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http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402403 Congressman Griffiths Weekly E-Newsletter 12.31.20 2020-12-31 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy The year 2020 was a difficult one, but as the year draws to a close, I want to highlight something about the year that went right. Operation Warp Speed accomplished what had been considered nearly impossible: the development, manufacture, and distribution of a safe and effective vaccine to combat COVID-19. President Trump announced Operation Warp Speed in May. His Administration recognized that meeting the challenge posed by the coronavirus pandemic would require the investment of Federal Government resources, partnership between the public, private, and scientific sectors, and cutting red tape that would impede delivery of a safe and effective vaccine. This effort was supported by almost $10 billion in funding included in the CARES Act passed by Congress with my support. The project focused on six vaccine candidates. Seven months after Operation Warp Speed was launched and less than one year after COVID-19 began spreading widely around the globe, two vaccine candidates were approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for emergency use. On December 11, the FDA approved for emergency use the first vaccine created by Pfizer. After clinical trials including over 43,000 participants, the vaccine was found to be 95 percent effective. A vaccine developed by Moderna was subsequently approved for emergency use on December 18. Thirty thousand people participated in its clinical trials, and its efficacy rate is 94.5 percent. These vaccines are the fastest ever produced for a novel pathogen. In fact, the average development timeline for a vaccine is eight to twelve years. Operation Warp Speed reduced the time needed by maximizing the number of participants in Phase 3 trials and manufacturing vaccine doses while waiting for the FDA's emergency use authorization order. While bureaucratic hurdles were lowered, the vaccine development process did not skimp on safety. As a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over health matters, I was briefed repeatedly throughout the pr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-elaine-luria-announces-passage-critical-health-care-priorities Congresswoman Elaine Luria Announces Passage of Critical Health Care Priorities in COVID-19 Relief Package 2020-12-31 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, DCToday, Congresswoman Elaine Luria announced the inclusion of several vital health care provisions in theConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package, which the President recently signed into law. These provisions would bolster COVID-19 vaccine and testing deployment, reverse planned budget cuts to Medicare, and provide additional funding for personal protective equipment (PPE).As our nation faces record-breaking numbers of COVID-19 cases and hospitalizations, we must continue providing robust funding for critical health care imperatives,said Congresswoman Elaine Luria.While neither perfect nor all-inclusive, this much-overdue COVID-19 relief package allocates resources needed to improve our nation's response to this pandemic. I am pleased the President signed this package into law, and I urge my colleagues in the House and Senate to continue finding common ground as we continue addressing this public health emergency.Included in the COVID-19 relief package are: $69 billion for COVID-19 testing, vaccine deployment, contact tracing, and other critical health care needs; $3.25 billion for a national stockpile of PPE; A reversal of the 2021 Medicare Sequester; and, An end to surprise medical bills by ensuring patients are only responsible for in-network cost-sharing amounts in emergency and non-emergency situations, in which they cannot choose an in-network provider. As a member of the Problem Solvers Caucus, Congresswoman Luria helped develop aframework for a COVID-19 relief package, whichthe Caucus introduced with a bipartisan group of Senators earlier this month. The relief package that just became law shares striking similarities with this framework, which prioritizes support for families, students, small businesses, and health care providers. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=441 Rep. Wexton’s EFFORT Act to Expand Opioid Addiction Research Headed to President’s Desk 2020-12-31 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC --Today, the Expanding Findings for Federal Opioid Research and Treatment (EFFORT) Act was passed by the House of Representatives, after being amended and passed by the Senate last week. The EFFORT Act is bipartisan legislation authored by Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) and co-sponsored by Congressman Jim Baird (R-IN). The Senate companion bill was carried by Senators Chris Coons (D-DE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO), and now goes to the President for his signature. While much of our attention is focused on the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the opioid addiction crisis continues to ravage our communities,said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.In fact, the crisis has gotten worse. Virginia is seeing a record number of fatal overdoses this year as isolation and anxiety brought on by COVID add new challenges for those who are in recovery. We need to vigorously study and treat addiction like the disease that it is. Once this bill is signed into law, scientists and researchers can provide us with greater resources to end this crisis. As our nation confronts the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we also continue to grapple with an opioid epidemic that is increasingly devastating families in Delaware and across the country,said Senator Chris Coons. The recent record-breaking success with a vaccine for COVID-19 shows that when the federal government invests in research and partners with leading minds in all sectors we can do amazing things. This bill would put our collective resources and know-how to work deepening our understanding of opioid addiction and finding tools and treatments to end this crisis. I'm proud that it will be signed into law. We have lost hundreds of lives here in the Northern Shenandoah Valley to the opioid epidemic. The effects of this public health crisis have been seen in the number of children in foster care, babies born substance exposed, and grandparents now raising their grandchildren. The Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition supports the EFFORT Act and is proud to see it pa… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luria-votes-support-small-businesses-covid-19-relief-package Congresswoman Luria Votes to Support Small Businesses in COVID-19 Relief Package 2020-12-30 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria highlighted several small business wins within the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package, which the President recently signed into law. I am glad the COVID relief package included significant aid for small businesses and our workforce during this challenging time,said Congresswoman Luria.Small businesses are the engines of our local economy, and they continue to experience catastrophic losses.This package will provide a lifeline to small business owners and help workers stay employed across Coastal Virginia and our nation. This bipartisan, bicameral deal provides important funding and provisions for small businesses, including: $284 billion for a second round of the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) through March 31, 2021; $20 billion for emergency Economic Injury Disaster Loan grants and extension of the covered period for emergency EIDL grants to December 31, 2021; $15 billion in grants for eligible live event venue operators, an industry that has lost nearly 90% of their revenue; Expansion of expense eligibility under the PPP to include personal protective equipment and supplier costs; Clarification that forgiven PPP expenses like rent and payroll are tax-deductible; and, Modifications to the Employee Retention Tax Credit by increasing the credit rate from 50%-70%. As a former small business owner, Congresswoman Elaine Luria has been a staunch advocate for locally owned small businesses during this economic crisis. Previously, shevoted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act, which established the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP). Although the PPP was a necessary step to assist small business owners, it was not perfect, which is why the Congresswomanadvocated for bipartisan initiativesto allow business owners to use PPP loans over longer time periods, to provide flexibility for businesses struggling to meet the SBA's requirement that 75% of loan proceeds go toward payroll costs, and to… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-blasts-gop-lawmakers-pledge-challenge-biden-victory-during-congress McEachin Blasts GOP Lawmakers for Pledge to Challenge Biden Victory During Congress Certification 2020-12-30 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA A. McEachin M001200 mceachin.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04)today released the following statement afterPolitico reportedthat Sen. Josh Hawley (MI-R) pledged to challenge President-elect Joe Biden's victory in Pennsylvania and possibly other states on Jan. 6, when Congress is set to certify the results of the 2020 election: "After multiple recounts, state certifications and the Electoral College vote, it is reckless and disrespectful to American voters that a U.S. Senator is entertaining challenging the results of a free and fair election,"said Congressman McEachin."Even Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell has congratulated President-elect Biden and Vice President-elect Harris on their victory in November. The American people have spoken It is time for Senator Hawley and his Republican colleagues to put what's best for our country ahead of their personal politics and end this wanton obstruction of a peaceful transfer of power to the duly-elected Biden-Harris administration." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luria-votes-secure-vital-energy-and-infrastructure-priorities Congresswoman Luria Votes to Secure Vital Energy and Infrastructure Priorities in Government Spending Bill 2020-12-29 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Luria highlighted several critical energy and water wins for Coastal Virginia that were included in the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package, which the President recently signed into law. I am pleased that the Fiscal Year 2021 government funding bill included significant funding to support clean energy, improve our waterways, and invest in environmental cleanup efforts,said Congresswoman Luria.This package will create jobs, improve Coastal Virginia's infrastructure, and allow our economy and environment to thrive for future generations. This bipartisan, bicameral deal providesrobust funding for critical energy and water development priorities advocated for by Congresswoman Luria, including: Provisions from the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which authorizes an advanced reactor technology program and establishes a nuclear energy university program; $1.5 billionto improve our nuclear reactor fleet, including $250 million for an advanced nuclear reactor program; $156 million to support efforts to secure our nation's energy infrastructure through investments in cybersecurity protections and energy resiliency; $7.8 billion for the Army Corps of Engineers construction projects and navigation maintenance; and, $113 million for the Inland Waterways Trust Fund, which funds construction and maintenance expenses for navigable waterways. The legislation also directs the Army Corps of Engineers to conduct ecosystem restoration projects and flood and storm damage reduction projects. Additionally, it directs the Department of Energy to optimize Nuclear Physics user facilities, which includes the Thomas Jefferson National Accelerator Facility (JLab) in Newport News, Virginia. Directing the Department of Energy to optimize user facilities will ensure investment in JLab's research and scientific discoveries. Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on theHouse Armed Services Committee, where she … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-urges-additional-covid-19-relief-votes-increase-direct-payments-assist McEachin Urges Additional COVID-19 Relief, Votes to Increase Direct Payments to Assist Struggling Virginia Families 2020-12-29 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA A. McEachin M001200 mceachin.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04)released the following statement after voting for House passage of H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act, legislation which would raise recently enacted economic impact statements from $600 to $2,000: While it is good news that help is finally on its way to the Commonwealth of Virginia, the stopgap package signed into law on Sunday cannot mark the end of our efforts to provide relief for all of the struggling families, workers, and small businesses that have had to wait months for federal support,said Congressman McEachin.Even President Trump recognizes we can and must do more to help Virginians and Americans across the country stay afloat during this crisis. I urge the Senate to join my House colleagues and I in voting quickly to increase direct relief payments to $2,000 and put more money in the pockets of Virginians impacted by this pandemic. BACKGROUND The CASH Act builds on the direct relief payments provided for Americans in H.R. 133, the Omnibus Appropriations and Emergency Coronavirus Relief package, which was signed into law on Sunday. A product of bipartisan, bicameral negotiations, the government funding bill consisted of all 12 Fiscal Year 2021 appropriations bills, as well as coronavirus relief and authorizations. As part of the emergency relief and omnibus package, Congressman McEachin secured provisions consistent with his legislative priorities, including: Infrastructure Investments Grants a cost adjustment to allow work to continue on the Deep Creek Bridge in Chesapeake to address traffic concerns; Authorizes over $102 million in federal funds for construction of the North Landing Bridge Replacement; and Includes a provision for the construction of a new Long Bridge on the Potomac River, which will double the capacity of rail crossing between Virginia and D.C. Appropriations and Other Funding Funding for an additional Virginia-class submarine; Over $87 million for the Chesapeake Bay Program; $65 mi… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3434 President Signs into Law Spanberger’s Legislation to Name a Midlothian Post Office After World War II Code Breaker Dorothy Bruce 2020-12-29 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. President Donald Trump has signed into law U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger's legislation to name a Chesterfield County post office after World War II code breaker and former Midlothian resident Dorothy Braden Bruce. Dorothy Bruce was recruited by the U.S. military during World War II to serve in a top-secret group of code-breaking women. Sworn to secrecy, Dorothy's unit worked to disclose the locations of Japanese ships in the Pacific, identify and intercept enemy supply movements, and protect the lives of American servicemembers. Bruce passed away at the age of 99 last year. With Spanberger's legislation now law, the U.S. Post Office facility located at 1201 Sycamore Square Drive in Midlothian will be renamed the Dorothy Braden Bruce Post Office Building. Spanberger's bipartisan bill was cosponsored by Virginia's entire U.S. House delegation. We thank Congresswoman Spanberger for her skill in achieving enactment of a public law dedicating the Sycamore Square Post Office to our mother, Dorothy Braden Bruce, said Nancy Robertson, Jim Bruce, and Virginia Evans Children of Dorothy Braden Bruce. We also thank author Liza Mundy for revealing the secret story of women code breakers in WWII, a story almost lost to history. Even at age 97, our mother's remarkable memory helped Liza interpret and validate declassified archive records and bring to life the challenges and successes of these 10,000 women code breakers who kept their secret for nearly 70 years. There is no monument to these young women, handpicked and secretly summoned to hasten the end of WWII, saving the lives of thousands of Americans. We are grateful that this public building is a part of that remembrance. For decades, the pioneering and lifesaving efforts of women codebreakers were kept a secret, and American heroes like Dorothy never knew if their efforts would be recognized in history books or even remembered by future generations. With the Dorothy Braden Bruce Post Office Building' now a reality, Virginians who look to liv… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402402 Griffith Statement on CASH Act 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement regarding the CASH Act of 2020: Yesterday, the President signed the more than $2.3 trillion Omnibus, which includedCOVID relief. After signing it, the President issued a statement calling on Congress to increase the amount of money going to individuals AND to cut bloated government spending. Today, the Democrats in the House put forward a bill to increase the size of the individual checks, BUT did not put forward any of the President's cut suggestions OR cuts to spending that they preferred. This is a typical Democrat compromise. We will give you increased spending, but we will not give you the cuts requested. Accordingly, I could not support this increased spending, at this time, without legitimate cuts as requested by the President. Hopefully with vaccines being distributed, our businesses and our economy will be back in operation soon. If not, we will have to examine additional relief in the new year. Background Congressman Griffith supported the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations (HR 6074), the Families First Coronavirus Response Act (HR 6201), the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act (HR 748), and the Paycheck Protection Program and Health Care Enhancement Act (HR 266). Click here for his statement on the Omnibus spending bill for Fiscal Year 2021. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-votes-to-override-trump-veto-of-defense-bill-raise-amount-of Scott Votes to Override Trump Veto of Defense Bill, Raise Amount of Stimulus Checks 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, the House of Representatives voted to override President Trump's veto of H.R. 6395, the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) voted to override President Trump's veto. For 60 years, the NDAA has been passed with bipartisan and bicameral support. President Trump's veto of this legislation was harmful to our national security and showed a disregard for our military personnel and their families, said Congressman Scott. The FY 21 NDAA provides a well-deserved three percent pay increase for our servicemembers. It also includes several important provisions that will directly support shipbuilding and ship maintenance in Hampton Roads. The President was willing to throw away all that good work in the name of preserving names, symbols, displays, monuments, and other paraphernalia that commemorate the Confederate States of America or anyone that voluntarily served in rebellion against the United States.It is a deeply disappointing but fitting chapter at the end of Donald Trump's presidency. I was proud to see a bipartisan coalition of Members of Congress vote to override President Trump's veto. On December 8, the House passed the conference report to the NDAA bill by an overwhelming, bipartisan vote of335 to 78 a vote greater than the two-thirds vote required for a veto override. Similarly, on December 11, the Senate passed the NDAA conference report by a bipartisan vote of84 to 13 another vote greater than the two-thirds vote required to override a president's veto. The House of Representatives also voted to pass H.R. 9051, the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act of 2020, which would raise recently enacted economic impact payments from $600 to $2,000 and fix the gap for adult dependents retroactively, allowing for an additional $2,000 for each dependent. Passage of the CASH Act is vital for working families across the country struggling due to this pandemic, stated Congressman Scott. The COVID… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-vote-increase-emergency-relief-checks-without-offsetting Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Increase Emergency Relief Checks Without Offsetting Cuts to Wasteful Spending 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Ben Cline C001118 cline.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the below statement following House passage of H.R. 9051 the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act. Virginians across the Commonwealth are hurting, and that is why I fully supported President Trump's call to raise the dollar amount of Emergency Relief Checks from $600 to $2000 by offsetting it with cuts to wasteful spending included in the bill. Sadly, Democrats voted down our attempt to make these changes last week. Therefore, because the bill only included half of President Trump's proposal, I could not support the bill as written, Cline said. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1063 Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Increase Emergency Relief Checks Without Offsetting Cuts to Wasteful Spending 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Ben Cline C001118 cline.house.gov cline https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27 scraper Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the below statement following House passage of H.R. 9051 – the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help Act. "Virginians across the Commonwealth are hurting, and that is why I fully supported President Trump's call to raise the dollar amount of Emergency Relief Checks from $600 to $2000 by offsetting it with cuts to wasteful spending included in the bill. Sadly, Democrats voted down our attempt to make these changes last week. Therefore, because the bill only included half of President Trump's proposal, I could not support the bill as written," Cline said. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luria-votes-enhanced-covid-19-relief Congresswoman Luria Votes for Enhanced COVID-19 Relief 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Luria voted in favor of the Caring for Americans with Supplemental Help (CASH) Act to increase the amount of direct payment support for Coastal Virginians. Under this standalone legislation, eligible Coastal Virginians would receive a second economic impact payment (EIP) of $2,000, up from $600. This legislation also retroactively fixes a flaw in the first round of economic impact payments, which excluded non-child dependents from receiving economic relief. Throughout this public health emergency, I have heard from families throughout Coastal Virginia that they are struggling and need additional economic relief, said Congresswoman Luria. Tonight, I voted to increase direct economic impact payments to families throughout Virginia because Congressional support must match constituents' needs in order to quickly recover from this economic crisis. Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on theHouse Armed Services Committee, where she is theVice Chair of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, and theHouse Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves asChair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3432 President Trump Signs into Law Spanberger’s Legislation to Expand Broadband Internet Access, Lower Prescription Drug Prices, Support Veterans, & Prevent Tax Hikes on Local Breweries & Distilleries 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. President Trump last night signed into law a bipartisan fiscal year (FY) 2021 funding deal as well as an emergency COVID-19 relief package that contains several wins for Central Virginia small businesses, working families, and veterans that U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger fought to include. In addition to the COVID-19 relief provisions she pushed to include in the overall legislation, the year-end funding package incorporates many of Spanberger's key priorities and pieces of legislation including increased funding for broadband internet projects through the U.S. Department of Agriculture's (USDA's) ReConnect Program, her legislation to lower drug prices and increase access to generic drugs, and her bipartisan bill to fix the federal financial aid process for veterans and their families. Additionally, the government funding deal includes permanent tax relief for Central Virginia craft breweries and distilleries something Spanberger pushed to include in the FY 2021 funding bill and heard about directly from Central Virginia distillers earlier this year. Without congressional passage of this legislation, craft distillers in Virginia would have faced a potential 400 percent tax increase in 2021, which would hinder the local industry's recovery from the COVID-19 crisis. As our communities look to rebuild and recover from ongoing crisis, the federal government must make smart investments and reforms that allow families and businesses to succeed long into the future. While I fundamentally disagree with the procrastination and repeated shutdown threats that characterized this recent funding process, I am relieved to see an agreement cross the finish line as we prepare for a new Congress and a new administration, said Spanberger. This package includes several priorities I pushed to include such as continued, increased funding for high-speed internet infrastructure and a commonsense fix to help the families of veterans afford a high-quality higher education. Additionally, I'm glad to see our… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3433 Spanberger Statement on Vote to Override President Trump’s Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger tonight released the following statement after voting with an overwhelmingly bipartisan majority of the U.S. House of Representatives to override President Trump's veto of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which authorizes U.S. Department of Defense funding and sets the country's national security priorities for the upcoming year. The United States and its allies face a growing range of threats around the world as we've witnessed with the latest cyberattack from Russia and this year's NDAA is a critical step in protecting the dedicated men and women who work tirelessly to keep Central Virginia's families safe. This vote is not a difficult decision whatsoever, because our servicemembers and their families deserve the strongest support possible, said Spanberger. The President's veto of the NDAA was not only misguided, but it sent a poor message to our allies as well as our adversaries around the world. As Commander in Chief, the President has a unique responsibility to protect our servicemen and women, and it is beyond embarrassing and a show of weakness that the President chose to veto this legislation. I look forward to welcoming a new President into office who demonstrates the commitment necessary to maintain our military advantage, confront the dangers on the horizon, and honor the selfless service of those who put on the uniform in defense of their country. The fiscal year 2021 NDAA focuses on maintaining the strength of the U.S. military, protecting servicemembers, and building resilience against future threats. Among its provisions, the bill includes a measure to provide U.S. servicemembers with a three-percent pay raise. The defense authorization bill also includes provisions Spanberger co-led to hold the Turkish government accountable for purchasing Russian defense systems, increase transparency in federal spending, and address rising rates of suicide across rural America. Click here to learn more. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=439 Wexton Applauds Passage of CASH Act 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Wexton Applauds Passage of CASH Act Washington, DC -- Today, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass the CASH Act, to ensure Americans receive $2,000 in the next round of stimulus payments in the wake of the impact of COVID-19. The House took an important first step to help Americans get some of the desperately needed support they deserve,said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. I've been advocating for greater direct relief payments for families in need for months, and I'm hopeful that the momentum behind this bipartisan effort between House Democrats and President Trump gets it through the Senate. It's been 8 months since Americans last received a stimulus check and $600 is embarrassingly low for this next round. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=440 Wexton, Beyer, Perlmutter Urge OCC to Delay Rushed Fair Access to Financial Services Rulemaking 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC --Today, Representatives Jennifer Wexton (D-VA), Don Beyer (D-VA) and Ed Perlmutter (D-CO) urged the Office of the Comptroller of the Currency (OCC) to delay its misguided Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Fair Access to Financial Services. In a letter the Members urged acting Comptroller Brian Brooks to extend the deadline for public comment by at least 30 days to allow the incoming Administration enough time to evaluate it. This midnight rulemaking is purely political and would have far-reaching consequences,said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.It's clear the motivation behind this policy is not safety nor soundness, but rather an effort to punish financial institutions for adopting policies that recognize the financial and reputational risks from financing high-risk industries. Banks should not have an obligation to finance irresponsible gun manufacturers and dealers, especially when those activities present risks to the communities they serve. Financial institutions doing their part to prevent gun violence should be applauded, not cut off at the knees by a gun lobby-backed rule. This rulemaking is a last-ditch effort by the waning Trump administration to quickly and quietly bolster the gun industry at the expense of the American people. We stand with Rep. Wexton, Beyer and Perlmutter as they demand that the incoming administration be given the time necessary to consider this incredibly consequential rule,said Nick Suplina, managing director of law and policy at Everytown for Gun Safety. The proposed rule would force financial institutions to lend to every industry, regardless of qualitative factors the lender may want to take into account such as financial and reputational risks, as well as undermine corporate responsibility efforts to protect the communities they serve. The proposed regulation can be foundhere. The full text of the letter can be foundhereand below. December 28, 2020 The Honorable Brian Brooks Acting Comptroller of the Currency 400 7th Street SW Washington,… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3450 Wittman statement on voting to override FY21NDAA veto 2020-12-28 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Robert Wittman W000804 wittman.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after voting to override the presidential veto of the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (FY21 NDAA), the legislation to fundourUnitedStates military and vital defense-related programs into the next year: Let me be very clear:the FY21 NDAA does right by our men and women in uniform and provides sound, strong defense policy for the coming year and the coming challenges. It will give our armed forces the tools and resources they need to deter our adversaries, support our allies, and project power around the globe. The Commonwealth of Virginiais home to one of the largest populationsof military members and their families in the country and many more hardworking Americanswho develop and support the platforms, systems, and programs that our warfighters use to execute their critical missions around the globe.FY21 NDAAgoes a long way to support our region's path to economic recovery. While I understand the concerns of President Trump, simply put,this is a defense bill and thePresident's concerns are notdefense-related.Lawmakers have been ableto pass this bill for 59 years on a bipartisan and bicameral basis by taking painstaking measures to keepthe NDAA focused on our national security and setting aside non-related policyitems.There are better ways to address the issues brought up by the President that do not jeopardize our nation's security interests or punish our military members. I agree that we must address President Trump's concerns regarding Section 230.That is why I support Rep. Paul Gosar's(AZ-04)Stop the Censorship Act. Section 230 currently provides online platforms with immunity for the removal of anything they perceive to be otherwise objectionable.' This legislation revokes immunity for the removal of competition and lawful political speech, extends free speech online, empowers users to protect themselves from objectionable material. This provision also incentivizes platforms to be more transparent and abid… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-passing-of-george-banks Scott Statement on the Passing of George Banks 2020-12-27 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy NEWPORT NEWS, VA Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of former Norfolk NAACP branch president and community activist George Banks: George Banks was affectionately and rightly known as the Mayor of Berkley' a part of Norfolk that he helped transform for the better of the city and its citizens who reside there. George devoted his life to service to his community and successfully fought to eliminate the inequity and inequality of our nation's housing policies. His passing is a tremendous loss for Norfolk and the greater Hampton Roads community. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, many friends, and all those that live in a safer and better community thanks to George's decades of advocacy. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4995 Trump Will Cost Millions Of Americans One Week Of Permanently-Lost Unemployment Benefits If He Fails To Act By The End Of The Day 2020-12-26 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Unemployment benefits are set to expire for an estimated twelve million Americans tomorrow unless recently-passed appropriations and relief legislation is signed into law. A substantial amount of those benefits, totaling billions of dollars, will be irretrievably lost for those dependent on them unless President Trump signs that bill today. Unlike the larger expiration of unemployment benefits which will go into effect tomorrow, this consequence of the President withholding his signature would not be reversed if he changes his mind and subsequently signs the bill. If Donald Trump does not sign the relief bill by the end of the day he will deny billions of dollars in support to some of the neediest people in this country during the holidays season, said Beyer. If he really wants to help people who are struggling amid the pandemic and economic crisis, he will sign this bill and then press his Republican allies in Congress to expand direct payments. The House will send legislation to the Senate within days to increase $600 direct payments to $2000, but Trump must sign this bill into law for it to take effect. Trump's refusal to sign this relief legislation immediately would result in devastating and unnecessary hardship for millions, and soon a government shutdown. These consequences are unacceptable, and he must act now. The unemployment titles of the appropriations and relief legislation (beginning on page 1927) extend authorization and funding for federally-supported unemployment programs including Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), Pandemic Emergency Unemployment Compensation (PEUC), and Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation (FPUC) into mid-March [An explainer for these programs is available here with a flowchart here]. However, new $300 payments of enhanced benefits (FPUC) cannot begin until the President's signature gives the bill force of law, and states are barred from processing payments for weeks ending before the bill is signed. Once signed, the bill will still cut off funding and authorizati… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-passing-of-hampton-sheriff-bj-roberts Scott Statement on the Passing of Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts 2020-12-26 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy NEWPORT NEWS, VA Congressman Bobby Scott issued the following statement on the passing of Hampton, Virginia Sheriff B.J. Roberts: I was saddened to learn of the passing of Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts. Sheriff Roberts served our community for decades in law enforcement, first as a patrolman with the Newport News Police Department, then rising through the ranks of the Hampton University Campus Police to become the University's Director of Police and Public Safety, and for the last 28 years as Hampton's sheriff. His 1992 election as sheriff was trailblazing as he became the first African American constitutional officer elected in Hampton's history. He continued to break barriers when he was elected in 2010 to serve as the first African American president of the National Sheriff's Association. Sheriff Roberts was committed to making our criminal justice system fairer and improving police-community relations. His passing is a tremendous loss for Hampton and the entire Commonwealth. My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends, the deputies and staff of the Hampton Sheriff's Office, and all those positively impacted by his remarkable life. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/sen-warner-on-the-passing-of-hampton-sheriff-b-j-roberts Sen. Warner on the Passing of Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts 2020-12-26 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the passing of Hampton Sheriff B.J. Roberts: B.J. Roberts served the people of Hampton faithfully for many decades. He was a trailblazer who was deeply committed to improving relations between law enforcement and the communities they serve. He was also my friend for close to 30 years, and even nominated me when I first ran for Senate in 1996. My thoughts are with the Roberts family and the deputies and staff of the Hampton Sheriff's Office during this time. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3449 Wittman combats controversial spending on House Floor 2020-12-24 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Robert Wittman W000804 wittman.house.gov     legacy Wittman combats controversial spending on House Floor f t # e Washington, December 24, 2020 Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after offering a unanimous consent (UC) request to remove controversial foreign aid spending from the recently passed Consolidated Appropriations Act, which fully funds the government through September 30th, 2021, and provides additional COVID-19 pandemic relief to small businesses, American workers, and more. The UC request I put forward today to revisit the State and Foreign Operations title of the Consolidated Appropriations Act was offered in an effort to reexamine spending and address concerns of President Trump at a time when many believe that taxpayer dollars should go towards helping Americans most affected by the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. Our government's top priority must be our families, communities, and small businesses as we get through this pandemic and restore our country. Unfortunately, my UC request failed to be agreed to without support from Democratic House Leadership. The House does much of its noncontroversial work by "unanimous consent" (i.e., when one Member stands up and asks that something be done or permitted by unanimous consent and no other Member objects to the request). Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. f t # e 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-trump-veto-of-national-defense-bill Kaine Statement On Trump Veto Of National Defense Bill 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 23, 2020 Kaine Statement On Trump Veto Of National Defense Bill WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after President Trump vetoed the Fiscal Year 2021 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which passed both the House and the Senate with strong bipartisan support: By vetoing this bipartisan legislation, President Trump ekes out one final betrayal of our nation's military. The President's veto stands in the way of a pay raise for troops, veteran suicide prevention, and necessary investments in our national security. The NDAA has passed Congress 60 years in a row because we understand its dire importance to servicemembers, military families, and the nation. Congress will not allow the President's action to undo this critical bipartisan work. ### Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4994 Beyer Seeks Federal Agency Guidance On Coronavirus Vaccinations 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Today Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) wrote National Security Advisor Robert O'Brien, U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services Alex Azar, and U.S. Office of Personnel Management Acting Director Michael Rigas, urging them to release plans and guidance regarding COVID-19 vaccine distribution for federal employees. Beyer serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has partial jurisdiction over health care. Beyer wrote: After weeks of no substantive response to my staff's inquiry, I write to request any and all COVID-19 vaccine distribution plans or guidance for federal employees. In the interim, we have learned through reporting that some agencies have begun vaccinating their employees and have developed their own plans or guidance on vaccine distribution. ... Without this notification, States and localities will not know which federal employees need to be covered under their distribution plans rather than under the federal distribution plan. It is imperative that States and localities be able to properly identify the members in their community to whom they will be responsible for administering vaccines. The letter specifically requested that vaccine guidelines be shared for each agency outlining whether federal employees can expect their employing agency to administer their vaccine, what will be required to access it, and the process for communication with state and local public health departments for vaccine qualification. Beyer yesterday urged CDC Director Robert Redfield to improve transparency and data sharing amid the national effort to distribute and administer coronavirus vaccines. Beyer's letters were sent in response to ongoing confusion over reduced and delayed vaccine shipments to states, and amid a troubling absence of communication to Congress and federal employees regarding vaccine distribution. A signed copy of Beyer's letter is available here, and text follows below. *** Dear National Security Advisor O'Brien, Secretary Azar, and Acting Director Rigas: After weeks of no substantive r… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-nomination-of-dr-miguel-cardona-for-secretary-of Scott Statement on the Nomination of Dr. Miguel Cardona for Secretary of Education 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCCommittee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) released the following statement after President-elect Biden nominated Dr. Miguel Cardona to lead the Department of Education. I congratulate Dr. Miguel Cardona on his nomination to be the next Secretary of Education. Dr. Cardona has over two decades of experience serving in America's public schools first as an elementary school teacher and then as a school principal, assistant superintendent, and most recently as Connecticut's Commissioner of Education. The pandemic has exacerbated the effects of chronic underinvestment in our public schools, and as COVID-19 cases surge across the country, students and educators continue to face unprecedented challenges. Existing achievement gaps are widening, crumbling school infrastructure threatens the safety of our nation's children, and a mass transition to remote learning is causing tremendous learning loss. What's more, budget cuts, along with revenue and job losses, mean severe reductions in services and programs that many vulnerable students need to complete their degrees and find fulfilling careers. I look forward to working with Dr. Cardona in our shared belief that high-quality, public education is invaluable to the success of individuals and our nation. I am fully confident in his ability to lead the Department in its mission of educational equity for all. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/sen-warner-on-president-trump-s-veto-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act Sen. Warner on President Trump's Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after President Trump vetoed the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA)overa provision requiring the military to rename bases named for Confederate militaryleadersand over the lack of language repealing Section 230. It's unconscionable that the President would choose to throw a wrench into the passage of a bill as critical as our nation's annual defense bill. The President's decision to veto this bipartisan legislation on his way out the door poses a serious threat to U.S. national security. It jeopardizes mission readinessand the well-being of our U.S. servicemembers and their families, aswell as military construction projects, investments in innovation and technology, and other critical defense priorities. It also threatens the economy in Virginia, which houses the Pentagon, major headquarters for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as Naval Station Norfolk the largest naval base in the world. I look forward to overriding the President's fruitless and ridiculous attempt to undermine our national security over his shifting rationale for his decision to veto, including a provision to rename bases honoring Confederate military leaders a provision that many in the President's own party have supported. The FY21 NDAA, whichpassedthrough the Senate earlier this month, contains a number of Warner-led provisions, including ones tocombatillicit finance,prioritizeU.S. innovation and technology development in 5G and semiconductors,protectmilitary families,createa more diverse pentagon workforce,enablegreater SCIF flexibility, fund theprocurementof a second Virginia-class submarine, andexpandthe list of service-connected presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. Sen. Warner is a cosponsor of theConfederate Monument Removal Act,which would remove statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of America fr… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-on-president-trump-s-veto-of-the-national-defense-authorization-act Warner on President Trump's Veto of the National Defense Authorization Act 2020-12-23 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after President Trump vetoed the FY21 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) over a provision requiring the military to rename bases named for Confederate military leadersand over the lack of language repealing Section 230. It's unconscionable that the President would choose to throw a wrench into the passage of a bill as critical as our nation's annual defense bill. The President's decision to veto this bipartisan legislation on his way out the door poses a serious threat to U.S. national security. It jeopardizes mission readiness and the well-being of our U.S. servicemembers and their families, as well as military construction projects, investments in innovation and technology, and other critical defense priorities. It also threatens the economy in Virginia, which houses the Pentagon, major headquarters for the Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard, as well as Naval Station Norfolk the largest naval base in the world. I look forward to overriding the President's fruitless and ridiculous attempt to undermine our national security over his shifting rationale for his decision to veto, including a provision to rename bases honoring Confederate military leaders a provision that many in the President's own party have supported. The FY21 NDAA, whichpassedthrough the Senate earlier this month, contains a number of Warner-led provisions, including ones tocombatillicit finance,prioritizeU.S. innovation and technology development in 5G and semiconductors,protectmilitary families,createa more diverse pentagon workforce,enablegreater SCIF flexibility, fund theprocurementof a second Virginia-class submarine, and expand the list of service-connected presumptive conditions related to Agent Orange exposure. Sen. Warner is a cosponsor of theConfederate Monument Removal Act,which would remove statues of individuals who voluntarily served the Confederate States of Ame… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4992 Beyer Presses CDC For Data Transparency On Coronavirus Vaccinations 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today wrote to the Robert Redfield, Director of the Centers For Disease Control (CDC), urging increased transparency and data sharing amid the national effort to distribute and administer coronavirus vaccines. His letter came amid ongoing confusion over reduced and delayed vaccine shipments to states. Beyer serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has partial jurisdiction over health care. Beyer wrote: Every phase of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 epidemic has reinforced the importance of publicly available data. Now that the U.S. is offering vaccines to the American public, transparency on real-time vaccine uptake is crucial. The CDC's COVID-19 Data Tracker has been the landing spot for federal data about testing and case numbers, it should do the same in providing robust information regarding vaccine distribution and administration. There are already concerns about incorrect shipment information, or at the very least problematic communication about vaccine allocation numbers, and unexpected delays to long-term care facilities. Transparent, up-to-date information shared with the public is necessary. The letter specifically requested that CDC provide daily, public information totaling doses distributed to and administered in each states, individuals with completed series, data disaggregated by vaccine maker as well as by gender, age, race, and ethnicity, and other key data points. Beyer is the sponsor of legislation to ensure data transparency at the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. A signed copy of Beyer's letter is available here, and text follows below. *** Dear Director Redfield: Every phase of the U.S. response to the COVID-19 epidemic has reinforced the importance of publicly available data. Now that the U.S. is offering vaccines to the American public, transparency on real-time vaccine uptake is crucial. The CDC's COVID-19 Data Tracker has been the landing spot for federal data about testing and case numbers, it should do the same in providing robust in… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/committee-democrats-to-usda-the-pandemic-is-not-an-excuse-to-provide Committee Democrats to USDA: The Pandemic is Not an Excuse to Provide Children Unhealthy Food 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DC Today, led by Committee on Education and Labor Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Committee Democratswrotein opposition to a Department of Agriculture (USDA) proposal to roll back nutrition standards that have significantly improved the nutritional quality of school meals. The proposal resurrects and expands a 2018 rule that was ultimately vacated by a district court. The Members note that under theHealthy, Hunger-Free Kids Act,it is the responsibility of the Department to ensure that the food children are served in school is nutritious and in close alignment with the evidence-based Dietary Guidelines for Americans (DGAs). However, the proposed rule fails to align with the DGAs by drastically altering nutrition standards. Research has shown that approximately half of children's daily dietary intake comes from school breakfast and lunch and that nutrition plays a key role in the health and academic outcomes of children,the Members wrote.We must ensure that school meals remain nutritious, particularly through the pandemic and economic downturn, as they may be the only healthy meals children receive each day. To read the full letter, clickhere. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/education-leaders-celebrate-repeal-of-last-provision-in-federal-law Education Leaders Celebrate Repeal of Last Provision in Federal Law Banning Use of Federal Funds for Desegregation 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCChairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Committee on Education and Labor, and Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Subcommittee on Appropriations, Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies (Labor-HHS) released the following statement after the House voted to repeal Section 426 of the General Education Provisions Act (GEPA). The provision was first included in the Fiscal Year 2021 House Labor-HHS Bill and maintained in the final Omnibus Package. This action follows the elimination of two harmful and similar legacy riders in the Fiscal Year 2019 Labor-HHS Bill. Segregated schools mean segregated opportunities. More than 66 years after the Supreme Court's landmark decision inBrown v. Board of Education, we have yet to fulfill the promise of equity in education. According to a2016 GAO study, America's public schools aremore segregated todaythan at any time since the 1960s. School desegregation is proven to close achievement gaps and produce lifelong benefits by providing students of color access to the same resources as their white counterparts. Communities across the country are coming up with innovative strategies to desegregate schools and promote diversity. However, many districts lack the resources necessary to meaningfully address school segregation in their communities. By removing the last remaining provision in federal law that bans the use of federal funds for transportation to promote school integration, Congress is sending a clear message to school districts: The important work of school desegregation brings us closer to finally fulfilling the promise ofBrownand the federal government should support these efforts. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luria-statement-bipartisan-covid-19-relief-and-government-funding Congresswoman Luria Statement on Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief and Government Funding Deal 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Luria issued the following statement on House passage ofabipartisan, bicameral deal tokeep the government openandprovide critical COVID-19 relief to families, students, small businesses, and health care providers. While not perfect, thisdealrepresents a bipartisan agreementbetween both the House and the Senatethat will keep the federal government operating through the end of the fiscal yearas well as provide relief to the families and small businesses suffering from the impacts of this public health emergency and economic crisis,said Congresswoman Elaine Luria.While this is far from the ideal way to govern, I am pleased this bill willprotect our national security andcontinue programs that assist my constituents in Coastal Virginia. This bipartisan, bicameral deal providesfunding for: Supporting militaryservicemembers, families, and communities: A 3% pay raise for our troops; $23.3 billion to procure 10 Navy shipsincludingtwo DDG-51 guided missile destroyers,two Virginia-class submarines, twoColumbia-class submarines, and one frigate; $60 millionfor the Defense Community Infrastructure Program to support projects supporting military bases; $70 millionfor Impact Aid to assist school districts with high concentrations of families living in military housing, including $20 million for children with special needs; $1.3billionfor Family Housing, including$60million to address issues such as mold, vermin, and lead in military family housing; $90 billion for VA Medical Care; $2.6 billion tocontinuethe implementation of the VA electronichealthrecord to mirrortheDoDrecords program $3.18 billion for disability claims processing backlog $316 million for Veterans' Employment and Training Service (VETS) to include $31 million for TAP $1.205 billionfor the Hazardous Substance Superfund, which supports cleaning contamination at Langley Air Force Base, Fort Eustis, and other sites in Coastal Virginia; $30millionforHUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (VASH)to combat home… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3454 Wittman delivers wins in funding package to close the digital divide in Virginia 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Robert Wittman W000804 wittman.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which fully funds the government through September 30th, 2021, and provides additional COVID-19 pandemic relief, relief to small businesses and American workers, and measures to close the digital divide across in Virginia and the nation. As our nation deals with the continued effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, Americans are doing their utmost to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus by utilizing telework, distance learning, and telehealth capabilities, Congressman Wittman said. The new realities and the certain upcoming new normal have left millions of rural Americans, who have inadequate or no connectivity to high-speed broadband, feeling abandoned and in need of relief to compete in the 21st Century economy. The government funding and COVID-19 relief package Congress passed this week funds many of the critical broadband priorities of the First Congressional District. From additional monies for broadband grants, to funding for the vital ReConnect program, to the inclusion of a temporary FCC telehealth pilot program, this package goes a long way to closing the digital divide in our nation. I will continue advocating for the people of Virginia's First Congressional District in Washington and will do my utmost to ensure Congress remains accountable to the people we serve. Americans need high speed internet technologies more than ever before during COVID-19 to work, learn, and receive health care from home, said Congressman Greg Walden (R, OR-02). Rep. Rob Wittman has championed efforts to close the digital divide. While we wish Democrats would have come to the table sooner, we are proud to have several bipartisan wins today on smart policies to connect more Americans across communities in all zip codes, and Rep. Wittman's efforts to expand broadband services in rural and underserved areas played a vital role in these successes. The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3455 Wittman delivers wins in funding package for defense community, military members in Virginia 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Robert Wittman W000804 wittman.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after voting in favor of theConsolidated Appropriations Act,which fully funds the government through September 30th, 2021, and provides additional COVID-19 pandemic relief, relief to small businesses and American workers, and measures to support the defense community and military members in Virginia and across the nation. The government funding and COVID-19 relief package Congress passed is a critical funding bill that funds many of the priorities of the First Congressional District,Congressman Wittman said.This is a piece of legislation that I believe does right by our men and women in uniform and provides funding for sound, strong defense priorities for the coming year and the coming challenges. Our area is home to one of the largest populations of military members, their families, and the hardworking Americans who develop and support the platforms, systems, and programs that our warfighters use to execute their critical missions around the globe. Advocating for these individuals is one of my top priorities, and I am proud of the provisions in this funding package that put our military community first. I will continue advocating for the people of Virginia's First Congressional District in Washington and will do my utmost to ensure Congress remains accountable to the people we serve. TheConsolidated Appropriations Actincludeskey military funding advanced and supported by Congressman Wittman: National Defense Provides our military with the resources to defend our nation and advance U.S. national security Includes a 3% pay raise for the troops and provides the resources to continue rebuild our military, deter adversaries, and defend our national security interests Allocates funding for two Virginia-Class submarines, one above the budget request, both of which are built in Virginia. Provides $2.87 … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-booker-harris-applaud-passage-of-bill-to-make-a-record-investment-in-low-income-and-minority-communities Warner, Booker, Harris Applaud Passage of Bill to Make a Record Investment in Low-Income and Minority Communities 2020-12-22 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Cory Booker (D-NJ), andKamala Harris (D-CA) applauded Congressional passage oflegislationthey authored to make the largest single investment into minority-owned and community-based lending institutions in the nation's history. Provisions of theJobs and Neighborhood Investment Actpassed as part of yesterday'sCOVID-19 relief billafter Sen. Warner fought to include them in thelegislative blueprintthat served as the foundation for the final relief deal. With Black and Brown unemployment rates more than twice as high as they were at this time last year, we need to be doing everything we can to invest in our most vulnerable communities,said Sen. Warner.I'm proud to have fought for these provisions during bipartisan relief negotiations and I trust that they will help put the brakes on the hemorrhaging of jobs and shuttering of minority-owned businesses caused by this crisis. I urge the President to promptly sign this historic legislation into law so that that minority communities start seeing the relief they desperately need. As we work to confront and recover from this public health and economic crisis, we need to be doing everything we can to invest in the communities that have been hardest hit by this pandemic and continue to bear the burden of longstanding structural inequities and systemic racism. The Jobs and Neighborhood Investment Act will expand critically needed access to capital for communities of color and will help to empower minority owned businesses to play an important role in our long-term economic recovery,said Sen. Booker. To help every American get through this crisis, we need to start by helping those who need it mostwhether in distributing the vaccine or investing in communities. Our bill will do just that, by providing much-needed capital to communities of color and low-income communities across the country. I'm proud that it will soon become law. Moving forward, we must always remember that relief isn't relief unless it reaches those who've b… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402399 Congressman Griffiths Weekly E-Newsletter 12.21.20 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy Christmas is a time of tradition, for families, communities, and throughout our society. For those of us who celebrate, like me, we each have our favorite customs about this season, whether attending a family gathering or town parade or just hearing a favorite Christmas carol. How those traditions become things we return to year after year make for interesting stories on their own. One story caught my eye recently on the Merriam-Webster dictionary website about the phrase tis the season, a phrase often said around this time of year originating in the Christmas carol Deck the Halls.* As someone with Welsh ancestry, and as chairman of the Congressional Friends of Wales Caucus, I was glad to learn that this beloved carol had notable Welsh roots. According to Merriam-Webster, the carol's tune was apparently first recorded in a 1784 book entitled Musical and Poetical Relicks of the Welsh Bards. The book was written by Edward Jones, a harpist for the then-Prince of Wales, the future King George IV, and Jones dedicated his work to the Prince. A century later, the Welsh tune became linked to a Welsh lyricist. In 1884, a book called The Song Book: Words and Tunes from the Best Poets and Musicians reported that the lyrics to Deck the Halls were a translation by Thomas Oliphant of lyrics written by John Jones, a poet who also went by the Welsh name Talhaiarn. Those lyrics included tis the season, but they also include the syllables fa la la la la, and the carol's Welsh origins are important in understanding their inclusion. Merriam-Webster quotes composer John Rutter as saying the song was originally intended for performance by a group of singers and a harpist, the harp being Wales' national instrument. The singers would sing a verse, the harpist would improvise, the singers would move to the next verse, and so on. But harpists are not always available, nor do harps occupy such a prominent place in our culture as they do in that of Wales. As Rutter said, That only worked in Wales where they had harpists on every stree… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402401 Griffith Statement on Omnibus Appropriations Legislation 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement on the omnibus appropriations legislation funding the Federal Government for the rest of fiscal year 2021: As a supporter of more relief in response to the coronavirus pandemic, I consistently urged congressional leadership to keep any relief package separate from any omnibus appropriations bill to fund the Federal Government. Omnibuses tend to be bloated, filled with unrelated provisions, and cobbled together in backrooms with little time for Members of Congress to read them, much less understand their provisions. They are a terrible way to exercise Congress' power of the purse. The omnibus spending bill for fiscal year 2021 is the longest bill I've been asked to vote on in Congress. It was split into two parts running nearly 5,600 pages. The first totaled roughly 500 pages and included funding for the military and border security, including the border wall. I read this part and found its spending to be largely reasonable, so I voted for it. The second part containing the remaining 5,000 pages, while reportedly including some provisions I support, also reportedly featured far too many items that have no place in a spending bill. Members of Congress had only a few hours to read and analyze this overstuffed monstrosity. As I have pledged to the constituents of the Ninth District, I will not vote for a bill I have not read in its entirety. I voted no. I continue to believe Americans need help in the face of the pandemic, and I know most of my colleagues agree. Legislation that would provide help would likely pass Congress easily, and there is no good reason to tie it to the overall omnibus bill. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-applaud-passage-of-government-funding-bill-that-includes-covid-relief Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage Of Government Funding Bill That Includes COVID Relief 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 21, 2020 Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage Of Government Funding Bill That Includes COVID Relief Bill to offer millions of Americans COVID relief and avert a government shutdown heads to the President's desk WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral spending bill to fund federal programs crucial to Virginia and keep the federal government open through 2021. The legislation also includes comprehensive measures to help Americans amid the ongoing economic and public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following today's Senate passage, the bill now heads to the President's desk for signature. For nine long months, folks waited for Congress to deliver critical relief as they watched COVID-19 further devastate their communities. Today, despite that unacceptable delay, relief is officially on its way, said Warner. I'm proud to have worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to help get this legislation into shape and in the hands of House and Senate leaders. And while I know that this bill is not perfect, I'm glad to know that it will help American families weather this winter and get through the holidays. While this relief should have been passed much earlier, I'm pleased to see families, small businesses, hospitals, schools, and more get the assistance they need, Kaine said. This legislation makes critical investments in unemployment assistance, food aid, housing assistance, and other areas to directly help those struggling amid the pandemic. Though we still have more work to do to help Americans get back on their feet, I'm relieved Congress was able to come to this bipartisan compromise and fund these priorities before the holidays. The following list includes some of the priorities Warner and Kaine advocated: Assistance for out of work Virginians: Extends federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, preventing hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Virginians from losing benefits over the holiday… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4989 Beyer Hails Payroll Tax Win To Help Federal Workers And Military Families 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today welcomed a legislative provision he helped secure in the upcoming omnibus spending bill to alleviate the burden on federal workers and military families of repaying payroll taxes previously withheld under President Trump's executive order. The provision would extend the time period for repayment of payroll taxes to the end of 2021, thereby significantly reducing the impact on paychecks for those who had such taxes withheld. Beyer represents the largest number of federal employees of any U.S. Representative and serves on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Select Revenue Measures, which has jurisdiction over tax policy. Our payroll tax fix will help lessen the damage of Donald Trump's payroll tax scam for military families and civil servants by minimizing the drop they see in individual paychecks. I thank the Ways and Means Committee staff for their work on this provision and for making it a priority in negotiations, said Beyer. Trump's promises of enhanced government paychecks were a lie, just as we warned, ultimately to be paid back after the election. Of course, Trump immediately dropped any pretense of using this policy to help people after Election Day. Now military families and federal workers will see that repayment spread across a much larger number of pay periods, minimizing their short-term decrease in income. In passing this payroll tax fix Congress is beginning the great task of cleaning up Donald Trump's mess, and we have so much more of that work to do. Beyer was an outspoken critic of the Administration's mandatory payroll tax deferrals for the military and civil service, and an earlier supporter of legislation to block the policy. Text of the provision extending the repayment period for deferred payroll taxes is contained in Section 274 (page 2003) of the Rules Committee print of the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4990 Beyer Statement On Relief Legislation 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who is expected to chair Congress' Joint Economic Committee in the coming session of Congress, issued the following statement today on the funding and relief legislative package expected to pass the House this evening: The legislation we pass today is a down payment on what Congress owes the American people. It is absolutely not mission accomplished.' This bill should be much bigger, it should put more money in people's pockets, it should provide more help and more certainty to the unemployed, and it should do more to boost the economy. It is better than nothing, but it is not nearly enough. The country needed this relief and this support for a more robust pandemic response long ago. Once again, as I said in March, the shortcomings in size, scope, and duration, and in the failure to help struggling state and local governments, make it clear even as we pass this legislation that Congress will have to pass another aid package next year. I hope Senate Republicans do not waste seven months denying the American people the assistance they need again in 2021. Beyer voted in favor of final passage for the full legislation. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-passage-of-fiscal-year-2021-omnibus-package-and-covid Scott Statement on Passage of Fiscal Year 2021 Omnibus Package and COVID-19 Relief 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCToday, Congressman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03), the Chairman of the Committee on Education and Labor,released the following statement in response to the House passage of the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Omnibus spending package and coronavirus relief proposal. Today, the House passed a bold spending package and coronavirus relief bill that reflects the priorities of House Democrats: Advancing equity in education, supporting America's workers, and expanding access to affordable health care. I am particularly pleased with the inclusion of provisions to drastically expand the Pell Grant program, repeal the ban on Pell eligibility among incarcerated students, and restore Pell Grant eligibility for students defrauded by their institutions. The package also streamlines theFree Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) and discharges loans made to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) under the HBCU Capital Financing Loan program, providing $1.34 billion in relief to these institutions. Additionally, the package permanently strikes the prohibition on the use of federal funds for transportation to promote school integrationa huge step toward fulfilling the promise ofBrown v. Board of Educationand desegregating America's public schools. The package also takes long overdue action to protect patients from surprise medical bills providing workers and families vital protections from unforeseen and exorbitant out of pocket costs. Finally, as the country continues to fight the spread of the coronavirus, Congress was able to secure much needed relief. To support students, educators, and parents, we secured $82 billion for schools and colleges and $10 billion for childcare assistance. To support workers, the bill provides a tax credit to employers who offer paid sick leave, increased flexibility for workforce development programs, and an extension of critical assistance for 14 million jobless workers. The bill also ensures millions of Ame… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3430 Spanberger Votes to Pass COVID-19 Emergency Relief Package & Government Funding Deal, Includes Spanberger’s Priorities to Support Central Virginia Families, Healthcare Providers, & Small Businesses 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today voted to pass a bipartisan, bicameral emergency relief package in response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Earlier this month, Spanberger helped kickstart relief negotiations and craft the bipartisan proposal that led to this legislation. The bipartisan relief package includes many Central Virginia priorities that Spanberger pushed to incorporate into the bill such as extended unemployment benefits, strong funding for COVID-19 vaccine distribution, additional loans for small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP), direct payments to individuals, telehealth investments, and assistance to independent entertainment venues. Additionally, the legislation extends the deadline for state and local governments to use Coronavirus Relief Fund (CRF) awards beyond the end-of-year deadline, allowing Central Virginia communities to continue ongoing COVID-19-related projects. This emergency relief legislation has the opportunity to provide Central Virginia families, businesses, healthcare workers, and schools with some degree of peace of mind as we approach the holidays. While additional relief is long overdue, today's progress should be a sign of hope that Congress can move forward including under the next administration in rebuilding our economy, ensuring the swift distribution of vaccines, and safely reopening schools and businesses, said Spanberger. I'd like to thank my fellow Members of the Problem Solvers Caucus as well as our colleagues in the U.S. Senate for coming together as leaders, hammering out our differences, and refusing to accept complacency in the face of a once-in-a-generation pandemic. This package is just a first step in putting our nation back on a pathway toward recovery, and I'll be pushing in the coming weeks and months for additional measures that will strengthen our economy, stamp out hunger, protect our most vulnerable neighbors, and combat the continued spread of this deadly virus. ChamberRVA, Greater Richmond's… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=436 McEachin-Wexton Joint Statement on the Removal of Robert E. Lee Statue from U.S. Capitol 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy In response to the removal of the Robert E. Lee statue from the U.S. Capitol crypt earlier this morning, U.S. Representatives Donald McEachin and Jennifer Wexton released the following statement: This is a historic and long-overdue moment for our Commonwealth. The Robert E. Lee statue honors a legacy of division, oppression, and racism -- a dark period in the history of our Commonwealth and our country. There is no reason his statue should be one of the two representing Virginia in the U.S. Capitol. We are proud to have led the effort in the House of Representatives to replace Lee's statue. It is thanks to Virginians across the Commonwealth who have stood up to demand a change that we will now have a figure who truly represents Virginia's values in the U.S. Capitol. Rep. Wexton, Senator Tim Kaine, and a representative from Rep. McEachin's office attended the removal of the statue, which was conducted in the crypt of the Capitol by staff from the Architect of the Capitol. The statue will be placed in the Virginia Museum of History & Culture. In December 2019, McEachin and Wextoncalled onGovernor Northam and Virginia General Assembly leaders to replace the statue, asking them to consider what monuments we can add to acknowledge the horrors of slavery, expose the injustices of institutional racism, and honor those who dedicated their lives to fighting for equality. Legislation passed the General Assembly this year to establish the Commission for Historical Statues in the U.S. Capitol. The Commission wastasked with studying the removal and replacement of the Robert E. Lee statue.The Commissionrecently selected Barbara Johnsas a replacement. That recommendation must be approved by the General Assembly during the upcoming 2021 Legislative Session. Images of the statue removal can be foundhereand should be accompanied by the attribution to Jack Mayer, Office of Governor Northam. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=437 Wexton Votes to Provide Urgent COVID Relief 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC --Today Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) voted to pass a bipartisan compromise package that delivers emergency relief to Virginia families and small businesses during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis. Included in the package is also a $1.4 trillion deal to fund the government through September. "The American people have been waiting months for relief, and today Congress did our job to help Virginia families and small businesses who are hurting,"said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton. "This deal is far from enough, but it is the product of bipartisan compromise and includes many of the priorities I've been fighting for since the spring -- including enhanced unemployment benefits, aid for the hardest-hit small businesses, and a federal rental assistance program. There is light at the end of the tunnel with vaccines on the way, but this pandemic is not behind us yet and more work will need to be done to see our community through to the other side of this crisis. I will continue working across the aisle to support those who are struggling and ensure a full and strong recovery." The bipartisan compromise relief deal includes many provisions that Congresswoman Wexton has fought months to pass. The legislation includes: $325 billion in aid for the hardest-hit small businesses including $284 billion for another round of forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans and other dedicated set-asides for small community-based lenders; Additional $300 weekly federal enhanced unemployment benefits through March 14, 2021 and an extension of eligibility for the self-employed, independent contractors, and gig workers; $25 billion in the first-ever emergency federal rent assistance program and a continuation of the federal eviction moratorium; $69 billion for the public health response, including $29 billion for vaccine procurement and distribution; $13 billion for a 15% increase in SNAP and child nutrition benefits; $600 direct payments for adults and children; $82 billion for scho… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3443 Wittman statement on voting YES to support First District Priorities, families, small businesses, and provide greater pandemic relief 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Robert Wittman W000804 wittman.house.gov     legacy Wittman statement on voting YES to support First District Priorities, families, small businesses, and provide greater pandemic relief f t # e Washington, December 21, 2020 Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) issued the following statement after voting in favor of theConsolidated Appropriations Act,which fully funds the government through September 30th, 2021, and provides additional COVID-19 pandemic relief, relief to small businesses, American workers, and more. The government funding and COVID-19 relief package Congress passed today is a critical funding bill that funds many of the priorities of the First Congressional District including increased and stable funding for our military, support for our Veterans, investments in broadband and our rural communities, assistance to our Law Enforcement Officers, andmuch-needed relief to millions of Americans. Despite months of delays, unnecessary posturing, and piles of ignored legislation by Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats, the package passed today reflects key bipartisan priorities. It includes vital provisions supporting our response to the pandemic, including targeted relief to small businesses, additional funding to speed vaccine production and distribution, and also provides assistance to reopening schools and rebuilding our economy. TheConsolidated Appropriations Actincludeskey government fundingdirectly advancedby Congressman Wittman: Creates a new $300 Million Broadband Grant Program, as advocated for in Congressman Wittman'sServing Rural America Act. Fully funds the Broadband DATA Act so federal funds can be more efficiently targeted to close the digital divide. Expands telehealth grants by funding the FCC to carry out the temporary telehealth pilot program authorized under the CARES Act. Allocates funding for two Virginia-Class su… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/rubio-warner-applaud-passage-of-intelligence-authorization-act-in-covid-19-package Rubio, Warner Applaud Passage of Intelligence Authorization Act in COVID-19 Package 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy Washington, D.C. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Acting Chairman Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA) applauded the upcoming passage of theIntelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021 (IAA)as part of the bipartisan, targeted COVID-19 relief package. The bill, which wasapprovedby the Committee on a bipartisan 14 - 1 vote on June 8, 2020 andpassedthe Senate on July 23, 2020 as part of the Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 National Defense Authorization Act, authorizes funding, provides legal authorities, and enhances Congressional oversight for the U.S. Intelligence Community. Recent events make it all too clear that our nation continues to face ever-expanding threats from hostile foreign actors, including China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea,Rubio said.It is vital that our Intelligence Community has the necessary resources, authorities, and personnel to protect America's national security, and the Senate Intelligence Committee's strong, bipartisan legislation does just that. Our bill also increases government efficiency and represents comprehensive Congressional oversight to ensure that these tools are executed responsibly and cost-effectively. I am happy to say that the Intelligence Authorization Act (IAA) for Fiscal Year 2021 was included in the compromise legislation. The IAA ensures that the women and men of America's Intelligence Community have the tools and resources they need to keep our country safe, and to ensure that decision makers are presented with the best intelligence, regardless of fear or favor. Passage of the IAA also ensures that Congress fulfills its mission of providing robust oversight of the nation's intelligence agencies. This bipartisan bill includes key measures to improve our national security and America's technological edge,Warner said. Background: The IAA for Fiscal Year 2021 ensures that the Intelligence Community can continue its critical work for our country while Congress continues its oversight, including in the following key areas: Deterring and unc… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-kaine-celebrate-senate-passage-of-bills-renaming-hopewell-leesburg-midlothian-post-offices-after-virginiansa Warner & Kaine Applaud Passage of Government Funding Bill that Includes COVID-19 Relief 2020-12-21 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine applauded Senate passage of the bipartisan, bicameral spending bill to fund federal programs crucial to Virginia and keep the federal government open through 2021. The legislation also includes comprehensive measures to help Americans amid the ongoing economic and public health crisis caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Following today's Senate passage, the bill now heads to the President's desk for signature. For nine long months, folks waited for Congress to deliver critical relief as they watched COVID-19 further devastate their communities. Today, despite that unacceptable delay, relief is officially on its way,said Warner.I'm proud to have worked with a bipartisan group of colleagues to help get this legislation into shape and in the hands of House and Senate leaders. And while I know that this bill is not perfect, I'm glad to know that it will help American families weather this winter and get through the holidays. While this relief should have been passed much earlier, I'm pleased to see families, small businesses, hospitals, schools, and more get the assistance they need,Kaine said.This legislation makes critical investments in unemployment assistance, food aid, housing assistance, and other areas to directly help those struggling amid the pandemic. Though we still have more work to do to help Americans get back on their feet, I'm relieved Congress was able to come to this bipartisan compromise and fund these priorities before the holidays. The following list includes some of the priorities Warner and Kaine advocated: Assistance for out of work Virginians:Extends federal unemployment insurance (UI) benefits, preventing hundreds of thousands of out-of-work Virginians from losing benefits over the holidays. The senators were cosponsors of thelegislationthat provided the model for Pandemic Unemployment Assistance (PUA), through which more than 9 million Americans are currently receiving benefits. More recently, the Senators called onlead… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4988 Beyer Statement Marking Three Years Since Passage Of Republican Tax Bill 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who is expected to chair Congress' Joint Economic Committee in the next session of Congress, issued the following statement today on the three-year anniversary of the passage of the 2017 Republican tax bill: In negotiating pandemic relief legislation, Senate Republicans argued it would be too expensive to send Americans even one more round of $1,200 checks. Three years ago today they passed tax cuts for large corporations they claimed would pay for themselves,' a claim they knew to be false. Senate Republicans have reportedly cut the enhanced federal benefits in half from CARES Act levels, and halved the duration of federal unemployment benefits compared to House-passed legislation. Three years ago they passed an extraordinarily regressive tax bill that gave most benefits to the very wealthy. Today Senate Republicans are fighting to limit or reduce food and rental assistance to needy families on the edge of disaster. Three years ago these same Senate Republicans passed legislation with a provision that exclusively benefitted households worth over $22 million. Three years ago the economy was still riding the wave of the Obama recovery, and Senate Republicans shrugged off long term fiscal concerns as they cut taxes for millionaires. Today, as Senate Republicans penny-pinch working people, American families are racked with fear and uncertainty, many are suffering some of the worst economic misery they have ever seen. The contrast is utterly appalling. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/education-leaders-celebrate-higher-education-agreement-in-fy21-omnibus Education Leaders Celebrate Higher Education Agreement in FY21 Omnibus 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCToday, following the release of the Fiscal Year 2021 (FY21) Omnibus bill text, Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment Chair Susan Davis (CA-53), and Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Chair Alma Adams (NC-12) celebrated the major Democratic priorities for higher education included in the spending bill. The bill expands the Pell Grant program, which will result in hundreds of thousands of students becoming newly eligible for Pell and millions of current recipients receiving larger awards. The bill also repeals the ban on Pell eligibility among incarcerated students and restores Pell Grant eligibility for students defrauded by their institutions. To ensure students get the financial support they need, the bill streamlines theFree Application for Federal Student Aid(FAFSA) and eliminates a confusing and punitive restriction that limits eligibility for subsidized federal loans among low-income students. Finally, the legislation discharges loans made to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) under the HBCU Capital Financing Loan program, providing $1.34 billion in relief to these institutions. This bipartisan agreement is a significant step toward making higher education more affordable for millions of Americans. The package released today includesawide range of provisions secured by House Democrats that will make federal grants and loans more accessible and more generous, particularly for our most vulnerable students,said Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott.Congress has a responsibility to expand access to quality higher education, which remains the surest path to the middle class. While this is not the comprehensive overhaul of theHigher Education Actand there is still work to be done, this proposal will help millions of students. I'm pleased House Democrats secured these sweeping reforms on behalf of students across the country. "The omnibus agreement provides incre… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-statement-coronavirus-relief-and-omnibus-agreement McEachin Statement on Coronavirus Relief and Omnibus Agreement 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA A. McEachin M001200 mceachin.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04)today released the following statement regarding the announced agreement on a new COVID-19 relief package: "More federal support can't come quickly enough for struggling Virginia families, workers and small businesses. "While this package cannot mark the end of our efforts to provide COVID-19 relief and Congress has more work to do to provide support for state and local government, I am pleased that today's agreement includes nearly $1 trillion in critical funding for unemployment insurance, rental assistance, small businesses, and other essential support Virginians need to stay afloat during this crisis. "I look forward to quickly passing this relief measure and delivering these funds including direct relief payments for Virginia families to the people of the Commonwealth as soon as possible. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/statement-of-sen-warner-on-bipartisan-covid-19-relief Statement of Sen. Warner on Bipartisan COVID-19 Relief 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released a statement today after congressional leaders announced a bipartisan, bicameral deal to provide emergency COVID-19 relief: Ten months into the pandemic, millions of American families, workers, and small businesses are still struggling. With unemployment benefits set to run out the day after Christmas and families facing eviction in the New Year, Congress cannot afford to delay help any longer. That's why I worked with a group of my colleagues to put together a relief deal that could get bipartisan support in Congress. I'm pleased that congressional leaders took up our proposal and have finally announced long-awaited help for families, students, small businesses, health care providers, and schools to get through at least the next few months of this crisis. Today's announcement was made possible in large part by the work of Sen. Warner and a group of colleagues, who broke an 8-month-long partisan logjam over relief negotiations by putting forwarda bipartisan, bicameral compromise frameworkafter Thanksgiving to provide much-needed relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The legislation announced today by congressional leaders draws heavily on thebill drafted by Sen. Warner and his colleagues. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/statement-of-u-s-sen-mark-r-warner-on-section-230-hearing Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on COVID-19 Relief Deal 2020-12-20 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released a statement today after congressional leaders announced a bipartisan, bicameral deal to provide emergency COVID-19 relief: Ten months into the pandemic, millions of American families, workers, and small businesses are still struggling. With unemployment benefits set to run out the day after Christmas and families facing eviction in the New Year, Congress cannot afford to delay help any longer. That's why I worked with a group of my colleagues to put together a relief deal that could get bipartisan support in Congress. I'm pleased that congressional leaders took up our proposal and have finally announced long-awaited help for families, students, small businesses, health care providers, and schools to get through at least the next few months of this crisis. Today's announcement was made possible in large part by the work of Sen. Warner and a group of colleagues, who broke an 8-month-long partisan logjam over relief negotiations by putting forwarda bipartisan, bicameral compromise frameworkafter Thanksgiving to provide much-needed relief to American students, families, businesses, workers, and health care providers during this crisis. The legislation announced today by congressional leaders draws heavily on thebill drafted by Sen. Warner and his colleagues. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4987 Beyer Introduces Legislation To Support Research Into Long Term Effects Of Coronavirus Infection 2020-12-19 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer this week introduced the COVID-19 Long Haulers Act, which would authorize and fund research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PICORI) to benefit so-called long haulers, people who experience long term effects of COVID-19 infections. From the beginning of the pandemic medical researchers have documented a wide array of lingering conditions affecting patients long after they recover from initial infection, but leading public health officials say more research is needed to fully understand and respond to the phenomenon. Over ten months after coronavirus was first documented in the United States, some of the worst suffering is still being borne by people who got sick and recovered from their initial infections early in the year, said Beyer. Given the alarming pace of the virus' spread right now, we may see significant proliferation of individuals suffering long term effects of coronavirus infections. We need to do everything we can as soon as we can to help those people, and to get a handle on this problem. My bill would make major investments in research funding at leading institutions, and make this a major priority for American medical research. Beyer serves on the House Committee on Ways and Means, which has partial jurisdiction over health care. He previously led successful efforts to reauthorize and fund the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute (PCORI), spearheaded a House push to fund the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), and is the sponsor of legislation to ensure data transparency at the CDC during the COVID-19 pandemic. Text of the COVID-19 Long Haulers Act is available here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-receives-covid-19-vaccine Scott Receives COVID-19 Vaccine 2020-12-19 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after receiving the COVID-19 vaccine: In order to ensure the continuity of government, the Attending Physician of the United States Congress has recommended that Members of Congress begin receiving the FDA-approved Pfizer/BioNTech COVID-19 vaccine. I am no more important than any of the people I was elected by and have the privilege to serve in Congress. However, recognizing the importance in boosting the public's confidence in the safety and efficacy of this vaccine and ensuring that Congress is able to continue to fully function in light of this surging pandemic, I decided to follow the Attending Physician's recommendation and was vaccinated earlier today. The approval of multiple effective vaccines to combat the coronavirus has been a moment of great hope for many across the nation. Too many lives and livelihoods have been lost to this pandemic, and the distribution of vaccines marks the beginning of the end of this terrible time in our history. As we wait for the vaccine to be widely distributed across the country, we must all continue to follow Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidance by wearing masks in public and observing social distancing. By following those guidelines and having faith in science and the vaccine, we will all finally end this pandemic together. The letter from the Attending Physician of the United States Congress to Members of Congress can be accessed here. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3428 ICYMI: Spanberger Hosts Telephone Town Hall with Virginia Secretary of Health & Human Resources Dr. Daniel Carey, Answers Questions Focused on Healthcare, Economic Issues Facing Central Virginians Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic 2020-12-19 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger this week hosted an open, public telephone town hall focused on issues facing Central Virginia families, businesses, healthcare providers, schools, and more. During the town hall, Spanberger was joined by Virginia Secretary of Health and Human Resources Dr. Daniel Carey to answer questions directly from Central Virginians about the range of healthcare and economic issues facing the Seventh District. Spanberger and Carey discussed constituent concerns related to COVID-19 vaccines, ongoing COVID-19 relief discussions in Congress, unemployment assistance, broadband internet access, and several additional topics. Click here to watch the full event. As we head toward the holidays, my office continues to receive hundreds of requests for assistance related to healthcare, hunger, housing, and unemployment concerns. This pandemic has brought hardships and uncertainty to every community here in Virginia and there remains a dire need for Congress to deliver immediate, much-needed relief to the American people, said Spanberger. This week's town hall was an important opportunity to hear directly from Central Virginians about their current concerns related to the wellbeing of their families, their businesses, and our Commonwealth. I'd like to thank Secretary Carey for bringing his expertise and his insight to this event, and I'll keep fighting to protect our most vulnerable neighbors, keep our healthcare workers safe, and provide some degree of peace of mind to our small businesses in the face of this ongoing crisis. Wednesday's telephone town hall was Spanberger's 10th free, public telephone town hall since the COVID-19 pandemic began. These events have focused on the impacts of the virus on Central Virginia families, small businesses, students, and seniors. Click here to access additional town hall recordings. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402400 Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems to Receive $2,087,196 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems to Receive $2,087,196 The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $2,087,196 to Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems headquartered in Saltville. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: Community health centers provide care to many in Southwest Virginia, and during the coronavirus outbreak they have a critical role to play. The distribution of $2,087,196 in funds to Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems will help promote accessible and quality health care for those who rely upon them. This will support the hard work and expert care provided by the professionals at our community health centers. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/va-and-md-senators-urge-incoming-biden-administration-to-protect-tps-holders- Va. & Md. Senators Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Protect TPS Holders 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 18, 2020 Va. & Md. Senators Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Protect TPS Holders ~ Senators Also Urge Immediate Protection for Nationals of Central American Countries Devastated by Hurricanes Eta and Iota ~ WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD)today sent a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging him to take swift action once confirmed to protect 58,000 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients living in Virginia and Maryland alone. Currently, TPS status for thousands of beneficiaries continues to be in jeopardy due to ongoing legal efforts by the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In a letter to DHS Secretary-Designate Mayorkas, the Senators applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to protect current TPS holders and its pledge to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States. The Senators also ask the incoming administration to take immediate executive actions to provide stability for TPS recipients and their families from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Sudan. We write today to reiterate our support for immediate action to protect the hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients whose continued lawful status in the country remains in jeopardy as a result of the Trump Administration's efforts to terminate their protections and to urge you to promptly issue additional TPS designations and redesignations based upon a sober assessment of country conditions and an exercise of your clear statutory authority. We are pleased that President-elect Biden has pledged to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States, something for which we have advocated. It is critical, especially during the ongoing public health and economic crises brought on by the… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4983 New Beyer Legislation Would Require Publication Of Schedules For Heads Of Executive Agencies 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy New Beyer Legislation Would Require Publication Of Schedules For Heads Of Executive Agencies Rep. Don Beyer today introduced the Transparent Leadership Act, which would require the publication of schedules and speeches for the heads of Executive Branch agencies. Beyer began working on the legislation in response to calendar scandals for disgraced ex-EPA Administrator Scott Pruit and disgraced ex-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke, and introduced it as a similar scandal embroiled disgraced Postmaster General Louis DeJoy. The American people deserve to know what the public officials who lead their government are saying and doing while drawing taxpayer-funded salaries, said Beyer. The Trump era has been a time of incredible and unacceptable opacity from the heads of U.S. government agencies, who clearly had a great deal to hide from the public. My legislation would put an end to the era of secret schedules. Beyer was a vociferous critic of both Pruitt and Zinke prior to their dismissals, and has previously called for the resignation of Postmaster General DeJoy. Text of the Transparent Leadership Act is available here. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4984 Beyer Receives Coronavirus Vaccine 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer, who represents the Northern Virginia suburbs of the nation's capital, today received a vaccination for coronavirus [pictures below]. Beyer said: Upon medical advice and the recommendation of the Attending Physician, I received a coronavirus vaccine this afternoon. I am mindful that millions of Americans are still waiting for shots they will get after me, many of whom are workers on the front lines of this pandemic. I do not believe that I am more important than they are, but as national leaders it is important to lead by example. The message from scientists and doctors is clear: the vaccines which have been approved are safe, and they will save lives. A vaccine has been made available to Congress because of the need for continuity of government operations. Anyone who is given the opportunity to receive this vaccine is given an opportunity to protect people around them, and to fight the spread of this awful virus. Everyone should take this opportunity as soon as they can. I will continue working in Congress to help ensure that everyone can get a vaccination as soon as possible. Beyer helped author a provision with Rep. Joe Courtney earlier this year to make coronavirus vaccinations free for the American people, a version of which was subsequently enacted as part of the CARES Act. He is also the author of legislation to address health care disparities in coronavirus treatment. Beyer was previously one of the first Members of Congress to self-quarantine after a coronavirus exposure, one of the first Members of Congress to wear a mask on the House Floor, and was the first U.S. Representative to cast a proxy vote on behalf of a member of the opposing party. Beyer has been a forceful advocate for following listening to scientists and following public health measures, including vocal criticism of colleagues and national leaders who endangered lives by ignoring masking and distancing directives. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3427 Spanberger Statement on Stopgap Government Funding Bill, Status of COVID-19 Negotiations 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after supporting a short-term funding agreement in the U.S. House to prevent the federal government from shutting down this evening. Tonight's vote is just one more example of a broken pattern of moving from one impending budgetary disaster to another. Congress repeatedly refuses to respond to fast-approaching funding deadlines, even though it has months to prepare and plan for these moments. In just a few days, Congress will once again need to vote to maintain the very functioning of our government. The American people deserve better than watching their elected officials use federal employees, government operations, and the security of our borders, airways, and country as bargaining tools particularly when both parties should be in agreement on the obvious and long-overdue need for emergency COVID-19 relief. Early in this pandemic, Congress responded to the COVID-19 crisis as a united, bipartisan front but as a dire, painful need for aid persisted throughout the country, lawmakers in both parties abandoned that spirit. They refused to hammer out their differences and recognize the severity of the crisis at hand. In this current moment when millions of Americans are facing hunger, eviction, or the effects of a job loss, Congress cannot delay in passing a relief package. As we rapidly approach the holidays, I will keep fighting to make sure that neither the House nor the Senate head home until a bipartisan, bicameral bill is sent to the President's desk and signed into law. Central Virginians have waited far too long for progress. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/bipartisan-bicameral-group-finish-what-we-started Bipartisan, Bicameral Group: Finish What We Started 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy Washington, DC Today, U.S. Sen.s Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Susan Collins (R-ME), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Representatives Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) and Tom Reed (R-NY-23) called on Congress to deliver immediate COVID-19 relief to the American people. Earlier this week, the Senators and the Problem Solvers Caucusshared two bills, one of which, thebipartisanCOVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020, is serving as the framework for the final COVID-19 relief package. Today we find ourselves in the middle of a global pandemic that has taken the lives of more than 310,000 Americans, and hours away from a government shutdown that threatens to delay urgent aid to people in need throughout the nation. We must set our differences aside. The American people elected us to govern on their behalf, and at a time when they need us more than ever we must end the partisan games and meet this moment together for the good of the country. On Monday, our bipartisan, bicameral group presented a bill that helps provide for the emergency needs of the millions of families struggling to make ends meet. Once again, we encourage the leaders to finish what we started and deliver immediate assistance to the workers, families and businesses that need it most. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/statement-of-sen-mark-r-warner-on-facebook-s-decision-to-finally-ban-qanon-from-its-platforms Statement of Sen. Warner on Proposal to Hamstring 13(3) Authority 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), a member of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, released a statement today: Legal experts, senior banking officials, and former Republican and Democratic regulatory officials all agree: the proposal to pull back on the Fed's 13(3) authority would set a terrible precedent, hurt the Fed's independence, and weaken its ability to respond quickly to future crises. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/va-md-senators-urge-incoming-biden-administration-to-protect-tps-holders Va. & Md. Senators Urge Incoming Biden Administration to Protect TPS Holders 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) and Sens. Ben Cardin and Chris Van Hollen (both D-MD)today sent a letter to Alejandro Mayorkas, President-elect Biden's nominee for Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), urging him to take swift action once confirmed to protect 58,000 Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients living in Virginia and Maryland alone. Currently, TPS status for thousands of beneficiaries continues to be in jeopardy due to ongoing legal efforts by the Trump Administration to terminate the program. In a letter to DHS Secretary-Designate Mayorkas, the Senators applaud the Biden Administration's commitment to protect current TPS holders and its pledge to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States. The Senators also ask the incoming administration to take immediate executive actions to provide stability for TPS recipients and their families from El Salvador, Haiti, Honduras, Nicaragua, Nepal, and Sudan. We write today to reiterate our support for immediate action to protect the hundreds of thousands of Temporary Protected Status (TPS) recipients whose continued lawful status in the country remains in jeopardy as a result of the Trump Administration'sefforts to terminate their protections and to urge you to promptly issue additional TPS designations and redesignations based upon a sober assessment of country conditions and an exercise of your clear statutory authority. We are pleased that President-elect Biden has pledged to grant TPS to Venezuelans already in the United States, something for which we have advocated. It is critical, especially during the ongoing public health and economic crises brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, for the Biden-Harris Administration to act quickly to provide clarity and long-term stability to TPS recipients in our communities,wrote the Senators to DHS Secretary-Desginate Alejandro Mayorkas. In their letter, the Senators highlight that over the past four years, the Trump Administration has taken action to termina… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-on-the-solarwinds-hack-that-has-compromised-u-s-federal-agencies Warner on the SolarWinds Hack that has Compromised U.S. Federal Agencies 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence and Co-Chair of the Senate Cybersecurity Caucus, released the following statement: The SolarWinds hack is a devastating breach of U.S. networks and once again shows that the President and the White House are not taking this issue seriously enough. An incident of this magnitude and lasting impact requires an engaged and public response by the U.S. government, led by a President who understands the significance of this intrusion and who is actively marshaling a domestic remediation strategy and an international response. As we learn about the wider impact of this malign effort with the potential for wider compromise of critical global technology vendors and their products it is essential that we see an organized and concerted federal response. It is extremely troubling that the President does not appear to be acknowledging, much less acting upon, the gravity of this situation. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-portman-blumenthal-grassley-urge-lighthizer-to-not-include-tech-liability-shield-in-us-uk-trade-agreement Warner, Portman, Blumenthal, Grassley Urge Lighthizer to Not Include Tech Liability Shield in US-UK Trade Agreement 2020-12-18 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner (D-VA), Rob Portman (R-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), and Charles E. Grassley (R-IA) sent a letter to U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer, urging the Trump Administration to refrain from including sweeping liability protection language modeled on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996 in a trade agreement between the United States and the United Kingdom. We are optimistic that a new trade agreement with the United Kingdom will ensure fair, balanced, and reciprocal trade. But we want to note that we have concerns with the inclusion of safe harbor language modeled on Section 230 of the Communications Decency Actof 1996,wrote the Senators. Including a safe harbor clause in any future trade agreements will further allocate more power to companies at the expense of individuals. They continued,Congress can and should debate about Section 230 and how it has enabled platforms to turn a blind eye as their platforms are used to facilitate discrimination, cyber-stalking, terrorism, online frauds, and more. We urge USTR to refrain from including this provision in this and future free trade agreements until that debate has concluded. A copy of the letter isavailablehereand text can be foundbelow. Dear Ambassador Lighthizer: We support strengthening trade relations between the United States and the United Kingdom through a potential free trade agreement. That relationship would not be improved, however, by a trade agreement that includes safe harbor language similar to Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act of 1996. As an initial matter, Congress is not requesting, let alone requiring, the Administration to include this type of liability protection in our trade agreements. Trade promotion authority, which establishes the United States' negotiating objectives for trade agreements, calls for recogniz[ing] the significance of the internet as a trading platform in international commerce not for providing blanket immunity to bad actors … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-more-than-18-million-in-federal-funds-to-boost-economic-independence-in-virginia- Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funds to Boost Economic Independence in Virginia 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 17, 2020 Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funds to Boost Economic Independence in Virginia WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $1,879,967 in federal funding to help Virginians in 19 localities reduce their dependency on federal assistance and rental subsidies. The funding, awarded throughthe Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program atthe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will help connect Virginia families to public and private resources that help them increase their earned income and transition to more stable housing. These funds will empower Virginia families by providing educational opportunities, job training, and counseling to help them make lasting progress towards economic independence, said the Senators. We applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking this approach to give Virginians the tools they need to increase their income and move up the economic ladder. The funding will be distributed as follows: Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $78,659; Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $49,627; Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $167,400; City of Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $151,470; City of Virginia Beach Department ofHousing: $56,347; Loudoun County: $74,080; Danville Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $24,818; Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $152,078; Franklin Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $60,000; Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $60,152; Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $35,103; Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $72,000; James City County Office of Housing & Community Development: $28,500; Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $112,031; Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $360,000; Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $226,656; Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Auth… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=4979 Beyer Statement On Selection Of Barbara Johns For Virginia Statue To Replace Robert E. Lee In U.S. Capitol 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Donald Beyer B001292 beyer.house.gov     legacy Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) issued the following statement today on the announcement that a Virginia commission had selected Barbara Johns as the subject of a statue to replace Confederate General Robert E. Lee in the National Statuary Hall Collection of the U.S. Capitol: Barbara Johns was a pioneer in the Civil Rights movement who helped desegregate schools in Virginia and across the country. Her courage and bravery still are not sufficiently appreciated by the country she helped make more just, and it is my hope that this new statue will help make more people aware of her contributions. As we continue to reckon with the history of racism and slavery in Virginia and the United States, it is fitting that we replace symbols of those wrongs with imagery of heroes who helped right them. This is a model that other states should follow, and a step forward for our Commonwealth that makes me proud. I look forward to seeing Barbara Johns' statue in the U.S. Capitol. Beyer introduced legislation earlier this week to remove the designation of Arlington House as a memorial to Robert E. Lee, and voted last week for legislation that included a measure to rename military bases currently named after Confederate generals. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-accompanied-medical-professionals-host-telephone-town-hall-focused Rep. Cline, Accompanied by Medical Professionals, to Host Telephone Town Hall Focused on COVID-19 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Ben Cline C001118 cline.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) announced that he will host a District-wide Telephone Town Hall. Cline will be joined on this call by the Chairman of the Congressional Doctors Caucus, Representative Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01), and Dr. Laura Kornegay, Health Director for the Central Shenandoah Health District. The telephone town hall will take place Monday, December 21, 2020, from 6:30p.m. 7:30p.m. Constituents planning to participate should register atcline.house.gov/live or dial (855) 933-0825 during the time of the call. I look forward to hearing from constituents and providing them with the latest information regarding the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine, Cline said. This telephone town hall will allow me the opportunity to engage directly with those I represent and answer any questions related to the coronavirus pandemic. This event will mark the seventh telephone town hall held by Congressman Cline since March and the thirty-second overall since taking office. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1062 Rep. Cline, Accompanied by Medical Professionals, to Host Telephone Town Hall Focused on COVID-19 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Republican House VA Ben Cline C001118 cline.house.gov cline https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27 scraper Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) announced that he will host a District-wide Telephone Town Hall. Cline will be joined on this call by the Chairman of the Congressional Doctors Caucus, Representative Phil Roe, M.D. (TN-01), and Dr. Laura Kornegay, Health Director for the Central Shenandoah Health District. The telephone town hall will take place Monday, December 21, 2020, from 6:30p.m. – 7:30p.m. Constituents planning to participate should register at cline.house.gov/live or dial (855) 933-0825 during the time of the call. "I look forward to hearing from constituents and providing them with the latest information regarding the recently approved COVID-19 vaccine," Cline said. "This telephone town hall will allow me the opportunity to engage directly with those I represent and answer any questions related to the coronavirus pandemic." This event will mark the seventh telephone town hall held by Congressman Cline since March and the thirty-second overall since taking office. Congressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children. 1 2026-03-30T01:40:41Z 2026-06-28T00:42:23Z
https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/mceachin-applauds-president-elect-bidens-climate-nominations McEachin Applauds President-Elect Biden's Climate Nominations 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA A. McEachin M001200 mceachin.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04)today released the following statement after President-elect Biden nominated Gina McCarthy and Michael Regan to serve as White House Climate Coordinator and EPA Administrator: "Addressing the devastating impacts of our climate crisis must be one of the incoming Biden administration's top priorities, and the President-elect is sending an important message by nominating Gina McCarthy and Michael Regan to serve as White House Climate Coordinator and EPA Administrator. "President-elect Biden has been clear that climate change is the challenge that will define our future. Both of his nominees are ready on day-one to meet this moment and get to work on the greatest challenge facing our country and our world. "I look forward to working alongside the Biden administration from Congress to prioritize both an inclusive, clean energy future and federal investment in transitional communities, creating millions of good-paying jobs and protecting our planet for generations to come." 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=435 Wexton Appointed to Serve on House Appropriations Committee 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC --Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) was appointed to the House Appropriations Committee for the 117thCongress by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. I am honored to receive an appointment to the House Appropriations Committee, and thrilled that Virginia and the 10th Congressional District will once again be represented on this important committee,said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.We have a lot of work to do to provide robust support for a strong recovery, invest in chronically underfunded agencies and programs, and fix our country's broken infrastructure. I will work tirelessly on behalf of my constituents, including tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors, and be a strong voice for the priorities of the Commonwealth. The House Appropriations Committee is one of the most powerful committees in Congress. The Committee oversees 12 spending bills that fund most of the functions of the federal government. Congresswoman Wexton will be the only Virginian on the Committee, restoring a long history of the Commonwealth having a voice in the appropriations process. The 116th Congress saw no Virginia representative on the Committee for the first time in over a century. Former Representatives Frank Wolf, who previously held Wexton's seat, and Jim Moran were both long serving committee members who successfully advocated for many of Virginia's priorities such as Metro funding, support for road and other infrastructure improvements, and defense and national security projects. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/senate-approves-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-federal-financial-management Senate Approves Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Federal Financial Management 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. The United States Senate this week approved the CFO Vision Act of 2020, S. 3287, legislationby Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY) to strengthen federal financial management. The bipartisan bill would update the Chief Financial Officers (CFO) Act of 1990. That law established a financial management leadership structure, provided for long-range planning, and required audited financial statements. Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Chairman Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Ranking Member Gary Peters (D-MI), as well as Senators James Lankford (R-OK), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Kyrsten Sinema (D-AZ), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), David Perdue (R-GA), Kelly Loeffler (R-GA) and Mike Braun (R-IN) also cosponsored the CFO Vision Act. The Data Coalition, Citizens Against Government Waste, the Project on Government Oversight, National Taxpayers Union, Truth in Accounting, R Street Institute, Taxpayers for Common Sense, Americans for Prosperity, Government Accountability Project and Grant Thornton, among others, have endorsed the legislation. It's been 30 years since theChief Financial Officers (CFO) Actwas signed into law, equipping our federal agencies with critical financial management tools. However, since its enactment three decades ago, there has been a growing need to modernize these processes to meet the challenges of today and improve government-wide financial management,said Sen. Warner.I'm pleased the Senate passed our bipartisanCFO Vision Actto help federal agencies improve their financial management, and ultimately boost performance through more informed strategic policy decision making. Most importantly, it will help renew Americans' trust that their government is making smart, informed decisions about how we use taxpayer dollars. This important legislation, which modernizes federal financial management, will help ensure the federal government's financial information is complete, reliable, timely and consistent,said Chairman Enzi. Most importantly, … 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-joins-menendez-brown-warren-in-slamming-implementation-of-trump-s-executive-order-prohibiting-diversity-and-inclusion-trainings Warner Joins Menendez, Brown, Warren in Slamming Implementation of Trumps Executive Order Prohibiting Diversity and Inclusion Trainings 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-Va.) joined Sens. Bob Menendez (D-N.J.), Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) in a letter to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) opposing the implementation of President Trump's recent Executive Order prohibiting federal agencies, contractors and grant recipients from using workplace diversity and inclusion trainings that promote divisive concepts. In an OMB memo, Director Russell Vought said trainings that include terms such as systemic racism, white privilege and unconscious bias are likely included in that prohibition. As a result, many entities, including hospitals, community health centers, colleges and universities, and non-profit organizations that hold contracts with the federal government have cancelled or delayed their trainings. The Executive Order and the Administration's implementation actions to date are already stifling much-needed efforts in our states to reduce racial and sex-based discrimination. There is widespread uncertainty regarding the scope of the Executive Order, and some entities have cancelled their diversity and inclusion trainings altogether out of fear of losing federal funding,the Senators wrote in a letter to OMB Director Vought.Given that the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has exposed our nation's stark racial inequities and other health disparities, the Administration should focus on reducing racial and sex-based discrimination rather than engaging in ill-informed political stunts. We urge you to immediately halt your efforts to implement this propagandist and deeply harmful Executive Order. The lawmakers pointed out that legitimate diversity and inclusion training would not promote repugnant ideas such as the inherent superiority' of a particular race and that a training that promoted those ideas are already illegal under longstanding anti-discrimination laws. The Senators then slammed the Administration for showing a complete disregard and misunderstanding of the racial equity movements in the country. However… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-1-8-million-in-federal-funds-to-boost-economic-independence-in-va Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $1.8 Million in Federal Funds to Boost Economic Independence in VA 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sens. Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine (both D-VA) announced $1,879,967 in federal funding to help Virginians in 19 localities reduce their dependency on federal assistance and rental subsidies. The funding, awarded throughthe Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) Program atthe U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) will help connect Virginia families to public and private resources that help them increase their earned income and transition to more stable housing. These funds will empower Virginia families by providing educational opportunities, job training, and counseling to help them make lasting progress towards economic independence, said the Senators. We applaud the Department of Housing and Urban Development for taking this approach to give Virginians the tools they need to increase their income and move up the economic ladder. The funding will be distributed as follows: Alexandria Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $78,659; Bristol Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $49,627; Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $167,400; City of Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $151,470; City of Virginia Beach Department ofHousing: $56,347; Loudoun County: $74,080; Danville Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $24,818; Fairfax County Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $152,078; Franklin Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $60,000; Hampton Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $60,152; Harrisonburg Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $35,103; Hopewell Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $72,000; James City County Office of Housing & Community Development: $28,500; Newport News Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $112,031; Norfolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $360,000; Portsmouth Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $226,656; Richmond Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $72,000; Suffolk Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $52,368; Waynesboro Redevelopment & Housing Authority: $48,638. The F… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-leads-colleagues-in-urging-relief-for-foster-youth-facing-unique-covid-19-challenges Warner Leads Colleagues in Urging Relief for Foster Youth Facing Unique COVID-19 Challenges 2020-12-17 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) led Sens.Ron Wyden (D-OR), Angus King (I-ME), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Tim Kaine (D-VA), Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Bernie Sanders (I-VT), Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), andCory Booker (D-NJ) in urging the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to provide relief for young people in the foster care system as they continue to face a number of unique challenges as a result of the COVID-19 crisis.In a letter to Assistant Secretary Lynn Johnson, the Senators asked that HHS work with states to extend relief to foster families and implement temporary and long-term changes to help foster youth weather this crisis and secure a better future. Almost all families in the United States have had to make significant adjustments in their daily lives due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, for the children and young adults in our nation's foster care system, periods of change and adjustment are not new,wrote the Senators.Foster youth have survived a lifetime of uncertainty before and after entering foster care. The serious health challenges and economic downturn brought by the COVID-19 pandemic have merely exacerbated existing challenges faced by the approximately 424,000 children in the foster care system and the more than 20,400 young adults whoage out'of foster care each year. As of December10, 2020,over 70million applications for unemployment benefits had been filed since March 21, 2020. Given this high unemployment ratethe highest we have seen in the U.S. in recent memorywe are increasingly concerned about the potentially dire consequences foster youth may face during the economic recession brought on by the pandemic,they continued.Even before the public health emergency, only about half of youth aging out of the foster care system each year were anticipated to have some form of gainful employment by the age of 24. We believe that if temporary changes are made to strengthen support and resources for fos… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-commission-selection-of-barbara-johns-to-represent-virginia-in-us-capitol Kaine Statement on Commission Selection of Barbara Johns to Represent Virginia in U.S. Capitol 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 16, 2020 Kaine Statement on Commission Selection of Barbara Johns to Represent Virginia in U.S. Capitol WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement today upon the Commission on Historical Statues' selection of Barbara Johns to represent Virginia in the U.S. Capitol Building: Brave, patriotic, and pioneering, Barbara Johns represents the best of Virginia. Her statue will serve as a testament to the power of young people who stand up for themselves, their peers, and their rights under the Constitution. And a little child shall lead them.' When Kaine was Governor, he unveiled the Civil Rights Memorial featuring Barbara Johns and others on Virginia Capitol Square. ### Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/us-lawmakers-press-prison-authorities-on-inmate-covid-19-vaccination-plans U.S. lawmakers press prison authorities on inmate COVID-19 vaccination plans 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON (Reuters) - More than two dozen members of the U.S. Congress on Wednesday called on federal prison and health officials for details about how inmates will be vaccinated for COVID-19, questioning whether the most vulnerable prisoners will have priority access. In a letter to Federal Bureau of Prisons director Michael Carvajal and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention chief Dr. Robert Redfield, 26 lawmakers, led by Democratic Representative Bobby Scott, expressed concerns about the prison system's existing plan for vaccine distribution. We are deeply concerned that the current plan places the most vulnerable incarcerated individuals ... behind incarcerated individuals in minimum security facilities the Congress members' letter said. It said that under present plans, prisoners who are in open bay housing would get the virus before prisoners under tighter incarceration. The Bureau of Prisons did not immediately respond to a request for comment. COVID-19 is spreading four times faster in prisons than the general public, the letter said, adding that the virus is moving through the prison population three times faster than it did on commercial cruise ships at the start of the pandemic. The pandemic has already killed more than 300,000 people across the United States and infection rates have hit record highs with the return of cold weather, even as the first, limited round here of vaccinations began this week. Prisoners and prison employees are at high risk of transmitting the virus due to close conditions. The letter asks for details on how prison authorities and public health officials are collaborating to ensure that COVID-19 vaccines are expeditiously administered to prisoners and requests details for when prison staff, prisoners in high-risk infection categories and then all individuals now held in federal prisons will get vaccinations. 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-announces-winner-of-congressional-app-challenge Scott Announces Winner of Congressional App Challenge 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy NEWPORT NEWS, VA Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) announced the winners of the annual Congressional App Challenge in Virginia's Third Congressional District. AbdallaElrahhal, a junior atDenbigh High School andNew Horizons Regional Education Center,was selected as the winner. Elrahhal submittedSpeedyCPR,an app designed to call 911whiledisplayingvideo instructionsand demonstrationsforperforming cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). I participated in the Congressional App Challenge so I could challenge myself and see if I could accomplish the goal, Elrahhal stated. This year over 6,000 students across the United States participated in the2020challenge.These students created and submitted 1,851 apps. In all,308 Members of Congress hosted Congressional App Challenges. We should constantly be investing in the next generation of leaders and innovators said Congressman Scott. As the Chairman of the Education and Labor Committee, I understand that it is essential for our students to develop the necessary skills and interest in STEM fields. The Congressional App Challenge is a great opportunity for students interested in these fields to showcase their talents by competing in this national event. The second place winner wasZianZhou, ajunior at New Horizon's Governor's School for Science and Technology. His app,foCusis abrowser extension which blocksselected apps to limit distractions andincrease productivity.The third place winners were freshmanDavidGoodwinand sophomores John Pegram and Michael CheeverofBethel High School. Their app, PathwayFinder, helpsincoming and freshmenstudents learn about theschool's academic programs by matching their interests to related programs. All participants in the district were recognized during a virtual awards ceremony attended by Hampton and Newport News elected and schoolofficials. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-leads-25-members-urging-trump-administration-to-prioritize Scott Leads 25 Members Urging Trump Administration to Prioritize Vulnerable Individuals in Federal Prisons for Vaccine Distribution 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) led 25 Members of Congress in sending a letter to Robert Redfield, the Director for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and Michael Carvajal, the Director for the Federal Bureau of Prisons, urging them to include incarcerated individuals as a priority population in the COVID-19 vaccine distribution plan. The national vaccine distribution strategy will place competing priorities on our collective resources and public health system, the Members wrote. However, ignoring the growing COVID-19 infection crisis in American jails and prisons would be a dire mistake and undermine any national effort to contain the virus. COVID-19 is spreading four times faster in prisons than the general public. The challenge of the COVID-19 pandemic tests the foundational principles of our justice and carceral system, the Members continued. The legal authority the government claims when it deprives an individual of liberty is rooted in the Constitution and must conform to the requirements of due process. Individuals serving a sentence or awaiting trial should not be left to the arbitrary and capricious punishment of a virus or suffer a death sentence. The current plan allows for vaccination of prison staff before the vaccination of prisoners with pre-existing conditions that place them at higher risk of dying from COVID-19. A difficult path lies ahead, but the most effective and humane method to deal with this crisis is to vaccinate every incarcerated individual and staff member within a prison or jail facility and expand the use of compassionate release to those individuals who present a low risk to public safety and are vulnerable to infection, the Members stated. Many incarcerated individuals in the federal system are in a high-risk category for infection due to chronic medical conditions and many of these same individuals could be safely released, so that only those in close confinement would receive a priority vaccination.= Full text of the letter can be found HERE and be… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/house-passes-congresswoman-luria-s-bipartisan-initiative-bring-transparency House Passes Congresswoman Lurias Bipartisan Initiative to Bring Transparency to Veteran Benefits Process 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, the House of Representatives passed Representatives Elaine Luria (VA-02) and Andy Barr's (KY-06) bipartisan initiative to bring transparency and fairness to the disability benefits process within the Department of Veterans Affairs. Their bill, H.R. 7795, was incorporated into the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act as part of a larger reform package and passed the House unanimously/with broad bipartisan support. As a veteran myself and Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, I was proud to partner with Congressman Barr to ensure our veterans have access to the resources they need to receive the benefits they've earned, said Congresswoman Luria. This legislation is a positive step toward taking the burden off the veteran when it comes to the disability benefits process. No veteran should have their benefits delayed due to a lack of access to an administrative form or because they were not adequately notified of a bureaucratic change. The Veterans Benefits Fairness and Transparency Act (H.R. 7795) was incorporated as Section 2006 of the Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act (H.R. 7105), which Congresswoman Luria also cosponsored. This section would protect veterans applying for VA disability benefits by requiring the VA to maintain availability of disability benefits questionnaires (DBQs) on the VA website. DBQs are the forms medical providers and others assisting veterans use to submit evidence supporting disability claims. This is an important fix because the Veterans Benefits Administration (VBA) removed the DBQ forms from their website and closed its offices to in-person meetings due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The legislative package containing this fix passed the House today and includes pandemic assistance, additional benefits reform, and housing assistance for veterans. Congresswoman Elaine Luria represents Virginia's 2nd Congressional District. She serves on theHou… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://mceachin.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-mceachin-launches-fourth-districts-first-digital-year-review Rep. McEachin Launches Fourth District's First Digital Year in Review 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA A. McEachin M001200 mceachin.house.gov     legacy RICHMOND, VA Congressman A. Donald McEachin (VA-04) today announced the release of the Fourth Congressional District's first digital Year in Review. The 2020 Year in Review highlights key priorities, programs and initiatives of the McEachin Congressional office on behalf of Virginians this year. The unrelenting challenges of this year have been felt by people across our nation. I am proud of the work my team has accomplished to improve the lives of folks in Virginia's Fourth Congressional District, said Congressman McEachin. Throughout the year I have worked with my colleagues to bring COVID-19 relief to the American people, to address police brutality, to protect our healthcare system from partisan attacks, to improve our education system and to protect our environment for generations to come. The digital report recaps the office's efforts in an interactive webpage to provide constituents with an overview of casework and legislative accomplishments alongside stories from constituents reflecting the impact of the office's work for Virginians. Key accomplishments as highlighted in the Fourth District Year in Review include: $2 million in earned benefits recovered for Fourth District constituents, including funds recovered from missing Social Security benefits, delayed tax refunds, and incorrect Veterans benefits; More than 1,000 resolved constituent issues with federal agencies, such as scheduling appointments for disability payment application reviews or helping folks get their Medicare benefits; More than 150,000constituents reached by Congressman McEachin's telephone town halls and direct mail programs; House and Senate passage of H.R. 3847, legislation to rename a post office in Hopewell after Civil Rights leader Reverend Curtis West Harris; Introduction of numerous pieces of legislation to support, uplift, and improve the lives of people of the Fourth District, including the Great Dismal Swamp National Heritage Area Act, the Protecting our Students in Schools Act… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=433 Wexton’s Bipartisan Yellow Ribbon for Overseas Education Act Passes House and Heads to President’s Desk for Signature 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Washington, DC --Today, the House passed the bipartisan Johnny Isakson and David P. Roe, M.D. Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act of 2020, which includes the Yellow Ribbon for Overseas Education Act introduced by Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA). The legislation removes barriers that prohibit student veterans from using the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Yellow Ribbon Program to attend overseas universities. Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN) joined Congresswoman Wexton in introducing this legislation in May 2020. Wexton's legislation is expected to be signed into law by the President, after passing the Senate last week. I'm proud that my bipartisan legislation to help those who have served our country more easily access higher education has passed the House and is on its way to being signed into law,said Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton.The Yellow Ribbon Program offers student veterans an affordable pathway to a degree after they have served our country, and those whose academic careers take them overseas should not be left out. With my bipartisan legislation, student veterans will be able to go to the school of their choice without sacrificing the benefits to which they are entitled. The Veterans Health Care and Benefits Improvement Act will go a long way in improving the lives and livelihoods of Virginia's veterans, and I'm pleased that there was broad support on both sides of the aisle to include my bill as part of its passage today. This bill fixes a long-standing problem that prohibited schools with overseas locations from offering the Yellow Ribbon program to student veterans studying at those campuses. With this bill in place, our nation's veterans will be able to take advantage of the Yellow Ribbon Program to its full extent, no matter where they attend school. SVA supports this common-sense solution and hopes to see it signed into law soon so the Department of Veterans Affairs can quickly implement these changes,said Justin Monk, Policy Associate for Student Veterans of America. The Yel… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=434 McEachin and Wexton Statement on Commission’s Recommendation of Barbara Johns to Replace Robert E. Lee Statue in U.S. Capitol 2020-12-16 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy McEachin and Wexton Statement on Commission's Recommendation of Barbara Johns to Replace Robert E. Lee Statue in U.S. Capitol In response to today's announcement from the Virginia Commission For Historical Statues In The United States Capitol recommending Barbara Johns to replace Robert E. Lee as one of Virginia's two statues in the U.S. Capitol, Representatives Donald McEachin (D-VA) and Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) released the following statement: "Virginia deserves to be represented in the U.S. Capitol by a figure who embodies the values of our Commonwealth, and we believe there is no better choice than Barbara Johns. As the leaders of the effort in the House of Representatives to replace Virginia's Robert E. Lee statue, we applaud the Committee for their hard work and deliberation. We wholeheartedly support their recommendation of Barbara Johns. "Barbara Johns changed the hearts and minds of people across the country when she stood up against segregation in Virginia's schools. The bravery she displayed at a young age will continue to serve as an inspiration to all those who visit the Capitol." ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-and-murray-trump-administration-s-weak-fiduciary-rule-will-hurt Scott and Murray: Trump Administrations Weak Fiduciary Rule Will Hurt Families, Benefit Unscrupulous Financial Advisors 2020-12-15 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCToday, Congressman Robert C. Bobby" Scott (VA-03), chairman of the House Education and Labor Committee, and Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), ranking member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee released the following statement in response to the Department of Labor announcing its final fiduciary rule. This weak rule will hurt workers, retirees, and families across the country by letting unscrupulous financial advisors put their own interests ahead of their clients. People are looking for reliable help as they try to navigate the painful economic fallout of this pandemicbut this rule will make that unbiased help even harder to find. We are going to do everything we can to work with the incoming Biden administration to reverse the damage of President Trump's backwards policies and to strengthen the retirement security of people across the country as they work to weather this crisis. Scott and Murray have been leading voices against the Trump administration's efforts to weaken the conflict of interest rules protecting families' savings and investments. Theycalled outthe Trump administration for refusing to defend the stronger Obama-era fiduciary standard in court, pressed it to slow down its attempt torushthrough its own weaker rule before stakeholders had the opportunity to weigh in, and led acomment lettercriticizing the Department's rule for reinstating a broken status quo that allows financial advisors to evade their fiduciary duties and denying retirement savers meaningful remedies when they have been harmed. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-government-watchdog-confirms-dol-broke-the-law Scott: Government Watchdog Confirms DOL Broke the Law 2020-12-15 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCChairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Department of Labor Office of Inspector General (OIG) released the findings of itsinvestigationinto the Department's rulemaking process for its 2017 proposed tip rule. The report found that, among other errors, the Department improperly withheld information regarding the expected impact of the rule on tipped workers. The 2019 proposed tip rule places no limitation on the amount of time a tipped employee can perform related, non-tipped activities and still be paid the subminimum wage. The Department of Labor (DOL) Inspector General confirmed what we have known for years: DOL purposefully withheld data that showed that the 2017 tip rule would have let employers pocket billions in workers' tips. Now, the Department is on the verge of finalizing another rule that would cost tipped workers. The Department's 2019 proposal to codify the repeal of the 80/20 rule would allow employers to pay workers a subminimum wage while assigning them work that does not provide them with ample opportunity to earn tips. The Economic Policy Institute estimates that, if finalized, this rule would cost workers more than$700 million each year. The Department is also relying on the same excuses it used in the 2017 rule to withhold the potential economic impacts of the 2019 rule for workers, even while conceding that the rule could reduce the employment of workers, such as dishwashers or busboys, who currently perform non-tipped duties. Well before the COVID-19 pandemic, America's tipped workers earned lower wages and experienced poverty at higher rates than non-tipped workers. Now, tipped workers need protections against wage theft more than ever. The Department must uphold its mission to serve our nation's workers by rescinding the Department's 2019 proposed tip rule and supporting legislation to phase out the subminimum wage for tipped workers. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-to-eeoc-chair-dhillon-removing-litigation-authority-from-agency Scott to EEOC Chair Dhillon: Removing Litigation Authority from Agency Attorneys Will Delay the Administration of Justice 2020-12-15 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DCToday,Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03)expresseddeep concern to Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) Chair Janet Dhillonregarding the plan tolimit the EEOC attorneys' authority. Under this proposal, all lawsuits must first be subject to a Commission vote before they can be filed, which could significantly delay and hinder the enforcement of civil rights laws.The Commission attempted the vote in July 2019, but it was ultimately withdrawn. This change will significantly delay the administration of justice. Additionally, taking litigation filing authority away from attorneys familiar with the cases is likely to lead to decisions being made based more on a political agenda rather than the merits of any case,wrote Chairman Scott. In theletter, Chairman Scott requests data and analysisthe Commission used when drafting this proposal;a list of stakeholders consulted; an outline of the process for referring cases under this proposal; and any additional actions the Commission plans to take between now and the end of the year. To read the full letter, clickhere. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://spanberger.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=3421 Spanberger Introduces Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Critical Federal Assistance for Pregnant Mothers, Reauthorize Pregnancy Assistance Fund 2020-12-15 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Abigail Spanberger S001209 spanberger.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C.U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger introduced bipartisan legislation to provide essential services for pregnant mothers and reauthorize funding for the Pregnancy Assistance Fund (PAF). The PAF program helps states and tribal governments provide critical services to pregnant and parenting youth, pregnant women who have experienced sexual violence, and other vulnerable individuals who are expectant or new parents. However, the PAF the only federal program targeting these populations saw its funding lapse on September 30, 2019. Spanberger's Pregnancy Assistance Act would extend PAF's funding for five years by providing a clean extension of the program from fiscal year (FY)2021 to FY2025. The legislation is co-led by U.S. Representative Tom Cole (R-OK-03). The PAF program has a proven record of providing vital assistance to at-risk, low-income, and underserved parents in Virginia and across the country. During this pandemic and even beyond, we can't turn our backs on successful initiatives that help our most vulnerable families, said Spanberger. Our Pregnancy Assistance Act takes the commonsense step of reauthorizing PAF and makes clear that an investment in our nation's families is an investment in our long-term future and I'd like to thank Congressman Cole for his partnership in introducing this much-needed bill. By improving access to education, parenting, and employment support services, we are putting pregnant and parenting youth on a level playing field and we are building a pathway toward stronger and healthier communities. This pandemic has put a significant strain on parents and families, particularly in low income communities of Color, said Dr. Danny Avula, Director, Richmond City and Henrico County Health Districts. We need funding streams like PAF more than ever to develop new approaches to support effective parenting. The PAF has a demonstrated record of helping thousands of Virginia families. Fundamentally, it has assisted these young parents in becoming successful and effec… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402398 Congressman Griffiths Weekly E-Newsletter 12.14.20 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Republican Senate VA Morgan Griffith G000568 morgangriffith.house.gov     legacy Candy Apples and Toads An analogy I like to use for the legislative process invokes candy apples and toads. Legislation rarely includes only things I like the candy apples or omits the things I really dislike the toads. Considering whether to support a bill usually means weighing whether there are enough candy apples to cover up the bad taste of a few toads. End-of-year legislating usually provides plenty of opportunities to apply this test. As the year draws to a close, Congress once again finds itself closing in on a deadline to fund the Federal Government for the fiscal year that began on October 1. As in previous years, we did not need to be in this situation. Federal law prescribes a budget process of individual appropriations bills that should go through regular order at the committee and floor level. Just following the rules could help us avoid the scramble to resolve everything with one bill that, even if read, Members of Congress rarely get to fully scrutinize before having to give it an up or down vote. Because the omnibus bill funding the government for the rest of the fiscal year ending September 30 has not yet been agreed to by negotiators, Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) continuing current funding for just one week. Like omnibuses, I generally do not find CRs to be a proper way to fund the government. But as with any other bill I vote on, I read this CR. It included an extension for the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Voucher program for two years. This program encourages the development of new drugs to treat rare pediatric diseases. The innovation promoted by this program can lead to new treatments that help improve and save the lives of children suffering from rare diseases. While skeptical of CRs, I support the extension of the Rare Pediatric Disease Priority Review Vouchers, so I voted for this CR. In the best instances, legislation rarely includes everything I want to see or leaves out anything I do not support. In this case, extending the program for two years w… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-bipartisan-covid-relief-bill-inclusion-of-his-job-training-provisions Kaine Statement on Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill, Inclusion of His Job Training Provisions 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2020 Kaine Statement on Bipartisan COVID Relief Bill, Inclusion of His Job Training Provisions WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Senator Tim Kainea member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee and co-chair of the Senate Career and Technical Education Caucusreleased the following statement today upon the announcement of a deal on a $748 billion bipartisan coronavirus relief bill: While not perfect, the compromise delivers relief that's far overdue: jobless benefits, small business loans, funds for vaccine distribution and health care providers, housing assistance, food assistance. I applaud Mark Warner and my other friends in the bipartisan Gang of 8 for their diligence in reaching agreement on these items. I'm particularly pleased the package includes provisions of mine to expand assistance to education institutions and students affected by the pandemic and allow states to use relief funds for job training. Americans have already waited too long for this,and we should continue pushing for a compromise on how to spend an additional $160 billion to help people and their communities.If there's any move toward a recess before we pass a COVID package, I will object. We must stay in session until we deliver much needed relief. Modeled after Kaine's Assisting Community Colleges in Educating Skilled Students (ACCESS) to Careers Act, the career training provision of this bill would allow states to use money from their Governor's Emergency Education Relief Funds (created under the CARES Act in March) to support career training programs at community and technical colleges and other institutions of higher education. Funds could also be used to support industry partnerships to inform such programs and to provide support for students who have been affected by the pandemic. Another provisionmodeled after the Coronavirus Relief Flexibility for Students and Institutions Actwould allow colleges to use emergency stabilization funds to cover lost revenue and would make emergency financial aid… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/kaine-statement-on-passing-of-bob-bloxom Kaine Statement on Passing of Bob Bloxom 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2020 Kaine Statement on Passing of Bob Bloxom WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine released the following statement on the passing of Robert Bob Bloxom Sr., who served as Virginia's Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry during Kaine's term as Governor: Bob Bloxom was the epitome of public servantdedicated, kind, devoted to the beautiful Eastern Shore. ### Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
http://www.kaine.senate.gov/press-releases/warner-and-kaine-announce-more-than-7-million-to-mitigate-flooding-in-portsmouth Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $7 Million to Mitigate Flooding in Portsmouth 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Tim Kaine K000384 www.kaine.senate.gov     legacy December 14, 2020 Warner & Kaine Announce More Than $7 Million to Mitigate Flooding in Portsmouth WASHINGTON, D.C Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $7,485,000 in federal fundingfromtheU.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)to construct a new stormwater pump station in the Olde Towne Historic District of Portsmouth. It's estimated that this project will reduce the flooding risk for the entire Olde Towne Historic District, including 210 buildings, and protect an area of approximately 23 acres. We're pleased to announce this federal funding to support the construction of a critical flood mitigation project in Portsmouth,said the Senators.Recurrent flooding can have detrimental effects on a region. This project will better protect the treasured Olde Towne Historic District from future flood damage. ### Print Email Tweet 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-the-passing-of-former-delegate-mamye-e-bacote Scott Statement on the Passing of Former Delegate Mamye E. BaCote 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy NEWPORT NEWS, VA Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement on the passing of former Delegate Mamye E. BaCote: I was saddened to learn of the passing of my friend, former Delegate Mamye E. BaCote. She devoted her life to service to our community and the betterment of our society. As a student at Virginia Union University, she helped stage a sit in at an all-white lunchroom to bring attention to the injustices and inequity of segregation. After college, she helped shape young minds as a teacher with Newport News Public Schools and later as an adjunct professor at Hampton University. Outside of the classroom, she ran for elected office and served seven years on the Newport News City Council, and then 12 years representing the 95th district in the Virginia House of Delegates, where she was able to bring about real change for Newport News and Hampton as an active member of the powerful House Appropriations Committee. This is a sad day for Newport News and the entire Hampton Roads community. I send my condolences to her family, friends, loved ones, and all of those positively impacted by her life. # # # 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-on-trump-administration-s-final-rules-supporting Scott Statement on Trump Administrations Final Rules Supporting Taxpayer-Funded Religious Discrimination 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Robert Scott S000185 bobbyscott.house.gov     legacy As originally released by the Committee on Education & Labor WASHINGTON, DC Today, Chairman Robert C. Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after the Departments of Education, Labor, and Health and Human Services along with several other agencies finalized a sweeping set of rules that would allow broad religious discrimination against employees, beneficiaries, and students in federally funded programs. The finalization of eight department rules to undermine the rights of employees and beneficiaries of federally funded programs underscores this administration's fundamental misunderstanding of religious liberty.' These final rules are harmful because they could potentially coerce individuals to participate in religious activities in order to receive benefits in some federally funded programs; remove key protections for beneficiaries in every program; and open the door to expansive employment discrimination by religious entities. Civil rights laws should protect those who are discriminated againstnot those who are engaged in invidious discrimination. It is shameful that during its final weeks in office, the Trump administration prioritized finalizing policies that will negatively impact programs meant to support underserved Americans, such as seniors, victims of human trafficking, and displaced workers instead of helping them survive this ever-worsening pandemic. Today's announcement is a reflection of this administration's misplaced priorities and distorted view of religious liberty. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-elaine-luria-announces-bill-help-schools-military-communities Congresswoman Elaine Luria Announces Bill to Help Schools in Military Communities Becomes Law 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Today, Congresswoman Elaine Luria announced the President signed the Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act (H.R. 8472) into law. This new law will eliminate barriers that could prevent school districts in communities with military bases, including Hampton Roads, from receiving appropriate Impact Aid funding during the COVID-19 pandemic. As a 20-year Navy veteran and a mother, I understand how important Impact Aid is to give servicemembers' children the public education they deserve, said Congresswoman Luria. The Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act provided commonsense solutions to prevent school districts that depend on Impact Aid from experiencing a drop in funding due to the difficulty in receiving a headcount during the pandemic. I am pleased the President signed this bipartisan bill into law, which will protect these school districts during these unprecedented times. The Department of Defense's Impact Aid for Military Connected School Districts Program compensates school districts that collect less in local property taxes due to high proportions of their student bodies living on military bases and students whose parents are employed by the military. During the COVID-19 pandemic, many school districts could lose funding because of the complexity of receiving an accurate student headcount. The Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act will remedy this problem by allowing school districts to use their headcount from the 2020-2021 school year for their 2021-2022 Impact Aid application. This simple solution ensures that an undercount of students will not cause school districts to see a decrease in Impact Aid. Last September, Congresswoman Elaine Luria cosponsored the original House version of the Impact Aid Coronavirus Relief Act (H.R. 8075). After receiving technical updates, the bill was reintroduced as H.R. 8472, which passed the House and Senate and recently became law. Throughout her time in office, Congresswoman Elaine Luria has consistently advocated for more Impact Aid funding. In the National Defense A… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://luria.house.gov/media/press-releases/congresswoman-luria-recaps-victories-national-defense-authorization-act Congresswoman Luria Recaps Victories in National Defense Authorization Act Conference Report 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Elaine Luria L000591 luria.house.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C. Congresswoman Elaine Luria today praised House passage of the conference report for the William M. (Mac) Thornberry National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2021, which includes key provisions she championed on behalf of servicemembers and military families in Hampton Roads and beyond. I was proud to support the National Defense Authorization Act conference report because it will position Coastal Virginia to continue our critical role in securing America, Congresswoman Luria said. This NDAA will ensure the safety of all Americans, give our troops the pay raise they have earned, and help military servicemembers and their families receive the benefits and support they deserve. Prior to the House's vote on the NDAA, Congresswoman Luria spoke in support of the bill. Click here to watch footage of her remarks. The final conference report included many of Congresswoman Luria's priorities. These include: Funding for military construction projects in Hampton Roads: $30.4 million for E-2D Training Facility at Naval Station Norfolk $17.671 million for MH0 & CMV-22B Corrosion Control and Paint Fac at Naval Station Norfolk $9.4 million for Sub Logistics Support at Naval Station Norfolk $19.5 million for Access Control Point Main Gate with Land Acquisition at Joint Base Langley-Eustis $54.5 million for SOF Des Operations Fac and Command Center at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Story $58 million for SOF NSWG-2 NSWTGCssFacilities at Joint Expeditionary Base Little Creek-Story $9.1 million for Generation and Distribution Resiliency Improvements at Wallops Island Rep. Luria's Military Pilots Cancer Incidence Study Act, a proposal to study the incidence of cancer diagnosis and mortality among military aviators and aviation support personnel; The TRICARE ECHO Act, a bill Rep. Luria co-led with Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK-04); Rep. Luria's amendment requiring DOD to establish a policy related to small-payload space launches, which will directly benefit the Mid-Atlantic… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://wexton.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=432 Rep. Wexton Statement on New Report Showing Extent of Forced Labor in Xinjiang Cotton Production 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat House VA Jennifer Wexton W000825 wexton.house.gov     legacy Rep. Wexton Statement on New Report Showing Extent of Forced Labor in Xinjiang Cotton Production In response to a new report from the Victims of Communism Memorial Foundation providing new evidence of systemic forced labor in Xinjiang cotton production, implicating all global supply chains that involve Xinjiang cotton, Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D-VA) released the following statement: Cotton supply chains in Xinjiang are corrupt down to the root, and all cotton coming out of the region must be considered tainted by forced labor. This report underscores the need for greater scrutiny of the goods and materials that are sourced from Xinjiang. We need serious, sweeping policies to ensure that products made or originated by forced labor are not allowed to make their way to U.S. markets. The Senate Majority Leader is blocking two House-passed bills that would immediately address this problem. Senator McConnell must bring these bills to the floor immediately and stop blocking bipartisan efforts to bring accountability. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/statement-of-sen-mark-r-warner-on-the-passing-of-mamye-bacote Statement of Sen. Mark R. Warner on the Passing of Mamye BaCote 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the passing of former Virginia Delegate Mamye BaCote: Mamye was a dear friend and trusted ally when I was Governor. She cared deeply about making sure every Virginian got a fair shot. Mamye was a champion for Virginians and I join her friends, family, and everyone in Newport News and across the Commonwealth in mourning her loss. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/statement-of-u-s-sen-mark-r-warner-on-emergency-lending-under-the-cares-act Statement of U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner on the passing of Bob Bloxom 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) released the following statement on the passing of Robert Bob Bloxom Sr., who served as Virginia's first Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry: Bob Bloxom was a true Virginian who always put the Commonwealth first. For years as Governor and afterwards, whenever I was in the Eastern Shore and looking for an applause line, I would always remind folks that I appointed Bob Bloxom as the first Secretary of Agriculture and Forestry. That was always greeted with a round of thundering applause, because he was that well-respected. I want to offer my sincerest condolences to his wife Pat, his children Lee and Robert Jr. and his four grandchildren. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-colleagues-unveil-details-of-bipartisan-bicameral-covid-19-relief Warner, Colleagues Unveil Details of Bipartisan, Bicameral COVID-19 Relief 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON Today, after almost two weeks ofbipartisan frameworknegotiations, U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA) and a group of Democratic and Republican colleagues unveiled bipartisan and bicameral emergency COVID-19 relief legislation to provide urgent relief to struggling American students, families, businesses, workers and health care providers. The release of bipartisan legislative text offers a path forward for congressional action on bipartisan COVID-19 relief after nine months of stalled negotiations between Democrats in the House and Republicans in the Senate and White House. TheBipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020released today is the result of weeks of negotiations spearheaded by Sen. Warner along with Sens. Susan Collins (R-ME), Joe Manchin (D-WV), Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Lisa Murkowski (R-AK), Angus King (I-ME), Mitt Romney (R-UT), Maggie Hassan (D-NH), Rob Portman (R-OH) and Dick Durbin (D-IL). A dozen Senators usually can't agree on a lunch order, let alone almost a trillion dollars in federal spending so the fact that we're standing here today with a bipartisan bill is evidence of the urgency,said U.S. Sen. Mark R. Warner (D-VA).I will be the first to admit that this deal is imperfect. But these challenges are simply too urgent to allow politics to interfere. With unemployment and other benefits scheduled to run out just before Christmas, the American people cannot afford for us to wait. After several weeks of work, I hope that this bipartisan bill moves us closer to providing real relief to the American people without further delay. TheBipartisan COVID-19 Emergency Relief Act of 2020would provide $748 billion in emergency assistance for the next four months, including: Extension of all unemployment assistance for 16 weeks, with supplemental $300per week $300B for another round of Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) forgivable loans and other small business assistance $13B for emergency food assistance, including SNAP benefits and funding for food banks $13B to p… 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z
https://www.warner.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2020/12/warner-kaine-announce-more-than-7-million-to-mitigate-flooding-in-portsmouth Warner & Kaine Announce more than $7 Million to Mitigate Flooding in Portsmouth 2020-12-14 2020 2020-12 Democrat Senate VA Mark Warner W000805 www.warner.senate.gov     legacy WASHINGTON, D.C Today, U.S. Senators Mark R. Warner and Tim Kaine announced $7,485,000 in federal fundingfromtheU.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS)'s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)to construct a new stormwater pump station in the Olde Towne Historic District of Portsmouth. It's estimated that this project will reduce the flooding risk for the entire Olde Towne Historic District, including 210 buildings, and protect an area of approximately 23 acres. We're pleased to announce this federal funding to support the construction of a critical flood mitigation project in Portsmouth,said the Senators.Recurrent flooding can have detrimental effects on a region. This project will better protect the treasured Olde Towne Historic District from future flood damage. ### 1 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z 2026-03-30T12:14:52Z

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   [url] TEXT PRIMARY KEY,
   [title] TEXT,
   [date] TEXT,
   [year] TEXT,
   [month] TEXT,
   [party] TEXT,
   [chamber] TEXT,
   [state] TEXT,
   [member_name] TEXT,
   [bioguide_id] TEXT,
   [domain] TEXT,
   [scraper] TEXT,
   [source] TEXT,
   [date_source] TEXT,
   [text] TEXT,
   [has_text] INTEGER,
   [collected_at] TEXT,
   [updated_at] TEXT
);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_date]
    ON [releases] ([date]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_year]
    ON [releases] ([year]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_party]
    ON [releases] ([party]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_chamber]
    ON [releases] ([chamber]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_state]
    ON [releases] ([state]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_bioguide_id]
    ON [releases] ([bioguide_id]);
CREATE INDEX [idx_releases_has_text]
    ON [releases] ([has_text]);
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