url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9234,"Beyer, Castro, Dean, Casar, Jacobs, Escobar to Introduce Sanctions on Drivers of Settlement Expansion",2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"On Thursday, Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08), Joaquin Castro (TX-20), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Greg Casar (TX-35), Sara Jacobs (CA-51), and Veronica Escobar (TX-16) will introduce legislation to impose sanctions on individuals and entities building or expanding settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. H.R. 0953, the Stop the Settlements Act would stop the construction of new settlements or expansion of existing Israeli settlements and outposts in the West Bank and Gaza through the use of sanctions and a prohibition on the importation of goods made in these settlements and outposts. Stopping the construction of new settlements or expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Gaza would protect Palestinians from dispossession of their land and help create a pathway to peace, where both Israelis and Palestinians are able to fully exercise their right to self-determination. “The continued expansion of illegal settlements in the occupied Palestinian territories illustrates the contempt Israel’s government has for international law and longstanding U.S. policy,” said Rep. Beyer. “By accelerating this campaign of violence and theft, particularly in the E1 corridor bordering East Jerusalem, the Israeli government is making clear its intent to fatally undermine the viability of a future Palestinian state. The U.S. cannot and should not accept this explicit effort of illegal territorial expansion, which would make a negotiated resolution to this intractable conflict forever out of reach. This legislation puts teeth on what has been clear U.S. policy for decades and sends a strong message that we will not tolerate the illegal settlement movement any longer.” “Under Netanyahu’s government, settlers are engaged in a violent land grab that’s ripping Palestinians from their land,” said Congressman Castro. “The record expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank continues to be one of the greatest impediments to peace. Democrats must face this with urgency—act now or watch the prospect of Palestinian self-determination slip away forever. Congress should and can be using every tool we have available, including sanctions. The Stop the Settlements Act gives any person or company looking to take Palestinian land in the West Bank or Gaza a choice: pursue settlements or do business with the United States. The American people have seen the reality on the ground in the West Bank and Gaza, and expect their elected officials to take action. In the coming months and in the next Congress, I will push for the conditions under which security and a lasting peace is possible.” “The continued construction of Israeli settlements and staking of new outposts in the West Bank and Gaza is a violation of international law. They’re also part of a deliberate, expressed strategy by Prime Minister Netanyahu and his allies to geographically isolate Palestinian communities, block the possibility of a contiguous state, and prevent the Palestinian people from being able to exercise their rights to self-determination,” said Rep. Dean. “Settler organizations and people who illegally push onto Palestinian land, harassing — and even killing legal residents — are actively undermining the peace process and prolonging the current violence. These settlers fund their activities in part through the sale of goods abroad, which this legislation would prohibit, while also authorizing sanctions on some of the worst offenders of international law. It is time that the United States joined our allies — such as the United Kingdom, France, and Canada — in taking action to help preserve dignity and self-determination for the Palestinian people, which is essential for progress toward peace.” “Settlement expansion displaces Palestinians, violates international law, and prevents peace for Israelis and Palestinians alike,” said Congressman Casar. “The Stop the Settlements Act would prohibit the construction and expansion of settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. Congress must work toward lasting peace in the region by ending the occupation and genocide.” “Pushing Palestinians out of their homes and off their land in Gaza and the West Bank is one of the greatest obstacles to a lasting pathway to peace,” said Congresswoman Jacobs. “As long as the U.S. stands idly by, we’re knowingly supporting Israel’s coordinated strategy to consolidate Israeli control and prevent Palestinian statehood. We have another choice: use our tools and leverage to help make peace and security for Israelis, Palestinians, and everyone in the region a reality. That’s why I’m proud to co-lead the Stop the Settlements Act, which would require the President to sanction individuals and entities that build or expand settlements in the West Bank and Gaza. This is a reasonable and necessary step to uphold international law, protect civilians, de-escalate violence, and preserve the possibility of lasting peace, security, and stability.” BACKGROUND: Since December 2022, the Israeli government has approved over 100 new settlements in the West Bank, and Israeli settlers have established almost 200 additional outposts. In comparison, only six settlements were approved in the previous three decades. In recent years, senior Israeli officials have openly called for the re-establishment of settlements in Gaza. These settlements, built on Palestinian land, are one of the biggest impediments to peace and to Palestinian self-determination. The Stop the Settlements Act would address the unprecedented growth of settlements by sanctioning any foreign entity or individual that engages with activity for the establishment of new Israeli settlements or outposts in the West Bank or Gaza, including developing infrastructure, construction the settlement area known as E1, or facilitating Israeli civilians onto settlements. The bill would also put a ban on imports of settlements goods. This would mirror and complement efforts currently being taken by countries such as the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the Netherlands, and Spain. If enacted, the legislation would lead to essentially a defacto settlement freeze with no new settlement construction in the West Bank, while also giving the President the authority to begin going after some of the most problematic and destabilizing settlements and outposts in the West Bank. The Stop the Settlements Act has gained support from stakeholders with the shared goal of stopping settlement expansion and ensuring Palestinian self-determination and security for Israel: Jeremy Ben-Ami, President, J Street: “After more than 50 years of Israel disregarding American and other international warnings to stop expanding settlements, it is time for action. We are grateful to Congressman Castro and the other cosponsors for sending a clear signal that Israeli efforts to prevent a Palestinian state will be met with material consequences.” Margaret DeReus, Executive Director of IMEU Policy Project: “The US government has enabled Israeli settlement expansion for too long without any meaningful repercussions to the detriment of Palestinian lives, including Palestinian Americans that live in Palestine. One of the first things the Trump administration did was reverse previous sanctions, and while they continue to turn a blind eye, this bill would impose real consequences on those who support or engage in settlement expansion, in line with international law and our closest allies. This would include banning anyone from importing any goods produced in any Israeli settlement or outpost. We thank Congressman Castro for being a leader in the fight to protect basic Palestinian rights.” Hadar Susskind, President and CEO, New Jewish Narrative: “This bill fills a crucial void. The Trump administration has failed to take action that would stop the Israeli government from executing its reckless agenda of land grabs and annexation. Now Congress has the opportunity to step up and close that gap. This is what real American leadership looks like.” This bill is also endorsed by American Committee for Middle East Rights; A New Policy; Center for International Policy; Friends Committee on National Legislation; Refugees International; Win Without War. Co-sponsors of the bill include: Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Jared Huffman (CA-02), Derek Tran (CA-45), Becca Balint (VT-AL), Jill Tokuda (HI-02), Nydia Velázquez (NY-07), Troy Carter (LA-02), Paul Tonko (NY-20), Sydney Kamlager-Dove (CA-37), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Mark Pocan (WI-02), Lloyd Doggett (TX-37), Jan Schakowsky (IL-09), Pramila Jayapal (WA-07), Chellie Pingree (ME-01), Sean Casten (IL-06), Emily Randall (WA-06), Andrea Salinas (OR-06), Maxwell Frost (FL-10), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Mark DeSaulnier (CA-10), Ro Khanna (CA-17), Val Hoyle (OR-04), Adelita Grijalva (AZ-07), Kristen McDonald Rivet (MI-08), Melanie Stansbury (NM-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Salud Carbajal (CA-24), Rosa DeLauro (CT-03), Analilia Mejia (NJ-11), Lateefah Simon (CA-12), Bennie Thompson (MS-02), and Mark Takano (CA-39).",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9235,Bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act Heads to President’s Desk,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Reps. Don Beyer (VA-08) and Lloyd Smucker (PA-11) announced that their bipartisan Claiming Age Clarity Act, H.R. 5284, has passed the Senate and is headed to the President’s desk for signature. The lawmakers introduced the legislation to help Americans better understand how the timing of their decision to claim Social Security affects their monthly retirement benefit. The bill previously passed the House of Representatives. “Passage of this bill is a victory for seniors and older workers, who will now be able to make more informed decisions about their retirement benefits,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “The need for clarity on these issues gets more salient every year as Americans live longer and financial choices become more complex. I thank Rep. Smucker for his leadership on this legislation, and all those who supported the Claiming Age Clarity Act.” “Americans who have worked their entire lives and earned Social Security benefits deserve clear, straightforward information as they make important decisions about their retirement,” said Rep. Lloyd Smucker. “The Claiming Age Clarity Act replaces confusing government terminology with language that better explains how the age at which someone claims Social Security affects their monthly benefit. I’m grateful that Republicans and Democrats came together to advance this commonsense reform, and I look forward to seeing it signed into law.” The Claiming Age Clarity Act would modernize terminology used by the Social Security Administration to better reflect how claiming age affects an individual’s monthly benefit: “Early Eligibility Age” would become “Minimum Benefit Age” — age 62, the earliest age at which an individual can begin receiving retirement benefits, with permanently lower monthly benefits than those received at standard benefit age. “Full Retirement Age” and “Normal Retirement Age” would become “Standard Benefit Age” — generally age 66 or 67, depending on an individual’s birth year. “Delayed Retirement Age” would become “Maximum Benefit Age” — age 70, the latest age someone can begin receiving benefits. Electing to delay receiving benefits by a year increases an individual's benefits, up to a maximum of 24% more than the standard benefit.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/after-reports-suicide-attempts-sea-subramanyam-and-walkinshaw-seek-independent,"After Reports of Suicide Attempts at Sea, Subramanyam and Walkinshaw Seek Independent Review of Military Mental Health Care",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, and Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, are pressing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether service members have sufficient access to mental health care during deployments. In their letter, the lawmakers point to concerning conditions aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford during its 326-day deployment. A fire spread from a laundry room to sleeping quarters, displacing approximately 600 sailors. Some had to sleep on floors and tables. The carrier also experienced plumbing and sewage problems. The letter also raises concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment. The Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy has said eight sailors across ships in the strike group attempted suicide and several sailors attempted to jump overboard the USS Lincoln. The lawmakers cite reports of inadequate food and supplies and say it remains unclear what mental health resources service members can access while deployed and if they are sufficient to address their urgent needs. “Extended deployments place enormous strain on servicemembers and their families,” the lawmakers write. “At a minimum, they deserve safe and adequate places to sleep, access to basic necessities, and living conditions that protect their physical and mental health.” Walkinshaw and Subramanyam ask GAO to examine mental health screenings before, during, and after deployment; access to treatment at sea; how the Navy responds when symptoms escalate; and the obstacles it faces in delivering care. “When those deployments are compounded by inadequate living conditions, Congress has a responsibility to understand the impact on morale, mental health, readiness, and retention, and ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) is doing everything possible to support the service members we ask to serve,” the lawmakers write. Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=851,"After Reports of Suicide Attempts at Sea, Walkinshaw and Subramanyam Seek Independent Review of Military Mental Health Care",2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs and Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, are pressing the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to examine whether service members have sufficient access to mental health care during deployments. In their letter, the lawmakers point to concerning conditions aboard the USS Gerald R. Ford during its 326-day deployment. A fire spread from a laundry room to sleeping quarters, displacing approximately 600 sailors. Some had to sleep on floors and tables. The carrier also experienced plumbing and sewage problems. The letter also raises concerns about the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group’s extended deployment. The Acting U.S. Secretary of the Navy has said eight sailors across ships in the strike group attempted suicide and several sailors attempted to jump overboard the USS Lincoln. The lawmakers cite reports of inadequate food and supplies and say it remains unclear what mental health resources service members can access while deployed and if they are sufficient to address their urgent needs. “Extended deployments place enormous strain on servicemembers and their families,” the lawmakers write. “At a minimum, they deserve safe and adequate places to sleep, access to basic necessities, and living conditions that protect their physical and mental health.” Walkinshaw and Subramanyam ask GAO to examine mental health screenings before, during, and after deployment; access to treatment at sea; how the Navy responds when symptoms escalate; and the obstacles it faces in delivering care. “When those deployments are compounded by inadequate living conditions, Congress has a responsibility to understand the impact on morale, mental health, readiness, and retention, and ensure the Department of Defense (DOD) is doing everything possible to support the service members we ask to serve,” the lawmakers write. Read the full letter here. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=852,Walkinshaw Calls for Investigation into Trump's DHS-Funded Political Ads,2026-09-29,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC -- Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), the only Democrat who sits on both the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform Committees, called for an investigation into President Trump's use of Department of Homeland Security funds to bankroll his political TV ads. “Trump is using your tax dollars at the Department of Homeland Security to pay for his own political TV ads. Republicans handed DHS historic levels of funding. Now it turns out Trump is spending it on himself. These aren't PSAs. One is nearly identical to a Trump 2024 campaign ad. And they're illegal. Federal law bans spending taxpayer money on political ads and propaganda. His approval is at rock bottom, so he's buying airtime while families are drowning in gas and grocery prices. We need a full investigation, with everyone who signed off on this answering under oath.” ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/28/mcclellan-launches-2026-veteran-of-the-year-program/,McClellan Launches 2026 Veteran of the Year Program,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the launch of her 2026 Veteran of the Year Program to recognize, honor and appreciate veterans living in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District for their service. “Veterans gave their time and put their bodies on the line to protect our nation, and they continue to serve after their military careers. Their commitment, courage and selflessness deserves our respect and deepest gratitude,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “My fourth annual Veteran of the Year Program honors veterans living in Virginia’s Fourth and celebrates their continued efforts to give back to our communities. I encourage all those who know a veteran who’s continued to serve people in our district to send in their nominations today!” Eligible nominees must be honorably discharged veterans of any branch of the U.S. Armed Forces and must currently live in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District. Nominations for Rep. McClellan’s Veteran of the Year Program are due by October 28, 2026. Last year, Congresswoman McClellan recognized U.S. Air Force Colonel William Butler, who dedicated over 30 years of service to saving lives, advancing medical research and educating his community. In 2024, she recognized Lt. Col. Curt Powell, a U.S. Marine Corps veteran who served two combat deployments before volunteering as a mentor for local veterans. In 2023, she honored Chief Warrant Officer Four Charles H. Talley, Jr., who dedicated 34 years of his life to the U.S. Army before continuing to support aspiring young professionals and active-duty servicemembers in Virginia’s Fourth.",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/28/vindman-joins-virginia-west-virginia-delegations-in-introducing-bill-to-protect-historic-battlefields-in-shenandoah/,"Vindman Joins Virginia, West Virginia Delegations in Introducing Bill to Protect Historic Battlefields in Shenandoah",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined every member of the bipartisan, bicameral congressional delegations from Virginia and West Virginia in supporting the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge Country in Virginia. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act recognizes the important role the Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle play in our nation’s Civil War history while creating new opportunities for communities to preserve that history and share it with visitors,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to support this legislation that will protect these historic sites, invest in our local communities, support tourism, and ensure that future generations can learn from the stories that shaped Virginia and West Virginia.” In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition. The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System. The legislation is led in the U.S. House by Riley Moore (W.Va.-02). In addition to Vindman, the bill is supported by Rob Wittman (Va.-01), Jen Kiggans (Va.-02), Bobby Scott (Va.-03), Jennifer McClellan (Va.-04), John McGuire (Va.-05), Ben Cline (Va.-06), Don Beyer (Va.-08), Morgan Griffith (Va.-09), Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10), James Walkinshaw (Va.-11), and Carol Miller (W.Va.-01). “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies, said Moore. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations.” “Virginia’s historic sites help tell the story of our nation,” said Scott. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District educates Virginians and those visiting our Commonwealth on the true history of the battles fought in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. I am proud to cosponsor the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand the National Historic District’s reach and to authorize new resources that support this critical work.” “I am proud to support this measure to preserve the Commonwealth’s battlefields and history. This important bill will help expand access to resources for our historic battlefields and districts for generations to come,” said Subramanyam. “The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Walkinshaw. “The Shenandoah Valley helped shape the course of the Civil War, and today its historic landscapes continue to draw visitors from across the country. Our Shenandoah VALOR Act would expand the National Historic District to additional communities in Virginia and West Virginia and strengthen the local partnerships that preserve and share this legacy. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic places,” said Beyer. “Virginians recognize the historical value of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields and the critical role this beautiful landscape played in the Civil War,” said McClellan. “By expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, the Shenandoah VALOR Act will strengthen the federal government’s ability to preserve these hallowed lands for generations to visit, enjoy and learn from this site. I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership in this space.” “Our nation’s rich history and beautiful landscapes must be preserved,” said McGuire. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act is crucial for safeguarding the historic landscapes our country is known for. As tourists from across the globe visit these sites, we must do what we can to ensure they’re maintained for generations to come.” “Shenandoah is more than a scenic landscape. It is a place where Virginia’s history and culture come to life. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026 expands the National Historic District to include four additional counties. This legislation preserves and strengthens the partnership among local communities, the state, and the district, while ensuring these historic resources continue to be supported at the local level rather than federally managed,” said Cline. “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most significant sites in our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve that history for generations to come,” said Wittman. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help protect historic battlefields, expand opportunities for Americans to experience the outdoors, and support the local tourism economy. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure the Shenandoah Valley is preserved for future generations.” “A part of what makes Virginia so special is the Commonwealth’s rich history and the generations of Americans that have helped shape it. The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help preserve the historic battlefields and sites that tell the story of the Shenandoah Valley while expanding opportunities for future generations to learn about and experience this important part of our nation’s history. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to protect these historic sites and ensure their stories are preserved for the next generation to learn and enjoy,” said Kiggans. “Virginia’s history, good and bad, is worth studying. The Shenandoah VALOR Act helps promote this history and serve local economies. As a student of history with family ties to the region, I am excited to join a Congressional effort that expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District,” said Griffith. “West Virginia came to be during the Civil War, and it is essential that we protect the rich history of our state. Expanding the Shenandoah Valley National Historic District into Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties will help preserve significant historic sites while also creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle. This legislation is an investment in West Virginia’s past that will give our communities the resources they need to create jobs, attract visitors, and help local communities share their stories with visitors from across the country,” said Miller. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which is supported by U.S. Senators Mark Warner (Va.), Tim Kaine (Va.), Shelley Moore Capito (W.Va.) “This is a big day for West Virginia. This bill would add critical Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties saw some of the first actions of the conflict and suffered through all four years of the war—from Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Hokes Run to the Gettysburg Campaign and the battles of 1864, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle played a significant role. West Virginia was born in the fire of the Civil War. Our people lived it, fought in it, and were shaped by it in ways no other state can claim. Expanding this District is about recognizing that unique role and making sure West Virginia’s chapter of the story is preserved and told for generations to come. West Virginia’s Civil War history is not a footnote,” said Justice. “It is central to who we are as a state. This bill makes sure that history gets the recognition and the resources it deserves, and it does it with both of our states working side by side. That’s the way it ought to be.” “The Shenandoah Valley played a vital role in our nation’s history, and preserving these battlefields will ensure that future generations can understand the events that shaped our country. This bipartisan legislation reflects our shared commitment to protecting these historic landscapes by expanding the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include additional sites in Virginia and West Virginia, which will support tourism and local communities across the region,” said Warner. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is one of Virginia’s great historical treasures, preserving the Valley’s Civil War battlefields so that Americans from across the country can visit them and reflect on our country’s history,” said Kaine. “I’m glad to be working with my colleagues to expand the district into Rockbridge County and strengthen the partnerships that protect these valued sites for years to come.” “Expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District will help preserve key Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle that played a significant role in our state’s history. The battlefield provides an incredible opportunity for people to learn about the formation of West Virginia and the important role our state holds in the foundation of our nation. By expanding the boundaries, we are able to enhance the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District partnership model, helping provide necessary resources and funding to preserve and improve this historic site for future generations,” said Moore Capito. The bill is also supported by the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation and American Conservation Coalition Action. “The Shenandoah VALOR Act brings together two states, once divided by war, in a bi-partisan effort to preserve the Shenandoah Valley as the national treasure that it is – reminding us that our shared history and natural wonders can unite and lift up diverse communities and provide a brighter future for us all,” said the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields Foundation. “As conservatives, we must conserve our natural heritage in places like the Shenandoah Valley. The American Conservation Coalition Action applauds Representative Moore’s leadership to build a bipartisan consensus around this effort,” said Chris Barnard, American Conservation Coalition Action President. BACKGROUND The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/28/vindman-mfume-urge-netanyahu-to-contain-settler-violence-protect-communities-in-the-west-bank/,"Vindman, Mfume Urge Netanyahu to Contain Settler Violence & Protect Communities in the West Bank",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Kweisi Mfume (M.D.-07) sent a letter to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging his government to take immediate steps to contain settler violence in the West Bank. “We write with urgent concern regarding the growing outbreak of extremist settler violence in the West Bank, including violence that has killed and threatened American citizens,” wrote the lawmakers. “We do so out of concern for Israel’s long-term security as well as for the safety of Palestinians. Continued settlement expansion and violence in the West Bank will harm that security and the prospects for lasting peace, prosperity, and freedom for Israelis and Palestinians alike.” “Amidst this violence, we are especially concerned for the safety of American citizens in the West Bank,” the lawmakers continued. “Nine American citizens have been killed in the West Bank since January 2022. To date, no one has been held accountable for any of these nine deaths. Many of us have heard directly from constituents, including American citizens who have themselves been threatened or harassed by settlers without cause.” “Restoring the rule of law in the West Bank serves the security of Israelis and Palestinians alike,” the lawmakers concluded. “The safety of our constituents matters to us as the safety of your citizens matters to you. We also hope to see conditions improve so that Israelis and Palestinians may one day live alongside one another without fear of terrorism or lawless violence.” In the letter, the representatives request that the Israeli government take the following actions to uphold the rule of law and end the violence in the West Bank: Instruct the Israeli Police and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) to defend Palestinian communities in the West Bank when they come under attack, and to apply that standard consistently, whoever the attackers are; Establish a transparent and credible mechanism to investigate and prosecute violence against Palestinians, including Palestinian Americans, and complete the pending investigations into the deaths of the nine American citizens killed in the West Bank since January 2022. Halt further settlement approvals and continue to take steps to remove illegal outposts in the West Bank. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/reps-subramanyam-rutherford-announce-bipartisan-legislation-support-first,"Reps. Subramanyam, Rutherford Announce Bipartisan Legislation to Support First Responder Behavioral Health",2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Representative John Rutherford (FL-05) announced the First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act, bipartisan legislation to expand access to behavioral health resources for first responders. Research shows that first responders face elevated suicide risks. Across the country, there is a lack of behavioral health care providers and resources available. The First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act takes an innovative approach to address this. “First responders put their lives on the line for our safety. Their quality of life should never be in jeopardy. We should not be losing them to mental health struggles when there are evidence-based solutions like clinicians and peer-to-peer counseling that could improve their well-being. This bipartisan, commonsense legislation delivers for our first responders and provides them with the necessary support they deserve,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10). “As a former sheriff and law enforcement officer, I know how important it is for the men and women who keep our communities safe to have someone they can turn to that understands the unique demands of the job,” said Congressman John H. Rutherford (FL-05). “By strengthening partnerships between first responder agencies and local public health departments, this legislation will help bring trusted behavioral health professionals directly into the workplace, expand peer-to-peer support programs, and strengthen the workforce serving our first responders.” ""Counties run 911 centers, emergency medical services and public health departments, and our first responders and 911 telecommunicators answer the call in our residents' worst moments,"" said National Association of Counties Executive Director Matthew Chase. “This bill would give county health agencies the federal support to place mental health clinicians within emergency agencies and reach under-resourced communities. We thank Representatives Subramanyam and Rutherford for introducing this bipartisan legislation and urge Congress to act swiftly."" “Behavioral health is a top priority for our Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue System members,” said Systemwide Fire Chief James S. Williams, Loudoun County Combined Fire and Rescue. “We are committed to strengthening our awareness, resources, and support so that every member of our Fire and Rescue community feels valued, heard, and cared for. I truly value the support of lawmakers, like Congressman Subramanyam, who bring much needed attention to the health and wellness of first responders and the need for expanded behavioral health resources.” The legislation: Expands access to grants to support the recruitment and field placement of behavioral health care providers to serve in first responder agencies, helping build a pipeline into the profession. Creates a pilot grant program to partner local, county, regional, and state governments with first responder agencies to embed clinicians with first responder agencies, establish peer-to-peer programs, and assist in training peer-to-peer behavioral health care providers. Rep. Subramanyam, along with Reps. Rutherford and Alford, previously introduced the Peer Support for Our First Responders Act to establish an interagency working group to review ways to improve behavioral and mental health outcomes for first responders. The First Responder Behavioral Health Access Act is also supported by The Major County Sheriffs of America and the National Narcotic Officers’ Associations’ Coalition. ###",1,2026-09-30T10:57:52Z,2026-09-30T10:59:04Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-and-kaine-applaud-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house,Subramanyam and Kaine Applaud Bill Designating George C. Marshall House As National Park Service Affiliated Area Becoming Law,2026-09-27,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and U.S. Senator Tim Kaine's (D-VA) bill designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as a National Park Service (NPS) affiliated area was signed into law. “Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community for hundreds of years. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. The International Center right here in Leesburg has so much to offer visitors from around the world, including educational programming for people of all ages. I am proud that Senator Kaine and I delivered for Virginians and made this bill law,” said Subramanyam. “George C. Marshall was educated at Virginia Military Institute, served as the US Army’s Chief of Staff during World War II and then earned the Nobel Peace Prize for his work as Secretary of State,” said Kaine. “This NPS designation of Dodona Manor will help preserve his home, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and ensure future generations understand the critical role he played in our history. I’m grateful to the many advocates and partners who have worked with us to get this done.” “We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaineand Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.” The official designation is the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area provides new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming. General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/25/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-help-fund-childcare-for-first-responders/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Fund Childcare for First Responders,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) today introduced the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act, legislation that would help states fund childcare services for the minor children of firefighters, emergency medical technicians (EMTs), and paramedics during shift work and non-traditional hours. “As a father, I know how important reliable, affordable childcare really is for families across Virginia. Our community’s firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics deserve to know their kids are taken care of when they answer the call to serve,” said Vindman. “This legislation will support more childcare options for our neighbors that work long hours. I will always fight for Virginia’s families and first responders to succeed.” The Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act would authorize the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to award competitive grants to help states fund childcare programs tailored to the shift schedules and non-traditional work hours of covered first responders. Grants would be awarded for three-year periods, with matching requirements increasing over the course of the grant term. Eligible beneficiaries would include career and volunteer firefighters, certified emergency medical technicians, and licensed paramedics who are employed by or affiliated with state, local, tribal, or territorial agencies. “First responders across eastern North Carolina work long shifts, nights, weekends, and holidays to keep our communities safe, but finding childcare that works around those hours can be a real challenge,” said Davis. “I am proud to co-lead the Providing Childcare for Firefighters and EMS Act to help communities expand childcare options that reflect the realities of first responders’ schedules. Our firefighters, EMTs, and paramedics are there for us at all hours of the day, so we should ensure their families have the support they need to continue serving our communities.” This legislation is endorsed by the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) and the Prince William County IAFF. “In more than two decades as a firefighter and paramedic, I’ve watched talented colleagues walk away from this profession entirely because they couldn’t reliably find childcare,” said the Prince William County IAFF. “Our work doesn’t stop at 5 p.m. We work 24-hour shifts, often leaving home well before sunrise to report for duty, and we cover nights, weekends, and holidays. Traditional childcare simply isn’t built for that. The Providing Child Care for Firefighters and EMS Act tackles a problem that’s quietly costing us good people.” BACKGROUND Since coming to Congress, Vindman has been a champion for law enforcement and first responders across Virginia and the United States. In 2026, Vindman secured more than $2,750,000 for law enforcement and public safety projects in Virginia’s Seventh District as part of a U.S. House-passed Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 appropriations bill. Vindman has also led key congressional efforts — like the Nitazene Control Act, the Targeting Online Sales of Fentanyl Act, and the Enhancing Southbound Inspections to Combat Cartels Act — to give law enforcement the tools they need to tackle the fentanyl and nitazene crises. Vindman has cosponsored the Providing Child Care for Police Officers Act, the Officer John Barnes and Chief Michael Ansbro Public Safety Officers’ Benefits Program Expansion Act, and the COPS Reauthorization Act. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9229,DHS Silence On ICE Agents Threatening Law-Abiding Citizen With Gun Speaks Volumes,2026-09-25,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) today blasted the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) for refusing to answer questions about Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents who threatened an unarmed, law-abiding U.S. citizen with a gun last month. Beyer led Democratic leaders raising questions about the incident, in which masked ICE agents pointed a gun at Carolina Molina, a Northern Virginia mother and licensed professional counselor, after trapping her vehicle on the street following a verbal exchange on August 10th. While the Justice Department sent a short, generic letter that said “the information you have provided may be shared, as appropriate, with others in the Department for their review,” the Department of Homeland Security has failed to respond to the inquiry in any way. “ICE agents pointed a gun at Carolina Molina for no good reason, they were caught on video lying about it, and now DHS is refusing to answer any questions about what happened. Their silence speaks volumes. Northern Virginians will see this as yet another instance of masked thugs with guns making their community less safe because the Trump Administration is not holding anyone accountable,” said Beyer. “Today law-abiding people with legal status are beaten up, grabbed without warrants, thrown into vans, and disappeared without process of law or legal recourse under the Constitution. Citizens who ask questions or exercise their rights to free speech are harassed, threatened, or even killed. This is the environment of fear the Trump Administration has created with intention and purpose, driven by demands for deportation quotas and content for sick, twisted videos. The American people have had enough of this authoritarian lawlessness.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9226,Beyer Demands Answers About Equipment at Proposed Arch Site,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district that includes Arlington National Cemetery and Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA), issued the following statement after visiting the site of President Trump’s proposed 250-foot arch in response to reports from constituents of construction equipment at the site: “This morning, after hearing from constituents who saw construction equipment at the site of Trump’s proposed vanity arch, I drove down to Columbia Island to see for myself. When I arrived, I found workers operating heavy equipment who told me they were conducting archaeological work to evaluate the composition of the soil. When I asked whether this work was a precursor to construction of the arch, they said that they could not answer. The logical conclusion, however, is that the presence of this heavy equipment and additional surveyors is a clear indication that the Trump Administration is preparing to move forward with construction. “That would be deeply troubling. Trump’s arch is illegal and immoral, and the Administration is also under court order requiring 48 hours’ notice before work proceeds. Yet, the Administration appears to be pushing ahead with activity at the site even while it still has not done the basic work necessary to understand the consequences of this project. There has been no adequate assessment of the regional impacts of this 250-foot structure on public safety, vehicular traffic, air traffic, or historic sites, including the implications of Trump’s latest ravings about using the arch as a base for drone and sniper operations. “Donald Trump and his Administration are determined to find a way to push this project through by any means necessary, regardless of the law or the concerns of the people who live here but my constituents have made their views abundantly clear: they do not want this project. Neither do I. I will continue doing everything in my power to stop this illegal and reckless attempt to turn our nation’s capital into a monument to Donald Trump.” Rep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9227,"Beyer Condemns Trump’s Illegal, Secretive Assault on East Potomac Park Following Site Tour",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Don Beyer today issued the following statement after conducting a site visit at East Potomac Park with local stakeholders, including Washington Area Bicyclist Association (WABA) Executive Director Elizabeth Kiker, Credit Union Cherry Blossom Ten-Mile Run Deputy Director Becky Lambros, League of American Bicyclists Executive Director Bill Nesper, Beltway Golfer Magazine Publisher Alex Dickson, and Member of the Metro Washington Association of Blind Athletes (MWABA) LeRoy Hansen: “East Potomac Park is not Donald Trump’s personal playground. It is a treasured public park that people across our region use every single day. Today, we saw golfers on the course, cyclists and runners on the roads, and families enjoying this incredible space. We also saw the Administration’s destruction firsthand, including trees that have already been cut down, some of them historic cherry trees. And all of this is happening behind closed doors. The Administration is tearing apart a public park while refusing to tell the public what it is doing, what it has already done, or what it plans to do next. That is an outrageous mismanagement of our public land and a complete disregard for the American people whom this park belongs to.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/24/mcclellan-joins-bipartisan-shenandoah-valor-act-to-expand-shenandoah-valley-battlefields-national-historic-district-into-west-virginia/,McClellan Joins Bipartisan Shenandoah VALOR Act to Expand Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District into West Virginia,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman McClellan (VA-04) joined Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02) to introduce the Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act, or Shenandoah (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge Country in Virginia. Every member of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations is an original cosponsor of this legislation. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which also has the full bipartisan support of both states’ senators. “Virginians recognize the historical value of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields and the critical role this beautiful landscape played in the Civil War,” said Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04). “By expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District, the Shenandoah VALOR Act will strengthen the federal government’s ability to preserve these hallowed lands for generations to visit, enjoy and learn from this site. I thank Congressman Moore for his leadership in this space.” “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies. The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations,” said Congressman Moore. In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition. The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners. Shenandoah VALOR Act Supporters: “The Shenandoah Valley played a vital role in our nation’s history, and preserving these battlefields will ensure that future generations can understand the events that shaped our country. This bipartisan legislation reflects our shared commitment to protecting these historic landscapes by expanding the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District to include additional sites in Virginia and West Virginia, which will support tourism and local communities across the region,” said Virginia Senator Mark Warner. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District is one of Virginia’s great historical treasures, preserving the Valley’s Civil War battlefields so that Americans from across the country can visit them and reflect on our country’s history,” said Virginia Senator Tim Kaine. “I’m glad to be working with my colleagues to expand the district into Rockbridge County and strengthen the partnerships that protect these valued sites for years to come.” “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most significant sites in our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve that history for generations to come,” said Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01). “The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help protect historic battlefields, expand opportunities for Americans to experience the outdoors, and support the local tourism economy. I am proud to cosponsor this legislation to ensure the Shenandoah Valley is preserved for future generations.” “A part of what makes Virginia so special is the Commonwealth’s rich history and the generations of Americans that have helped shape it. The Shenandoah VALOR Act will help preserve the historic battlefields and sites that tell the story of the Shenandoah Valley while expanding opportunities for future generations to learn about and experience this important part of our nation’s history. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to protect these historic sites and ensure their stories are preserved for the next generation to learn and enjoy,” said Congresswoman Jen Kiggans (VA-02). “Virginia’s historic sites help tell the story of our nation,” said Congressman Bobby Scott. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District educates Virginians and those visiting our Commonwealth on the true history of the battles fought in the Shenandoah Valley during the Civil War. I am proud to cosponsor the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand the National Historic District’s reach and to authorize new resources that support this critical work,” said Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03). “Our nation’s rich history and beautiful landscapes must be preserved,” said Rep. John McGuire (VA-05). “The Shenandoah VALOR Act is crucial for safeguarding the historic landscapes our country is known for. As tourists from across the globe visit these sites, we must do what we can to ensure they’re maintained for generations to come,” said Congressman John McGuire (VA-05). “Shenandoah is more than a scenic landscape. It is a place where Virginia’s history and culture come to life,” said Rep. Cline. “The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District Boundary Expansion and Partnership Act of 2026 expands the National Historic District to include four additional counties. This legislation preserves and strengthens the partnership among local communities, the state, and the district, while ensuring these historic resources continue to be supported at the local level rather than federally managed,” said Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06). “The Shenandoah VALOR Act recognizes the important role the Shenandoah Valley and the Eastern Panhandle play in our nation’s Civil War history while creating new opportunities for communities to preserve that history and share it with visitors,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to support this legislation that will protect these historic sites, invest in our local communities, support tourism, and ensure that future generations can learn from the stories that shaped Virginia and West Virginia,” said Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07). “The Shenandoah Valley helped shape the course of the Civil War, and today its historic landscapes continue to draw visitors from across the country. Our Shenandoah VALOR Act would expand the National Historic District to additional communities in Virginia and West Virginia and strengthen the local partnerships that preserve and share this legacy. I’m proud to join Congressman Moore in this effort to ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic places,” said Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08). “Virginia’s history, good and bad, is worth studying. The Shenandoah VALOR Act helps promote this history and serve local economies. As a student of history with family ties to the region, I am excited to join a Congressional effort that expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District,” said Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09). “I am proud to support this measure to preserve the Commonwealth’s battlefields and history. This important bill will help expand access to resources for our historic battlefields and districts for generations to come,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10). “The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11). “This is a big day for West Virginia,” said Senator Justice. “This bill would add critical Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle to the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District. Berkeley, Jefferson, and Morgan Counties saw some of the first actions of the conflict and suffered through all four years of the war—from Harpers Ferry and the Battle of Hokes Run to the Gettysburg Campaign and the battles of 1864, West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle played a significant role.” “West Virginia was born in the fire of the Civil War. Our people lived it, fought in it, and were shaped by it in ways no other state can claim. Expanding this District is about recognizing that unique role and making sure West Virginia’s chapter of the story is preserved and told for generations to come. “West Virginia’s Civil War history is not a footnote,” Justice said. “It is central to who we are as a state. This bill makes sure that history gets the recognition and the resources it deserves, and it does it with both of our states working side by side. That’s the way it ought to be,” said West Virginia Senator Jim Justice. “Expanding the boundaries of the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District will help preserve key Civil War sites in our Eastern Panhandle that played a significant role in our state’s history. The battlefield provides an incredible opportunity for people to learn about the formation of West Virginia and the important role our state holds in the foundation of our nation. By expanding the boundaries, we are able to enhance the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District partnership model, helping provide necessary resources and funding to preserve and improve this historic site for future generations,” West Virginia Senator Shelley Moore Capito said. “West Virginia came to be during the Civil War, and it is essential that we protect the rich history of our state. Expanding the Shenandoah Valley National Historic District into Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties will help preserve significant historic sites while also creating new opportunities for tourism and economic growth in the Eastern Panhandle. This legislation is an investment in West Virginia’s past that will give our communities the resources they need to create jobs, attract visitors, and help local communities share their stories with visitors from across the country,” said Congresswoman Carol Miller (WV-01).",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/24/mcclellan-leads-virginia-democratic-delegation-to-oppose-trumps-efforts-to-rescind-the-roadless-rule/,McClellan Leads Virginia Democratic Delegation to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Rescind the Roadless Rule,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) led 7 Members of the Virginia delegation — including U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and James Walkinshaw (VA-11) — in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”). Since its implementation in 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected 45 million acres of forest lands across the country, including nearly 394,000 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service filed a proposal in August of this year to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could have devastating impacts on water quality, biodiversity, economic development and more for these regions. “This proposal would strip protections from approximately 84% of Virginia’s roadless areas, opening these lands to road construction, logging, and other industrial activities. The consequences for Virginia’s environment, economy, and public health would be severe, falling squarely on the families and communities we represent,” wrote the lawmakers. “With more roadless acres than any other state east of the Mississippi River, Virginia has an outsized stake in decisions regarding the Roadless Rule. Once lost, these ecosystems and the countless benefits they provide to clean air, clean water, and climate resilience cannot be easily restored, if at all.” The letter outlines the risks this rescission would pose to Virginia by jeopardizing Virginia’s drinking water and ecosystems, threatening economic activity driven by recreation and tourism activities, increasing wildfire risk and straining public resources. “For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=842,"Walkinshaw, McClellan Lead Virginia Democratic Delegation to Oppose Trump’s Efforts to Rescind the Roadless Rule",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan led 6 Members of the Virginia delegation — including U.S. Senators Mark Warner (D-VA) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), and Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Don Beyer (VA-08), Eugene Vindman (VA-07), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) — in sending a letter to Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins in strong opposition to the Trump Administration’s proposal to rescind the Roadless Area Conservation Rule (the “Roadless Rule”). Since its implementation in 2001, the Roadless Rule has protected 45 million acres of forest lands across the country, including nearly 394,000 acres in the Commonwealth of Virginia. Under the Trump Administration, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and Forest Service filed a proposal in August of this year to repeal the Roadless Rule, which could have devastating impacts on water quality, biodiversity, economic development and more for these regions. “This proposal would strip protections from approximately 84% of Virginia’s roadless areas, opening these lands to road construction, logging, and other industrial activities. The consequences for Virginia’s environment, economy, and public health would be severe, falling squarely on the families and communities we represent,” wrote the lawmakers. “With more roadless acres than any other state east of the Mississippi River, Virginia has an outsized stake in decisions regarding the Roadless Rule. Once lost, these ecosystems and the countless benefits they provide to clean air, clean water, and climate resilience cannot be easily restored, if at all.” The letter outlines the risks this rescission would pose to Virginia by jeopardizing Virginia’s drinking water and ecosystems, threatening economic activity driven by recreation and tourism activities, increasing wildfire risk and straining public resources. “For 25 years, the Roadless Rule has demonstrated that protecting America’s national forest lands is both effective and widely supported. Rescinding the Roadless Rule would ignore this overwhelming public consensus while undermining Virginia’s drinking water, biodiversity, local economies, and public safety,” the lawmakers concluded. “We urge the Department to withdraw this dangerous proposal and maintain the Roadless Area Conservation Rule of 2001 in its entirety.” Read the full letter text here.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=849,Walkinshaw Cosponsors Bipartisan Shenandoah VALOR Act to Preserve Historic Battlefields,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) cosponsored Congressman Riley M. Moore's (WV-02) Shenandoah Valley Access, Legacy, and Outdoor Recreation Act, or Shenandoah (VALOR) Act. This legislation expands the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District and its proven record of historic preservation and economic development to three counties in West Virginia’s Eastern Panhandle as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. Every member of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations is an original cosponsor of this legislation. Senator Jim Justice (R-WV) is leading the companion legislation in the Senate, which also has the full bipartisan support of both states’ senators. “The Shenandoah Valley is an important part of our nation’s history, and we have a responsibility to preserve the places that tell that story. I’m proud to support the Shenandoah VALOR Act to expand these preservation efforts and ensure future generations can experience and learn from these historic landscapes,” said Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11). In addition to expanding the National Historic District, this bill would also protect its existing federal funding and provide resources for battlefield preservation, visitor facilities, historic properties, grants, technical assistance, and the acquisition of land from willing sellers. Specifically, the legislation authorizes $1.25 million annually beginning in Fiscal Year 2027 for management, operations, battlefield parks, visitor facilities, and preserved historic properties, along with $2.5 million annually from FY2027 through FY2033 for grants, technical assistance, and land acquisition. The legislation further directs the Secretary of the Interior to report to Congress on ways the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields partnership model could be replicated at other locations within the National Park System. The Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District was established by Congress 30 years ago, in the fall of 1996, to preserve and interpret Civil War battlefields and historic sites throughout the Shenandoah Valley. The District operates on a partnership-based management model involving local communities, organizations, landowners, and preservation partners. “The Shenandoah Valley is home to some of the most hallowed battlefields in our nation’s history. For 30 years, the Shenandoah Valley Battlefields National Historic District has proven its ability to preserve that history, attract millions of visitors, and generate a positive effect on local economies. The Shenandoah VALOR Act builds on that success by expanding the District to include Jefferson, Berkeley, and Morgan counties in West Virginia as well as Rockbridge County in Virginia. This expansion will support preservation efforts that protect our shared heritage, open it to locals and visitors alike, and bring new economic opportunities to the whole region. I am proud to introduce this bill with the full bipartisan support of the West Virginia and Virginia House delegations,” said Congressman Riley M. Moore (WV-02).",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-introduces-bipartisan-stop-spam-calls-act,Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Bipartisan Stop Spam Calls Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Jefferson Shreve (IN-06) introduced the Stop Spam Calls Act to crack down on spam calls and texts by empowering the FCC to better protect consumers. The bill requires each telemarketer wanting to send robocalls or robotexts to a consumer to directly get their explicit, written consent. Under current law, businesses can ask consumers to consent to telemarketing calls from them and thousands of their marketing partners with a single check box. “Families shouldn’t be subjected to unwanted telemarketing robocalls from thousands of businesses. In an age where Americans have become far too used to their information being sold to the highest bidder behind their backs, Congress needs to take action to protect people’s privacy. The Stop Spam Calls Act will reign in robocall abuses and reestablish the power of consent for consumers,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “Giving one company permission to call you shouldn’t open the door to calls from countless others. Your phone number shouldn’t be passed around without your say,” said Congressman Shreve. “The Stop Spam Calls Act closes that loophole. Americans should decide who has permission to call them.” “The Stop Spam Calls Act would reinstate a repealed FCC protection aimed at reducing the billions of unwanted telemarketing calls that arrive on our phones every day,"" said Christine Hines, senior policy director at the National Association of Consumer Advocates. ""This bill, which requires consumers to provide written consent to each marketer or seller before receiving certain robocalls or robotexts, would help to restore trust in our communications."" “When we interact with a business, we don’t expect that they will share our phone number with hundreds of other sellers,” said NCL Senior Public Policy Manager Eden Iscil. “This legislation would give control back to the public over how our contact information is shared. Congress should not delay in reinstating the FCC’s commonsense policy that outlawed these predatory practices.” “Online shopping shouldn’t mean endless spam robocalls from thousands of companies you’ve never even heard of,” said Patrick Crotty, senior attorney at the National Consumer Law Center. ""The Stop Spam Calls Act would restore FCC rules that checked these abuses and limit intrusive robocalls."" The bill was cosponsored by Reps. Raja Krishamoorthi, Andre Carson, George Whitesides, and John Mannion. It was endorsed by the following organizations: Consumer Action, Consumer Federation of America (CFA), National Association of Consumer Advocates (NACA), National Consumer Law Center (NCLC), and National Consumers League (NCL). View the full bill here. ###",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/24/following-meeting-with-va-leadership-vindman-presses-va-secretary-to-fully-staff-the-fredericksburg-va-health-care-center/,"Following Meeting with VA Leadership, Vindman Presses VA Secretary to Fully Staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Yesterday, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) sent a letter to Secretary of Veterans Affairs (VA) Doug Collins requesting that he take immediate and decisive action to hire the medical specialists necessary to fully staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center and ensure that veterans in Virginia receive the care they deserve. The letter follows a meeting between Vindman, Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.), and senior leadership at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center to discuss ongoing staffing challenges and barriers to recruiting and retaining medical specialists. During the meeting, a representative of Secretary Collin’s DC Office cited salary limitations as a significant obstacle to competing with private-sector health care providers for qualified physicians. Vindman is calling on Secretary Collins to use existing authority granted by Congress to waive those pay limitations for critical health care personnel and help fill vacancies at the Fredericksburg facility. You can read the full text of the letter below. — Secretary Collins, I write to request that you take immediate and decisive action to hire the medical specialists necessary to fully staff the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center and ensure that Veterans in Virginia receive the care they deserve. Congress has granted you the authority to pay competitive salaries for the medical professionals who treat our country’s heroes. The time to exercise that authority to help veterans in Fredericksburg is now. As you are aware, on August 24th, Senator Tim Kaine and I participated in a meeting with senior leadership of the VA Health Care Clinic in Fredericksburg. The facility leaders who attended that meeting were knowledgeable, forthcoming, and clearly committed to helping those who served our country. In my view, the meeting was a productive step towards resolving the staffing issues at the clinic. The most important takeaway from the discussion related to hiring for vacant positions. A representative from your Washington, DC office explained that VA salary limitations are preventing the agency from competing with private hospitals for talented doctors. Specifically, he claimed the Fredericksburg facility is unable to hire and retain adequate staff because the VA does not pay doctors a competitive salary. However, for over a year, your agency has had Congressional authority to remedy this problem and hire all the skilled practitioners necessary to ensure that America’s veterans receive the medical care they deserve. In December of 2024 a Republican House of Representatives worked with a Democratic Senate and President Biden to resolve this issue by passing the Elizabeth Dole 21st Century Veterans Healthcare and Benefits Improvement Act. This legislation contained a provision that granted the Secretary of Veterans Affairs 300 waivers permitting the agency to pay higher salaries for specialists in critical areas of healthcare. It is my understanding that your team has recently begun awarding these waivers and that fewer than 100 remain to be allocated. Furthermore, according to staff on the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, not a single voucher has been used anywhere in Virginia. I am calling on you to use a portion of the remaining waivers to hire high-quality medical specialists for the Fredericksburg facility so we can improve the lives of the tens of thousands of veterans living in Central and Northern Virginia. Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District is home to one of the highest concentrations of veterans in the country, and the Fredericksburg Health Care Center is the largest and newest VA outpatient clinic. A substantial share of my constituents in the Seventh are rural veterans, for whom traveling to Richmond or Washington D.C., presents a significant burden. Therefore, deploying the Elizabeth Dole Act vouchers in Fredericksburg will deliver real benefits to an area with an acute need. As I mentioned above, the meeting with local leadership from the Fredericksburg Health Care Center was encouraging. Because your office has acknowledged that you understand the salary cap issue, it is your duty to address it immediately. Mr. Secretary, you have a clear opportunity to improve the quality of medical care for Virginia Veterans. I urge you to exercise your waiver authority to fill the vacancies at the Fredericksburg Health Care Center without further delay. If you need additional waiver authority for more slots, we stand ready to work with you to make that happen. Please provide a response advising me whether you will begin using the waivers allowed by Section 142 of the Elizabeth Dole Act of 2025 to hire medical specialists at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center no later than Friday, October 9, 2026. BACKGROUND On Monday, August 24, Vindman and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hosted a roundtable with veterans discuss their experiences with the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. Following the meeting, the lawmakers met with senior VA leadership. In mid-July 2026, 200 Virginians responded to a survey from Vindman about the delays they experienced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. He personally called over 30 of these veterans to express his commitment to demanding better from the VA. In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned. Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the care they earned through their service in six different letters. All of these letters have gone without a written or substantial response. Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9233,Beyer Joins Introduction of American Leadership in Fusion Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Today, Ranking Member Zoe Lofgren (D-CA) and Congressman Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Chairman of the Science Committee’s Subcommittee on Research and Technology, led the introduction of the bipartisan American Leadership in Fusion Act. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), and James Gallagher (R-CA) joined in sponsoring this legislation. The bill would implement the recommendations in the recent report entitled Fusion Forward from a bipartisan Commission of the Special Competitive Studies Project, further informed by recent reports and recommendations from the Department of Energy (DOE), the Fusion Energy Sciences Advisory Committee (FESAC), and the Fusion Industry Association. Most significantly, if enacted, this bill would provide $10 billion in direct investments for high-priority activities to accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy. “Fusion is the future, and this bipartisan bill is a major step in capitalizing on the promise of its emission-free power,” said Ranking Member Lofgren. “I’m proud to be introducing this bill today alongside Representatives Obernolte, Beyer, Trahan, and Gallagher—and I thank them for their partnership. We are faced with a choice: lead the global race to commercialize fusion power or get left behind. We need to match the momentum we are experiencing with breakthroughs at the National Ignition Facility, from the emerging fusion energy industry, and at universities and other national laboratories across the country to fortify the foundation of fusion energy in America, in both the private and public sectors. With $10 billion in direct investments for high-priority activities, the establishment of an Office of Fusion at DOE, a workforce development program, and much more—this bill will unleash a new era of fusion energy development in the United States.” “Fusion energy has the potential to be a reliable domestic source of power and strengthen America’s energy independence,” said Congressman Obernolte. “The American Leadership in Fusion Act supports the research infrastructure and commercialization pathways needed to move fusion technologies toward deployment and maintain U.S. leadership in this critical field.” “Fusion energy can help deliver abundant, reliable, clean energy for decades to come, but if we want to realize its promise, we need to make greater investments in its commercialization,” said Congressman Beyer. “That’s why I’m proud to support the bipartisan American Leadership in Fusion Act, which would provide $10 billion in direct investment to accelerate fusion commercialization and establish an Office of Fusion. We must give promising fusion technologies the resources they need to reach the grid and ensure American leadership in this global race.” “At a time when families across the country are struggling with rising energy costs, fusion energy offers the promise of delivering clean, reliable, and affordable power. However, turning that promise into reality requires sustained investment and commitment,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “This legislation will help accelerate the commercialization of fusion energy and strengthen America’s position as a global leader in this critical technology. By investing in the scientists, researchers, and companies developing the next generation of energy technology here in the United States, we can advance our clean energy goals, create good-paying jobs, and strengthen our energy independence. America has always been at its best when we lead the world in innovation, and fusion is our opportunity to lead once again.” “Fusion energy represents a tremendous opportunity to strengthen American energy dominance, drive innovation, and create new opportunities for workers and businesses for the North State and across the nation,"" said Congressman Gallagher. “This bipartisan bill makes critical investments to accelerate the commercialization of fusion, grow our research capabilities, and support the next generation of American talent. We must build on the breakthroughs happening across our national laboratories, universities, and private sector to ensure America remains at the forefront of fusion energy.” “The FIA, as the unified voice of the fusion industry, applauds and commends Representatives Lofgren, Obernolte, Gallagher, Trahan, and Beyer for introducing bipartisan legislation to advance the commercialization of fusion energy,” said Andrew Holland, Chief Executive Officer, Fusion Industry Association. “The private fusion industry has attracted a record $4.5 billion in investment over the past year, but to deploy in the U.S. within the next decade, it needs a strong partner in the federal government. The American Leadership in Fusion Act provides the DOE with the necessary guidance to support commercialization, along with the government resources needed to develop the infrastructure and grow the public-private partnerships accelerating fusion's deployment.” “The global race to commercialize fusion will be won by the nation that can translate scientific leadership into industrial strength,” said Ylli Bajraktari, CEO, SCSP Action Program. “The American Leadership in Fusion Act recognizes fusion as a strategic national priority with the potential to help secure America’s energy future, strengthen its economic and national security, and ensure that the United States—not China—sets the pace for this critical technology. By investing at scale in test infrastructure, milestone-based public-private partnerships, domestic supply chains, and the fusion workforce, this bipartisan legislation translates a comprehensive national strategy into action.” “This act is at the scale necessary for the US to win the fusion race,” said Carlos Paz-Soldan, President, University Fusion Association. “We strongly support it and hope our representatives see the urgency in supporting this technology to ensure it is developed and deployed in the United States.”",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/23/mcclellan-celebrates-securing-three-virginia-initiatives-in-water-resources-development-act-of-2026/,McClellan Celebrates Securing Three Virginia Initiatives in Water Resources Development Act of 2026,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – In case you missed it: On September 16, 2026, the House passed H.R. 9497, the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026, to authorize critical water infrastructure projects and programs for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). Specifically, McClellan applauded the inclusion of three initiatives that she requested to authorize water resource studies and water infrastructure projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia. “The Water Resources Development Act of 2026 serves as proof that Congress can still work together on a bipartisan basis to tangibly better the lives of local communities and environments for generations to come. This bill will significantly strengthen our waterways, ports, harbors and critical water infrastructure across the country, and those in Virginia and beyond will feel its effects,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I am especially grateful to see that priorities I championed to serve Virginia communities have been included in this year’s WRDA. From proactively managing flood control for the James and Appomattox Rivers, to increasing funding for the Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program, to delivering $25,000,000 to improve water infrastructure for Henrico County in my district, these projects advance comprehensive quality-of-life improvements and ensure that the health, safety and well-being of our inland waterways and the people who live around them remain a priority.” The 2026 WRDA includes water resources infrastructure and projects of the USACE. Since 2014, Congress has enacted a WRDA every two years to help improve water resources infrastructure. WRDA-authorized projects of the Corps are locally-driven projects that deliver regional and national benefits. The 2026 WRDA will enact and bolster numerous projects in the Commonwealth of Virginia, including three of McClellan’s submissions involving the Petersburg, Chesapeake Bay and Henrico County areas. The three initiatives McClellan successfully requested included in the 2026 WRDA are as follows: James River Flood Risk Management Feasibility Study. This project modification would include additional portions of the Appomattox River to an existing feasibility study and add flood risk management as a purpose to better support water infrastructure in the region and mitigate potential damages incurred by flooding. The Appomattox River has not been dredged since 1949. This initiative would authorize dredging along the Appomattox River including at Petersburg to restore navigational capacity of the Appomattox River by removing the significant sedimentation that has accumulated in the Petersburg Harbor and portions downstream. The bill also authorizes additional flood-management activities to address frequent flooding in Petersburg and other localities along the Appomattox River. Failure to dredge the river and subsequent sediment buildup prevents the River from navigational uses and further impedes the function of the City’s storm sewer outfalls. Over 67 acres of the City’s urban downtown suffer from frequent flooding due to inadequate river conveyance. Chesapeake Bay Oyster Recovery Program Authorization Increase. The purpose of the Chesapeake Bay Native Oyster Recovery Program in Virginia is the restoration and rehabilitation of reef habitat to provide for self-sustaining native oyster populations and associated fish and wildlife habitat within the Chesapeake Bay watershed in Virginia. According to USACE, the program is currently about $38 million short of its authorized cap of $120 million. Scheduled work over the next two years in Virginia and Maryland would bring the total close to the $120 million cap before the next anticipated WRDA. Without an increase in program authorization in the 2026 WRDA, USACE’s ability to prepare needed oyster recovery work in the Chesapeake Bay could be imperiled. This initiative would make a $30 million increase in program authorization to address anticipated oyster recovery work in the Bay through 2030. East End Water Transmission Main (Design) for Henrico County. This project entails the preliminary and final design of approximately 70,000 LF of 42” water transmission main (WTM) and will deliver $25 million to Henrico County for the purposes of completing this project. This new WTM is intended to run from an existing 48” WTM in the central part of the County to an existing 36” WTM located in the east end of the County. This would improve resilience in Henrico’s water supply system, allowing continued transmission of clean water from the western side of the County to the eastern side in the event that Richmond experiences another water treatment facility failure, similar to what occurred at the beginning of 2025.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/23/vindman-joins-democratic-veterans-in-demanding-trump-hold-beijing-accountable-for-providing-key-intelligence-to-iran/,Vindman Joins Democratic Veterans in Demanding Trump Hold Beijing Accountable for Providing Key Intelligence to Iran,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of their Democratic Veteran colleagues in calling on President Trump to publicly condemn China’s support for Iranian forces that are killing U.S. troops ahead of his White House meeting with President Xi Jinping. On July 17th, an Iranian missile struck a U.S. base in Jordan killing three servicemembers and injuring four others. Recent reporting from the Wall Street Journal confirms that Iran acquired high-resolution satellite imagery of the base from Chinese entities. Ahead of the September 23rd White House meeting between Trump and Xi, Ryan is leading his Democratic veteran colleagues in demanding Trump hold Xi accountable for Beijing’s role in U.S. troop deaths, and that he publicly condemn China’s support for IRGC operations. Joining Vindman and Ryan are fellow Democratic veterans and U.S. Representatives Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), Herb Conaway (N.J.-03), Derek Tran (Calif.-45), Mike Thompson (Calif.-04), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19), Ted Lieu (Calif.-36), and Salud Carbajal (Calif.-24). The full text of the letter can be found hereand below. Dear President Trump, Ahead of President Xi Jinping’s upcoming visit to the White House, we implore you to use your meeting to strongly condemn China’s sharing of satellite information that resulted in the deaths of three U.S. servicemembers in Jordan on July 17th, and demand that President Xi cease any support, cooperation, and information sharing with Iran and the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC). On July 17th, an Iranian ballistic missile struck sleeping quarters at Muwaffaq Salti Air Base in Jordan, killing three American soldiers and wounding four others. The Wall Street Journal has since reported that Iran acquired high-resolution satellite imagery of the base from Chinese entities both before and after the attack, intelligence that U.S. officials say was directly connected to the strike that killed our troops. Your administration knew this coordination was happening. In May, the State Department sanctioned three China-based firms for supplying Iran with satellite imagery of American and allied military facilities. Senior officials in your administration reportedly spent months warning their Chinese counterparts that companies in their country were arming Iran with the targeting data. The satellite imagery is only one piece of China’s material support to Iran; Chinese firms have supplied key raw materials for the production of Iranian Shaheds, delivered chipmaking equipment to the IRGC, and sold Iran shoulder-launched missile systems, including the weapon that was likely responsible for the downed American F-15E Strike Eagle. Rather than hold Beijing accountable, you downplayed these findings. When asked aboard Air Force One whether you would raise the issue with President Xi, you told reporters, “I think he’s behaved reasonably well.” That is a direct and egregious betrayal of our troops. Our servicemembers are paying the price in blood for this administration’s pathetic refusal to confront Beijing. That must end now. Your meeting with President Xi presents an important opportunity to condemn China’s role in arming and enabling Iran, and to demand an end to their support. As veterans, we know what it means to send Americans into harm’s way, and we know what is owed to them in return: the truth, and a Commander-in-Chief willing to hold accountable anyone and everyone who might do harm to our troops. BACKGROUND Vindman is a 25-year Army veteran and member of the Democratic Veterans Caucus; Vindman also sits on the House Armed Services Committee, where he has become the leading voice of opposition to Trump’s war in Iran. ###",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9224,Beyer Statement On Trump Arch Announcement,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery and Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA), issued the following statement after President Trump declared via social media post that his proposal for a gigantic arch intended to serve as a monument to himself would “convert” the site “to house, store, and… use large numbers of drones, plus snipers, …and hold large quantities of sniper ammunition,” supposedly for national security reasons: “Putting a drone launching site directly in the landing path for DCA is a stupid, dangerous, and unworkable idea. But if Trump wants to pursue it, the FAA’s prior work over the past six months to rubber stamp this proposal with a dubious safety study will be obsolete, and they will have to do it all over again. “Likewise, Trump’s notion to make his vanity arch an ammunition depot for ‘snipers’ in a location where snipers have never been needed would place a large weapons cache within feet of thousands of tourists, pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers on major commuter traffic thoroughfares and Metro’s Blue Line. Such work would necessitate a redo of all prior impact studies, some of which remain unreleased if they were ever done at all. “Of course, Trump is not serious about any of this. He just wants this massive monument to his own ego built by any means available, and he has been told that he is likely to lose court challenges. He hopes to use national security as a ludicrous pretext to force construction through, just as he did with his wildly expensive White House ballroom boondoggle. The overwhelming local opposition to Trump’s illegal and disrespectful vanity arch will not be defeated by this chicanery. The Narcissist in Chief is not fooling anyone.” Last Friday, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) issued a doubtful “determination of no hazard to air navigation” for the President’s arch proposal. The FAA’s determination did not contemplate the structure’s use as a launch pad for “large numbers of drones.” The FAA document’s political influence was especially apparent in the closing section, which overruled a prior FAA requirement of flashing red lights for the arch in favor of “a non-standard eternal flame” “continuously floodlighted by searchlight projectors.” The National Park Service similarly issued documentation finding the arch would have substantial adverse effects on regional historic sites, but approving it anyway. Rep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/22/mcclellan-announces-launch-of-the-2026-2027-youth-advisory-council-for-virginias-fourth/,McClellan Announces Launch of the 2026-2027 Youth Advisory Council for Virginia’s Fourth,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Richmond, VA –​​ Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) announced the launch of her Youth Advisory Council for the 2026-2027 school year to promote high schoolers’ engagement with the legislative process and federal government. Members of the Youth Advisory Council will engage with the Congresswoman’s staff through monthly virtual meetings and have the opportunity to present their policy ideas to the Congresswoman. “Students thrive when they are encouraged to share their perspective and confronted with new ideas that teach them to think for themselves. Yet many young people think their voices aren’t being heard by those in power,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “My Youth Advisory Council Program fosters an environment in which high school students are empowered to discuss the challenges of our time and explore how we can fight for a better future for them and for future generations. I want to encourage high schoolers across Virginia’s Fourth to speak up, to demand more from their elected leaders and to get involved in my Youth Advisory Council this year!” The Youth Advisory Council is open to all high school students currently residing or attending school in Virginia’s Fourth Congressional District. The council will meet monthly with members of McClellan’s Washington, D.C. and district staff to learn more about the legislative body, communications, constituent casework and district outreach. The students will also work on a project that they share with the Congresswoman and discuss what they have learned over the course of the program. Eligible high school students can submit their applications now until 11:59 PM on October 2nd, 2026. The Council will be held from October through May.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/22/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-combat-mail-theft-and-check-fraud/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Combat Mail Theft and Check Fraud,2026-09-22,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act, legislation that would strengthen the U.S. Postal Service Office of Inspector General’s capacity to investigate postal employee misconduct, mail theft, check fraud, and related financial crimes. “Virginians deserve to trust our mail system. Families should be able to put a check or a personal document in the mail without worrying that it will be stolen and used to commit fraud,” said Vindman. “Our local law enforcement officers are doing everything they can, but they simply do not have the capacity to keep up with the growing number of cases. This bill will make sure our federal investigators have the personnel, training, and resources they need to do their jobs.” “I support the need to staff this division of Special Agents and multiply these agent positions in an effort to better protect the citizens of the Commonwealth from mail frauds such as the cases that Investigator Oakerson has been tasked with working,” said Town of Orange Chief of Police Rebecca Nelson. “I also support the creation of legislation allowing Postal Inspectors to investigate postal employees and contractors associated with the mail. The thefts that are occurring in the sorting facilities are costing the citizens of the Commonwealth a great deal of money.” The bill comes in response to growing concerns from local law enforcement, including detectives with the Town of Orange Police Department, who have reported a significant increase in mail theft and the check fraud that often follows. Orange County currently has approximately 50 open mail fraud cases, creating a substantial burden for local investigators who do not have the resources or personnel to investigate every case. The Mail Integrity and Inspector General Act would: Increase investigative staffing at the USPS Office of Inspector General to keep pace with rising postal crime and growing caseloads; Strengthen recruitment and retention efforts for Special Agents responsible for investigating crimes involving postal employees; Provide critical resources, including training and equipment, to support federal investigators; Improve accountability and oversight through regular workforce assessments and reporting to Congress. The legislation has been endorsed by the Postal Police Officers Association and the Town of Orange Police Department. BACKGROUND In Virginia, only three Office of Inspector General Special Agents currently cover the entire state, including multiple major sorting facilities operating around the clock and employing thousands of workers. The problem extends well beyond Virginia. Communities across the country — including in New York, California, North Carolina, Maryland, and Illinois — are experiencing increased mail theft, check washing, and fraud targeting Americans’ personal and financial information. Nationally, reported mail theft-related check fraud has resulted in more than $688 million in losses. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9223,Beyer Calls For Suspension Of AI System Deployed By FAA At Washington Area Airports,2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who serves as co-Chair of the bipartisan Congressional Artificial Intelligence (AI) Caucus and represents a Northern Virginia district that includes Ronald Reagan National Airport (DCA) in the U.S. House, issued the following statement today on the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) deployment of an AI Strategic Management of Airspace Routing Trajectories (“SMART”) system to manage flights at Washington area airports including DCA: “The FAA should not use my constituents as guinea pigs for an unproven AI air traffic control system. The safety of the 24 million people traveling through DCA each year must be the top priority. Residents of this region are still uncertain about air safety after last year’s fatal accident, and the Administration did shockingly little to educate the traveling public about this development before implementing it in one of the most complex airspaces in the world. “Unfortunately, I was informed today that air traffic controllers were not consulted on the ‘SMART’ system’s design and development, and were not trained on using it prior to the system’s adoption at local airports. I was further informed that the air traffic controllers have been told the ‘SMART’ system can adjust schedules and potentially even routes. Despite outward appearances, the airlines reportedly were privately ‘panicking’ about the hasty implementation of this system. I do not know why the Administration felt the need to race it into use, but it is unacceptable to use AI as a substitute for rebuilding the human-directed air traffic controller workforce. “Dangerously rushing a system that holds Americans’ lives in its hands is not a good use case for artificial intelligence. I call on the FAA to immediately suspend its operation, at the very least until it is clearly established beyond doubt via air traffic controller feedback and independently verified stress testing that the technology is safe.”",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/21/vindman-applauds-over-680000-in-federal-funding-to-strengthen-head-start-programs-in-caroline-orange-and-fredericksburg/,"Vindman Applauds Over $680,000 in Federal Funding to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Caroline, Orange, and Fredericksburg",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Virginia Families Pay for Back-to-School Essentials WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Back-to-School Tax Credit Act,... Vindman Joins Legislation to Demand That Trump and Hegseth Stop Hiding True Cost of Iran War Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of his... Vindman Votes to Protect Ratepayers From Data Center Grid Upgrade Costs WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) yesterday voted in favor of H.R.... Vindman Leads on Legislation to Make Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet... Vindman Votes to End the War in Ukraine, Strengthen Our Own National Security WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting to pass... Vindman Votes to Hold Trump Accountable Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting against the... Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) honors the lives... Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected... Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after...",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=838,"Walkinshaw, Ranking Member Thompson, Ramirez Introduce Bill to Strengthen Oversight of CISA’s Cyber Workforce",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection, Committee Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson (MS-02), and Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Protection Subcommittee Ranking Member Delia C. Ramirez (IL-03) introduced the CISA Force Structure Assessment Act. Since President Trump took office, nearly 1,000 Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) employees have been fired, sidelined, or pushed out, hollowing out roughly one-third of the nation’s leading civilian cyber defense agency. His administration has also cut critical programs and disrupted partnerships that help government and industry share information about cyber threats. The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the Director of CISA to determine whether, after these sweeping cuts, the agency still has the personnel, training, certifications, and resources needed to protect federal networks, support state and local governments, and secure critical infrastructure. “America’s cyber defenses are only as strong as the people behind them,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “As cyber threats grow more sophisticated and technologies like artificial intelligence and quantum computing reshape the threat landscape, Congress needs a clear accounting of whether CISA has the workforce, skills, and resources required to keep Americans safe and enable mission delivery. This legislation will identify critical gaps and give Congress concrete information to address them.” “With Iran targeting our critical infrastructure and frontier AI models creating new cyber risks, we must ensure we have a cybersecurity workforce to counter these growing threats,” said Ranking Member Bennie G. Thompson. “After Trump has spent the past two years targeting and slashing CISA’s workforce, we need the agency to assess if it has right personnel in place to fulfill its mission. I thank Congressman Walkinshaw for introducing this necessary legislation to do exactly that.” ""Between the security failures of DOGE, the abuses of immigrant families’ data, and the decimation of CISA’s workforce and resources, the Trump administration and my Republican colleagues have demonstrated a lack of interest in safeguarding our nation’s cybersecurity and our residents’ civil rights and privacy. And as Americans grow more concerned about the threats of AI models, it is more critical than ever that we expand and safeguard the workforce to protect America's cybersecurity,"" said Congresswoman Delia C. Ramirez. ""The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act will help Congress better understand how we can strengthen CISA's workforce to ensure the agency meets its mission of keeping our communities safe."" The CISA Force Structure Assessment Act would require the CISA Director to conduct an assessment of the agency’s ability to fulfill its mission with current staffing levels and resources. The assessment includes : Workforce training and industry-recognized certifications; Security of federal information systems and support for state, local, Tribal, and territorial governments; Risks associated with artificial intelligence, quantum computing, and other emerging technologies; Threat-hunting and cyber incident response capabilities; Support for critical infrastructure and operational technology; and Cybersecurity cooperation with international allies and partners. CISA would be required to consult with federal agencies, state and local governments, information-sharing organizations, critical infrastructure partners, and other stakeholders. Within one year of enactment, CISA would report its findings to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs, including recommendations to address personnel, resource, training, and certification gaps. Read the bill text here. ###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=840,"Walkinshaw, Van Hollen, Hoyer Lead Bipartisan Coalition of 110 Lawmakers Against Trump’s Proposed Federal Pay Freeze",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Steny H. Hoyer (MD-05) and Sen. Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), joined by Sen. Brian Schatz (D-HI), led a bipartisan, bicameral coalition of 110 lawmakers in urging congressional leaders to reject the Trump administration's proposed federal employee pay freeze and deliver a meaningful pay increase in 2027. The lawmakers urged Congress to enact the 4.1 percent increase provided under the Federal Adjustment of Income Rates Act, or FAIR Act, which would help federal pay keep pace with rising costs after two straight years of falling behind inflation. At a minimum, they wrote, civilian federal employees should receive the same 3.8 percent increase the Trump administration has proposed for federal law enforcement personnel. Federal employees received a 1 percent raise this year, well short of the 3.4 percent rise in consumer prices over the past 12 months. In the letter, the lawmakers wrote: ""These challenges have come on top of just a 2 percent pay raise in 2025 and a 1 percent raise in 2026. Asking these public servants to now accept a pay freeze as the cost of living continues to rise amounts to an effective pay cut ""The Administration's own proposal on federal pay increases demonstrates why such an increase is necessary. President Trump has proposed that federal law enforcement personnel receive a 3.8 percent pay increase to improve recruitment and retention, and has proposed a 5-7 percent pay increase for service members given the critical support they provide our nation. The same rationale applies to all federal workers. ""The federal government must recruit and retain skilled employees to care for our veterans, protect our national security, inspect our food and medicine, conduct lifesaving research, process benefits, secure federal networks, and perform countless other critical functions."" The letter, signed by 12 senators and 98 House members, urges congressional leaders to include the increase in Fiscal Year 2027 appropriations legislation. The full letter is available here. ###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=841,"Walkinshaw , Thompson Introduce Bipartisan Resolution to Recognize our POW/MIA Servicemembers",2026-09-21,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Representatives James Walkinshaw (D-Va.) and Glenn “GT” Thompson (R-Pa.) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating Friday, September 18, 2026, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. This resolution pays tribute to American servicemembers who were prisoners of war or still missing while fighting in combat. ""As the father of a Purple Heart wounded warrior, my thoughts and prayers are with the families who are missing a loved one,"" Rep. Thompson said. ""More than 80,000 service members remain unaccounted for, and their families deserve a unified effort to help bring them home. This bipartisan resolution is a commitment to our men and women in uniform and serves as a reminder of the work needed to help reunite our military families."" “On National POW/MIA Recognition Day, we honor the courage and sacrifice of those who endured captivity, those who have been accounted for, and those who remain missing. I am proud to co-lead this bipartisan resolution with Congressman Thompson and reaffirm our nation’s enduring commitment to bring every servicemember home,"" Rep. Walkinshaw said. ""Vietnam Veterans of America (VVA) proudly supports recognizing September 18, 2026, as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. For VVA, this day is more than a ceremony. It is a reminder of a promise our nation has not yet fully kept. Our founding principle, ‘Never again will one generation of veterans abandon another,’ is not a slogan. It is a sacred obligation. We will keep the POW/MIA flag flying, keep the candle burning, and keep faith with every family still waiting for answers. VVA believes one of the most meaningful ways to honor our POWs and MIAs is to provide the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency with $250 million to complete its mission. Recognition must be more than words. It must be backed by the resources, people, and commitment necessary to bring home every missing American who can still be found. We owe that to them. We owe it to their families. And we owe it to the promise our nation made when we sent them to serve,” said Tom Burke, Vietnam Veterans of America President. “We have a sacred obligation to honor those whose service to their nation came at the cost of their freedom, and were never afforded the chance to return home. Recognizing the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day underscores that the 80,000 U.S. service members missing in action will never be forgotten, and reaffirms the gratitude of the American people for their sacrifices. With Honor Action, with solemn gratitude, is proud to endorse this resolution, and we thank Reps. G.T. Thompson and James Walkinshaw for ensuring the memory of our service members' lives on,"" said Rye Barcott, Co-Founder and CEO of With Honor. “EANGUS proudly endorses this resolution recognizing the third Friday of September as National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Our nation has a solemn obligation to remember those who never returned, continue the fullest possible accounting of our missing, and stand beside the families who have carried the burden of uncertainty and loss. Their service and sacrifice must never be forgotten,” saidCSM John D. Gipe, USA Retired Executive Director, Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States. “The Jewish War Veterans of the USA (JWV) endorses House Res. 1566, National POW/MIA Recognition Day, introduced by Representatives Glenn “GT” Thompson and James Walkinshaw, and thanks them for their leadership. Recognizing and honoring the brave Americans who endured the unimaginable as prisoners of war and those who remain missing in action is vital to ensuring their sacrifices are never forgotten. JWV continues to strongly support the No Veteran Left Behind mission and to provide support to the families of POW/MIA servicemen and women who deserve closure. When JWV displays the POW/MIA flag and holds the Missing Man Table ceremony, we demonstrate our solidarity with families still awaiting answers. May the memory of our prisoners of war and those missing in action remain a constant source of blessing and a reminder of the true cost of our freedom,” said National Commander Selina Kanowitz, MSgt. USAFR (Ret.). This resolution is also endorsed by the Military Officers Association of America. Background: Each year, National POW/MIA Recognition Day is honored on the third Friday of September. According to the Department of War’s POW/MIA Accounting Agency, there are still 80,000 service members missing in action. Pennsylvania has the third most unaccounted for POW/MIAs with 5,375 servicemembers yet to be brought home. Since 2023, four POW/MIA’s have been identified and returned home to Congressman Thompson’s district. Read the full resolution here.",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=835,"Walkinshaw, McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth Urge Trump Administration: Do Not Deport People Back to Persecution and Torture in China",2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON—Yesterday, Representative James R. Walkinshaw (D-VA), Representative James P. McGovern (D-MA), Ranking Member of the House Rules Committee and the Congressional-Executive Commission on China (CECC), along with Senators Jeff Merkley (D-OR) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), sent a letter to Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin and Secretary of State Marco Rubio calling on the Trump Administration to protect people who have fled repression in China and could face persecution or torture if they are sent back. McGovern, Merkley, Duckworth, and Walkinshaw all serve on the CECC—a congressional commission that monitors and documents human rights violations in the People’s Republic of China (PRC). In the letter, the lawmakers called on the U.S. government to stop the practice of detaining at-risk individuals, release those currently in detention, prohibit them from being deported to the PRC, and give fair and timely consideration of their applications for asylum. “Many people who have fled persecution in the PRC come to the United States with an expectation that they can find refuge,” the Members wrote. “They should be given every opportunity to apply for asylum if they have not yet done so and given fair and timely consideration of such application for asylum or other protection. Under no circumstances should at-risk individuals be deported to the PRC.” The Members also made the letter public so immigration attorneys and advocates can use it in cases involving Uyghurs, Hong Kongers, Tibetans and others who fear persecution if returned to China. “There are likely many more detainees at ICE facilities, perhaps lacking representation, who fear deportation to a country run by a government that seeks to do them harm,” the Members continued. “There are perhaps others who have already been sent back to the PRC who are now experiencing persecution, torture or worse. Thus, we see value in making this letter and its message public.” The letter notes that the U.S. government deporting an individual to a country where their life or freedom would be threatened (also known as “refoulement”) would violate both United States and international law, and would also be a betrayal of that promise by then-Senator Marco Rubio to provide refuge to those subject to the repression of the Chinese Communist Party, when he introduced the Hong Kong Safe Harbor Act and the Uyghur Human Rights Protection Act. The full text of the letter is available here. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/17/mcclellan-statement-on-house-passage-of-ratepayer-protection-act-and-other-bills-to-ensure-data-centers-pay-their-fair-share/,McClellan Statement on House Passage of Ratepayer Protection Act and Other Bills to Ensure Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass four bills cosponsored by McClellan that will protect residents in the community from rising costs associated with data centers: “In a rapidly growing digital world in which U.S. households have on average 21 devices connected to the Internet, more and more activities from health care delivery to banking are conducted online and AI and other technologies continue to advance, the number of data centers has grown at a more rapid pace than our current electric infrastructure can handle. Consequently, the federal government must play a bigger role in ensuring that the costs to power these data centers do not get passed on to consumers and small businesses. As the data center capital of the globe, Virginia knows this struggle all too well. “I voted in favor of four bills that take a crucial first step in ensuring that the burden of rising energy costs falls on the large-load customers who create increasing demand. These bills begin to move us in the right direction. From the Ratepayer Protection Act’s creation of a standard states can follow to ensure data centers are paying their fair share, to bills that help ensure that companies are not overbuilding data center infrastructure, these policies have earned bipartisan support because they give the federal government the tools they need to begin enforcing fairer outcomes for consumers. “While these bills are an important first step, they do not go far enough to be the last. Congress must also pursue greater transparency and regulation for data center projects, ensure local governments siting these projects coordinate with state and federal regulators that address the impact they have on energy demand and the environment and bring renewable energy sources and battery storage online in a much more significant way. I will continue to advocate for these and other policies that ensure our nation can meet its digital and energy needs without overburdening people, communities and our environment.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9220,Beyer Opposes Crypto Tax Bill: “Crypto Industry Has Been Weaponized To Corrupt Our Presidency”,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and a member of the House Ways and Means Tax Subcommittee, delivered the following remarks yesterday during the Ways and Means Committee’s markup of crypto tax legislation, the Digital Asset Tax Certainty Act, explaining his vote against the measure: Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I truly appreciate you and your staff for working across the aisle on the bill before us today. I am also thankful for Mr. Horsford’s hard work and leadership through this process. This legislation is a substantial improvement from the measure we considered in our committee earlier this year. Some of the more egregious giveaways to the digital asset industry have been sanded down or removed altogether. And I am particularly happy to see the inclusion of improved language that would limit the ability of taxpayers from using Puerto Rico or other U.S. territories as venues for tax evasion. However, despite these improvements, I cannot support this legislation at this time. Simply put, this bill does not exist in a vacuum. Most Americans, for good reason, associate digital assets and cryptocurrencies with fraud, instability, illicit finance, and most all, with corruption. Everyday, we are confronted with story after story of malfeasance of all types, either enabled or worsened by the increasing ubiquity of digital assets in the global economy. The promises that crypto boosters have made over the years that greater digital asset adoption would somehow lead to lower costs, higher financial inclusion, more transparency, and so on have all been unmet. Instead of this utopian vision, the reality of crypto is that most Americans experience is much darker. Unfortunately, the fact is that the digital asset marketplace is dominated by bad actors, and none more so than the current occupant of the White House and his family. Through their various cryptocurrency ventures like World Liberty Financial and the Trump-branded meme coin, the Trump family has amassed billions of dollars in ill-gotten gains coming in part from foreign governments, criminals, and wealthy donors – all through crypto. And hundreds of millions of these dollars are flowing through the President’s political apparatus and flooding the airwaves to attack his political opponents. The crypto industry has been weaponized to corrupt our presidency. In exchange, this Administration has worked hard to water down or eliminate regulations aimed at protecting consumers while also halting prosecutions of numerous crypto fraudsters. And most of all, the President has been focused on ensuring that he can continue to personally rake in massive cryptocurrency profits without any accountability. Just look at what happened yesterday in the Senate, where CLARITY Act, a digital asset market structure bill, failed due to the President’s desire to avoid any restrictions on his ability to benefit from his own crypto holdings. Even the most basic ethics requirements limiting the President and other senior government officials from profiting from the policies they oversee were onerous to him. The close relationship between the President and cryptocurrency, and his relentless profit-seeking while in office, is doing the industry no favors in the long-term. This staggering level of corruption is unprecedented in our history and leaves our nation extremely vulnerable, to say nothing of the more mundane criminal activity enabled by crypto which inflicts a heavy cost on the American people every single day. I do not believe that we should proceed with legislation that would further embed this industry into our economic life and republic until we can get a handle on these more pressing and immediate challenges.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9221,"Beyer, Meeks, Sherman & Garamendi Announce JRD on U.S.-Saudi Nuclear Agreement",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Representatives Don Beyer, and Gregory W. Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Brad Sherman, and John Garamendi, today issued the following statement raising serious concerns with the Trump administration’s nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia and announced the introduction of a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block this agreement's entry into force. “This U.S.-Saudi nuclear agreement dangerously departs from decades of nonproliferation standards and presents considerable risks. For decades, across administrations of both parties, the United States has committed to a clear nonproliferation policy that no new countries should be allowed to develop nuclear weapons. In order to prevent nuclear weapons development, two provisions are critical: the Gold Standard commitment to no enrichment and no reprocessing, and the Additional Protocol that allows International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) inspections to confirm enrichment and reprocessing are not occurring. The proposed nuclear agreement with Saudi Arabia fails to secure these critical safety measures. Several countries – including Saudi Arabia’s neighbor, the UAE – successfully pursued civilian nuclear cooperation under this framework. There’s no credible reason Saudi Arabia should get a weaker deal. “A region already gripped by conflict and escalation does not need another nuclear power. Saudi Arabia's own statements make that risk explicit: In a 2023 interview, Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman said plainly that, ‘if Iran obtains a nuclear weapon, we must obtain one as well.’ The Kingdom has also obtained multiple nuclear-capable Dongfeng-3 ballistic missiles from China and is actively developing its own long-range ballistic missile program that could provide the means to deliver nuclear weapons. Handing Saudi Arabia enrichment capacity under these conditions – even with the stipulations included in the agreement the administration has shared with Congress – isn’t just reckless nonproliferation policy, it’s an invitation to a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. “That is why we are introducing a Joint Resolution of Disapproval to block this deeply flawed agreement and stop the Trump administration from further dangerous global nuclear proliferation.” Beyer: This Bill Would Do More Harm Than Good For America And For Ukraine September 16, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases Beyer, Meeks, Neal Statement On Russia Sanctions Legislation September 11, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases Virginia Members Of Congress Welcome Investigation Of ICE Encounter With Jose Mejia Hernandez September 4, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases Beyer Leads Special Orders Highlighting Urgent Need to Restore USAID September 3, 2026 | Posted in Press Releases",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-elfreth-condemn-trump-executive-order-targeting-chesapeake-bay,"Scott, Elfreth Condemn Trump Executive Order Targeting Chesapeake Bay",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03) and Sarah Elfreth (MD-03), co-chairs of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, issued the following statement after President Trump revoked Executive Order 13508, which directed federal agencies to reduce water pollution from federal lands and facilities and to promote ecosystem conservation: “Yesterday, President Trump revoked an executive order by President Obama that directed federal agencies to support the restoration of the Chesapeake Bay. The federal government has a responsibility to be a partner in protecting and restoring the Bay, and walking away from that responsibility jeopardizes the hard-fought progress we have made. President Trump is making it more difficult for us to meet the goals outlined in the bipartisan 2025 Chesapeake Bay Watershed Agreement and to secure a healthier bay for the millions of people who live throughout the watershed.” “As co-chairs of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, we urge President Trump to immediately reverse course and reinstate the executive order. We cannot afford to turn back the clock on decades of bipartisan work to restore this national treasure.” ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-help-virginia-families-pay-for-back-to-school-essentials/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Help Virginia Families Pay for Back-to-School Essentials,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced the Back-to-School Tax Credit Act, legislation that would provide families with a new federal tax credit for basic school supplies. “Every parent knows the back-to-school list: backpacks, notebooks, pencils, folders, calculators — the basics our kids need to show up ready to learn. But now, that list is growing far too expensive,” said Vindman. “For hardworking families already stretching every dollar, those costs add up quickly. As a dad of two, I know firsthand that these aren’t optional expenses. Kids need school supplies every year, and families shouldn’t have to choose between getting their children what they need to succeed and paying for other necessities.” The Back-to-School Tax Credit Act would provide a refundable tax credit of up to $250 per qualifying child for eligible school supply expenses. The credit would help families offset the cost of supplies required for enrollment or attendance at a public, private, or home school providing elementary or secondary education. BACKGROUND The legislation comes as back-to-school expenses continue to put pressure on household budgets. The National Retail Federation’s 2026 Back-to-School Survey found that families expected to spend an average of $146.45 per K-12 student on school supplies, in addition to roughly $250 per child on clothing and apparel, adding up to nearly $400 per student. The price of school supplies has also increased sharply over the past year. Some common items, including lunch boxes, notebooks, and tissues, have seen year-over-year price increases of 20 percent or more. Tariffs and disruptions to global supply chains have contributed to higher costs for manufacturers and consumers. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-votes-to-protect-ratepayers-from-data-center-grid-upgrade-costs/,Vindman Votes to Protect Ratepayers From Data Center Grid Upgrade Costs,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) yesterday voted in favor of H.R. 9340, the Ratepayer Protection Act, legislation aimed at protecting families and businesses from being saddled with the costs of infrastructure upgrades needed to accommodate the rapidly growing energy demands of large data centers. “It is past time for data centers to pay their fair share. Right now, Virginia families and businesses are unfairly footing the bill for massive infrastructure investments needed to power large data centers. That is unacceptable.” said Vindman. “The Ratepayer Protection Act is about fairness, accountability, and making sure the families can actually afford and predict their monthly utility bills.” The legislation would require states to consider adopting policies that ensure large data centers help cover the costs of grid upgrades needed to support their power demands. Under the bill, utilities would be required to secure financial assurances or contributions from data centers to cover the costs of necessary upgrades before construction begins. BACKGROUND Vindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable. In August, he introduced legislation to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks. Prior to that, Congressman Vindman introduced a bill to cap the number of residential utility rate changes to one rate change annually, limiting how often utilities can change prices for everyday Virginians. He has also fought against corruption in the energy space by championing a measure that would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=833,"Walkinshaw, Bacon, Landsman, Fitzpatrick Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Rescue Ukrainian Children Abducted by Russia",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – This week, U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Don Bacon (NE-02), Greg Landsman (OH-01), and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced the bipartisan Justice for Ukrainian Children Act, legislation to strengthen efforts to locate and return Ukrainian children abducted by Russia, hold those responsible accountable, and reunite families. According to the Ukrainian government, Russia has abducted at least 20,000 Ukrainian children since the start of its full-scale invasion. Just over 2,100 have come home. Those still held have been separated from their families, subjected to political indoctrination and militarization, and stripped of their Ukrainian identity. ""Russia is running a deliberate campaign to erase these children's identity and steal Ukraine's future,"" said Congressman Walkinshaw. ""As a father, I cannot imagine the anguish of having your child taken and indoctrinated by a foreign government. The United States cannot look away. This bipartisan bill will help find these children, bring them home, and hold the perpetrators accountable."" “Russia’s abduction of Ukrainian children is among the most unconscionable crimes of this war,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick. “Thousands of children have been taken from their parents, separated from their communities, and forced to endure horrors no child should ever have to face. Our responsibility is clear: find them, bring them home, and hold accountable those responsible. This legislation ensures that responsibility remains central to our strategy—and that the fate of Ukraine’s children is inseparable from the pursuit of accountability and a just and durable peace.” ""Tens of thousands of children from Ukraine are being brainwashed and hidden in Russia's adoption system. We have to do everything to bring these children home and reunite them with their families, where they belong,” said Congressman Landsman. “Russia has taken thousands of Ukrainian children from their families and tried to strip them of their identity and homeland,” said Congressman Bacon. “We cannot sit by while parents, grandparents and siblings wait for their children to come home. The Justice for Ukrainian Children Act will strengthen efforts to find these children, return them to their families and hold those responsible accountable. I’m pleased to join Reps. Walkinshaw, Landsman and Fitzpatrick on this bipartisan legislation.” The Justice for Ukrainian Children Act would: Authorize $15 million a year of existing national security funding, through 2032, toward finding these children, getting them home, and helping them recover. Maintain a secure database to preserve evidence of Russia's crimes, and share it with Europol, Ukraine's Ministry of Justice, and the groups working to bring children home. Require the President to freeze assets and revoke visas for anyone who takes part in abducting, deporting, indoctrinating, or militarizing Ukrainian children. Authorize $10 million for Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty and Voice of America broadcasts into Ukraine and the region, and toward technology that defeats Russian jamming. Make it United States policy to veto any Russian-led U.N. Security Council resolution that would shield Russia from accountability. Require the State Department to report to Congress every year for five years on what it is doing to bring these children home, including in any talks to end the war. Russia's abduction of Ukrainian children has been widely documented and condemned by the international community. In March of this year, a United Nations commission of inquiry concluded that Russian authorities committed crimes against humanity in deporting and forcibly transferring Ukrainian children and in making them disappear. The International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants in 2023 for Russian President Vladimir Putin and Russian Commissioner for Children's Rights Maria Lvova-Belova over their alleged responsibility for those crimes. U.S. Representatives Brendan F. Boyle (PA-02), André Carson (IN-07), Yvette D. Clarke (NY-09), Jim Costa (CA-21), Madeleine Dean (PA-04), Sylvia R. Garcia (TX-29), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Val T. Hoyle (O-04), Tom Kean, Jr. (NJ-07), Bill Keating (MA-09), George Latimer (NY-16), Stephen Lynch (MA-08), Sarah McBride (DE), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Jim McGovern (MA-02), Eleanor Holmes Norton (DC), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi (CA-11), Mike Quigley (IL-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Emily Randall (WA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Deborah Ross (NC-02), Norma J. Torres (CA-35), Debbie Wasserman Schultz (FL-25), and Joe Wilson (SC-02) are original cosponsors of this legislation. This bill is endorsed by Human Rights Watch, Razom for Ukraine, FDD Action, and the American Coalition for Ukraine. The full text of the legislation is available here. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=834,Walkinshaw Presses Postal Service Leadership for Transparency After Troubling GAO Findings,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement today after the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report on United States Postal Service (USPS) performance and finances. “Today’s GAO report confirms our previous warnings: under Louis DeJoy’s leadership, cutting service while raising prices was a recipe for disaster. The result has been slower mail, higher costs, and declining service for the American people. Just as importantly, these findings from GAO reinforce my call for greater transparency from USPS. Congress is an essential partner in securing USPS’s future, but that partnership requires USPS to provide Congress and the public with clear, timely information about its plans, finances, and service performance. The American people deserve a Postal Service that is reliable, affordable, and accountable, and Congress needs reliable data from the Postal Service to help achieve that goal”. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=836,"Walkinshaw, McDowell Leads Bipartisan FISA AI Reporting Act to Increase Oversight of Artificial Intelligence Use Under FISA",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. —Today, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) introduced a bipartisan bill with Congressman Addison McDowell (NC-06) to direct the intelligence community to report to Congress on how it uses artificial intelligence with data collected under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act of 1978, including which systems are being used and what safeguards are in place to protect Americans’ Fourth Amendment rights. “Artificial intelligence is changing the way industries across our country are collecting and analyzing information,” Congressman McDowell said. “Congress has a responsibility to ensure these tools strengthen our national security while protecting the constitutional rights and freedoms that define our Nation.” ""Congress must have strong oversight and transparency over federal AI use,” Congressman Walkinshaw said. “When intelligence agencies use AI to analyze sensitive communications and data, Congress needs to know how they use it and for what purpose. Our laws and oversight must keep pace with the technology."" What the FISA AI Reporting Act does: Requires the Director of National Intelligence to submit a report to Congress within 180 days on the intelligence community’s use of artificial intelligence systems under Section 702 of the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act. Requires the report to include: A summary of how the intelligence community is using artificial intelligence systems to acquire, analyze, query, disseminate or otherwise access data under Section 702. An assessment of safeguards in place to ensure the use of artificial intelligence complies with FISA and the Fourth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution. Information submitted by the Department of Justice or intelligence community to the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Court regarding the use of artificial intelligence under Section 702. An identification of the types of artificial intelligence models being used under Section 702. Allows the report to include a classified annex. Requires the Director of National Intelligence to coordinate with the Attorney General, CIA Director, FBI Director, NSA Director, and other relevant intelligence community officials in preparing the report. The Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), first enacted in 1978, sets out the legal framework for the government’s collection of foreign intelligence information, including electronic surveillance, physical searches, the use of pen registers and trap and trace devices, and business records. Section 702 of FISA allows the government to conduct targeted surveillance of foreign persons located outside the United States to obtain foreign intelligence information, with the compelled assistance of electronic communication service providers. Read the full bill text here.",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/17/vindman-joins-legislation-to-demand-that-trump-and-hegseth-stop-hiding-true-cost-of-iran-war/,Vindman Joins Legislation to Demand That Trump and Hegseth Stop Hiding True Cost of Iran War,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Congressman Pat Ryan (N.Y.-18) and 10 of his Democratic Veteran colleagues as an original co-sponsor on the Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act. This legislation would honor the immense sacrifices made by US troops in the Iran War and stop Donald Trump and Pete Hegseth’s attempts to obscure the true cost to our troops and the American people. The Honoring the Sacrifice of Troops in War Act would ban the Secretary of Defense from manipulating casualty records and jeopardizing the benefits of our servicemembers and public servants. The bill introduction comes after the Pentagon unprecedentedly recategorized recent casualties suffered in Trump’s Iran war — including four killed and over 200 wounded servicemembers — under a separate category outside Operation Epic Fury in a shameless attempt to downplay the damage done and evade accountability to the American people. “Every service member who puts on the uniform deserves to know that their sacrifice will be honored and that their service will be accurately recorded,” said Vindman. “Casualties are not numbers to be moved around for political convenience. They represent Americans who were wounded, families who lost loved ones and are owed benefits, and communities that bear the lasting cost of war. The American people deserve an honest accounting of what is happening to our troops, and our servicemembers deserve the benefits and recognition they have earned. I’m proud to join my fellow veterans in demanding transparency, accountability, and a permanent record of their sacrifice.” “Every Patriot deployed to this war in Iran – the 50,000 still in theater, the hundreds wounded, and especially the 18 killed – are American heroes. They deserve to be honored as such – not swept under the rug by a President and SecDef so humiliated by their failure that they’d rather dishonor the troops than tell the truth,” said Ryan. “It’s a total betrayal of our armed forces by the very people that swore to protect and do right by them. I’m proud to lead so many of my fellow veterans in Congress to make it clear we will not stand for the Trump Administration’s disgraceful disrespect of American heroes – before, during, or after their deployments.” Joining Vindman as original cosponsors are Representatives and Democratic veterans Maggie Goodlander (N.H.-02), Chris Deluzio (Pa.-17), Chrissy Houlahan (Pa.-06), Jason Crow (Colo.-06), Herb Conaway (N.J.-03), Derek Tran (Calif.-45), Mike Thompson (Calif.-04), Jimmy Panetta (Calif.-19), Ted Lieu (Calif.-36), and Salud Carbajal (Calif.-24). The legislation is endorsed by VoteVets and Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “Families who have lost a servicemember deserve an accurate, permanent record of their sacrifice. Congressman Pat Ryan’s companion bill in the House helps ensure that record can’t be rewritten. VoteVets is proud to support his leadership on this issue,” said Vote Vets Senior Advisor Major General (Ret.) Paul Eaton. “We are proud to stand with Congressman Ryan in demanding the Department of Defense be accountable and transparent in their decision to reclassify casualty records,” said Jess Finucan, Director of Policy & Advocacy for Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA). “It is imperative to Congress and to the American people that we understand the true cost of war, not just in dollars but in lives forever affected. Purposefully reclassifying records to minimize the impacts of war is negligent and is a disservice to the servicemembers and families who have borne the costs. The Honoring the Sacrifices of Our Troops in War Act ensures transparent, accurate accounting and prevents long-term, negative impact on benefits for those who have served in harm’s way.” ###",1,2026-09-22T09:42:49Z,2026-09-22T09:44:35Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9218,Bipartisan Delegation Urges House Leaders To Take Immediate Action On Artificial Intelligence,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Don Beyer, co-chair of Congress’ bipartisan Caucus on Artificial Intelligence, today led a bipartisan group of 10 leaders on AI in the U.S. House in pressing leadership of both parties to take immediate, urgent action to address risks posed by rapidly advancing artificial intelligence (AI). Their push came in the wake of the OpenAI agent cyberattacks on Hugging Face and subsequent warnings from leaders and researchers at prominent AI companies about the societal and existential risks posed by unrestrained advances in the technology. The letter was signed by U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA), Jay Obernolte (R-CA), Lori Trahan (D-MA), Ted Lieu (D-CA), Scott Franklin (R-FL), Sara Jacobs (D-CA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Valerie Foushee (D-NC), Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA), and Veronica Escobar (D-TX). They wrote: “We call for your joint leadership on an urgent Congressional response to recent incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that have profound implications for economic and national security. Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur. … “Congress must urgently advance legislation to mitigate the risk of more serious incidents, especially those that could threaten critical infrastructure, our financial system, and other institutions that every American depends on. “The House of Representatives could and should immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency. There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that that committees of jurisdiction have reported. Members of both parties have also worked in recent months to fast-track bipartisan legislation that is ready to be considered by committees of jurisdiction. We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process. “We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot.” Full Text of the letter follows below, and a signed copy is available here. Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA) serves as co-Chair of the Congressional Artificial Intelligence Caucus. He was one of a handful of members selected to serve on the bipartisan Task Force On Artificial Intelligence, convened by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Speaker Mike Johnson. He is the author of the AI Foundation Model Transparency Act and a lead cosponsor of the CREATE AI Act, the Federal Artificial Intelligence Risk Management Act, and the Artificial Intelligence Environmental Impacts Act. Beyer previously served for eight years on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and is currently attending George Mason University as a part time student pursuing a master’s degree in machine learning, in part to help inform his work on AI in Congress. *** Dear Speaker Johnson and Minority Leader Jeffries: “We call for your joint leadership on an urgent Congressional response to recent incidents involving advanced artificial intelligence (AI) models that have profound implications for economic and national security. Congress has a singular opportunity to respond swiftly and effectively to these warning shots before true catastrophes occur. “On August 26th, 2026, an independent review revealed how hundreds of AI agents that OpenAI was internally testing set up a secret message board, self-organized themselves into a collective, escaped their testing environments, and breached the systems of HuggingFace, another AI company.[1] The agents even tried to deceive their evaluators by attempting to manipulate log files and spoof tool calls. The agents undertook these actions without ever notifying a single official at OpenAI. “OpenAI is not alone. Anthropic and Meta have also disclosed examples of AI agents escaping their testing environment to hack other organizations.[2] OpenAI, Anthropic, and Meta are among the most sophisticated AI companies in the world, yet it appears they did not discover these incidents in real time. In OpenAI’s case, they did not know that their agents breached HuggingFace until approximately a week after the event.[3] Months after these incidents began, serious factual questions remain open, and we are relying on AI labs for insight into what happened and what this means for future incidents. “Congress must ensure AI companies implement robust monitoring and independent oversight to protect the public. This incident reinforces that we cannot rely on what are clearly risky testing protocols and self-selected public reporting of incidents of concern. Indeed, nearly every major AI company has called for regulation, and leading employees of those same firms have signed open letters calling for government to pace the rate of AI development.[4] Congress must urgently advance legislation to mitigate the risk of more serious incidents, especially those that could threaten critical infrastructure, our financial system, and other institutions that every American depends on. “The House of Representatives could and should immediately take up legislation that would strengthen AI oversight, security, and transparency. There currently exist dozens of bipartisan bills that that committees of jurisdiction have reported.[5] Members of both parties have also worked in recent months to fast-track bipartisan legislation that is ready to be considered by committees of jurisdiction. We believe these bills should be carefully and urgently advanced through the legislative process. “We urge you to work with committees of jurisdiction, Members across the aisle, and Senate leadership to, as soon as practicable, advance legislation that ensures appropriate guardrails are in place around this powerful technology. The Congress may not receive another warning shot.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9219,Beyer: This Bill Would Do More Harm Than Good For America And For Ukraine,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, delivered a stark warning against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act during floor debate on the measure ahead of a final vote this afternoon. His remarks as delivered follow below, and video is available here. “Mr. Speaker, I rise to oppose this well-intentioned but terribly flawed bill. All of us on our side of the aisle strongly support Ukraine. But this bill would do more harm than good for America and for Ukraine. It has three main points: sanctions, tariffs, and symbolism. The new sanctions on Russia in this bill would be strong and sweeping, if they were enforced. But the bill gives Trump the power to simply ignore them, and that is what he is very likely to do. His criticism of Ukraine and friendliness to Russia have both been rising recently, and he is even calling for Russian energy exports, the very thing this bill is purported to block. The bill’s tariffs are a huge problem. President Trump has abused every presidential tariff authority – every single one – that Congress has given, often to target our allies. This bill has a loophole that would allow him to define basically any country as a facilitator of evading Russian sanctions. He could then hit them with tariffs of up to 100%, with no guardrails or oversight, and no expiration. It’s a much stronger tariff power than those he has already abused, and it would be much harder to challenge in court. Giving him this power when he has shown us over and over again what he will do with it would be an incredible mistake. And finally, we are told the bill will be a symbolic win for Ukraine and a show of American support. But if this bill passes, I predict Ukraine’s supporters will regret it. Yes they will be able to say “we stood with Ukraine,” in the immediate aftermath. But when Donald Trump hits our allies with new tariffs and waives sanctions on Russia, the propaganda victory for Putin will be lasting, and the damage will be embedded in U.S. law. Meanwhile the Ukrainian cause will be tied to Trump’s widely hated tariffs – deeply unpopular in America already, and further stressing Americans’ pocketbooks [which] is not good for Ukraine’s long term. We can do better, and the House has passed a better bill. With negotiation and compromise, we can pass a stronger bill that truly supports Ukraine and tightens the economic screws on Russia without harming Americans. I urge my colleagues to oppose this misguided bill so we can pass a better one.” Rep. Don Beyer serves as Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, and serves on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-congress-should-support-ukraine-without-expanding-trumps-tariff,Scott: Congress Should Support Ukraine Without Expanding Trump’s Tariff Powers,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after voting against the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act: “I strongly support Ukraine and efforts to hold Vladimir Putin accountable for his brutal war. I stand with the Ukrainian people and have repeatedly voted to support Ukraine. However, I cannot support legislation that uses support for Ukraine as leverage to give Donald Trump even more authority to impose his reckless tariffs and trade wars that raise prices on American families. At a time when families are already struggling with the affordability crisis, Congress should be working to lower costs, not giving Donald Trump another tool to increase them.” # # #",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/16/mcclellan-statement-on-sanctions-against-russia-and-granting-trump-unilateral-tariff-authority/,McClellan Statement on Sanctions Against Russia and Granting Trump Unilateral Tariff Authority,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after the House voted to pass H.R. 5334, the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia Act of 2026: “At a time when the cost of everything from gas to groceries, health care to housing, technology to toilet paper and more keeps going up, the Trump Administration keeps doubling down on the cost-of-living crisis through needless tariffs on allies and adversaries alike with no discretion. Though I support implementing sanctions against Russia, I cannot support a sanctions bill that grants the Trump Administration greater tariff authority to prolong and intensify ongoing economic uncertainty. “Russia’s illegal war against Ukraine demands a serious response, and I stand firmly on the side of the Ukrainian people and their struggle against Putin’s invasion of their country. The U.S. must continue its role of providing support for Ukraine while holding Russia accountable. Unfortunately, rather than solely working to strengthen and enact tougher sanctions on Russia and deliver military aid to Ukraine, this bill also contains the largest transfer of tariff authority ever granted to a president by Congress, allowing the Trump Administration to launch 100% tariffs on any country it chooses without Congressional guardrails. And Trump, just off the heels of starting an unnecessary trade war with Canada, has given every indication that he would exploit this power to entrench the American people in more trade wars, which would only further drive up costs. “In a government that hinges on checks and balances, we cannot further cede Congress’s constitutional authority to levy tariffs and allow the executive to operate with total tariff power. To address Russia’s war in Ukraine, we need substantive action that both sanctions Russia and its allies for their aggression and equips Ukraine with the tools necessary to defend itself and push back against Putin’s war machine. This is not that legislation. For that reason, I voted no.”",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-leads-on-legislation-to-make-data-centers-pay-their-fair-share/,Vindman Leads on Legislation to Make Data Centers Pay Their Fair Share,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined Representatives Kristen McDonald Rivet (Mich.-08) and Don Davis (N.C.-01) as an original co-sponsor of the Reverse Big Ugly Tax Breaks for Data Centers Act. This legislation will take away unfair tax breaks for data center build outs passed by Republicans in H.R. 1. “It is past time we make data centers pay their fair share,” said Vindman. “Across Virginia, families and businesses are being forced to foot the bill for massive infrastructure investments needed to power large data centers. Everywhere I go, I hear from families who cannot afford their rising monthly utility bills and Republican-led data center tax breaks aren’t going to bring those monthly costs down. I’m proud to support this commonsense legislation that will make data centers pay their fair share.” Last year, Republicans’ H.R. 1 expanded tax breaks that would spur the construction of AI data centers, paid for by cutting nearly $1 trillion from Medicaid and over $185 billion from food assistance. This legislation aims to reverse some of the harm by ending these tax breaks for big tech building data centers. BACKGROUND Vindman has been a champion for holding data centers and electric utilities accountable. In August, he introduced legislation to prevent data center development near neighborhoods, schools, and parks. Vindman has also come out in strong opposition of the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. Prior to those actions, Congressman Vindman introduced a bill to cap the number of residential utility rate changes to one rate change annually, limiting how often utilities can change prices for everyday Virginians. He has also fought against corruption in the energy space by championing a measure that would bar former government officials from lobbying on behalf of the companies they used to regulate. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-votes-to-end-the-war-in-ukraine-strengthen-our-own-national-security/,"Vindman Votes to End the War in Ukraine, Strengthen Our Own National Security",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) released the following statement after voting to pass legislation that would impose sanctions on Russia. “Ukraine’s national security is directly linked to America’s national security. Before what is likely to be a tough winter, I am proud to vote for the most serious sanctions package on Russia since this unprovoked war of aggression began. “Putin will only back down when there are consequences for his actions. By targeting the revenue and key industries that help sustain Russia’s war, we will increase pressure on the Kremlin while continuing to stand with our Ukrainian allies. “The legislation we voted on today is not perfect, but it is a vital step in ending the war, supporting Ukraine, and standing up for America’s national security. The last thing we want is America’s young men and women fighting and dying in Europe in another major war, and stopping Russia in Ukraine is key to curtailing Putin’s aggressive impulses. “After recently returning from a Congressional Delegation to Ukraine, I know they need our support now more than ever before.” ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/16/vindman-votes-to-strengthen-water-infrastructure-across-virginias-seventh-district/,Vindman Votes to Strengthen Water Infrastructure Across Virginia’s Seventh District,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07) today voted in favor of H.R. 9497, the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, legislation that would advance critical water infrastructure projects and studies across the country. “Safe, reliable water infrastructure is essential to the health, safety, and prosperity of our communities,” said Vindman. “After seeing firsthand the devastating impact of Orange County’s water crisis, I was proud to secure the $50 million investment to help strengthen and modernize the county’s water system. We’re also taking action to restore the Rappahannock River by removing the Ficklen Island Dam and improving habitat for wildlife. These investments will help ensure our water infrastructure is prepared for the future and it’s why I voted for this legislation today.” The bill would authorize the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to begin 14 water infrastructure projects and 133 feasibility studies and modifications for future construction. It would also update Corps policies to strengthen coordination with state and local governments on water infrastructure needs. Vindman secured authorization for two projects in Virginia’s Seventh Congressional District: $50 million for water infrastructure improvements in Orange County and the removal of Ficklen Island Dam in Fredericksburg. In August 2024, Orange County experienced a major drinking water crisis after catastrophic pump failures at the Wilderness Water Treatment Plant led to hydrocarbons entering the county’s water supply. The failure prompted “Do Not Use” and “Do Not Drink” advisories, severely disrupting daily life for residents and businesses. Under this bill, Orange County will be able to access $50 million in federal funding to strengthen and modernize its water infrastructure, helping ensure the county has a more reliable and resilient water system for years to come. The removal of the Ficklen Island Dam, located on the Rappahannock River in Fredericksburg, would restore the shoreline and improve the well-being of wildlife living in and the around river. ###",1,2026-09-23T09:45:16Z,2026-09-23T09:46:14Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/15/mcclellan-statement-on-al-green-resolution-to-impeach-trump/,McClellan Statement on Al Green’s Resolution to Impeach Trump,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) issued the following statement after she voted “present” on the motion to table H.Res. 1486 to impeach President Trump: “Today, the House voted to table Articles of Impeachment against Donald Trump over his abuse of power and weaponization of ICE and Border Patrol agents, resulting in death, destruction and widespread fear across the country. “The actions of the Trump Administration require serious scrutiny and attention, and I remain alarmed by the lawlessness that we have seen. I have been an outspoken critic of this Department of Homeland Security’s cruel and inhumane actions against our immigrant communities. Since the onset of these attacks, I have consistently voted against funding ICE and Border Patrol, introduced legislation to demand greater oversight and accountability for the detention and deportation of legal residents and citizens, stood against the proposed establishment of an ICE detention facility near my district and more. Over a year and a half into Trump’s second term, we face a campaign of terror launched against our immigrant communities, rampant corruption, an agenda that prioritizes the interests of the ultra-wealthy at the expense of everyone else and skyrocketing prices across the board. “However, while many of these warrant accountability and President Trump likely has committed impeachable offenses, Congress has not established the record necessary to support Articles of Impeachment or a conviction in a Senate impeachment trial. Such a record requires a comprehensive investigation, the collection and review of evidence, examination of witnesses, Congressional hearings and more. None of that has occurred yet, and I do not trust the current Republican majority to conduct the kind of investigation necessary to impeach President Trump or conduct an impeachment trial in the U.S. Senate. “When Articles of Impeachment were raised against Trump last year, I voted present on a motion to table the resolution so that a proper investigation could be conducted. For those same reasons, I voted present on today’s motion to table Representative Green’s latest Articles of Impeachment.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-delivers-remarks-families-flight-5342-aviation-safety,Rep. Subramanyam Delivers Remarks with Families of Flight 5342 on Aviation Safety Legislation,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) delivered remarks at a press conference with the families of Flight 5342 on aviation safety. On January 29, 2025, American Airlines Flight 5342 collided with a U.S. Army Black Hawk helicopter while approaching DCA. 67 people died in the crash, including several of Rep. Subramanyam’s constituents. In his remarks, Rep. Subramanyam called on Congress to pass comprehensive aviation safety legislation. Below is a transcript of Rep. Subramanyam’s remarks, which can also be found here: “I just wanted to take a moment to thank the families who are here today. We have gotten so far, and we're not all the way there yet, but we've gotten so far because of you and it's your bravery and your willingness to take a horrible, horrible tragedy and turn it into an opportunity to save lives in the future that is inspiring to so many of us in Congress and around the country, and so thank you for working tirelessly to try to pass common sense aviation safety legislation to fix what I believe is a glaring hole in our laws today. And thank you for being here and for being here again and again and again. Your persistence is being noticed, and we will continue to persist with you. But even though it's been five months since the House passed the ALERT Act, and even though we've have the NTSB's final report on the causes of the collision, and even though near miss collisions keep occurring both in DCA and across the country, Congress has still failed to pass these critical safety measures into law. We have the final NTSB report. We know what the safety measures need to be, and they need to be implemented. We have the opportunity to enact real change. So now is the time for leaders in Congress to come together and pass comprehensive aviation safety legislation. I associate my remarks with everything that was just said. We need the best of both bills. We need to make sure it gets onto the floor of the House for a vote. We need to make sure it passes and gets signed into law by the end of the year. We cannot wait until a future Congress. We've been told over and over again that this will get done, that this is the best measure, but the time to wait is over. The time to act is now. So thank you for your persistence. Thank you for everything you've done. Thank you to our Senate members and thank you to our House members who are here today. We will continue to fight with you. Thank you.” Rep. Subramanyam led a bipartisan investigation into the Army’s aviation practices following the crash, called for a pause on Black Hawk training flights in DCA airspace, and is a co-sponsor of both the ALERT Act and the ROTOR Act. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-stands-small-businesses-letter-small-business-administration,Rep. Subramanyam stands up for small businesses with letter to Small Business Administration,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) spoke out on the Small Business Administration’s (SBA) proposed rule to overhaul small business size standards. In a letter sent to SBA Administrator Kelly Loeffler and submitted to the Federal Register, Congressman Subramanyam outlined how the new rule would drastically increase the industry-specific annual revenue and employee caps that the SBA uses to determine who qualifies as a small business. The rule will make it easier for larger businesses to qualify for small business loan programs, as well as put thousands of larger businesses in direct competition with truly small businesses for the same government contracting opportunities. “Billion-dollar businesses are the exact opposite of small. Their ability to qualify for highly competitive small business contracts pushes out and jeopardizes real small businesses. This new rule would raise the annual receipts for certain industries 20-fold. Our community and economy thrive when we support small businesses. This proposed rule attacks our small business contracting sector in Virginia when we should be backing them,” said Congressman Subramanyam. The letter was cosigned by Virginia’s Democratic members of the House of Representatives: Representatives Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), James Walkinshaw (VA-11), Don Beyer (VA-08), Bobby Scott (VA-03), and Eugene Vindman (VA-07). View the full letter here. Members of the public may submit a comment on the SBA’s proposed rule here. The comment period ends September 21st, 2026. ###",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/15/vindman-votes-to-hold-trump-accountable/,Vindman Votes to Hold Trump Accountable,2026-09-15,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago WASHINGTON, D.C. – On the 25th anniversary of September 11, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) honors the lives... Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected... Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after... Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress... Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine... Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with... Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of... Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) applauded the implementation...",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-omar-casar-introduce-legislation-protect-workers-hard-earned,"Scott, Omar, Casar Introduce Legislation to Protect Workers’ Hard-Earned Wages from Medical Debt Collection",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON— Today, House Committee on Education and Workforce Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Rep. Ilhan Omar (MN-05), and Vice Ranking Member Rep. Greg Casar (TX-35), introduced the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act. This bill would prohibit workers’ wages from being garnished to pay for medical debt. Right now, approximately 100 million Americans are trapped with $220 billion in medical debt. Looming unpaid medical bills can devastate working families, whether they have health insurance or not. Unfortunately, the medical debt crisis has become more dire as millions of Americans are being stripped of their health care due to President Trump and Congressional Republicans’ disastrous “Big, Ugly Bill.” Over the last several years, new reports of hospitals and debt collectors suing patients for outstanding bills and forcibly cutting their wages to repay the debt have highlighted the predatory nature of wage garnishments. Currently, federal law allows up to 25 percent of a worker’s take-home pay to be garnished each workweek. Over 30 states have taken action to better protect consumers and have added additional protections to prevent workers’ wages from being unnecessarily garnished. However, when workers are struggling, these constraints are not enough. The Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act protects workers, many of whom are struggling to make ends meet, by prohibiting wages from being garnished for the payment of medical debt. Specifically, the bill: Bans any amount of a worker’s wage from being subject to garnishment for medical debt, and Prohibits any state or court from issuing or enforcing a wage garnishment order for medical debt. “In the richest country in the world, medical debt should not be a threat to working people’s livelihood. The American people should not have to slash spending on necessities to pay for life-saving care and no one should be denied future health care because of unpaid medical bills. Unfortunately, that is the reality many Americans are facing right now,” said Ranking Member Scott. “I am proud to work with Reps. Omar and Casar on this commonsense legislation, which will ensure families are not thrown into further hardship simply because they got sick and needed care.” “In 45 states, some workers have a portion of their take-home pay forcibly cut to pay off medical debt,” said Subcommittee on Workforce Protections Ranking Member Omar. “I'm partnering with Ranking Member Bobby Scott (D-VA) and Rep. Greg Casar (D-TX) to ban this practice and ensure no worker is thrown into further financial hardship over often-predatory debt.” “Nobody should lose their wages because they got sick,” said Vice Ranking Member Greg Casar (D-TX). “Trump and Republicans ripped health care away from millions of Americans to pay for tax cuts for billionaires. Now families who get sick are being hit with bills they can't pay, and in most states a hospital or debt collector can take a cut of their paycheck before they ever see it. This needs to end, and our bill would stop it.” The Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act is endorsed by: American Federation of Teachers (AFT); Center for Health and Democracy; Families USA; Public Citizen; and Service Employees International Union (SEIU). To read a fact sheet on the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act, click here. To read the bill text on the Protecting Workers’ Wages from Medical Debt Act, click here. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-wittman-elfreth-kiggans-celebrate-house-passage-chesapeake-bay,"Scott, Wittman, Elfreth, Kiggans Celebrate House Passage of Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 6893, the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Advancement for Training, Education, Restoration, and Science (WATERS) Act, which was introduced by Representatives Bobby Scott (VA-03), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Sarah Elfreth (MD-03) and Jennifer Kiggans (VA-02). This legislation reauthorizes key programs at the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Chesapeake Bay Office (CBO). Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) has introduced companion legislation in the Senate. NOAA’s CBO provides a variety of services that advance the restoration of the Bay and support local businesses, schools, and coastal resilience. CBO manages the Chesapeake Bay Interpretive Buoy System which collects water quality, meteorological, and oceanographic data used by scientists, fisherman and those recreating on the Bay. CBO also oversees the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program, a competitive grant program for environmental education projects that connect students throughout the watershed with the Bay. The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act authorizes the Chesapeake Bay B-WET program for the first time in the program’s history. “The Chesapeake Bay is a national treasure and a critical resource for the millions of Americans that live within its watershed,” said Congressman Scott. “NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is essential to ensuring that government, industry, and nonprofits have the technical and scientific information necessary to improve the health of the Bay. This office also oversees the successful Chesapeake B-WET Program that has connected countless students to hands-on, environmental education programming throughout the watershed. Today’s passage of the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act is a major step towards ensuring that this office can continue supporting the restoration of the Bay and connecting future generations with the environment around them.” “As a lifelong outdoorsman, vice chairman of the House Committee on Natural Resources, and co-chair of the Chesapeake Bay Watershed Task Force, I am proud to have co-led this bipartisan effort to protect the Chesapeake Bay,” said Congressman Wittman. “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act would ensure that the Chesapeake Bay remains healthy for generations to come — protecting our coastal economies and preserving a national treasure. I will continue to advocate for this legislation as it moves to the Senate.” “I am incredibly proud to represent the NOAA Chesapeake Bay Office, which conducts critical scientific research and programming to restore the health and habitat of the whole Chesapeake Bay watershed. I was thrilled to see my colleagues come together on the House floor today to pass the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act to ensure this office is properly resourced and – for the first time ever – authorize the Bay Watershed Education and Training (B-WET) program to support hands-on outdoor learning for students,” said Congresswoman Elfreth. “If you talk to folks back in Annapolis, they will describe the Bay as ‘transcending politics’ and that it’s ‘like a religion.’ I couldn’t agree more. That is why I will continue to work collaboratively with our partners – Democrat and Republican alike – to ensure the Bay can be enjoyed for generations to come.” “The Chesapeake Bay is vital to the coastal communities, local economies, and natural resources we are fortunate to have in Virginia,” said Congresswoman Kiggans. “The Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act ensures NOAA can continue providing the research, restoration support, and educational opportunities needed to keep the Bay healthy and thriving. I’m proud to have worked alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass this legislation through the House, and I’ll continue working to see it signed into law.” “NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office is central to the Bay restoration effort, from providing essential water quality monitoring data, to supporting our understanding and management of our fisheries, to fostering a greater appreciation of the Bay through environmental education,” said Anna Killius, Executive Director of the Chesapeake Bay Commission. “Passing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act will ensure these critical functions continue and uphold a strong, science-based foundation for the work of the Chesapeake Bay Program partnership.” “A healthier Chesapeake Bay starts with science, restoration, and education. This legislation does all three by supporting NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office and Bay Watershed Education and Training program,” said Keisha Sedlacek, Senior Policy Director for the Chesapeake Bay Foundation. “These programs lead research and restoration work that create cleaner waterways, support fisheries and local economies, and build resiliency to climate change. Education grants allow thousands of kids to learn hands-on outside, building future leaders. We applaud the House and the leadership of Reps. Bobby Scott, Sarah Elfreth, Jen Kiggans, and Rob Wittman for advancing the Chesapeake Bay WATERS Act. We urge swift action from the Senate.” “The Choose Clean Water Coalition wholeheartedly endorses the Chesapeake WATERS Act, which reauthorizes NOAA’s Chesapeake Bay Office (NCBO),” said Kristin Reilly, Director of the Choose Clean Water Coalition. “Many federal agencies play a critical role in restoring the Chesapeake Bay, and NCBO plays a critical role. They are a leader in restoring the Bay’s oyster population, protecting striped bass and other native species from the onslaught of invasive blue catfish, and helping steward the next generation through outdoor education experiences. It is vital they receive continued support as we enter the next chapter of the Bay restoration effort.” Full text of the bill can be found by CLICKING HERE. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-kaine-bill-designating-george-c-marshall-house-national-park,"Subramanyam, Kaine bill designating George C. Marshall House as a National Park Service Affiliated Area headed to the President’s desk",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and Senator Tim Kaine’s legislation designating the General George C. Marshall House in Leesburg, known as Dodona Manor, as an affiliated area under the National Park Service (NPS) has passed the House of Representatives and Senate. The bill now heads to President Trump’s desk for his signature. “For hundreds of years, Dodona Manor has been a pillar of the Northern Virginia community. I am proud to honor George C. Marshall’s legacy and Dodona Manor’s significance by ensuring the property is preserved for many years to come. Virginians, Americans, and visitors alike can witness the history and educational programming of the International Center right here in Leesburg. I am grateful to work alongside Senator Kaine to deliver for Virginians and looking forward to continuing to visit such a historic landmark,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “I am glad to see that my legislation with Representative Subramanyam to designate General George C. Marshall’s Dodona Manor as a National Park Service Affiliated Area has passed the House and is headed to the President’s desk,” said U.S. Senator Tim Kaine (D-VA). “This will ensure that the site is preserved for future generations, honor General Marshall’s legacy, and present an opportunity for the public to learn more about this period of our history.” Rep. Subramanyam and Senator Kaine introduced this bill in February 2025. “We are deeply grateful to Representative Subramanyam and Senators Kaine and Warner for their leadership in advancing this legislation to preserve and elevate General Marshall’s legacy,” said Paul Michaels, chairman of the George C. Marshall International Center Board of Directors. “This measure marks a historic milestone for Dodona Manor and is wonderful news for the Leesburg and Loudoun County community. The increased visibility and expertise that come with National Park Service affiliation will help preserve this nationally significant landmark and help ensure future generations can learn from General Marshall’s extraordinary character and example.” The official designation would be the final step in many years of advocacy for recognition of Dodona Manor as a unit of the National Park System. Designation as an NPS affiliated area would provide new resources to preserve and celebrate General Marshall’s legacy at the site, including technical assistance to support restoration efforts, accessibility improvements, and new programming. General Marshall dedicated his life to public service, holding pivotal roles such as Chief of Staff of the Army during America's entry into World War II, Secretary of State where he designed the transformative Marshall Plan to rebuild post-war Europe, and Secretary of Defense during the early stages of the Korean War. In 1941, while serving as Army Chief of Staff, he purchased Dodona Manor, where he lived until his passing in 1959.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=817,Walkinshaw Warns Trump’s Census Plan Could Exclude Millions of People and Shortchange Communities,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) released the following statement warning that the Trump administration’s proposed changes to the U.S. Census could shortchange communities that rely on census data for federal funding. “Donald Trump is trying to weaponize the U.S. Census to intimidate immigrant families and scare them from participating. His so-called citizenship question would not just undercount immigrant communities. It would shortchange communities across America. Census data help determine how federal funding reaches schools, roads, hospitals, emergency services, and other essential needs. An undercount would not reduce the need for those services. It would leave states and local communities with fewer resources and force local taxpayers to shoulder more of the burden. As the late Congressman Gerry Connolly’s Chief of Staff, I helped him fight back against Trump’s first attempt to add a citizenship question ahead of the 2020 Census. Trump’s effort failed then, and it will fail now.” ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=819,"Walkinshaw, Carter Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Shape the Future of Medicare Telehealth With Better Data",2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Buddy Carter (GA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to replace fragmented federal reporting with reliable annual data showing who Medicare telehealth is reaching, where access barriers remain, how patients are faring, and where taxpayer dollars may be at risk. The Telehealth Reporting and Transparency Act of 2026 would require the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) to report annually on telehealth utilization, patient access, available health outcomes, provider participation, and program integrity. “Telehealth can be a lifeline when getting to a doctor is difficult, especially for seniors, people with disabilities, and patients in rural communities. It also gives patients greater flexibility to manage chronic conditions, access behavioral health services, and receive routine follow-up care,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “Congress should not shape the future of telehealth in the dark. I’m proud to work alongside Congressman Buddy Carter on this bipartisan effort to show what is working, where access gaps remain, and where taxpayer dollars may be at risk, without adding another layer of paperwork for physicians and other practitioners.” “Telehealth has transformed the way millions of seniors access care, especially in rural communities where patients may live hours from the nearest provider,” said Congressman Carter. “As Medicare continues to embrace telehealth, Congress needs reliable data to ensure these services are reaching the patients who need them while protecting taxpayer dollars from fraud, waste, and abuse. This bipartisan legislation will give policymakers and the public greater transparency without placing new burdens on the physicians and practitioners caring for our seniors.” The annual report would include: National and state-level telehealth utilization, including rural and urban trends; Demographic and geographic differences in utilization, including potential broadband barriers; Available patient outcomes, provider participation, and barriers to delivering telehealth services; Claims patterns that may indicate improper billing and actions CMS is taking to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. CMS would be required to rely exclusively on information it already collects and could not impose new reporting or administrative requirements on physicians and practitioners. The agency would also create a public dashboard displaying aggregated telehealth data in a searchable and downloadable format. The legislation does not expand or restrict Medicare telehealth coverage, change payment policies, or alter patient eligibility. It also directs the Government Accountability Office to evaluate the reporting framework and recommend improvements. The bill text is available here.",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9216,SEEC Blasts EPA Decision to Unleash Power Plant Pollution on Americans,2026-09-14,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"The leaders of the House Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition (SEEC), including Co-Chairs Reps. Doris Matsui, Mike Quigley, and Paul Tonko and Vice Chairs Reps. Don Beyer, Suzanne Bonamici, Sean Casten, Mike Levin, and Chellie Pingree, released the following statement in response to the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) final rule to roll back life-saving air pollution limits for fossil fuel-fired power plants. “Gasoline prices remain at all-time highs and diesel is more expensive than at any time in history. But instead of doing anything meaningful to lower costs for the American people, the Trump Administration is using this moment to boost outdated, expensive, dirty fossil fuel plants that are poisoning our air and water and driving up the price of electricity for all Americans. “Our power sector is the second largest source of climate pollution in the nation. Just this summer, we’ve already seen many devastating extreme weather events linked to climate change: the sweltering July 4th heat dome, Gulf Coast flooding caused by Tropical Storm Arthur, the early summer wildfires blazing across the Midwest, and the rapidly growing ‘Super’ El Niño in the Pacific. EPA has both the authority and obligation under Section 111 of the Clean Air Act to protect Americans from sources of dangerous air pollution, including power plants. Instead, thanks to Trump’s Polluters First Agenda, not only are our nation’s leaders choosing to rewind the clock and roll back power plant pollution standards, they are going even further to block future administrations from acting to stop planet-warming pollution from power plants. “If Donald Trump wasn’t distracted by his corrupt bargains and political favors, he would realize that the solutions for a healthy and affordable future for the American people are already in front of us. To finally put an end to Trump’s self-inflicted affordability crisis, we must deliver fast, cheap, reliable, and clean energy, while holding big polluters accountable for endangering the public.”",1,2026-09-16T09:43:13Z,2026-09-16T09:44:22Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9215,"Beyer, Meeks, Neal Statement On Russia Sanctions Legislation",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat of Congress’ Joint Economic Committee, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Rep. Richard Neal, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Ways and Means today issued the following statement after Republican leadership scheduled the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act for a vote in the House next week: “House Democrats are rock solid in our support for Ukraine, but the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia And Iran Act would do more harm than good. This bill would dramatically expand presidential tariff authorities while failing to mandate sanctions on Russia, both of which are unacceptable. These flaws would raise Americans’ prices while undermining support for Ukraine in the long term. “We continue to seek bicameral, bipartisan negotiations to craft a bill that can win strong support in both chambers and deliver on our promise to Ukraine. In the meantime, the President has ample authority to expand sanctions on those fueling Russia’s war machine, including those targeted by this bill, and we renew our call on him to do so without further delay.”",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/11/vindman-remembers-the-lives-lost-on-september-11-25-years-ago/,"Vindman Remembers the Lives Lost on September 11, 25 Years Ago",2026-09-11,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected... Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today released the following statement after... Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress... Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine... Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with... Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of... Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) applauded the implementation... Vindman Announces Thousands of Dollars in Funding to Support Law Enforcement and Strengthen Public Safety Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ)...",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/10/vindman-hears-from-the-84-of-virginians-who-support-keeping-the-government-open/,Vindman Hears from the 84% of Virginians Who Support Keeping the Government Open,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more than 850 Virginians in a district-wide survey, and the results were clear: respondents overwhelmingly believe that Congress should fight to keep the government open. “Virginians know that federal workers are the backbone of our economy and our government,” said Vindman. “With tens of thousands of federal workers and contractors in Virginia’s Seventh District, I was proud to vote to keep the government open. I will continue working to deliver a budget that funds the government responsibly, aligns with our values, and tackles the out-of-control corruption we are seeing in Washington.” Last week, the House of Representatives voted on a Senate Amendment to H.R. 6500 that would keep the government open. Vindman was proud to vote in favor of this amendment and stand with the dedicated federal workers and contractors who keep our government running. The survey asked constituents whether they support keeping the government open and how concerned they would be about the impact of a government shutdown on federal workers and contractors in Virginia’s Seventh District. Below are responses submitted by Virginia’s Seventh District residents who took the survey: — “My husband is a government worker and primary income earner. We do not have the financial wherewithal to handle another government shutdown.” — Caitlin, Prince William “Our elected officials have a duty to ensure all essential services remain open. Federal employees should not have to live in fear of partisan politics.” — Richard, Spotsylvania “I am very concerned about how the people of Virginia would survive another government shut down.” — Dorothy, Caroline “I retired last year to avoid being RIFed. I went through two long shutdowns as a federal employee. It is very stressful not knowing when you are going back to work and will be paid. These shutdowns have to stop.” — Dinna, Spotsylvania BACKGROUND Vindman has long been a champion for federal workers and contractors. During the October 2025 government shutdown, Vindman asked the U.S. House of Representatives’ Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) to withhold his salary for the duration of the shutdown. In March 2025, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation that would block Members of Congress from receiving their pay during a government shutdown. ###",1,2026-09-11T09:25:29Z,2026-09-11T09:27:08Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-lonnie-g-bunch-iii,Scott Statement on Lonnie G. Bunch III,2026-09-10,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03) issued the following statement after Smithsonian Secretary Lonnie G. Bunch III announced his retirement: “Secretary Lonnie Bunch has dedicated his career to ensuring the Smithsonian tells the full story of our nation. His historic leadership as the founding director of the National Museum of African American History and Culture ensured that the African American experience is recognized as an essential part of the American story. “His retirement comes as President Trump continues his efforts to whitewash history and pressure the Smithsonian to conform to his preferred version of the past. We cannot learn from our history by pretending the most painful chapters never happened. I thank Secretary Bunch for his decades of service and his commitment to truth. The Smithsonian must remain independent and free from partisan interference.""",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-introduces-national-data-center-plan,Rep. Subramanyam Introduces National Data Center Plan,2026-09-08,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) introduced a National Data Center Plan. The Responsible Data Center Siting Act, the Data Center Fair Share Act, the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act, and the Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act are four bills to guide data center development to ensure our communities are protected. The package requires data centers to pay for their own energy, evaluate the cumulative impacts on communities, the environment, and our national security before building data centers, accurately measure water and energy usage, and protect Americans living near data infrastructure. “Our region is home to the fourth largest concentration of data centers in the world, and many more are on the way. Because of this, our utility bills are up and transmission lines are cutting through our schools and backyards. People are concerned about the future of our community and angry about the impact this will have on noise, the environment, and their property. The approach to building data centers has been driven by short-term profit rather than long term planning. But it doesn’t have to be this way. We need a national plan that puts communities first rather than the current ad hoc approach. That's why I am pushing this legislation forward: to give Virginians and the American people a voice,” said Congressman Suhas Subramanyam. “Since its founding, in 2014, the Coalition to Protect Prince William County has been warning residents, elected leaders, and the SCC of the unprecedented power demands of the data center industry. Prince William County residents are already paying a high cost with our rising utility rates and energy infrastructure expansion threatening our homes, our schools, our parks, our private property. Congressman Subramanyam's National Data Center Plan is a needed step in the right direction to protect residents, our environment, and our grid from irresponsible development. Without action, the risk to our grid is no longer a question of IF we will suffer a catastrophic failure, but when.” said Elena Schlossberg, the Executive Director of the Coalition to Protect Prince William County. Below is background on the four bills: The Responsible Data Center Siting Act would direct the Secretary of Energy to establish best practices for siting data centers considering energy availability and impacts on utility bills, water use and electricity use, and the environment. It would also consider community impacts such as noise, national security, work force, and tax revenue to guide data center development in a way that protects constituents. The bill is co-sponsored by Reps. Mike Quigley (D-IL), Andre Carson (D-IN), Hillary Scholten (D-MI), Veronica Escobar (D-TX), Greg Stanton (D-AZ), and Mike Levin (D-CA). The Data Center Fair Share Act requires data centers and other large energy users to pay the full cost of grid and generation upgrades needed to serve them. In Northern Virginia, residents are being stuck with rising utility bills to support the enormous energy demands of hundreds of data centers. Under this legislation, states would be required to adopt large-load tariffs ensuring data centers — not residents — pay for their own power. States that fail to adopt these tariffs will lose access to federal highway funds. ""This bill is a welcome and necessary step to create meaningful protections for consumers,"" said Karim D. Marshall, Director of Climate and Energy Policy at the Consumer Federation of America. ""Families are suffering under astronomical energy prices and they need a backstop against the costs passed on to regular people. Something that is more than an empty promise. The Tech billionaires say that they will responsibly share our power and water. They say that they will be responsible without data and information. They say ‘trust us, we know better.’ The moment demands that consumers are protected from the abuses of the rich and powerful. Consumers shouldn't be forced to subsidize Big Tech through their power bills. The Data Center Fair Share Act creates real consequences for jurisdictions that are willing to sell out their people to please Big Tech."" The Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act directs the National Institutes of Standards and Technology (NIST) to develop technical standards for measuring data center energy and water use. This will ensure we know exactly how much water and energy data centers are using. The Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act will require the development of a strategy to protect the communities living around data centers and data infrastructure from adversaries. View the Responsible Data Center Siting Act here. View the Data Center Fair Share Act here. View the Data Infrastructure Energy Measurement and Standards Act here. View the Data Infrastructure Risk Reduction Act here. ###",1,2026-09-10T09:25:58Z,2026-09-10T09:27:09Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9211,Virginia Members Of Congress Welcome Investigation Of ICE Encounter With Jose Mejia Hernandez,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Suhas Subramanyam, and Rep. James Walkinshaw today issued the following statement after the Arlington County Police Department opened a formal investigation into the August 11 encounter with ICE agents that resulted in José Mejía Hernandez’ hospitalization and brain injury: “We strongly support the Arlington County Police Department’s decision to open this investigation, which is essential to establishing how José Mejía Hernandez suffered serious injuries. These included internal bleeding and a brain injury after an encounter with ICE agents. It is unfortunate that the Trump Administration has abandoned its responsibilities to hold federal agents under their command accountable, leaving state and local jurisdictions to do the job the Administration refuses to do to maintain law and order and protect the public. That failure is fueling a pattern of unchecked violence, rights violations, and chaos, in some cases with deadly consequences. If this investigation finds that ICE agents’ misconduct caused Mr. Mejía Hernandez’ injuries or impeded his medical treatment, they must face consequences. We will continue seeking answers about what happened to Mr. Mejía Hernandez in Arlington, and working to ensure he receives access to the medical care and support he needs to recover.”",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-emphasizes-fcc-comment-period-verizon-copper-lines-announces,"Rep. Subramanyam Emphasizes FCC Comment Period on Verizon Copper Lines, Announces Town Hall in Warrenton on Wednesday",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"LEESBURG, VA – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) comment period was announced to end legacy communications service in Warrenton, and Fauquier and Rappahannock Counties: “On August 7th, Verizon mailed my constituents a letter stating that on or after October 23, 2026, subject to FCC approval, it would have authority to end the copper home phone service many of them have relied on for decades. The letter didn’t make it clear they had a choice in the matter. For many, this is a matter of basic safety. Without copper lines, constituents will lose home phone access entirely in places where people need to drive to a ridgeline to make a cell phone call. This means they will not be able to call 911 or reach family and vital information during prolonged storm outages. It is unacceptable to obscure this transition by not letting my constituents know about this very short comment period. It is only open until next Thursday, September 10th. I have submitted my objection, and I encourage everyone to submit their comments before the deadline. Let’s make sure Verizon and the FCC understand what ending copper home phone service means to our community.” To bring attention to the comment period and to hear resident’s concerns, Rep. Subramanyam will be holding a town hall on Wednesday, September 9, 2026 at 6:30 p.m. with doors opening at 6:00 p.m. The town hall will held be at Hazel Hall, Laurel Ridge Community College, 6480 College Street, Warrenton, VA. People interested in submitting a comment can do so here: https://www.fauquiercounty.gov/government/departments-a-g/county-administration/verizon-copper-line-phase-out",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=805,Virginia Members Of Congress Welcome Investigation Of ICE Encounter With Jose Mejia Hernandez,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. James Walkinshaw, Sen. Tim Kaine, Sen. Mark Warner, Rep. Don Beyer, and Rep. Suhas Subramanyam today issued the following statement after the Arlington County Police Department opened a formal investigation into the August 11 encounter with ICE agents that resulted in José Mejía Hernandez’ hospitalization and brain injury: “We strongly support the Arlington County Police Department’s decision to open this investigation, which is essential to establishing how José Mejía Hernandez suffered serious injuries. These included internal bleeding and a brain injury after an encounter with ICE agents. It is unfortunate that the Trump Administration has abandoned its responsibilities to hold federal agents under their command accountable, leaving state and local jurisdictions to do the job the Administration refuses to do to maintain law and order and protect the public. That failure is fueling a pattern of unchecked violence, rights violations, and chaos, in some cases with deadly consequences. If this investigation finds that ICE agents’ misconduct caused Mr. Mejía Hernandez’ injuries or impeded his medical treatment, they must face consequences. We will continue seeking answers about what happened to Mr. Mejía Hernandez in Arlington, and working to ensure he receives access to the medical care and support he needs to recover.” ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=806,"Walkinshaw, Ranking Member Thompson Demand Elon Musk Testify Under Oath After GAO Finds DOGE-Driven DHS Savings Claims Vastly Overstated",2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), the only Democrat serving on both the House Homeland Security and Oversight and Government Reform Committees and Congressman Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security, released the following statement. “The numbers from a new Government Accountability Office report are in, and they further expose Elon Musk’s DOGE project as an utter fraud. Trump’s DHS claimed $10.5 billion in savings, but GAO found that the savings were significantly overstated as 95% of those claimed savings come from IT service contracts that the Department has and will continue to have to pay for through other government contracts. Elon Musk and DOGE tried to sell the American people a lie: that firing federal workers and gutting public services would make government more efficient and save taxpayers billions. Instead, they inflicted lasting damage, indiscriminately cancelled contracts, and fired essential personnel. Meanwhile, 99% of the savings they claimed with DHS have not materialized. Chairman Andrew Garbarino cannot allow Musk and DOGE leadership to avoid accountability for this enormous gap between GAO’s findings and DHS’s claimed savings. Chairman Garbarino must immediately convene a public Homeland Security Committee hearing requiring DHS leadership such as the Deputy Secretary, Musk, and other senior DOGE staff to testify under oath about who approved these estimates, what the contract terminations cost taxpayers, and to what extent they damaged critical missions. GAO personnel who conducted the investigation should also participate to ensure we receive credible information about DOGE’s actions at DHS. Given Musk’s public admission that DOGE was unsuccessful, he and his DOGE cronies should be subject to a full accounting of the damage they caused. Congress must then enact permanent safeguards so no President can ever again give an unaccountable political operation free rein to devastate our federal government.” ###",1,2026-09-05T08:49:07Z,2026-09-05T08:50:44Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/04/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-strengthen-protections-for-federal-whistleblowers/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Protections for Federal Whistleblowers,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressmen Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Suhas Subramanyam (Va.-10) introduced the Federal Worker Protection Act, legislation that would provide federal whistleblowers stronger and clearer protections against intimidation or retaliation related to protected disclosures. The legislation is introduced in direct response to the Office of Personnel Management’s (OPM) proposed nondisclosure agreement (NDA) for federal workers, which could have a serious chilling effect on lawful whistleblowing. “Federal workers should never have to choose between doing their jobs and speaking up when they see something wrong. Last fall, I hosted a town hall for federal employees, where I heard directly from them about the fear and pressure they were facing,” said Vindman. “These are people who have dedicated their careers to serving our country and our communities. This legislation makes clear that public servants who speak up will not face politically motivated retaliation. I will always take action to root out corruption and protect federal workers.” “Now more than ever, public servants—like the recent USPS whistleblower—must feel safe stepping forward to expose corruption, fraud, and abuse,” said Subramanyam. “This administration’s attempt for blanket NDAs creates a chilling effect, which is the last thing we need right now with this corrupt administration. This bill guarantees federal employees clearly understand their rights and gives them real legal recourse if an NDA is unlawfully used to silence them.” The Federal Worker Protection Act has been endorsed by the International Federation of Professional and Technical Engineers (IFPTE), the National Active and Retired Federal Employees (NARFE), the National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE), and the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME). “IFPTE fully endorses the Federal Worker Protection Act and applauds Congressman Vindman for sponsoring this bill. This bill is urgently needed to counter the Trump Administration’s proposed rulemaking to require federal employees to sign nondisclosure agreements, as well as other Administration efforts to undermine protected whistleblower channels that Congress has already established. Federal workers take an oath to defend our Constitution, faithfully uphold the duties of their office, and serve the American people, and this bill recognizes that safeguarding and enhancing federal worker whistleblower protections improves government accountability and protects the public,” said IFPTE President and VA.-07 resident Matt Biggs. “Federal employees take an oath to the Constitution, not to silence,” said NARFE National President William Shackelford. “When an agency hands a career civil servant a nondisclosure agreement with a vague scope and the implicit threat of removal behind it, the practical effect is that lawful disclosures are never made. The Federal Workers Protection Act puts the protections in writing, in plain language, and gives employees a real path to court when they are threatened for doing the right thing.” “The National Federation of Federal Employees (NFFE-IAM) supports the Federal Worker Protection Act, which aims to prevent abuse of NDA authority by government officials to threaten and coerce employees from reporting fraud, waste, abuse, mismanagement, and political overreach and corruption. This administration plans to use NDAs to cover up its rampant corruption by threatening termination of career civil servants who report wrongdoing. There has never been a time in our country’s history where we need this legislation more, and we thank Rep. Vindman for his leadership on an issue he knows all too well,” said a spokesperson at National Federation of Federal Employees. BACKGROUND OPM published its proposed NDA for public comment in May 2026. While the administration has asserted that the NDA is consistent with existing federal whistleblower protections, a nominally compliant NDA can still discourage employees from reporting waste, fraud, abuse, or violations of law through protected channels. Ambiguous language, fear of investigation, and the potential threat of enforcement can deter federal employees from making disclosures that are otherwise protected under federal law. In a separate draft rule proposed last year, OPM also suggested that failure to sign an NDA could result in termination or debarment from future employment within the federal government. ###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-statement-august-jobs-report-8,Scott Statement on August Jobs Report,2026-09-04,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON – Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03),House Committee on Education and Workforce, released the following statement after the Bureau of Labor Statistics announced that the economy gained 162,000 jobs in August, and the unemployment rate remained unchanged at 4.1 percent. At this point in his term, the economy under President Biden had created 10.5 million jobs, compared to just 807,000 under President Trump's second term. Today’s job gains are still roughly half of President Biden’s average monthly job gains. “President Trump promised to lower prices for American families on day one. Instead, working families have been forced to do more with less, all while big corporations get tax handouts, sweetheart deals, and sole source contracts. Not only has President Trump failed to lower everyday costs, but, according to the Joint Economic Committee (Democrats), his reckless tariffs have cost American families an average of over $1,700 a year. “The numbers are clear: President Trump’s economy is not working for workers. Inflation has outpaced wage growth in recent months. And American workers are taking home a smaller piece of the economic pie than they have in the past 70 years. This is all while President Trump himself cashes in. According to AFL-CIO, it would take the median American worker 43,000 years to earn what President Trump himself reaped in 2025. President Trump’s failed policies and broken promises have resulted in a country where the wealthy prosper, while working families struggle to make ends meet. “Democrats will not sit on the sidelines while Americans fight tooth-and-nail to survive. Together, we are fighting to build an America that rewards hard work, grows opportunity, and gives every worker a fair shot at the American dream.” To see a chart comparing the cumulative seasonally adjusted job change by month between President Trump's first and second terms, and President Biden's presidency,click here. To see a chart comparing the total job change between President Trump's first 19 months in office and President Biden's first 19 months in office, click here. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9205,Beyer Leads Special Orders Highlighting Urgent Need to Restore USAID,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Congressman Don Beyer, who represents a Northern Virginia district that is home to many of the former U.S. Agency For International Development (USAID) employees who were fired by President Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE through no fault of their own last year, spoke yesterday evening on the House floor on the short- and long-term impacts of dismantling the United States’ largest foreign assistance agency. Along with Representative Beyer, Representatives Lois Frankel (D-FL), Jim McGovern (D-MA), Gabe Amo (D-RI), Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and Brad Sherman (D-CA) spoke in support of restoring funding to the critical agency, and rehiring the dedicated civil servants who provided essential supplies and assistance to people around the world. Beyer’s remarks follow below, and video is available here. Last year, President Trump teamed up with his trillionaire donor Elon Musk to dismantle USAID and pause or permanently cancel a large portion of our international assistance programs. This was done in the name of furthering Trump’s “America First” policy, but it’s mostly combating mostly fictional and exaggerated claims of waste. The authors of this policy claimed their goal is to achieve “deficit reduction,” to further “America First” policy on largely imaginary claims of waste. But far from reducing waste, the headlong rush to shutter USAID has forced the government to set aside billions of dollars for lawsuits, pay former employees to stay at home, and settle outstanding agreements with contractors. Our national debt passed 40 trillion dollars this week, the latest in a long string of facts that show how little Trump and company actually care about fiscal responsibility. The decision and the chaotic and callous way it was implemented has led to needless death, suffering, and damage to our national security and international reputation. But the worst impacts have been the devastation this has inflicted on poor and sick people around the world. You know, in defense of the aid cuts, Elon Musk claimed “zero” people in Africa died. Secretary Rubio likewise claimed “no one has died,” claiming that lifesaving aid and programs would be maintained or replaced. But these statements are lies and they’re insults to our intelligence. Available government data shows large reductions in spending from 2024 to 2025: 48% to global health programs, 39% cut to the Food for Peace Program, a 65% cut in development assistance, and a 21% cut to international disaster assistance. Several large-scale independent studies and reporting from numerous news outlets have shown the human toll of these reductions. I want to thank my colleagues who have pointed out names and photographs. Let me give you some examples: The Gates Foundation estimates that child deaths will rise for the first time in the 21st century in 2025, and projects that if the aid cuts continue at a similar scale, we should expect an additional 12 million child deaths by 2045. 12 million kids. Harvard University’s Atul Gawande, look, he’s one of the leading public health experts in the world, published everywhere, [he] published analysis nearly a year ago finding that hundreds of thousands have already died as a result of the USAID cuts, less than ten months after they were implemented. A study published by UCLA’s Fielding School of Public Health projected that the elimination of foreign aid funding last year would lead to 14 million preventable deaths by the end of this decade, over a third of them children. And in a more granular report, research from Oxfam has shown that cholera cases have risen by 62% in 2025 compared to the previous year, just as USAID clean water and sanitation programs were cut. One to one correspondence. Look, these are numbers, but these statistics represent suffering and misery that our government chose to inflict on some of the most vulnerable people in the world. I love and greatly appreciate the New York Times’ Nicholas Kristof. He has gone to Africa and written in heartbreaking detail about the individual human cost of the aid cuts. He writes about the deaths of children in the Democratic Republic of Congo and in Uganda dying due to the lack of ordinarily available food assistance, medicine, mosquito nets, and other US-provided aid. I’m a Representative serving Northern Virginia, so I’ve heard from hundreds of former USAID employees and private sectors partners who worked on these cut programs. Besides the justifiable outrage felt by these men and women due to how they were treated by this Administration, Elon Musk, and his band of DOGE acolytes, what’s really struck me is the grief that they feel being unable to continue to serve our country and help some of the world’s most vulnerable people. And they understand that U.S. international assistance is not charity. It is a critical component of our national security strategy, alongside diplomacy and defense. They reduce the risk of lethal diseases like Ebola and avian flu from spreading to our shores, promote economic growth and democracy in developing nations, enhance counterterrorism initiatives, and alleviated international crises and disasters. But it’s up to us to build and improve on what remains of our aid infrastructure. We can and should work to reduce the risk of this happening again.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9209,"Beyer, Boebert Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Increase Protections for Child Actors and Performers",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and Lauren Boebert (R-CO) today introduced the bipartisan Kids Safety on Set Act to implement mandatory criminal background checks for entertainment professionals who have supervisory roles over or spend significant time with minors and impose penalties on productions that fail to comply. “Children across the entertainment industry have been vulnerable to mistreatment and abuse for far too long, and as the entertainment industry continues to grow, we need basic federal protections to keep child performers safe. Child performers deserve safe work environments where they can focus on performing,” said Congressman Beyer. “Schools protect children by mandating all personnel pass a criminal background check and our bill follows that same model. The safety and wellbeing of children is our priority, whether they are at school or at work.” “Working in a secure and productive environment is everyone’s right. It’s long past due that we modernize on-set safeguards. I’m proud to co-sponsor this commonsense, bi-partisan legislation,” said Congresswoman Boebert. This legislation would require individuals working on entertainment industry projects to complete and successfully pass a criminal background check if they have supervisory duties or compulsory authority over minors that are not their child or ward, or if their work involves frequent or private interaction with minors. The criminal background check must be completed within 90 days before beginning work on or taking ownership of the project, would screen for offenses involving minors, and would be paid for by the production company or entertainment industry entity. The bill also requires the Attorney General to seek an ex-parte temporary restraining order to halt any production that employs a professional who fails to complete or pass the required criminal background check, followed by a preliminary or permanent injunction to maintain the suspension. The production would remain suspended until the employee completes the required background check or is terminated. The Attorney General would also be authorized to impose a civil monetary penalty of up to twice the cost of producing the project involving the unauthorized employee. For individuals with ownership stakes, the bill mandates that their equity interest be reduced to 2% or less and that their physical access to production sets be permanently revoked if they fail to meet these basic safety standards. Congressman Ro Khanna (D-CA) and Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA) are original co-sponsors of the Kids Safety on Set Act. This legislation is also supported by SAG-AFTRA, The BizParentz Foundation, and Hire Survivors Hollywood.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9210,Beyer Statement On Donald Trump’s Vanity Arch,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), who represents a Northern Virginia district in the U.S. House that includes Arlington National Cemetery, issued the following statement after Secretary of the Interior Doug Burgum announced that the Trump Administration would “start, over the next two-week period, the excavation work necessary” for President Trump’s illegal, gridlock-increasing, narcissistic arch project that the National Park Service admits would disrupt Arlington National Cemetery: “Burgum and the Trump Administration are disregarding the risks and rushing this towering monument to Trump’s vanity because they believe Republicans will get crushed in November. They believe, I hope correctly, that the project will be endangered by a new Democratic majority that actually stands up to Trump. “This project is not even close to being ready for prime time. The Administration has not won the legal battle over the proposal, which is plainly illegal without congressional authorization. They have not responded to or addressed my warnings about how construction would significantly increase traffic problems across the region. They have not addressed Arlington County’s red flags about impacts on transportation infrastructure – including the ability of emergency responders to move to and through the major roadways around the site – and about environmental impacts. They have not completed and released a full aeronautical study to evaluate flight risks to air traffic at DCA, which are especially important following the National Transportation Safety Board’s finding that White House construction may have contributed to a recent, concerning incident involving Marine One. The only study they have completed and released, from the National Park Service, confirms my admonition that the arch would be a massive, unnecessary disruption to iconic and historic sites across the region. “Donald Trump boasted aloud that his sole intent for building this arch is to honor himself. Even Doug Burgum, in his heart, knows that this is immoral and disrespectful to America’s fallen heroes. All of us who oppose it must stand up and redouble our efforts to stop this monstrosity.” Rep. Don Beyer is leading congressional efforts to block construction of Trump’s arch. His Northern Virginia district includes the Arlington National Cemetery, where his parents, grandparents, and sister are buried. He is the author of the Arlington National Cemetery Viewshed Protection Act, which would explicitly prohibit construction of the arch. He previously raised concerns about the projects impacts on traffic in the region, which the Trump Administration has yet to address. The arch has been a consistent source of anger and concern to Beyer’s constituents, who like much of the country, vociferously oppose the project.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/03/mcclellan-introduces-bill-to-provide-coverage-for-crisis-response-services/,"McClellan, Moulton Introduce Bill to Provide Coverage for Crisis Response Services",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) and Congressman Seth Moulton (MA-06) introduced H.R. 10240, the Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act, to expand insurance coverage for crisis response services. Individuals in mental health crisis can be met with responses that are neither person-centered nor trauma-informed, from being admitted in overcrowded emergency departments, hospitalized or even incarcerated. Mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs), dispatched by 988 Lifeline operators, work to disrupt this cycle and provide appropriate mental health stabilization and services for individuals experiencing crisis. Short-term crisis receiving and stabilization services can also divert emergency room usage and hospitalizations for individuals in crisis. However, states, counties and providers require predictable and sustained funding to maintain 988, MCRTs and other crisis services. “988 call centers play a vital role in connecting individuals struggling with mental health conditions to a trusted professional who can provide the assistance, resources and care they need. This could make the difference between life or death for someone in a mental health crisis. Today, we fight to support these local and regional call centers as they work around the clock to save lives,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I’m working to expand access to care and ensure that insurers are the ones covering and further strengthening these crisis services for those in need. I thank Congressman Moulton for his partnership on this critical piece of legislation, and Representatives Matsui and Fitzpatrick for their bipartisan work towards getting this bill across the finish line as part of their 988 Implementation Act.” “988 has given Americans a simple number to call when they need help, but answering the phone is only the first step,” said Congressman Moulton. “We also need to ensure people have somewhere to turn for care in their communities. This legislation will help build out the behavioral health crisis services that connect people in need with treatment and support, when and where they need it. No one experiencing a mental health crisis should be left without help simply because the resources aren’t there.” H.R. 10240 provides coverage for crisis response services, including mobile crisis response teams (MCRTs), 988 Lifeline calls, and short-term crisis receiving and stabilization under public and private insurance. Specifically, this bill: Fulfills the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) National Guidelines for a Behavioral Health Coordinated System of Care recommendation that all insurers cover three core crisis services — 24/7 clinically staffed regional crisis call centers, mobile crisis teams, and crisis receiving and stabilization facilities. Allows services to be provided by MCRTs, crisis receiving and stabilization facilities, mental health or substance use urgent care facilities, or other appropriate providers as determined by the Secretary. McClellan and Moulton’s bill is part of the 988 Implementation Act introduced by Representatives Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01). The overall legislation contains eight individual pieces of legislation: 988 Call Center Improvement Act 988 Crisis Response Act Campaign to Prevent Suicide Act 988 Community Infrastructure Act 988 Crisis Response Workforce Act Behavioral Health Crisis Services Expansion Act 988 and 911 Integration Act 988 Crisis Stabilization Act Specifically, the 988 Implementation Act would: Solidify funding for 988 regional and local call centers to ensure a timely 24/7 response to callers anywhere in the country. Provide funding for community-based crisis response, including mobile crisis teams and crisis centers. Support crisis workforce development with increased funding for training and scholarship opportunities. Increase access to care by requiring that all health insurance plans cover crisis services. Implement a national suicide prevention awareness campaign in partnership with a wide array of stakeholders.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://mcclellan.house.gov/2026/09/03/mcclellan-joins-bipartisan-push-to-build-the-crisis-care-system-behind-988/,McClellan Joins Bipartisan Push to Build the Crisis Care System Behind 988,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Jennifer L. McClellan,M001227,mcclellan.house.gov,mcclellan,https://mcclellan.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Ahead of 988 Day, Congressman Jennifer McClellan (VA-04) joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) to reintroduce the 988 Implementation Act today with Congressmembers Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Troy Carter (LA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Don Beyer (VA-08), Becca Balint (VT-AL), and Kim Schrier (WA-08). The comprehensive legislative package will provide states with federal resources to build the crisis response infrastructure behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Lifeline has received more than 26 million calls, texts, chats, and ASL videophone contacts from people seeking help across America. “Every year, 988 call centers respond to hundreds of thousands of calls and work around the clock to provide callers with the mental health and crisis management care they need. The 988 Implementation Act will increase access to care with greater support, workforce development opportunities and more,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I applaud Reps. Matsui and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this critical issue, and I’m grateful that they incorporated my legislation to provide and expand coverage for behavioral health crisis response services into the bill. Together, we can improve mental health nationwide and ensure 988 continues to help those in our communities who need it most.” “When someone reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, we have a responsibility to make sure help is there,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “988 has become a lifesaving resource for millions of Americans, but answering the call cannot be where our responsibility ends. We built a national front door to crisis care with 988. Now we need to strengthen what comes next by expanding mobile crisis response, increasing access to immediate community-based care, and connecting people to the treatment and support they need.” “Everyday, millions of Americans face mental challenges and are unsure where to go for help,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Taskforce. “The 988 hotline streamlines resources for those in need, as part of a network of over 200 local crisis centers, yet only thirteen-percent of adults are aware of this critical resource. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to build upon the critical progress we have made, and further ensure that our communities are properly equipped with crisis-response services.” “Americans deserve compassionate care when they are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “That is why I am joining Representatives Matsui and Fitzpatrick in introducing the 988 Implementation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the 988 Crisis Lifeline. It includes the 988 Community Infrastructure Act, a bill I introduced to help communities build or expand the facilities they need, so people in crisis can get timely care in a more welcoming and appropriate setting—not an emergency room or with law enforcement. By investing in the critical 988 lifeline, we can improve access to trained mental health specialists and ensure that no one falls through the cracks when they need help most.” “Our nation is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, and all too often people who are struggling don’t know where to turn to for help,” said Congressman Carter. “The 988 Crisis Line is a lifeline for so many people in our country. It connects them to care, to treatment, and to hope. I’m proud to support this important legislation that prioritizes the mental health and wellbeing of American citizens by investing in community-based crisis response, breaking down barriers to accessing mental healthcare treatment, and ensuring everyone knows where to turn to in moments of crisis.” “Calling 988 takes courage, and answering takes patience and care. Our job is to support both,” said Congresswoman Trahan, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “We all know someone who has struggled with mental health or substance use and wished there was more help within reach. This bill delivers it, with a faster response, a real place to turn, and trained professionals ready to pick up the phone.” “I’m extraordinarily proud of the success of the 988 lifeline since its implementation. The high volume of calls and messages to 988 shows that Americans are still in dire need of improved mental health resources,” said Congressman Moulton. “It is critical that we continue advocating for more funding and expanded 988 services. The suite of bills contained within the 988 Implementation Act will provide federal support for states to enact 988 and crisis services, improve 988 implementation at the local level, expand access to critical services, and broaden awareness of available resources.” “America’s mental health epidemic leaves millions of our neighbors without access to the care they desperately need,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this critical bipartisan legislation that will greatly expand access to mental health crisis response teams, an expert presence beside our people during the darkest moments.” “Too many Americans in crisis are left without safe access to care,” said Congressman Goldman. “The 988 Lifeline is a proven system for getting people the help they need when they need it most. That’s why I’m proud to join in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to give states better resources to bolster their crisis response infrastructure and develop a full continuum of care that prioritizes safety and dignity for all communities.” “Since its launch, the 988 Lifeline has connected more than 26 million Americans with the support they need in moments of crisis,” said Congressman Beyer. “That’s an extraordinary achievement, and we must build on that success to save more lives and ensure no one falls through the cracks. Our 988 Implementation Act would further strengthen our crisis response system by ensuring trained professionals are available around the clock, crisis teams are equipped to respond in communities, and those in need can access care and services without facing financial barriers.” “Especially during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m incredibly proud to be introducing the 988 and 911 Integration Act,” said Congresswoman Balint. “One of my top priorities in Congress is reducing stigma and taking real action to improve access to mental healthcare. We know that mental health affects not just individuals, but also their families and communities, too. This bill, alongside the broader 988 Implementation Act, would help local communities strengthen and better utilize 988 resources–a lifeline for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis–and bridge gaps in care in communities all over the country.” “As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. The 988 Crisis Line saves lives and strengthens our communities. We need to make sure that 988 teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.” As America’s mental health crisis worsens, 988 has spent the past four years demonstrating the lifesaving power of connecting people in crisis with the right help at the right time. A study published this year by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that suicide deaths among children and young adults fell 11% below projected levels following the launch of 988, the largest declines were seen in states where 988 use increased most. But answering the call is only the first step. Someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis may also need a trained professional to respond in person, a safe place to receive immediate care, or assistance with continued treatment. Today, access to those services still vary significantly depending on where someone lives. The 988 Implementation Act will help address those gaps in access to care by: Strengthening federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers Expanding community-based and mobile crisis response so trained behavioral health professionals can reach someone who needs in-person support Improving access and affordability by requiring health insurance plans to cover crisis services Growing crisis workforce development with more funding for training and scholarship opportunities Increasing awareness of 988 through a national suicide prevention and crisis services campaign The legislation is supported by more than 35 organizations including mental health advocates, clinical and medical professionals, state and local government officials, civil rights advocates, veterans, and more. The 988 Implementation Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Association on Health and Disability, American Group Psychotherapy Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare (AABH), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Connections Health Solutions, Crisis Text Line, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Easterseals, Inc., Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, Huntington’s Disease Society of America, International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Legal Action Center, NAMI, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National League for Nursing, Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), SMART Recovery, Steinberg Institute, Sycamores, The American Counseling Association, The Miles Hall Foundation, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, The National Federation of Families, The Paramedic Foundation/American College of Paramedics/American Paramedic Association, The Trevor Project, Tourette Association of America, and Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC). Full text of the 988 Implementation Act can be found HERE.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyam-introduces-bill-package-stop-trump-administration-corruption,Rep. Subramanyam Introduces Bill Package to Stop Trump Administration Corruption,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) has introduced a package of bills that would crack down on the Trump administration’s corruption. The legislative package includes three bills: The JARED Act, the No Pardon Paydays Act, and the Government Travel Transparency Act. “This administration is the most corrupt in modern American history. Every American is paying the price while this administration lines their pockets and dishes out favors to their friends. We refuse to stand by and watch this unfold. There must be consequences for this corruption while we work to restore the American people’s trust,” said Rep. Subramanyam. The Justice and Accountability for Representatives Engaged in Diplomacy (JARED) Act is co-led by Oversight Committee Ranking Member Robert Garcia (D-CA). It would extend ethics requirements to any individual who engages in negotiations on behalf of the U.S. government, including preventing individuals from engaging in negotiations in their direct financial interest. President Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner has been heavily involved in multiple negotiations with foreign governments where he also does business, including at a time when he was acting as a private citizen. “It is unacceptable that Jared Kushner raised billions of dollars and influenced foreign policy to his financial benefit while conducting negotiations on behalf of the United States. Not once was he required to submit any financial disclosures or undergo any oversight. This bill will strengthen transparency in U.S. foreign negotiations and create greater accountability,” said Ranking Member Garcia. “Those who represent our country abroad are entrusted with an awesome responsibility. Abusing that trust for private gain and personal profit erodes public trust, and more importantly, it risks creating conflicts of interest that might compromise U.S. foreign policy and national security,” said Debra Perlin, Vice President for Policy at CREW. “CREW is proud to endorse this legislation, which ensures that purported agents or representatives of the federal government who engage with foreign nations, or solicit things of value on behalf of the U.S., obtain the proper background checks, disclose potential conflicts and remain accountable for their conduct.” The No Pardon Paydays Act is co-led by Assistant Democratic Leader Joe Neguse (D-CO) and Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus Ted Lieu (D-CA). It would prevent corruption in the pardon process by requiring the Pardon Attorney to submit a review to Congress of any criminal history of the pardon recipient. It would also prohibit pardon recipients from making high dollar contributions to political committees associated with the President who granted the pardon. President Trump has handed out blanket pardons to January 6th insurrectionists and those who padded his pockets – and did not distinguish between those who engaged in acts of violence. Many of the January 6th insurrectionists who received pardons have since committed new crimes. “Donald Trump has repeatedly abused the presidential pardon power to give get out of jail free cards to violent, convicted felons who assaulted Capitol Police officers on January 6th, and benefit close political allies and the members of his inner circle. This cannot stand. That’s why I’m proud to join Rep. Subramanyam’s effort to put a commonsense check on presidential pardons, ensuring regardless of who’s in the White House, the power is used fairly and responsibly,” said Assistant Democratic Leader Neguse. “Time and time again, Trump uses pardons as favors for his pals and donors. This blatant corruption is dangerous to our democracy and our communities,” said Congressman Lieu. “I am pleased to partner with Rep. Subramanyam on the No Pardon Paydays Act, which would mitigate the perverse practice of paying for Presidential pardons. You should not be able to buy your way out of justice, no matter how much money you donate to the President.” The Government Travel Transparency Act is a commonsense bill to provide transparency over how officials are using taxpayer funded aircraft. Federal government aircraft are supposed to be used only when they are the most cost-effective mode of travel. There have been multiple reports of administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, and Vice President JD Vance, using government aircraft for personal use.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-subramanyams-statement-fbi-monitoring,Rep. Subramanyam’s Statement on FBI Monitoring,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement: “The FBI and DOJ recently informed me that my phone conversations with State Senator and President Pro Tempore Louise Lucas were being monitored as part of their investigation into Senator Lucas. This is deeply concerning. Trump’s DOJ has become his own personal law firm, with his former personal attorney carrying out vendettas on Trump’s political enemies. They have politically investigated multiple states’ Attorneys General and the former FBI director. Now they admit they have surveilled conversations by a sitting Democratic Congressman. The timing of this wiretap and investigation is extremely suspicious. The tap took place between March and May, which was at the peak of campaigning for the redistricting referendum in Virginia. This was also while the Oversight Committee was calling on Pam Bondi to testify on the Epstein investigation. This should concern anyone who believes in a real Department of Justice that serves the American people and not a singular president. If this surveillance was done to scare us and to get Democrats to stop pushing back against Trump’s political overreach, they are mistaken. We will not back down. We will continue our investigations into this President and his corrupt administration.” ###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/03/vindman-introduces-legislation-to-extend-tps-for-individuals-from-el-salvador/,Vindman Introduces Legislation to Extend TPS for Individuals from El Salvador,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to extend Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for individuals from El Salvador for 18 months beginning September 6, 2026, ensuring Salvadoran TPS holders can continue living and working legally in the United States while conditions in El Salvador remain unsafe. “As a refugee from Soviet Ukraine, I understand that forcing families back into dangerous and unstable conditions would be both cruel and shortsighted. Temporary Protected Status (TPS) exists to provide humanitarian relief to people who cannot safely return home,” said Vindman. “I’m proud to represent tens of thousands of Salvadorans who contribute to our communities and economy every day. This legislation upholds the values on which the United States was founded.” The legislation would extend TPS protections and employment authorization for 18 months beginning September 6, 2026, due to ongoing safety concerns, natural disasters, economic instability, and gang violence in the country. Hundreds of thousands of Salvadoran TPS holders have built their lives in the United States and are deeply rooted in communities across Virginia and the country. They contribute to the economy, support local businesses, work in essential industries, and raise families. This legislation is backed by We are CASA and National Immigration Law Center. “For the individuals who have built a family and life here in the United States over the last 25 years, the termination of Temporary Protected Status for El Salvador would be life-shattering,” says George Escobar, Executive Director at We are CASA. “We are talking about long-standing members of our community who have gotten married, had children, and even grandchildren. Many of them are healthcare workers, community leaders, and business owners across the country. This legislation will provide much-needed temporary relief to families who are under immediate threat, and we call on Congress to fight for the permanent protections for TPS holders and their families.” Read the full bill text HERE.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=804,Walkinshaw Statement on Holding Leon Black in Contempt,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, released the following statement after billionaire Leon Black, the primary client of Jeffrey Epstein, defied his subpoena and refused to appear for a deposition before the Oversight Committee. “Billionaire Leon Black refused to testify today, defying two congressional subpoenas. Black paid Jeffrey Epstein more than $180 million over six years, yet the last time he appeared before Oversight, he walked out rather than answer questions about their relationship and non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) used to silence women. Enough. We must hold him in contempt.”",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9212,Beyer Joins Bipartisan Push to Build the Crisis Care System Behind 988,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Ahead of 988 Day, Congressman Don Beyer (VA-08) joined Congresswoman Doris Matsui (CA-07) and Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) to reintroduce the 988 Implementation Act with Congressmembers Nanette Barragán (CA-44), Troy Carter (LA-02), Lori Trahan (MA-03), Seth Moulton (MA-06), Jamie Raskin (MD-08), Dan Goldman (NY-10), Jennifer McClellan (VA-04), Becca Balint (VT-AL), and Kim Schrier (WA-08). The comprehensive legislative package will provide states with federal resources to build the crisis response infrastructure behind the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. Since its launch in 2022, the 988 Lifeline has received more than 26 million calls, texts, chats, and ASL videophone contacts from people seeking help across America. “When someone reaches out for help in a moment of crisis, we have a responsibility to make sure help is there,” said Congresswoman Matsui. “988 has become a lifesaving resource for millions of Americans, but answering the call cannot be where our responsibility ends. We built a national front door to crisis care with 988. Now we need to strengthen what comes next by expanding mobile crisis response, increasing access to immediate community-based care, and connecting people to the treatment and support they need.” “Everyday, millions of Americans face mental challenges and are unsure where to go for help,” said Congressman Fitzpatrick, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Taskforce. “The 988 hotline streamlines resources for those in need, as part of a network of over 200 local crisis centers, yet only thirteen-percent of adults are aware of this critical resource. I am proud to join a bipartisan group of colleagues in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to build upon the critical progress we have made, and further ensure that our communities are properly equipped with crisis-response services.” “Since its launch, the 988 Lifeline has connected more than 26 million Americans with the support they need in moments of crisis,” said Congressman Beyer, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health Caucus. “That’s an extraordinary achievement, and we must build on that success to save more lives and ensure no one falls through the cracks. Our 988 Implementation Act would further strengthen our crisis response system by ensuring trained professionals are available around the clock, crisis teams are equipped to respond in communities, and those in need can access care and services without facing financial barriers.” “Americans deserve compassionate care when they are experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis,” said Congresswoman Barragán. “That is why I am joining Representatives Matsui and Fitzpatrick in introducing the 988 Implementation Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen the 988 Crisis Lifeline. It includes the 988 Community Infrastructure Act, a bill I introduced to help communities build or expand the facilities they need, so people in crisis can get timely care in a more welcoming and appropriate setting—not an emergency room or with law enforcement. By investing in the critical 988 lifeline, we can improve access to trained mental health specialists and ensure that no one falls through the cracks when they need help most.” “Our nation is facing an unprecedented mental health crisis, and all too often people who are struggling don’t know where to turn to for help,” said Congressman Carter. “The 988 Crisis Line is a lifeline for so many people in our country. It connects them to care, to treatment, and to hope. I’m proud to support this important legislation that prioritizes the mental health and wellbeing of American citizens by investing in community-based crisis response, breaking down barriers to accessing mental healthcare treatment, and ensuring everyone knows where to turn to in moments of crisis.” “Calling 988 takes courage, and answering takes patience and care. Our job is to support both,” said Congresswoman Trahan, Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Mental Health and Substance Use Disorder Task Force. “We all know someone who has struggled with mental health or substance use and wished there was more help within reach. This bill delivers it, with a faster response, a real place to turn, and trained professionals ready to pick up the phone.” “I’m extraordinarily proud of the success of the 988 lifeline since its implementation. The high volume of calls and messages to 988 shows that Americans are still in dire need of improved mental health resources,” said Congressman Moulton. “It is critical that we continue advocating for more funding and expanded 988 services. The suite of bills contained within the 988 Implementation Act will provide federal support for states to enact 988 and crisis services, improve 988 implementation at the local level, expand access to critical services, and broaden awareness of available resources.” “America’s mental health epidemic leaves millions of our neighbors without access to the care they desperately need,” said Congressman Raskin. “I’m proud to join my colleagues to introduce this critical bipartisan legislation that will greatly expand access to mental health crisis response teams, an expert presence beside our people during the darkest moments.” “Too many Americans in crisis are left without safe access to care,” said Congressman Goldman. “The 988 Lifeline is a proven system for getting people the help they need when they need it most. That's why I'm proud to join in introducing the 988 Implementation Act to give states better resources to bolster their crisis response infrastructure and develop a full continuum of care that prioritizes safety and dignity for all communities.” “Every year, 988 call centers respond to hundreds of thousands of calls and work around the clock to provide callers with the mental health and crisis management care they need. The 988 Implementation Act will increase access to care with greater support, workforce development opportunities and more,” said Congresswoman McClellan. “I applaud Reps. Matsui and Fitzpatrick for their leadership on this critical issue, and I’m grateful that they incorporated my legislation to provide and expand coverage for behavioral health crisis response services into the bill. Together, we can improve mental health nationwide and ensure 988 continues to help those in our communities who need it most.” “Especially during Suicide Prevention Awareness Month, I’m incredibly proud to be introducing the 988 and 911 Integration Act,” said Congresswoman Balint. “One of my top priorities in Congress is reducing stigma and taking real action to improve access to mental healthcare. We know that mental health affects not just individuals, but also their families and communities, too. This bill, alongside the broader 988 Implementation Act, would help local communities strengthen and better utilize 988 resources–a lifeline for those experiencing a behavioral health crisis–and bridge gaps in care in communities all over the country.” “As a pediatrician, I have seen firsthand how severe our youth and adult mental health crisis has become,” said Congresswoman Schrier, M.D. “It is so important that when our family members, loved ones, and neighbors are in crisis, they can get immediate help. The 988 Crisis Line saves lives and strengthens our communities. We need to make sure that 988 teams are always available for every American as a reliable resource when our community members need help.” As America’s mental health crisis worsens, 988 has spent the past four years demonstrating the lifesaving power of connecting people in crisis with the right help at the right time. A study published this year by the Journal of American Medical Association (JAMA) found that suicide deaths among children and young adults fell 11% below projected levels following the launch of 988, the largest declines were seen in states where 988 use increased most. But answering the call is only the first step. Someone experiencing a mental health or substance use crisis may also need a trained professional to respond in person, a safe place to receive immediate care, or assistance with continued treatment. Today, access to those services still vary significantly depending on where someone lives. The 988 Implementation Act will help address those gaps in access to care by: Strengthening federal funding for 988 regional and local call centers to deliver timely, 24/7 response to callers, Expanding community-based and mobile crisis response so trained behavioral health professionals can reach someone who needs in-person support, Improving access and affordability by requiring health insurance plans to cover crisis services, Growing crisis workforce development with more funding for training and scholarship opportunities, and Increasing awareness of 988 through a national suicide prevention and crisis services campaign. The legislation is supported by more than 35 organizations including mental health advocates, clinical and medical professionals, state and local government officials, civil rights advocates, veterans, and more. “The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline has transformed how people can access support during mental health, substance use and suicide crises,” said Hannah Wesolowski, Chief Advocacy Officer at the National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI). “We must continue building this progress by ensuring 988 has the resources, infrastructure and workforce needed to meet the needs of people in crisis. NAMI is grateful to Rep. Matsui for the introduction of the 988 Implementation Act, which will help strengthen the Lifeline and ensure communities can deliver the compassionate, timely mental health response that people deserve.” The 988 Implementation Act is endorsed by the following organizations: American Association for Psychoanalysis in Clinical Social Work, American Association of Psychiatric Pharmacists (AAPP), American Association on Health and Disability, American Group Psychotherapy Association, Anxiety and Depression Association of America, Association for Ambulatory Behavioral Healthcare (AABH), American Foundation for Suicide Prevention, Children and Adults with Attention Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (CHADD), Connections Health Solutions, Crisis Text Line, Depression and Bipolar Support Alliance (DBSA), Easterseals, Inc., Global Alliance for Behavioral Health and Social Justice, Huntington's Disease Society of America, International Society for Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurses, Lakeshore Foundation, Legal Action Center, NAMI, National Association of Pediatric Nurse Practitioners, National Association of Social Workers, National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors, National League for Nursing, Overdose Prevention Initiative at the Global Health Advocacy Incubator Psychotherapy Action Network (PsiAN), SMART Recovery, Steinberg Institute, Sycamores, The American Counseling Association, The Miles Hall Foundation, The National Alliance to Advance Adolescent Health, The National Federation of Families, The Paramedic Foundation/American College of Paramedics/American Paramedic Association, The Trevor Project, Tourette Association of America, and Treatment Advocacy Center (TAC). Full text of the 988 Implementation Act can be found HERE.",1,2026-09-12T09:02:30Z,2026-09-12T09:03:27Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/scott-mannion-fitzpatrick-lead-bipartisan-legislation-protect-key,"Scott, Mannion, Fitzpatrick Lead Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Key Offices and Programs at the Department of Education from Being Transferred to Other Federal Agencies",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON – Today, Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), Rep. John W. Mannion (NY-22), and Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01) introduced bipartisan legislation to protect key offices and programs at the U.S. Department of Education from being transferred through interagency agreements to other federal agencies that lack the staff, experience, and expertise needed to administer them. The legislation is the House companion to S.5046, a bipartisan bill led by Senators Tim Kaine (D-Va.), Susan Collins (R-Maine) and Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska) that advanced out of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in July. Ranking Member Scott said, “The Trump Administration’s plan to illegally dismantle the Department of Education is disastrous for students, educators, people with disabilities, and the communities that support them. I will not stand on the sidelines and let this Administration dismantle this agency brick by brick. This legislation is important to keep the bipartisan momentum from the Senate going and defend the programs that so many Americans rely on.” Representative John W. Mannion said, “Congress created the Department of Education, and its troubling we must take this step to preserve the constitutional order and stop the executive branch from illegally dismantling the department. I’ll continue to put students’ services and rights first, and I strongly oppose all efforts to move these critical education programs – including those serving students with disabilities - to agencies that lack the staff and expertise.” Rep. Brian Fitzpatrick said, “The families I represent should never have to wonder whether a federal reorganization will cost their child a service, a protection, or an opportunity. When concerns were raised about moving OSERS out of the Department of Education, I took those concerns directly to the Administration and demanded answers about how it would protect IDEA, preserve critical resources, and prevent disruption for students. This legislation builds on that effort. As Co-Chair of the Bipartisan Disabilities Caucus, I will continue working side by side with families, educators, and advocates to ensure their voices drive the decisions that shape special education.” The bipartisan bill safeguards programs serving students with disabilities, K-12 schools, colleges, and Native students. It prohibits the Secretary of Education from transferring programs overseen by four Department of Education offices: The Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services The Office of Elementary and Secondary Education The Office of Postsecondary Education The Office of Indian Education Phyllis Wolfram, Executive Director of The Council of Administrators of Special Education, said, “The Council of Administrators of Special Education (CASE) thanks Representatives John Mannion and Brian Fitzpatrick for introducing bipartisan legislation prohibiting the transfer of the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OSERS) and three other offices out of the Department of Education. IDEA is an education law, not a health care law, and should remain under the administration of education experts."" Chan Rummel, CEO of the Council for Exception Children, said, ""CEC commends Representative Mannion and Ranking Member Scott for their leadership on this important legislation, which aims to protect key functions of the Department of Education, including the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services. Transferring special education to the Department of Health and Human Services is misguided—it segregates special education from other education programs and jeopardizes the rights of students with disabilities."" Stephanie Smith Lee, Policy & Advocacy Co-Director of The National Down Syndrome Congress, said, “The National Down Syndrome Congress (NDSC) strongly supports the bipartisan bill introduced by Representative Mannion, Representative Fitzpatrick, and Ranking Member Scott, that would block the administration from transferring the Office of Special Education and Rehabilitative Services (OSERS), the Office of Elementary and Secondary Education (OESE), the Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE), and the Office of Indian Education (OIE) to other Departments through interagency agreements or other means. It is critically important to students, schools, and states that these offices remain together at the U.S. Department of Education.” Joseph P. Joyce, President and CEO of the Autism Society of America, said, “Students with Autism and other disabilities deserve a coordinated federal system that protects their rights and supports them from education through employment. We thank Representatives Scott and Mannion for introducing this legislation to prevent the transfer of critical IDEA functions out of the Department of Education. Congress must preserve the expertise and infrastructure that students with disabilities and their families rely on to access the education and supports they need to thrive.” Representative Mannion has consistently opposed efforts to abolish the Department of Education, introducing the Protecting Students with Disabilities Act that would prohibit federal funds from being used to eliminate or restructure Department of Education offices that administer programs under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA), including the Office of Special Education Programs. Mannion has also repeatedly used his position on the House Committee on Education and Workforce to defend IDEA and the rights of students with disabilities. Representative Mannion taught science in public schools for nearly 30 years, including in a 15:1 special education classroom. Before serving in Congress, he was the founding chair of the New York State Senate Committee on Disabilities. ###",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/09/01/vindman-votes-to-keep-government-open-federal-employees-paid/,"Vindman Votes to Keep Government Open, Federal Employees Paid",2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress... Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with... Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of... Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) applauded the implementation... Vindman Announces Thousands of Dollars in Funding to Support Law Enforcement and Strengthen Public Safety Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ)... Vindman Applauds Over 2 MILLION in Federal Funding to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Caroline and Spotsylvania County Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of Health and... Vindman Announces New Legislative Efforts to Tackle Corruption, Lower Utility Costs for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) — introduced two pieces of... Vindman Highlights Virginia Agriculture During Five-Stop Farm Tour Culpeper, Va. — On Wednesday, August 5, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), the only Virginian on...",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=794,Walkinshaw Statement on Reports That USPS Defied Court Order in Implementing Trump Mail Voting Order,2026-09-01,2026,2026-09,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, issued the following statement. “The United States Postal Service appears to have defied a court order and moved forward with a 'slapdash' implementation of Trump’s Executive Order. Postmaster General David Steiner has made a grave mistake in allowing USPS to become a partisan tool.” ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9203,Democratic Leaders Release Statement Urging White House Not to Wait to Restart Stalled Russia Sanctions,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA-08), Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, Gregory Meeks (D-NY-05), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs, and Richard Neal (D-Mass.-01), Ranking Member of the House Ways and Means Committee, and U.S. Senators Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), Ranking Member of the Senate Finance Committee released the following statement: “Donald Trump already has ample authority to impose sanctions on the companies, individuals, and vessels propping up a Russian war machine that continues its deadly attacks on Ukraine. Congress does not need to greenlight new tariff authority for the President to impose those sanctions on Russia today. Delaying sanctions makes them less effective while the Kremlin continues to expand its schemes to procure foreign technology and funding. Ukrainians need our support now. “We urge the President to use his broad, existing sanctions authorities to target the companies, individuals, and vessels that enable Russia’s war machine, including actors operating in or supporting any one of seventeen different sectors of the Russian economy. This is just one way the United States used to regularly sanction all types of targets to degrade Russia’s access to critical supplies and funds it needs to sustain its war on Ukraine.",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9204,Beyer Hails Successful Launch Of Nancy Grace Roman Telescope,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"U.S. Representative Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued a statement applauding the successful launch yesterday of the SpaceX Heavy Falcon that will deliver NASA’s Nancy Grace Roman Telescope to its target destination at the second Sun-Earth Lagrange point (L2). Beyer, former Chairman of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, previously led congressional efforts that successfully protected funding for the telescope’s development from two attempts to cancel the project, then called the “Wide Field InfraRed Survey Telescope (WFIRST),” during the first Trump Administration. “It is thrilling and deeply gratifying to see the Nancy Grace Roman Telescope go up successfully, and I cannot wait to see the discoveries unlocked by this flagship scientific project for NASA,” said Rep. Beyer. “A decade ago, when I was new to Congress and serving on the House Science Committee, I asked then-NASA Administrator and former astronaut Charles Bolden what NASA’s purpose should be. Without hesitation he said, ‘science.’ That exchange stuck with me, and it was in my mind when I urged my colleagues to reject the Trump Administration’s efforts to cancel this project. I’m glad they listened, and I look forward to the things we will learn from this telescope over the lifetime of its mission as it explores exoplanets, dark energy, and the nature of the universe. I congratulate the team at NASA and all those who worked on this project on this success, with gratitude and hope for all we will learn in the time ahead.” Per NASA: Named after NASA’s first chief astronomer, the ‘mother of the Hubble Space Telescope,’ the Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will have a field of view at least 100 times larger than Hubble's, potentially measuring light from a billion galaxies in its lifetime. This observatory will also be able to block starlight to directly see exoplanets and planet-forming disks, complete a statistical census of planetary systems in our galaxy, and settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy, exoplanets, and infrared astrophysics.",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/31/vindman-calls-on-legislators-to-sell-their-stocks-or-step-down-to-restore-public-trust-and-ensure-politicians-pay-their-fair-share/,Vindman Calls on Legislators to Sell Their Stocks or Step Down to Restore Public Trust and Ensure Politicians Pay Their Fair Share,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Congressman Vindman Voluntarily Sold His Own Individual Stock Holdings Before Being Sworn into Congress in 2024 WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) introduced the Sell Your Stocks or Step Down Act, legislation that would require Members of Congress, Cabinet officials, Federal judges, and other senior executive branch officials to sell their individual stock holdings before taking office and then pay their fair share in taxes. Vindman voluntarily sold his own individual stock holdings before being sworn into Congress. He introduced the legislation after hearing from more than 900 constituents in a district-wide survey, who overwhelmingly said they support requiring elected and appointed officials to divest from individual stocks before serving in public office. “I have one message for my colleagues in Congress and leaders across government: sell your stocks or step down. The American people deserve to know that the decisions their leaders make are based on what’s best for the country, not what’s best for their stock portfolio,” said Vindman. “It’s past time we take on corruption head on. I sold my individual stocks before taking office. I paid capital gains tax. If you’re unwilling to put the public interest ahead of personal profit, you shouldn’t be serving in public office.” The Sell Your Stocks or Step Down Act would require covered officials to divest from individual stocks before assuming office. It also ends a tax break on officials that shields them from paying capital gains taxes on these sales like ordinary Americans. The legislation is designed to strengthen ethics safeguards, reduce the appearance of self-dealing, and help restore public confidence in government by ensuring public officials cannot personally profit from decisions made while in office. BACKGROUND Vindman has made tackling government corruption a cornerstone of his work in Congress. Earlier this Congress, he introduced legislation to ban Members of Congress from trading stocks and using prediction markets while in office and legislation to prohibit former Members of Congress from lobbying their former colleagues after leaving public service. ###",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=793,ICYMI: Op-Ed by Rep. James Walkinshaw: This is the cost of Trump’s ever-widening immigration trap,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"In an op-ed published by MSNOW on August 31, 2026, Congressman James Walkinshaw (VA-11) underscores that Trump is closing legal immigration pathways while scaling mass deportation efforts. Read the op-ed below or online at MSNOW. “How many more dads have to die?” Lorenzo Salgado Araujo’s son asked me that question shortly after his 52-year-old father was fatally shot last month by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer. For decades, Lorenzo worked construction in Texas to provide for his family. Looking into the eyes of Lorenzo’s two grieving sons, I could see the human cost of President Donald Trump’s mass deportation agenda. Earlier this year, I traveled to Minneapolis, where the community was grieving Renee Good, a U.S. citizen and mother killed by ICE. After I returned to Washington, I said there would be more deaths if the Trump administration continued its aggressive and unaccountable mass deportation policies. Sadly, I was right. At least 10 people have died in encounters with immigration agents since Trump’s crackdown began. Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and Department of Veterans Affairs intensive care nurse, was killed in Minneapolis in January by Border Patrol agents. In July, Johan Sebastián Durán Guerrero, a 25-year-old father of a 3-year-old daughter, was fatally shot during an ICE operation in Biddeford, Maine. These deaths, hundreds of miles apart, are the foreseeable consequence of immigration enforcement policies that demand arbitrary arrest totals and disregard common sense, constitutional limits and the value of human life. Worse, the administration is preparing to widen its campaign. Officials are preparing to revoke up to 200,000 business and tourism visas held by people who have sought or are seeking asylum, the Associated Press reported this week. This will be the largest mass revocation of visas in U.S. history. But Trump’s immigration trap reaches far beyond people seeking asylum. It ensnares families trying to reunite legally, visa holders facing new uncertainties, longtime workers who have built lives and businesses here and U.S. citizens caught in reckless immigration operations. First, the administration closes legal doors. In January, the State Department paused immigrant visa issuances to applicants from 75 countries. A federal court vacated that policy on Aug. 21. The visa revocation plan now under consideration would take the approach even further. Federal law allows people seeking protection to apply for asylum regardless of their current immigration status. Claims that do not meet the law should be denied. But an asylum application is not wrong. It is a request for the fair, individualized process our nation’s law requires. But after legal avenues are blocked, Trump’s mass deportation apparatus closes in. White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller, the architect of Trump’s immigration policy, has publicly said the administration’s target is 3,000 immigration arrests a day. Local law enforcement agencies don’t operate on quotas for good reason. A quota does not consider who someone is or whether they pose a threat. It merely asks how many. By that standard, a father driving his construction crew to a job site counts the same as a violent criminal. So does a man on his way to work in Maine. So does a 5-year-old child. All help meet the arbitrary quota. Five-year-old Liam Conejo Ramos was caught in that trap. Photos went viral earlier this year when ICE detained Liam, an innocent in a blue bunny hat, with his father despite a pending asylum case and no order directing their removal at the time. Ordering their release, U.S. District Judge Fred Biery wrote that the case grew from an “ill-conceived and incompetently-implemented government pursuit of daily deportation quotas, apparently even if it requires traumatizing children.” The administration says it is targeting “the worst of the worst.” But the facts tell a different story. The overwhelming majority of individuals detained by ICE have committed no violent crime. In fact, the focus on quotas has caused ICE and other federal law enforcement agencies to relax their focus on public safety, reassigning investigators away from fentanyl and child sex trafficking work. That’s not what Americans want. Half of Americans say this deportation campaign has gone too far, including nearly one-quarter of the people who voted for Trump in 2024, according to Politico polling conducted Aug. 8-12. Gallup polling in June found that 73% say immigration is a good thing for the country. They want secure borders, rules people can understand, timely decisions and enforcement focused on genuine threats to public safety. As the only House Democrat serving on both the homeland security and oversight committees, I have watched accountability inside ICE collapse. In a closed-door briefing in July, ICE officials told members of Congress that the agency had received 56 excessive-force complaints since Trump returned to office. Thirty-two were cleared and the rest were still under investigation as of the briefing. One officer had been referred for possible discipline. No officer had actually been disciplined as of that briefing. Think about that: ICE has 22,000 officers, and not one has faced disciplinary action for violating use-of-force policies. Last year, Republicans approved $170 billion to expand immigration enforcement. In June, they added an additional $70 billion in funding for ICE and Border Patrol through 2029. Instead of making these agencies come back to Congress each year and answer for their actions and how they use the money, Republicans locked in funding for years. They did it without adding commonsense reforms such as requiring judicial warrants before agents enter homes, mandating body cameras, and seeking independent investigations when someone is hurt or killed. That was a choice. The Republican majority chose the blank check, and it has refused to work with Democrats on the lifesaving reforms we are still seeking. Congress can fund border security and still demand accountability from the agencies that carry it out. It should reopen legal doors, replace arbitrary arrest quotas with focused enforcement, and require judicial warrants, body cameras and independent investigations when people are hurt or killed.",1,2026-09-01T09:48:49Z,2026-09-01T09:49:51Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=795,Democrats Demand Answers Over ICE’s $17 Million Electric Shock Glove Contract,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, and Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Ranking Member of the Committee on Homeland Security, led Committee Democrats in sending a letter to Acting Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director David Venturella demanding answers after ICE awarded a $16.7 million sole-source contract for 6,000 electric shock gloves despite warnings that such devices can lead to serious injury or death. The Members raised concerns that ICE plans to use the gloves on individuals in custody and for crowd control despite the agency’s alarming record of violence and misuse of force. “Incorrectly labeling migrants who largely have no criminal record as inmates and associating them with aggression shows that ICE does not intend to use the G.L.O.V.E. for de-escalation, but rather as nothing more than another weapon in ICE’s arsenal,” the Members wrote. “Furthermore, it is alarming that ICE also intends to use the G.L.O.V.E. for crowd control by ‘[a]ssisting crowd control units in moving groups or denying access to areas.’” The Members are demanding ICE provide records related to the sole-source contract, communications with Compliant Technologies, plans for distributing the gloves, policies governing their use, training materials, and reporting requirements. To read the full letter, click here. ###",1,2026-09-02T09:19:58Z,2026-09-02T09:20:51Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=797,Walkinshaw Statement on Trump’s Proposed Federal Employee Pay Freeze,2026-08-31,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), co-chair and founder of the Federal Workforce Caucus, released the following statement on President Trump's proposal to freeze federal employee pay in 2027. “Freezing federal employee pay in 2027 would be the latest in a long line of attacks on the federal workforce by the Trump administration. Federal workers have already absorbed firings, DOGE chaos, and repeated efforts to strip away their civil service protections. Now, with prices rising at 3.4 percent over the past 12 months, a zero percent raise asks them to absorb a pay cut too. That is why I am going to keep fighting for the FAIR Act to give federal employees the 4.1 percent pay increase they deserve."" ###",1,2026-09-03T09:29:33Z,2026-09-03T09:31:32Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/28/vindman-kaine-meet-with-veterans-discuss-long-wait-times-and-care-options-at-fredericksburg-va-health-care-center/,"Vindman, Kaine Meet with Veterans, Discuss Long Wait Times and Care Options at Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center",2026-08-28,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) hosted a roundtable with veterans from the community to discuss their experiences with the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. Vindman has repeatedly called for action from leadership at the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to reduce wait times at this state-of-the-art facility. “Veterans in Virginia’s Seventh District and across the country have earned the very best care our nation can provide, and long wait times for critical health services are unacceptable,” said Vindman. “We heard from veterans whose appointments have been delayed, canceled, or disrupted because the VA doesn’t have the staff it needs. This roundtable helped highlight these stories, renewing our call to increase transparency and accountability at the VA. Our veterans kept their promise to America. We must keep our promise to them.” “I was glad to hear directly from veterans that they are pleased with the quality of their care, but I will keep pushing the VA to do more to address wait times,” said Kaine. “Virginia is home to one of the largest veteran populations in the nation, and I will always advocate for our servicemembers, veterans, and their families to have access to the high-quality, timely care they deserve.” View all photos from the roundtable here. BACKGROUND In mid-July 2026, 200 Virginians responded to a survey from Vindman about the delays they experienced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. He personally called over 30 of these veterans to express his commitment to demanding better from the VA. In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned. Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the care they earned through their service in six different letters. All of these letters have gone without a written or substantial response. Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letterhere. Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here. ###",1,2026-09-09T09:27:09Z,2026-09-09T09:29:04Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/27/vindman-hears-from-the-virginians-on-the-merger-between-dominion-energy-and-nextera-energy-80-are-opposed/,"Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more than 950 Virginians in a district-wide survey, and the results were clear: respondents overwhelmingly oppose the merger between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy. “Virginians have made their voices heard loud and clear: they do not want a merger that puts corporate profits ahead of affordable, reliable energy,” said Vindman. “More than 950 people in Virginia’s Seventh District took the time to tell me that they oppose this deal. Many of them are deeply concerned about the impact it could have on their utility bills. I share their concern. Virginians should not be forced to pay more so that Wall Street investors can increase profits. The Virginia State Corporation Commission should listen to the people it represents and reject this merger.” The survey asked constituents whether they supported or opposed the merger and gauged their level of concern about potential increases in household utility bills. Earlier this month, Vindman sent a letter to members of the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) urging them to reject the proposed merger. Below are responses submitted by Virginia’s Seventh District residents who took the survey: — “Large mergers never help the lower and middle class consumers.” – Paul, Spotsylvania “This change would be a catastrophe for many individuals in this area.” – Gwen, Prince William “Virginia has enough local monopolies jacking up prices. This will only harm families that are already facing increased energy costs.” – Tristan, Fredericksburg “We are already paying high utility bills and it would be hard to add more. A lot of people are already having problems bringing food to the table.” – Rose, Prince William “I oppose this merger. At a time when families are already being asked to absorb the costs, we need greater accountability and competition, not greater consolidation.” – Kristen, Culpeper “I’m afraid a merger of energy companies this size will raise rates to where the average person will have a difficult time paying for energy.” – Kevin, Caroline BACKGROUND NextEra is well-known for having implemented what many recognize as the largest residential electricity rate increase in history at the end of 2025. High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians and Vindman has heard from hundreds of families who will not be able to endure record-setting rate hikes on top of their existing burdens. Between May 2021-May 2026, Floridians who rely on NextEra’s subsidiary, Florida Power & Light, have seen their utility bills rise by 33 percent. As a founding member of the Congressional Lowering Utility Bills Caucus, Vindman has been a champion for bringing down utility costs. In May, he introduced the Home Energy Affordability Act, legislation that would help protect consumers from repeated utility rate hikes by limiting electric utilities to one rate increase request every 365 days. This bill is based on a proposal that has received overwhelming support from constituents across Virginia’s Seventh District and would amend the Public Utility Regulatory Policies Act of 1978 to require states to consider policies restricting how often regulated electric utilities can seek rate increases. He also introduced the Utility Hikes Transparency Act, legislation that would create the first comprehensive, machine-readable federal database of retail utility rate changes in the United States. The tracker would be updated quarterly which would include approved and effective electric and natural gas utility rate changes for investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, and municipally owned utilities nationwide. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=779,"Walkinshaw, Amo, Kelly, Markey Lead 134 Colleagues in Demanding Release of More Than $3 Billion in Lifesaving Global Health Funding",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,James R. Walkinshaw,W000831,walkinshaw.house.gov,walkinshaw,https://walkinshaw.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Military and Foreign Affairs, Congressman Gabe Amo (RI-01), Congresswoman Robin Kelly (IL-02), and Senator Edward J. Markey (D-MA) led 134 of their colleagues in calling on Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Office of Management and Budget Director Russell Vought to immediately release $7.5 billion in international affairs funding, to include more than $3 billion in congressionally appropriated global health funding before it expires on September 30, 2026. In a bicameral letter to Rubio and Vought, the lawmakers warned that approximately $7.5 billion in international affairs funding remains unobligated and at risk of expiring, including more than $3 billion intended for lifesaving global health programs. The Global Health Programs account supports efforts to combat HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, malaria, maternal and child health, malnutrition, and emerging health threats. According to the letter, OMB has notified Congress that approximately $1.35 billion is being withheld for costs associated with closing the U.S. Agency for International Development instead of being used for the critical global health programs Congress funded. The lawmakers warned that allowing the funding to expire could contribute to an estimated 121,000 deaths from tuberculosis, 47,600 deaths from malaria, and the loss of lifesaving nutrition products for 22.9 million children. “This hardship can be prevented if the Administration spends these funds as Congress directed,” the lawmakers wrote. “We call on you to immediately release the remaining lifesaving, bipartisan GHP funding before it expires on September 30, 2026.” The letter also raises concerns about proposed changes to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, which has saved more than 26 million lives. The lawmakers warned that reducing the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s role in the program could disrupt HIV treatment, weaken global disease surveillance, and limit America’s ability to stop outbreaks abroad before they threaten communities at home. “The Department and OMB’s refusal to spend GHP funding as directed by Congress and the concerning PEPFAR implementation changes defy the law and threaten lives, internationally and in the U.S.,” the lawmakers wrote. Walkinshaw, Amo, Kelly, Markey, and their colleagues demanded answers by September 9 regarding the Administration’s plans to release the funding, the costs of terminating USAID programs, and the public-health consequences of reducing the CDC’s role in PEPFAR. The full text of the letter, including the complete list of 138 signers, is available here. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-suhas-subramanyam-issues-statement-nepal-flash-floods,Rep. Suhas Subramanyam Issues Statement on the Nepal Flash Floods,2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Ashburn, VA - Rep. Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) issued the following statement on the Nepal flash floods. “The news of the flash floods at the Nepal-Tibet border is devastating. My prayers are with everyone who has been impacted by this terrible disaster. I am especially concerned that so many U.S. citizens have been impacted and are currently missing, including many of my constituents from Northern Virginia. Some of them were community leaders who went to find spiritual connection in the Himalayas. My team is in regular contact with the State Department. We are working to ensure that there is a thorough search and rescue operation to help find the missing people and regular contact with families trying to find loved ones. If you or anyone you know is impacted, please reach out to our office.” ***",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases/subramanyam-nunn-introduce-bipartisan-bill-modernize-reserve-organization,"Subramanyam, Nunn Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Modernize Reserve Organization of America Charter",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Suhas Subramanyam,S001230,subramanyam.house.gov,subramanyam,https://subramanyam.house.gov/media/press-releases,scraper,"Ashburn, VA – U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) and Zach Nunn (IA-03) today introduced the Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act of 2026 to ensure federal law recognizes both enlisted servicemembers and commissioned officers serving in America’s reserve forces. Founded in 1922, the Reserve Organization of America (ROA), formerly known as the Reserve Officers Association, is the only Congressionally chartered organization exclusively dedicated to advocating for America’s Reserve and National Guard — across all ranks and services. “Modernizing ROA’s charter will ensure that it can continue to advocate for reservists and their families for the next 75 years and beyond,” said Rep. Subramanyam. “I look forward to continuing to partner together on these efforts and championing impactful legislation to support our servicemembers.” The legislation updates ROA’s outdated federal charter to reflect the organization it is today, including its expansion to represent servicemembers of every rank and reserve component. Because ROA is Congressionally chartered, outdated requirements written into federal law can only be changed by Congress. This bipartisan bill gets that done by officially recognizing the Reserve Organization of America name, cutting decades-old red tape, and giving ROA greater control over its own governance, headquarters, and day-to-day operations. Nearly 9,000 Iowans serve in the Army and Air National Guard, with thousands more answering the call in reserve components across the Armed Forces. Rep. Nunn currently serves alongside them as a Colonel in the Air Force Reserve, continuing more than two decades of military service that began as an airborne intelligence officer. “After more than two decades in uniform, serving in both active duty and the Air Force Reserve, I’ve seen firsthand how our Reserve forces have evolved to meet new challenges and keep our country safe,” said Rep. Nunn. “ROA has evolved right alongside them, expanding to represent servicemembers of every rank, but its federal charter hasn’t kept up. Our bipartisan bill brings that charter into the 21st century, cuts outdated red tape, and gives ROA greater flexibility to serve the men and women who defend our nation.” Specifically, the Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act would: Recognize every rank that serves by officially changing ROA’s name in federal law from the Reserve Officers Association to the Reserve Organization of America. Modernize ROA’s federal charter by giving the organization greater control over its own governing structure and headquarters, rather than locking those decisions into federal law. Cut administrative red tape by replacing burdensome multi-state agent filing requirements with a single registered agent in Washington, D.C. Maintain strong accountability standards by prohibiting ROA from operating for profit, issuing stock, contributing to political campaigns, or making loans to its officers or governing body members. The Reserve Organization of America Charter Amendments Act of 2025 is the House companion to bipartisan legislation introduced by Senators Marsha Blackburn (R-TN) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT). Text of the bill can be found here. ###",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/27/vindman-meets-with-leaders-from-fredericksburg-health-care-center-productive-discussion-on-how-to-decrease-wait-times/,"Vindman Meets with Leaders from Fredericksburg Health Care Center, Productive Discussion on How to Decrease Wait Times",2026-08-27,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Fredericksburg, Va. — On Monday, August 24, immediately following a roundtable with veterans in the community, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) and Senator Tim Kaine (D-Va.) met with key leaders at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center (HCC). This meeting was a direct response to Vindman’s repeated calls for action to reduce wait times and improve care at this state-of-the-art facility. After the productive meeting at the HCC, Vindman released the below statement. “This week’s meeting with leadership at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center was productive and laid the groundwork for continued collaboration between the Department of Veterans Affairs and my office. “I shared what I heard directly from local veterans at a roundtable earlier that day about staffing, access to care, and communication, and we discussed concrete steps the VA and my office can take together to address these challenges. “I appreciate VA leadership coming to the table and acknowledging that too many veterans are still facing unreasonable wait times and delays. I feel confident that we will keep fighting, together, to make sure this facility is fully equipped to serve every veteran who depends on it. My office will continue to share updates on the tangible steps we take as a result of yesterday’s conversations.” BACKGROUND On Monday, August 24, Vindman hosted a roundtable with veterans from the community to discuss their experiences with the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. The roundtable helped highlight veterans’ stories, renewing the call to increase transparency and accountability at the VA. In mid-July 2026, over 200 Virginians responded to a survey from Vindman about the delays they experienced at the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center. He personally called over 30 of these veterans to express his commitment to demanding better from the VA. In June 2026, Vindman introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency and accountability at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), helping address understaffing at facilities across the country, including the Fredericksburg VA Health Care Center, and ensure veterans receive the care they earned. Prior to that, Vindman called for accountability and a clear timeline to bring the facility to full capacity, ensuring our nation’s veterans receive the care they earned through their service in six different letters. Vindman sent the first letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the second letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 6, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the third letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 17, 2025. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the fourth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on October 27, 2025. Read the letterhere. Vindman sent the fifth letter to Secretary Collins raising the concern on staffing, wait times, and the ability to best serve veterans on April 10, 2026. Read the letter here. Vindman sent the sixth letter to Secretary Collins requesting an in-person meeting with the Health Care Center leadership on July 30, 2026. Read the letter here.",1,2026-08-28T17:11:49Z,2026-08-28T17:13:14Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/26/vindman-applauds-implementation-of-his-hard-fought-efforts-to-help-kids-focus-at-school-dodea-bans-cellphone-use-in-the-classroom/,"Vindman Applauds Implementation of His Hard-Fought Efforts to Help Kids Focus at School, DoDEA Bans Cellphone Use in the Classroom",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Vindman Hears from the Virginians on the Merger Between Dominion Energy and NextEra Energy, 80% are Opposed Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) heard from more... Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of... Vindman Announces Thousands of Dollars in Funding to Support Law Enforcement and Strengthen Public Safety Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated the U.S. Department of Justice’s (DOJ)... Vindman Applauds Over 2 MILLION in Federal Funding to Strengthen Head Start Programs in Caroline and Spotsylvania County Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of Health and... Vindman Announces New Legislative Efforts to Tackle Corruption, Lower Utility Costs for Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) — introduced two pieces of... Vindman Highlights Virginia Agriculture During Five-Stop Farm Tour Culpeper, Va. — On Wednesday, August 5, Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07), the only Virginian on... Vindman Opposes Terrible Deal to Hand Over Virginia’s Energy Grid to NextEra, Jack Up Virginians’ Utility Costs Vindman: “High energy bills already top the list of concerns for Virginians, and families across the... Vindman Introduces Legislation to Prevent Data Center Development Near Neighborhoods, Schools, & Parks Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today introduced legislation to prevent data... Vindman, Democratic Veterans Demand Transparency on Iran War Casualties WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) joined 14 fellow Democratic veterans in... HUGE MILESTONE: Vindman Returns $8 Million in Backlogged Benefits to Virginians Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today announced that his office has now returned more than...",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://vindman.house.gov/2026/08/26/vindman-applauds-over-69-thousand-in-federal-funding-to-strengthen-public-safety-ensure-access-to-justice-for-virginians/,"Vindman Applauds Over $69 THOUSAND in Federal Funding to Strengthen Public Safety, Ensure Access to Justice for Virginians",2026-08-26,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,Eugene Simon Vindman,V000138,vindman.house.gov,vindman,https://vindman.house.gov/category/press-releases/,scraper,"Washington, D.C. — Congressman Eugene Vindman (Va.-07) today celebrated that the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has awarded $69,498 in federal funding for Virginia’s John R. Justice (JRJ) Program. This investment will help ease the burden of student loan debt for eligible prosecutors and public defenders, supporting the recruitment and retention of talented attorneys across the Commonwealth. “Our prosecutors and public defenders play a critical role in upholding the rule of law and ensuring Virginians have access to justice,” said Vindman. “Student loan debt should not stand in the way of a career in public service. This funding will help reduce that burden and ensure Virginia has the dedicated legal professionals needed to serve communities across the Commonwealth.” The John R. Justice Program provides student loan repayment assistance to eligible prosecutors and public defenders, helping remove financial barriers that can discourage attorneys from pursuing careers in public service. The program is especially valuable as offices across Virginia work to build a strong and stable criminal justice workforce. ###",1,2026-08-27T16:10:01Z,2026-08-27T16:10:50Z https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/110-house-senate-democrats-slam-eeocs-proposal-end-demographic-data,110+ House & Senate Democrats Slam EEOC's Proposal to End Demographic Data Collection Key to Fighting Workplace Discrimination,2026-08-25,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,"Robert C. ""Bobby"" Scott",S000185,bobbyscott.house.gov,bobbyscott,https://bobbyscott.house.gov/media-center/press-releases,scraper,"As originally released by the Committee on Education and Workforce, Democrats WASHINGTON – Today, Democratic Women’s Caucus Chair Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03), Senator Lisa Blunt Rochester (DE-D), Congressional Black Caucus Chair Yvette Clarke (NY-09), Congressional Hispanic Caucus Chair Adriano Espaillat (NY-13), Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus Chair Grace Meng (NY-06), Congressional Equality Caucus Chair Mark Takano (CA-39) and Representative Jerrold Nadler (NY-12) led 112 Members of Congress & Senators in a letter urging the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) to reverse its proposed rule that would end the Equal Employment Opportunity reporting requirements to collect demographic data. Established in 1964, the EEOC was commissioned with bipartisan support to serve as an independent, multi-member body tasked with preventing and addressing employment discrimination. Despite workers coming to rely on the EEOC as a fair and independent regulatory body, the commission’s proposal claims the data reports are inconsistent with equal employment opportunity law, and may raise constitutional concerns. The EEOC’s proposal would directly undermine its regulatory power. The proposal would undermine the Commission's ability to enforce Title VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 that makes it illegal for employers to discriminate based on race, color, religion, sex, and national origin, and would delay justice for workers across America who are facing unlawful discrimination. For over 60 years, the EEOC and Congress have relied on this demographic data legally collected by the EEOC as a foundational tool for enforcing equal employment laws, such as the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act, and used it to identify discrimination that would have otherwise gone unchecked. The Members outline how the proposal would undermine Title VII protections: “This proposal would rescind this longstanding data collection framework and create confusion regarding employers’ responsibilities, as employers would remain legally required to comply with Title VII, including maintaining employment records that help demonstrate that compliance.” The Members continue by highlighting how the data is essential for ending workforce discrimination: “Ultimately, eliminating the EEO reporting requirements would not eliminate the need for demographic data—it would merely make that information more difficult, more expensive, and more time-consuming for the Commission to obtain. Workers who experience discrimination would wait longer for justice, and systemic violations affecting hundreds or thousands of employees would be less likely to be identified before additional workers are harmed.” Members also emphasized that the collection of data was both legal and vital: “Even if strict scrutiny did apply, the Supreme Court has long recognized eliminating discrimination as a compelling government interest, and the collection of demographic data is narrowly tailored to achieve that interest. In fact, the Commission’s proposal cites no cases where a Court has found that its data collection is subject to heightened scrutiny or is in any way unconstitutional… Ultimately, the Commission asks the public to conclude that a reporting framework every administration has utilized for nearly sixty years and courts have repeatedly permitted is suddenly unlawful. The proposed rule fails to provide a persuasive legal basis for such a dramatic departure from longstanding law and practice.” Lastly, members concluded by outlining the long-term damage this proposal would have on Congress’s ability to reduce systemic discrimination: “Rescinding these reporting requirements would reduce the Commission’s capacity to detect systemic discrimination, weaken enforcement efforts, and diminish the availability of reliable data that benefits employers, workers, researchers, and policymakers alike. The elimination of this comprehensive reporting tool would further reduce transparency, exacerbate inconsistencies, and limit the Commission’s ability to assess national employment trends over time. We must not further hinder the Commission’s ability to enforce federal laws and prevent discrimination, especially at a time when the Commission’s own workforce has been reduced by nearly 25 percent since fiscal year 2025 under the recent federal staffing reductions.” The letter was signed by: Adams, Alma; Alsobrooks, Angela D.; Amo, Gabe; Balint, Becca; Barragán, Nanette; Beatty, Joyce; Bell, Wesley; Beyer, Donald; Blunt Rochester, Lisa; Bonamici, Suzanne; Boyle, Brendan; Brownley, Julia; Brown, Shontel; Budzinski, Nikki; Bynum, Janelle; Carbajal, Salud; Carson, André; Carter, Troy; Chu, Judy; Cisneros, Gilbert; Clarke, Yvette; Cleaver, Emanuel; Congressional Hispanic Caucus – Rep. Adriano Espaillat; Correa, J.; Crockett, Jasmine; Davis, Danny; Dean, Madeleine; DelBene, Suzan; DeSaulnier, Mark; Dexter, Maxine; Dingell, Debbie; Elfreth, Sarah; Escobar, Veronica; Evans, Dwight; Foushee, Valerie; Frankel, Lois; Friedman, Laura; Frost, Maxwell; Garcia, Robert; Garcia, Sylvia; Gillibrand, Kirsten; Goldman, Daniel; Grijalva, Adelita; Hayes, Jahana; Houlahan, Chrissy; Hoyle, Val; Huffman, Jared; Ivey, Glenn; Jackson, Jonathan; Jayapal, Pramila; Johnson, Henry; Johnson, Julie; Kamlager-Dove, Sydney; Kelly, Robin; Khanna, Ro; Krishnamoorthi, Raja; Lee, Summer; Leger Fernandez, Teresa; Lieu, Ted; Lynch, Stephen; Markey, Edward J.; Matsui, Doris; McBath, Lucy; McBride, Sarah; McClain Delaney, April; McClellan, Jennifer; McIver, LaMonica; Mejia, Analilia; Meng, Grace; Mfume, Kweisi; Min, Dave; Moore, Gwen; Morelle, Joseph; Morrison, Kelly; Moulton, Seth; Mullin, Kevin; Murray, Patty; Nadler, Jerrold; Norton, Eleanor; Ocasio-Cortez, Alexandria; Omar, Ilhan; Pelosi, Nancy; Pettersen, Brittany; Pingree, Chellie; Pou, Nellie; Quigley, Mike; Ramirez, Delia; Randall, Emily; Raskin, Jamie; Rivas, Luz; Ross, Deborah; Salinas, Andrea; Sanders, Bernard; Scanlon, Mary Gay; Schakowsky, Janice; Schiff, Adam B.; Scholten, Hillary; Scott, Robert; Sewell, Terri; Shaheen, Jeanne; Sherman, Brad; Simon, Lateefah; Stansbury, Melanie; Stevens, Haley; Strickland, Marilyn; Subramanyam, Suhas; Takano, Mark; Thompson, Bennie; Thompson, Mike; Titus, Dina; Tlaib, Rashida; Tokuda, Jill; Tonko, Paul; Torres, Norma; Torres, Ritchie; Trahan, Lori; Underwood, Lauren; Van Hollen, Chris; Vargas, Juan; Velázquez, Nydia; Wasserman Schultz, Debbie; Waters, Maxine; Williams, Nikema; Wilson, Frederica",1,2026-09-15T09:50:21Z,2026-09-15T09:52:05Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9201,Beyer Denounces Trump’s Idiotic Trade Attack On Canada,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"Rep. Don Beyer (D-VA), the Senior House Democrat on Congress’ Joint Economic Committee and a member of the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, issued the following statement today after President Trump imposed massive new tariffs on Canada: “Trump’s trade war with Canada is doing lasting damage to one of our oldest and most important strategic alliances. It may take years to fix what Trump is breaking if it can be fixed at all, especially with his Cabinet members adding to his moronic ‘51st state’ references by giving brainless, ill-informed public commentary needlessly insulting the Canadians. In the meantime, Americans will see much higher prices on goods from our second largest trading partner. The stupidity of Trump’s tariffs and trade policies truly boggles the mind, and it is getting worse.” Rep. Don Beyer serves as Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, chairs the New Democrat Coalition’s Trade Task Force, and serves on the House Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee.",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=9200,"Beyer, Valadao Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Federal Flood Response and Resilience",2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Democrat,House,VA,"Donald S. Beyer, Jr.",B001292,beyer.house.gov,beyer,https://beyer.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27,scraper,"U.S. Representatives Don Beyer (D-VA) and David Valadao (R-CA) today introduced the bipartisan National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act to establish a coordinated federal program to improve the understanding of flood risks, advance more effective mitigation and resilience measures, and reduce the loss of life and property caused by flooding. The legislation is modeled on the success of the bipartisan National Earthquake Hazard Reduction Program (NEHRP), which brings together public and private sector partners to coordinate emergency response and supports the research, development, and implementation of lifesaving earthquake risk reduction and safety measures. “Communities across the country, including here in Northern Virginia, have experienced firsthand how disruptive and destructive flooding can be – but these losses are not inevitable. We have the expertise and resources necessary to save lives and prevent severe damage,” said Congressman Beyer. “Congress successfully established a coordinated federal program to reduce earthquake risk, and we should bring that same proven model to improve flood resilience. Our bill would strengthen coordination between the public and private sectors to ensure that our communities have the information and tools they need to prepare before the next flood.” “Central Valley families and farmers know firsthand the devastating impact flooding can have on our communities, like we saw when Tulare Lake flooded in 2023,” said Congressman Valadao. “Instead of just reacting after a disaster strikes, it’s important we take proactive steps to reduce damage before the next flood. I’m proud to join Rep. Beyer in introducing the bipartisan National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Act to improve flood forecasting, strengthen infrastructure, promote better flood management and protections, and support federal coordination to help keep the Central Valley safe and resilient from these natural disasters.” The legislation would establish the National Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience Program to develop and promote the adoption of flood impact reduction and resilience measures through coordinated federal action and partnerships with state and local governments, academia, and the private sector. The Program’s planning, management, and coordination would be overseen by the Interagency Coordinating Committee, chaired by the Chief of the Army Corps of Engineers and including senior representatives from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST), the U.S. Geological Survey, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), the White House Office of Science and Technology Policy (OSTP), and the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). The bill would also establish an Advisory Committee on Flood Impact Reduction and Resilience including representatives from research and academic institutions, industry standards development organizations, and state and local governments. The Advisory Committee would be tasked with assessing trends and developments in the science and engineering of flood impact reduction and resilience and evaluating the effectiveness of the Program.",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z