I hope you are having a safe Memorial Day weekend as we pause to honor those servicemembers who gave the last full measure of devotion to defend our country.
Last week I was back in Washington, D.C. as the debt ceiling drama continued. A lot has happened since my last update!
DEBT CEILING UPDATE - A DEAL IN PRINCIPLE |
Saturday evening, the President and Speaker McCarthy reached a budget deal in principle that increases the debt ceiling for two years - averting a catastrophic default on our debts - while also avoiding the steep cuts MAGA Republicans sought in their Default on American Act. The agreement is a compromise, so it includes some things I do not like. But, it protects hard working Americans and our economy from default and preserves key priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration and Congressional Democrats.
The text of the proposed bill was released last night, and I am reviewing it carefully. As announced by the White House, the deal:
- Raises the debt ceiling for two years to January 1, 2025. Republicans wanted a one year increase.
- Keeps non-defense spending roughly flat with current levels for fiscal year 2023. Budget caps expire after 2025.
- Makes no changes to the Medicaid program. Republicans sought changes that would have jeopardized Medicaid for 21 million Americans.
- Phases in and then sunsets SNAP time limits for people up to age 54, but includes protections reducing the number of vulnerable people subject to SNAP limits, including veterans and homeless individuals.
- Rejects TANF changes that would have jeopardized the states’ ability to support vulnerable children. Republicans sought changes that would have jeopardized cash assistance for nearly 1 million children.
- Rejects changes to the Inflation Reduction Act’s climate and clean energy provisions sought by Republicans.
- Codifies permitting reforms aimed at fostering coordination, predictability, and certainty by designating a single lead agency to develop a single environmental review document according to a clear and public timeline. The deal rejects other reforms sought by Republicans that would have limited the scope of the National Environmental Policy Act, lowered the statute of limitations, limited standing or curtailed injunctive or other relief.
- Maintains the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to provide student debt relief.
This deal comes not a moment too soon. Last week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen reported that the United States has sufficient funds to pay its bills through June 5th, and Fitch put the United States’ long-term AAA rating on a “negative watch.”
As I’ve discussed in prior newsletters, on the floor, on social media, and in the press, the consequences of a default would delay Social Security checks, veterans benefits, Medicaid and Medicare payments; increase interest rates for mortgages, car loans, student loans and credit card debt; and lead to significant job losses. State budgets would also take a hit, particularly in Virginia with its large federal footprint.
We are expected to return to Washington Tuesday evening and to vote on the deal Wednesday. You can follow my Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook channels for real-time updates.
Republicans Attempt to Undermine EPA Clean Vehicle Standards |
Combating climate change, protecting our environment and addressing environmental justice have been long term priorities for me. That’s why this week I voted against S.J. Res. 11, which invokes the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to repeal the EPA’s Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards rule. The rule aims to reduce air quality impacts of heavy-duty engines by reducing dangerous nitrogen oxide (NOx) pollution by nearly 50 percent by 2045, a commonsense, achievable, and long overdue goal, as we have not updated our NOx heavy-duty emission standards for more than twenty years. Under the Clean Air Act, the EPA has both the authority and obligation to protect the American people from dangerous sources of air pollution that could endanger public health or welfare. However, House Republicans seek to undermine that authority. The EPA’s final rule includes protections for small business owners in the trucking industry and flexibilities for compliance, including: - NOx standards that are 80 percent lower than the current standards;
- Longer useful life periods to allow manufacturers to improve durability of emission-related components; and
- Increased emission-related warranty periods to ensure better performance of emission control-related equipment over a longer period of time.
S.J. Res. 11 is House Republicans’ last ditch effort to abandon the progress we have made for the benefit of corporate polluters. What’s worse, this CRA would prevent the EPA or any future administration from taking meaningful action to curb dangerous NOx pollution from heavy-duty vehicles. As we continue fighting to lower our emissions and work toward our goal of a net-zero carbon economy, we cannot allow the Republicans to undermine the EPA’s authority. S.J. Res. 11 passed with 221 Yeas to 203 Nays, but President Biden is expected to veto it. |
Republicans Seek to Deny Student Loan Relief |
This week, I voted against H.J.Res. 45 which seeks to overturn the Biden-Harris Administration’s plan to forgive up to $20,000 in outstanding federal student loan debt for borrowers. Under the plan, 90% of the relief would go to borrowers making less than $75,000 a year. The administration’s plan also extended the moratorium on repayment and accrual of interest. America has a student debt crisis, and President Biden’s plan is an important step to provide urgent relief to college students and graduates. Education is a powerful tool to build intergenerational wealth and enable economic mobility. While Congressional Republicans have given billions of dollars in tax breaks to corporations and the ultra-wealthy, they now want to rip away much-needed student loan relief. H.J. Res. 45 would also end the moratorium on loan repayments with no warning, sending borrowers a $1,000 surprise bill for the interest they were previously told they didn’t have to pay. The House passed H.J.Res. 45 on a vote of 218 Yeas to 203 Nays. President Biden has said he will veto the resolution if it passes the Senate. House Republicans Advance Fentanyl Bill with Ineffective Mandatory Minimums |
This session, Congress has an opportunity to address the growing fentanyl crisis through a Biden-Harris Administration proposal developed in 2021 through an interagency agreement made by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP), the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Justice Department. The Administration’s recommendations to combat the supply of illicit fentanyl-related substances (FRS) and save lives include proposals to create a streamlined process for the DHHS to identify and remove or reschedule any individual FRS that is subsequently found to not have a high potential for abuse under the Controlled Substances Act; require a study of the impact of permanent FRS class-wide scheduling on research, civil rights, and the illicit manufacturing and trafficking of FRS; and additional provisions to improve public safety. Instead of adopting these comprehensive proposals, House Republicans put forth the The HALT Fentanyl Act (H.R. 467). While the bill does permanently schedule all FRS not otherwise scheduled into Schedule I and expedite research, it is not a comprehensive solution. More significantly, it imposes mandatory minimum sentencing for the distribution of FRS and expands mandatory minimums for both foreign importation crimes and domestic drug distribution offenses, including nonviolent drug distribution involving small quantities of drugs. I have long opposed mandatory minimum sentences, which prohibit the legal system from considering any mitigating circumstances, have been shown ineffective at deterring crime, and led to the disproportionate mass incarceration of African Americans. Over 150 national, state, and local public health, criminal justice reform, and civil rights organizations oppose H.R. 467, sharing my concerns. I am hopeful the Senate will amend the bill to include the more comprehensive solution recommended by the Administration. |
Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women |
This week, I joined Representatives Ayanna Pressley and Bonnie Watson Coleman in introducing The Recognition of Traction Alopecia in Service Women Act of 2023. Service women have very strict grooming requirements that often force them to put their hair in tight ponytails, use grooming products and/or headgear leading to hair and scalp damage. Adherence to these standards can be more complex for servicewomen because of variances in the length, texture, and bulk of their hair. The use of tight ponytails, headgear, and chemical hair products, employed by many servicewomen to adhere to military grooming standards, contributes to permanent damage to the hair and scalp. This legislation ensures that servicewomen who contract traction alopecia, which is hair loss caused by wearing a tightly pulled hairstyle, would be able to receive both care for this type of alopecia and, if needed, wigs. Our servicewomen should not be penalized and deprived of needed medical care for following the grooming requirements of the military. I will work to have this bill pass expeditiously and in a bipartisan manner because we all should care about military members. |
Science Committee Considers Legislation to Advance Domestic Drone Development/Deployment |
This week, the Science, Space and Technology Committee reviewed and advanced The National Drone and Advanced Air Mobility Act (H.R. 3560) to support the growth of the drone and unmanned air industry, support our economy, and drive innovation in that field. The bill creates an interagency workgroup, authorizes a network of drone research institutes, and limits the use of foreign drones and unmanned aircraft. As the use of drones by businesses and governments increases, the unmanned air industry is expected to grow to more than $63 billion by 2025. H.R. 3560 will help from an economic development and national security perspective by advancing and strengthening the domestic drone industry. You can learn more about this bill here. |
Southside Leadership Roundtable |
This week in the district, I conducted a roundtable with regional local government leaders in Brunswick, Greensville and Emporia. These meetings not only allow me to update local government leaders about what I am doing in Washington, but they give us the opportunity to discuss their priorities and needs. This enables us to collaborate more effectively to meet the needs of our mutual constituents. I look forward to continuing these discussions regularly so that I can better represent each community in the Fourth District. New Satellite Office in Brunswick! |
I’m excited to announce that I will have a satellite office in Brunswick County. Starting June 1st – next week – the office will be open every Thursday from 9:00am to 4:00pm in the Brunswick County Conference Center, 100 Athletic Field Road, Lawrenceville 23868. The phone number is 804.690.5809. We look forward to seeing you there! |
Mobile McClellan: Constituent Services on the Road |
Starting Tuesday, June 20th, I will begin holding “Mobile McClellan” sessions in various communities in the Fourth District to allow constituents to meet with my district staff to address problems with a federal agency without coming to Richmond. We will hold a Mobile McClellan in Emporia at the City Hall Building, 201 South Main Street, Emporia 23847. Parking will be available next to the post office. Future Mobile McClellans in Emporia will be on every third Tuesday from 10am to 2pm. To initiate the process for my staff to assist you, please visit my website and follow the instructions. Federal law requires that we have a signed privacy form to open a case. Stay tuned for additional Mobile McClellan locations and announcements! |
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