Weekly Newsletter 5.7.23

This week, I was back in Virginia’s Fourth as Congress was in recess. It was a busy and exciting week! 

IN THE DISTRICT

Small Business Week with Vice President Kamala Harris

This week is National Small Business Week. First celebrated by the Small Business Administration (SBA) over 50 years ago, this week is an opportunity to celebrate American entrepreneurship and innovation and to recognize the incredible contributions our nation’s small businesses make to their communities and our economy. 

In honor of Small Business Week, Vice President Harris came to Richmond to visit a small business in the Scott’s Addition neighborhood. I was thrilled to welcome Vice President Harris and accompany her to Babylon Micro-Farms, an indoor farming startup focused on indoor, sustainable farming that provides indoor garden units allowing users to grow up to 45 different types of crops while using substantially less water and reducing harmful emissions. The startup employs 35 people, manufactures locally, and was an excellent local business to highlight for Small Business Week.

Small businesses, like Babylon, are the backbone of our economy, accounting for nearly 40% of the gross domestic product in America.. The Biden-Harris administration and congressional Democrats are focused on supporting small businesses and helping them overcome the obstacles they face. A new Small Business Report Card demonstrates across-the-board progress on the Biden-Harris Small Business Strategy. 

Unfortunately, all our efforts would be threatened by a debt default that would hurt small business owners by increasing loan costs. This week, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned in a letter to Speaker McCarthy that Congress has until June 1st to raise or suspend the debt limit to avoid a default. Yet, his proposed solution - The Default on America Act - would slash funding available through the Small Business Administration through an across-the-board 22% cut to government programs.  

HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra Visits HOPE Pharmacy

Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) Xavier Becerra also visited Richmond last week to tour the HOPE Pharmacy. An independent pharmacy at Church Hill’s The Market at 25th, HOPE Pharmacy strives to offer products and services at reasonable prices and to serve lower-income families in the area. During his visit, Secretary Becerra and I highlighted some of the health care cost reductions available to Virginians through the 2022 Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), such as capping prescription costs at $2000 per year for Medicare Part D, capping insulin prices at $35 per month for Medicare beneficiaries, expanding health insurance o roughly 63,000 additional Virginians, and saving Virginians with health insurance through the Marketplace an average of $850 per year. These provisions will help achieve better health outcomes, narrow gaps in coverage, and ensure more Virginians have access to quality, affordable care. 

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While at The Market at 25th, I also spoke with the store manager about the negative impacts the House Republicans’ Default Against America Act would have on EBT customers served there by jeopardizing food assistance for over 22,000 Virginians between ages 50 to 55 would lose food assistance. 

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Touring Jefferson Lab and NASA Langley

As a member of the House Armed Services Committee and the Science Space and Technology Committee, I get the opportunity to see some of the amazing work in Virginia advancing scientific research and national defense. I had two such opportunities this week.

At the invitation of Congressman Bobby Scott, I got to tour Jefferson Lab in Newport News along with Congresswoman Jennifer Kiggans. A U.S. Department of Energy Office of Science national laboratory, the lab houses a unique particle accelerator that scientists all over the world use to probe the most basic building blocks of matter. This work allows a better understanding of these particles and the forces that bind them to learn more about our world. The lab also capitalizes on its unique technologies and expertise to perform advanced computing and applied research in partnership with industry and higher education. It also offers unique and cutting-edge programs in science and technology for Virginia students.

I visited NASA Langley Research Center to learn about their ongoing testing and research to strengthen our global aerospace presence. As a member of the Science, Space and Technology Committee in Congress, I have oversight responsibilities and make determinations about such important issues as NASA’s budget. Because of these responsibilities, I am determined to have as much knowledge and awareness of NASA, particularly our Virginia facilities, as possible. The tour was incredibly informative, and it was great to learn more about the cutting-edge research and innovation happening at NASA Langley. 

Both tours were also pretty cool!

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Visiting Richmond-Area Employers

In addition to HOPE Pharmacy and Babylon Micro-Farms, I got to visit two Richmond-area employers. 

First, I toured the DuPont Spruance facility in Chesterfield. Built in 1929 to produce Rayon, it is now the largest DuPont manufacturing facility in the world. . This facility makes, among other products, Kevlar, an extremely strong heat resistant synthetic fabric frequently found in gloves, bullet proof vests, combat helmets and certain tires. They also make Corian, a countertop material, and Tyvek, a waterproof, printable recyclable material with many applications including in home building and packaging medical supplies. DuPont Spruance also produces other construction materials, fabrics and medical supplies among many other products at this facility. In addition to a tour to see how the newest version of Kevlar fibers are made, I had the pleasure to speak with a number of employees and union representatives about my work in Washington and issues on their mind.

I also visited Intact Technology, an IT consulting company that expanded to Scott’s Addition last year.   

Visits like these give me a true hands-on feel for the businesses and institutions here as well as an opportunity to hear from management and workers. The more information I have the better decisions I can make.

Fort Gregg-Adams 92F Petroleum Supply Specialist Graduation

This week I had the privilege of speaking at the graduation ceremony for the latest class of 92F Petroleum Supply Specialists at Fort Gregg-Adams. These specialists are responsible for anything regarding the use and distribution of petroleum and serve as experts for handling hazardous materials and transporting petroleum. These specialists refuel everything from personal vehicles to aircraft in a safe and effective manner. It was an honor to not only congratulate the specialists, but learn more about the innovative virtual learning the U.S. Army Quartermaster School uses to train the Quartermaster Corp.

YWCA Outstanding Women Awards

One of my favorite events to attend each year is the annual YWCA Richmond Outstanding Women Awards (OWA) luncheon. As a former YWCA Board member and 2014 OWA honoree in the category of Law and Government, I was delighted to help celebrate this year’s honorees for their contributions to our community and our Commonwealth. You can learn more about the  2023 OWA Honorees here. It was also nice to officially congratulate my long-time friend Rupa Murthy on becoming the new CEO of the YWCA Richmond!

Brunswick County Hotel Groundbreaking

This week, a groundbreaking ceremony was held for the Hotel Elle in Lawrenceville.  This will be the first hotel in Brunswick County, which will bring much needed jobs to this part of the district and provide lodging for tourists who want to visit beautiful Southside Virginia and experience its history. This 110 guestroom boutique hotel is projected to open in Spring of 2025 just off of Governor Harrison Parkway (Highway 58) near Brunswick Square.

WHAT YOU MISSED IN WASHINGTON

Department of Health and Human Services Probing Two Hospitals Over Abortion Care

The Department of Health and Human services is investigating two hospitals, one in Kansas and one in Missouri, over whether they violated federal law by refusing abortions to women whose health was at risk. This is potentially a violation of  the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA), which says all hospitals who receive federal funding have a requirement to treat and save lives. Thankfully, both women survived, and received the needed abortions elsewhere, but as Secretary Becerra noted, they should not have had to undergo this experience. The demise of Roe v. Wade and now the precarious status of mifepristone will continue to put women’s lives at risk, which is why I believe Congress must pass federal protections for reproductive freedom.

Much-Needed Housing Funding Coming to Virginia!

I am very excited to announce that the Department of Housing and Urban Development, through its Housing Trust Fund, will be sending $7,563,732 to Virginia. The Housing Trust Fund exists to help with affordable housing, but these monies specifically can go towards acquiring property, improving sites, demolition of what previously existed on the site, financing costs and reasonable administrative and planning costs. Up to 40% can be used, if the Commonwealth chooses, to help with rental cost assistance. As we emerge from the pandemic, housing struggles have increased. The cost to rent or purchase has skyrocketed, and inflation has made everything more expensive, from heating oil to food, meaning many more people are struggling with housing costs. Everyone deserves safe, decent and clean housing and I am very hopeful these funds will make it possible for more Virginians.

COMMUNITY PROJECT FUNDING

As mentioned in previous newsletters, I submitted fifteen local projects and priorities to the House Appropriations Committee for funding consideration in the federal budget for the upcoming fiscal year. Over the past two weeks, I have outlined projects submitted in Henrico, Chesterfield, and the City of Richmond. This week, I detail projects submitted for Brunswick County: 

Stonewall Industrial Site Improvements

As Southside becomes a desirable site for industrial and corporate development, Brunswick County needs and wants to keep pace for their residents and for job growth. I have asked for $2,955,000 in funding to provide road and utility upgrades to the Stonewall Industrial Site. Not only will these improvements make it more appealing for companies to settle there, but it reduces risks associated with site development. The monies will be used to create turning lanes on Rte. 58, to create an entrance and roadway  access  while also constructing and extending water, gas and sewer lines. 

Southside Virginia Community College Training Program 

Southside Virginia Community College needs $188,787 to purchase equipment and technical training tools to enhance their programs in precision machining, electricity, HVAC, welding and information technology. With these improvements they can increase training and education opportunities for students in the region while serving more students. The demand for these skills is rising and is likely to add over 600,000 jobs in this decade alone.