Congress entered May with a lot of work to do, needing to pass the Federal Aviation (FAA) Administration Authorization Act, a new Farm Bill, and the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and FY25 appropriations bills by September 30th. Yet, House Republicans spent the last two weeks continuing their trend of dysfunction, infighting, and partisan messaging bills. 

Republicans brought to the House floor bills to reinstate dangerous sulfide-ore copper mining leasing, remove gray wolves from the endangered species list, circumvent a ban on lead ammunition and tackle on public lands, rescind regulations balancing conservation efforts other public land uses (such as oil and gas drilling, grazing and timber), allow more oil drilling in Alaska, allow for the dumping of toxic mining waste on public lands, gut energy efficiency requirements for household appliances, unconstitutionally undermine the census, and once again condemn the Administration’s immigration policies – despite Republicans derailing a bipartisan immigration bill. I spoke against the “Hands Off Our Household Appliances Bill” on the House floor to encourage my Republican colleagues to put people over politics and focus on the issues our constituents expect us to address, not these MAGA messaging bills. You can watch my remarks here or below.

For the second time in six months, Chaos Caucus members sought to oust the Republican Speaker. While I am no fan of Speaker Johnson and vehemently disagree with him on nearly every policy priority, the American people sent us to Washington to govern and solve problems, not throw the House into chaos through political games. I voted to table Marjorie Taylor Greene’s Motion to Vacate the Office of Speaker to avoid another Republican-manufactured crisis, and 358 of my colleagues agreed. 

I also introduced new legislation, attended several committee hearings ahead of the FY2025 appropriations process, celebrated National Small Business Week, toured Norfolk Naval Station, and announced the winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition. 

Check out what you may have missed. 

THIS WEEK IN WASHINGTON

House Armed Services Committee Continues Preparations for FY25 NDAA 

In preparation for consideration of the Fiscal Year 2025 (FY25) National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the House Armed Services Committee and its subcommittees held several hearings to receive testimony on various national security priorities and challenges. We ended April with a hearing on the Department of Defense’s FY2025 Budget Requests. We received testimony from Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles Q. Brown on their priorities. My questions focused on the Department of Defense’s efforts to address our servicemembers’ need for affordable childcare and robust mental health services. You can watch my line of questioning here or below. 

We finished our full committee hearings on NDAA priorities focusing on The Department of the Navy’s FY2025 Budget Requests. I asked Secretary of the Navy Carlos Del Toro, Chief of Naval Operations Admiral Lisa Franchetti, and Commandant of the U.S. Marine Corps General Eric M. Smith to discuss the impacts of the climate crisis on our military readiness, operations and servicemembers, and how we can improve our ship repair capabilities in the Indo-Pacific region. You can watch my line of questioning here or below. 

In further preparation for the FY25 NDAA process, I led a Congressional Delegation visit to Naval Station Norfolk, the largest naval installation in the world. Naval Station Norfolk supports operational readiness of the US Atlantic Fleet. I met the Commanding Officer, Captain Janet H. Days, and the Executive Officer, Captain Matt Schlarmann, to discuss the priorities and challenges of the station. We discussed how sea-level rise impacts the station and the need for funding for demolition of outdated (and in some cases condemned) buildings to allow the station to grow in a way that meets its current needs. I also toured base housing for unaccompanied sailors and the station’s child development center to see first hand the challenges faced in providing quality housing and child care services to meet the growing demand. 

I also toured the USS Gerald R Ford (CVN 78), the flagship of Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 12 and deployed to the U.S. Naval Forces Europe area of operations. In January, The Ford, completed an 8-month deployment in the Mediterranean. My tour focused on the living conditions, medical facilities, and other quality of life issues facing our sailors while on deployment on a Ford-class carrier.  

New Legislation to Ease Reserve and National Guard Members Transition to Civilian Life 

Last week, I introduced the Improving TAP for Guard and Reserve Servicemembers Act (H.R. 8336) with Representative Trent Kelly (R-MS-01) to expand the Transition Assistance Program (TAP) to support Guard and Reserve members returning to civilian life. TAP provides critical programs and resources to servicemembers as they transition from military to civilian life, such as financial literacy programs, mental health awareness training, higher education and employment support. Unfortunately, TAP does not currently provide dedicated transition training for the Reserve Components of the Armed Forces. Our bill will create a Guard and Reserve-specific pathway to help address the unique challenges the Reserve Components of our Armed Forces face, including differences in employment training needs and VA benefits and resources eligibility. This bill enjoys a broad coalition of support, including a strong bipartisan list of cosponsors in the House and several endorsements, including the Enlisted Association of the National Guard of the United States (EANGUS), Iraq and Afghanistan Veterans of America (IAVA), the National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS), the Reserve Officers Association (ROA), Student Veterans of America (SVA), the Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors (TAPS), and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW). You can read the text of the bill here and a summary here. The bill has been referred to the House Armed Services Committee. 

House Science Committee Focuses on NASA Priorities

The House Science, Space and Technology Committee closed out April with a hearing on NASA’s FY25 budget proposal. My son, Jackson, is an aspiring astronomer with a deep love of space. He wanted me to ask NASA Administrator and former U.S. Senator Bill Nelson about budget cuts to the Chandra X-Ray Observatory, which collects important data and supports our continued exploration of the final frontier. I also asked about NASA’s partnership with Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs) and Minority-Serving Institutions (MSIs), and their efforts to increase representation and diversity in the agency. These activities help strengthen and diversify the STEM workforce and support robust research and development to address climate and environmental justice issues that impact our communities. You can watch my line of questioning here or below. 

Meeting with USPS Postmaster DeJoy 

Senators Mark Warner, Tim Kaine, Representative Rob Wittman, and I met with USPS Postmaster Louis DeJoy to discuss the ongoing mail delivery issues in Virginia, reiterate our concerns, and pressure the agency to address these failures as quickly as possible. It was a productive conversation, and we heard more about USPS’s recent improvements and continued efforts to ensure the Richmond Distribution Center in Sandston improves its services expeditiously. I will continue working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to ensure Virginians can rely on USPS for timely, accurate, and consistent mail deliveries. You can read our joint statement on the meeting here.

THIS WEEK IN THE DISTRICT

Celebrating National Small Business Week 

To celebrate National Small Business Week, I toured local small businesses throughout the Tri-Cities area. During the tour, I was able to hear directly from local small business owners and entrepreneurs, update them about my work in Washington, and highlight the historic efforts of the Biden-Harris Administration. Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, employing over half of all private-sector employees in the nation. 

I started my day in Colonial Heights, touring RVA Roofing Services, Mi Rodeo Mexican Grill, Daffodil Boutique, and B&T Towing. 

I then visited Resist Booksellers, Old Towne’s Alibi, Soul Rebel, Maria’s Old Town, and Petersburg Jewelers in Petersburg.

I ended my tour in Hopewell with Appomattox River Peanut & Wine Company, Heretick’s Feed & Seed, and Tropics Island Grill. 

I’m grateful to have been joined by representatives of the Southern Virginia Chamber of Commerce and the Hopewell/Prince George Chamber of Commerce. Visits like these help me see first hand the priorities and challenges facing small businesses in the Fourth District as I worked in Congress to ensure our small businesses have the resources and support they need to thrive. 

Virginia Fourth District Congressional Art Competition Winners 

Congratulations to the winners of the 2024 Congressional Art Competition for Virginia’s Fourth District! Ethan Hansen of Appomattox Regional Governor's School for the Arts and Technology won first place with his hand-drawn piece, “Poker Face,” which will go on display in the US Capitol for a year. 


Brooklyn Miller of Prince George High School took second place with her drawing, “A Moment of Silence” and Tiara Williams of Petersburg High School took third place with her mixed media work, “Contemplation.” 

We received dozens of beautiful, inspiring and thought-provoking submissions from students throughout our district. I’m thrilled with everyone who applied and submitted their work to this year’s competition and I look forward to seeing Ethan’s wonderful piece every time I walk to the House floor for votes. You can view all of the winning submissions and honorable mentions here.

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