THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON
ICYMI - Check Out My 2023 Year in Review
2023 was a busy year with many historic events, due in large part to Republicans’ dysfunction and infighting. We narrowly avoided a devastating default on our debt, averted two government shutdowns, witnessed the historic ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House and his subsequent retirement from Congress, spent 3 weeks electing a new Speaker, and watched as George Santos became only the sixth Member of Congress in history to be expelled following the release of a deeply troubling, bipartisan House Ethics report. Despite the chaos, House Democrats continued to do everything in our power to deliver for the American people, and I am proud of what we were able to accomplish.
Check out my 2023 Year in Review here.
Advocating for Continued Funding for Shipbuilding in Hampton Roads
Before the holiday, I joined members of the Hampton Roads delegation – Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jen Kiggans (VA-02), and Bobby Scott (VA-03) – in a letter urging Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and the Defense Department to ensure aircraft carrier procurement funding remains on track.
Home to several world-renowned shipyards, Hampton Roads plays a vital role in supporting the U.S. Navy and our national security priorities through shipbuilding. Now more than ever, we must do everything to ensure our nation maintains a consistent shipbuilding schedule. Advanced funding and a consistent four-year construction interval for our ships will save the nation more than $5 billion and create stability in the industry. You can read our full letter here.
Mountain Valley Pipeline (MVP) Scales Back Southgate Project
Last week, Mountain Valley Pipeline announced a substantial reduction in the Southgate pipeline project. Initially proposed to run for 75 miles from southern Virginia into central North Carolina, MVP Southgate will be reduced by more than 40 miles to avoid a compressor station rejected by Virginia regulators due to environmental justice concerns.
This past year, I have helped lead several efforts to oppose the MVP Southgate Project and ensure impacted communities can engage in the decision-making process and voice their concerns. These efforts includes co-leading two separate letters to oppose MVP Southgate’s request to extend its Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity, which is needed to complete construction of the pipeline, and calling on the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) to extend its public comment period when considering the extension request. I am pleased to see MVP scale back its Southgate pipeline. We must continue to do everything in our power to transition away from fossil fuels and adopt greener, more sustainable technologies.
Fifth Circuit Ruling About Emergency Room Abortion Services
Last week, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that Texas hospitals and doctors are not obligated to perform abortions under the long-standing national emergency-care law, Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTALA). For decades, EMTALA has required that hospitals provide emergency medical care and all necessary stabilizing treatments, including abortion care, to anyone who needs it. This ruling radically narrows EMTALA and singles out those who need abortion care as somehow not entitled to lifesaving emergency services.
In Texas and other states with total abortion bans in place, this decision undermines abortion access for those in life-threatening emergencies and forces doctors to make unthinkable choices between risking prison time or letting their patients die. This ruling is dangerous and jeopardizes the health and well-being of Americans in a post-Dobbs world. As a member of the Pro-Choice Caucus and a lifelong advocate for reproductive justice, I will continue fighting to protect reproductive freedom at the federal level to ensure decisions about abortion are left to patients and their providers.
|
