Weekly Newsletter, 8.26.25
As August recess winds down, I continue talking to constituents about issues that matter to them. For many, rising costs are a constant concern. From higher grocery prices to skyrocketing utility bills, families are feeling the squeeze. Despite Trump and Republicans’ promises to the American people, their policies are exacerbating the cost-of-living crisis in this country.
This week, I joined the Virginia League of Conservation Voters to break down how Trump and Republicans’ shortsighted actions will drive up energy costs and visited with Virginia Public Media (VPM) to talk about the impact of the Trump Administration’s attacks on public media.
Read on for more of what you may have missed.
ADDRESSING RAPIDLY RISING ENERGY COSTS
As a member of the House Energy & Commerce Committee, I often hear my Republican colleagues talk about how we must act to meet America’s exploding energy demand and address rising costs. Yet the Big Ugly Law and actions by the Trump Administration targeting clean energy programs do just the opposite, as we cannot meet our energy needs without clean energy, and solar is the fastest, cleanest, and cheapest way to generate electricity.
Rooftop solar also can help business and residential customers lower their energy bills. That’s why as a state legislator, I passed the Solar Freedom Act of 2020 to remove legal barriers preventing Dominion and Appalachian Power customers from installing solar panels on their rooftops and residents of multi-family buildings from sharing onsite solar arrays. Yet for many low income and disadvantaged communities, these benefits remained out of reach until the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 (IRA) created the Solar for All program, which invested $7 billion to help over 900,000 households in low-income and disadvantaged communities benefit from rooftop and shared solar energy. Last April, the EPA awarded the Virginia Department of Energy a $156 million grant under the Solar for All program to help roughly 15,000 households install rooftop solar or buy into community solar projects that would, according to Virginia Energy, reduce their energy bills by a minimum of 20% and create over 1,000 jobs.
On the heels of a June survey showing that 60 percent of Americans reported paying more for electric bills than they did a year ago, and a record-breaking $29 billion in utility rate hikes requested or approved in the first half of the year, the Big Ugly Bill eliminated the Solar for All program, and the Trump Administration rescinded all grants already awarded under the program. As a result, household electricity prices could increase by more than $400 annually over the next decade. The Big Ugly Law also eliminated the IRA’s 30% tax credit for the installation of solar panels on homes starting at the end of this year.
Last week, I joined the Virginia League of Conservation Voters to oppose the elimination of the Solar for All program and other Trump Administration actions that will increase energy costs.
I will keep fighting to protect clean energy investments that help Virginia households save today and secure more stable and affordable energy for future generations.
SUPPORTING LOCAL MEDIA AND PUBLIC BROADCASTING
Last week, I got the opportunity to tour the construction site for Virginia Public Media (VPM)’s new downtown Richmond headquarters. Scheduled to open in early 2026, VPM’s new home represents a critical investment in local journalism, public broadcasting and community engagement. This state-of-the-art building will replace its over 60-year-old studio facilities on Sesame Street in Chesterfield County. VPM wisely has prioritized sustainability efforts throughout the project, from a green roof and stormwater protections to an energy-efficient building design.
This tour came at a critical time. The Republican-passed Rescission Act package includes $1.1 billion in cuts to funding for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting, which funds over 1,000 local public media stations across the country like VPM. As a result, CPB announced it would shut down its operations earlier this month, and at least 80 NPR and PBS member stations nationwide could follow suit. These funding cuts leave VPM with a $1.3 million loss of federal funding. You can see the impact to other public broadcasting stations across Virginia here. While VPM is better positioned than most public broadcasters, stations like Blue Ridge PBS, PBS Appalachia and rural radio stations that rely more on federal funding will face difficult choices as they try to maintain local programming, news and emergency alerts.
Despite these challenges, VPM is moving forward thanks to strong local support. But the fact remains: every Virginia deserves access to free, high-quality, fact-based programming. That’s why I’m continuing to push back against baseless attacks on public media.
In a sea of information — and lots of misinformation — we must protect vital resources like VPM, so Virginians can stay informed and engaged. Public media isn’t a luxury: it’s a vital part of our democracy.
MY BRIGHT SPOT: HELPING CLOSE THE DIGITAL DIVIDE FOR ARMSTRONG HIGH SCHOOL SENIORS
As school started across the district last week, seniors at Armstrong High School got a pleasant surprise. Thanks to a partnership between AT&T and the Richmond Public Schools Education Foundation, each senior received new laptops to help them succeed in their final year and beyond! These laptops will help students complete their coursework, apply for college and jobs, and build the skills they need to thrive after graduation.
I joined Superintendent Jason Kamras, Principal Kelley Carter and Delegate Rae Cousins to help AT&T and the Richmond Ed Fund distribute the laptops and wish the students all the best this school year.
REMINDERS
Applications are now open through Friday, September 19th for my 2025-2026 Youth Advisory Council.
Thursday, October 30th is the deadline to apply for the Congressional App Challenge and for a Service Academy Nomination.
Thank you for staying engaged, and as always, please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office if we can be of assistance.