Weekly Newsletter, 3.4.26

Over the weekend, the Trump Administration unilaterally authorized U.S. armed forces to join Israeli forces to launch a “massive and ongoing” military campaign in Iran without Congressional approval, killing Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Iran retaliated by attacking Israel and Middle Eastern countries that host U.S. military bases. To date, six American servicemembers have been killed. The State Department has urged Americans to leave a dozen Middle Eastern countries, and our servicemembers and diplomatic corps are at risk. 

The U.S. Constitution vests in Congress the power to declare war. Under the War Powers Act of 1973, the President can deploy our armed forces absent a declaration of war or Congressionally-passed authorization for the use of military force only in response to an attack or imminent threat of an attack on the United States, its territories or armed forces. Based on all accounts and reports to Congress to date, there is no evidence an imminent threat existed justifying the President’s actions.

The Administration has provided conflicting reasons for the strikes. The President claimed Iran was building nuclear weapons that threaten our allies and could “soon” reach the United States. I firmly agree Iran should never be allowed to develop nuclear weapon capabilities, but the Administration claimed its June 2025 unauthorized air strikes “completely and totally obliterated” Iran’s key nuclear enrichment facilities, and a Pentagon assessment a month later found that Iran’s nuclear program was likely set back around two years. Indeed, Senate Intelligence Committee Ranking Member Mark Warner has said the intelligence did not show the existence of an imminent threat. 

The President also called for the Iranian people to take over their government regime change, and Israel’s Prime Minister expressly said regime change was the goal. Yet history shows that regime change initiated by other nations often leads to years or decades of civil war, unrest and instability. 

Not only has the Administration failed to provide a clear justification for its action consistent with the War Powers Act, it has yet to explain its clear long-term strategy for avoiding yet another “forever war” in the Middle East. Under the War Powers Act, U.S. troops must withdraw from hostilities unless Congress declares war or authorizes an extension. This week, the House and Senate will consider legislation terminating offensive troop activity in Iran.

Keep reading to learn more about what you may have missed since my last newsletter.

TRUMP’S STATE OF THE UNION ADDRESS DOES NOT REFLECT THE REALITY SO MANY FACE TODAY

Last Tuesday, President Trump delivered the longest State of the Union Address ever given to Congress. Instead of outlining what he has done in the past year to deliver on his campaign promises to lower costs for the American people and outlining a clear vision for the remainder of his term, the President provided pure spectacle with little substance.

I attended the State of the Union to hear firsthand his myriad of misleading or downright false claims, which have been fact-checked here and here. I also invited as my guest, a constituent personally impacted by the Trump Administration and Congressional Republicans’ disastrous policies. Lester Johnson is a father, husband and co-owner of Mama J’s restaurant in Jackson Ward. Last year, the enhanced premium tax credits kept the premium on a health care plan under the Affordable Care Act for his family around $650. With the expiration of those tax credits, his premium increased to about $1,000 a month this year, putting an additional financial strain on their household. Prior to the address, Lester shared his story with me.

Lester and I spoke with numerous reporters and digital creators throughout the day about how his health care, grocery, and electric bills have gone up since Trump came to office last year. We joined the New Democrat Coalition and Democratic Women’s Caucus; met with creators like Amanda Nelson, Suzanne Lambert and Mallory Hank-Johnson; and joined my fellow Virginia Rep. Bobby Scott and his State of the Union guest Rena Bumbray-Graves to speak with Protect Our Care Virginia about the health care crisis Republicans created.

After Trump’s speech concluded, I asked Lester to share his initial reaction to the 2026 State of the Union while it was still fresh.

Trump claims his Administration will bring down costs for the American people. Yet over the past year, they’ve done anything but. As grocery, housing and utility prices only continue to rise, the Trump Administration has worsened this financial strain felt by millions, choosing to drag us into unnecessary conflicts overseas rather than address the needs of the American people domestically.

Now that the Supreme Court struck down Trump’s illegal tariffs in a critical restoration of the separation of powers, only time will tell if the Administration will change course. In the district, I shared my reaction to the tariffs and more with 12 On Your Side’s Henry Graff. I’ll continue to speak up on this cost-of-living crisis, and I thank Lester and all those in his shoes who have continued to advocate for much-needed relief.

UPDATE ON MY LEGISLATION

Despite the chaos unleashed by the Trump Administration and enabled by Congressional Republicans, I have continued focusing on legislation to help the American people.

Last week, I introduced the Career-Connected Learning Pathways Act to help invest in students’ potential as our workforce of tomorrow. Specifically, my bill would support each state in creating a searchable public directory of career and technical education (CTE) programs of study and career pathways to benefit both students and employers. When students, families, educators and employers alike struggle to navigate fragmented information about existing CTE programs, this makes it harder to set our students up for success. In a climate where attacks on our federal education system only worsen, I hope to ease burdens for students and their families while connecting industry partners with young talent.

Additionally, the House unanimously passed a bipartisan bill I co-led last week, bringing it one step closer to being signed into law. The Advanced Capabilities for Emergency Response Operations (ACERO) Act would authorize NASA’s ACERO project to use drones to fight wildfires, which is especially critical in low-visibility conditions where manned aircraft are unable to mobilize. I introduced the ACERO Act with former Rep. Mike Garcia (R-CA-27) in the 118th Congress, and I’m excited by the prospect of passing it through the Senate this time. I urge my colleagues in the Senate to pass the ACERO Act as soon as possible to improve our wildfire emergency response to protect our environments and save property and lives.

MY BRIGHT SPOT: CLOSING OUT BLACK HISTORY MONTH

To close out Black History Month, I joined Rep. Bobby Scott at the annual Commonwealth Coffee hosted by Senators Warner and Kaine. Black leaders from across Virginia gathered to celebrate Black history and culture in the midst of efforts by the Trump Administration to obscure it and reverse the civil rights progress we have made.

I also invited a special guest to join my Moments with McClellan series in honor of Black History Month: my soror in Congress, Congressional Black Caucus Chair and fellow historymaker Rep. Yvette Clarke! We spoke about what this moment demands of us, the weight of uplifting underrepresented communities in Congress and our shared sisterhood in Delta Sigma Theta.

As we launch right into Women’s History Month this March, I am excited for our next guest on the show — another gigantic historymaker in her own right. Stay tuned!

REMINDERS

The 2026 Congressional Art Competition launched last week, an annual program cultivating artistic talent whose winner will see their artwork displayed in the U.S. Capitol! For any high school (grades 9-12) artists living in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District, submit an original piece of artwork to my office by April 20th, 2026 by 5:00 PM.

Stay tuned for more updates and keep the faith, friends!