed by the National Park Service, the Bureau of Land Management, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, or the Forest Service. This bill is not a legitimate policy solution, but just another political vehicle for extreme MAGA Republicans to spread anti-migrant rhetoric. I voted no on the bill, which passed 224 to 203, with one member voting “Present”.
House Republicans also pushed S.J. 32, a Congressional Disapproval Resolution to nullify the Consumer Finance Protection Bureau’s (CFPB) final rule requiring financial institutions to collect and report small business lending data, including on women- and minority-owned small businesses. The rule intends to ensure compliance with the Equal Credit Opportunity Act to ensure transparency and fairness in the small business lending market. Without this rule, lending prices will inevitably increase for women- and minority-owned small businesses that already experience obstacles in accessing credit. I voted no on the resolution, which passed 221 to 202, with one member voting “Present”.
House Science Committee AdvancES Quantum Bill
As mentioned in our last newsletter, the House Science, Space and Technology Committee considered amendments to two bills – the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act and the Commercial Space Act – before the Thanksgiving holiday. Last week, the Committee voted to advance both bills out of committee.
The Committee unanimously reported to the House the National Quantum Initiative Reauthorization Act. This bill reauthorizes the National Quantum Initiative Program to accelerate quantum research and development through new activities, programs, and centers at the National Science Foundation, the National Institute of Standards and Technology, and the Department of Energy. As amended, the bill included my bipartisan Expand QISET Act, which increases research, education/infrastructure capacity, and participation in quantum information science, engineering, and technology. You can watch my remarks about the Expand QISET Act below.
The Committee advanced the Commercial Space Act on a partisan vote of 21 to 17. Unfortunately, this bill was a rushed, partisan attempt to establish consequential regulations for the emerging commercial space industry that was not developed in a transparent way to include sufficient opportunities for public and stakeholder engagement and input. Since commercial space travel is in its infancy, the laws we pass now will have major impacts on the industry for decades to come. Moreover, the National Space Council, chaired by Vice President Kamala Harris, recently released its own legislative proposal to provide clear and predictable authorization and supervision for private sector space activities. That proposal was developed with robust public input and differs drastically from the Commercial Space Act considered in the House Science Committee. Fortunately, Committee Chair Frank Lucas and Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren have committed to try to work out the differences between the two proposals before the bill gets to the floor.
Recognizing Prematurity Awareness Month
Last week, I held a press conferencewith March of Dimes President and CEO, Dr. Elizabeth Cherot, Representative Robin Kelly, Chair of the CBC Health Braintrust, and Representative Morgan McGarvey, a father to two young preemies, and mother to a premature baby Emma Lee to highlight the bipartisan H.Res. 874 to designate November as National Prematurity Awareness Month that I filed on World Prematurity Day. Emma, Rep. McGarvey and I shared our personal stories with premature babies. Rep. Kelly shared her work addressing maternal and infant mortality. Dr. Cherot highlighted the March of Dimes’ 2023 Report Card on the state of maternal and infant health for American families, in which the United States maintained a D+ preterm birth grade for the second consecutive year. You can watch the press conference below.
I also spoke on the House floor about the need to take comprehensive action to address these health disparities and ensure every mother and baby has the support they need for a healthy pregnancy and birth.
As a state senator, I led the charge to designate November as Prematurity Awareness Month and November 17th as Prematurity Awareness Day in Virginia, and I’m proud to continue that work in Congress.
EPA Takes Actions to Limit PFAS Exposure Risks
Last Friday, the Environmental Protection Agency (“EPA”) announced new orders to prohibit the manufacture of nine long-chain PFAS. PFAS are commonly known as “forever chemicals” caused by the fluorination of plastics, and are linked to a wide variety of poor health outcomes, including reproductive issues, high blood pressure, developmental effects in children, higher risk of cancers, autoimmune disorders, hormone imbalances, and more. Recent studies have shown that fluorination, a process manufacturers use when treating plastic containers to make them impermeable, creates these harmful forever chemicals as a byproduct.
I applaud the EPA on its robust actions, which come after I led a bipartisan group of lawmakers in a letter to the calling for immediate action to address the creation of PFAS. This letter urged the EPA to address PFAS because it is a public health issue and an environmental justice issue. Low-income communities and communities of color are more likely to be in close proximity to landfills and plastic recycling facilities, increasing their risk of exposure. You can read my full statement on the EPA’s actions here.
IN THE DISTRICT
Medicare and Virginia Marketplace Health Exchange Open Enrollment Deadlines Fast Approaching!
Last week, I hosted a press conference in Richmond to remind those eligible for Medicare or the new Virginia Marketplace Health Benefits Exchange that open enrollment dates are fast approaching. I was joined by health experts from AARP Virginia, the Virginia’s Health Benefit Exchange, Virginia Community Health Care Association, and the Capital Area Health Network (CAHN) to highlight health care options and new resources available to Virginians during Open Enrollment. Prior to the press conference I toured the CAHN Vernon H. Harris Medical Center.
Current Medicare beneficiaries or eligible Virginians have until today, December 7th to enroll or make changes to their current plan. You can visit Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to take action.
Virginians eligible for health benefits exchange coverage have until January 15th to select or update their coverage options, or December 15th for coverage starting January 1, 2024. This year, Virginia transitions from the federal exchange to the new state-based Marketplace Virginia established through legislation that I carried while in the Virginia General Assembly. You can visit marketplace.virginia.gov to review available, tailored plans or make changes to your coverage.
I encourage everyone to take action as soon as possible!
Monument to Dr. Curtis Harris Unveiled in Hopewell
On December 2, I was honored to serve as the keynote speaker at the unveiling of a monument honoring Dr. Curtis W. Harris. A pastor and civil rights icon, Dr. Harris marched with Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. from Selma to Montgomery, worked to integrate public schools, and fought against environmental injustices. Dr. Harris served on the Board of Directors for the national Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) when Dr. King served as president, and they worked together on the March on Washington in 1963 and the Selma to Montgomery March in 1965. After fighting to change Hopewell’s at-large system to a ward based system, Dr. West was elected to City Council in 1986, and in 1998 was elected the First Black mayor of Hopewell. You can learn more about Dr. Harris here.
I look forward to hearing from you ahead of our first episode. 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!
I wish a very Happy Hanukkah to all who celebrate in our district!
Sincerely,
Rep. Jennifer McClellan
Member of Congress