The 118th Congress began with gridlock and chaos as House Republicans took a week to elect a speaker. It nearly ended the same way as House Republicans as a different speaker took us to the brink of a government shutdown.

The week began on a promising note, as House and Senate leaders reached a bipartisan agreement on a bill to fund the government until March 14, 2025, and deliver critical disaster and farm relief to communities across the country. The package would lower costs, support pediatric cancer and rare disease therapies and extend a number of health-related programs, reauthorize and fund the nation’s workforce programs, and extend the farm bill. It also extended the authority of state and local governments to replace stolen SNAP benefits to 2028, something I have pushed for as SNAP benefit theft dramatically increased over the past few months.

Within 24 hours, Elon Musk tanked the bill through a temper tantrum of misinformation about the bill on X and called on House Republicans to shut down the government. Then out of the blue, President-elect Trump demanded Congress raise or eliminate the debt ceiling as a condition for government funding … the very thing prompting the ouster of Kevin McCarthy as Speaker in 2023.

Speaker Mike Johnson then sent a unilateral bill with a two-year extension of the debt ceiling to the floor to pave the way for huge tax breaks for billionaires and large corporations at the expense of Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid. However, the Musk-Trump-Republican Billionaire Giveaway bill failed on a vote of 174 to 235, with 38 Republicans breaking with Speaker Johnson. Speaker Johnson scrambled for most of the day. I spoke with BBC News shortly before the final version of the CR was released. You can watch my interview below.

But with 6 hours to spare, the House passed a continuing resolution that includes disaster relief funding for America’s farmers, Department of Defense facilities, and survivors of natural disasters; support for public health programs and Medicaid Disproportionate Share Hospitals that serve vulnerable communities; billions in federal funding to support the Clean Water and Drinking Water State Revolving Funds; robust investments to modernize child care facilities and increase access to child care for working families; a one-year extension of the Farm Bill, including crucial housing investments, community development, and economic assistance for America’s farmers; and more. House Democrats stood united to pass this bill, fulfilling our most basic duty to fund the government, keeping it open and functioning for the American people.

Unfortunately, the funding bill did not extend the SNAP authority replacement fund, which allows states to replace stolen SNAP benefits with federal funds. As a result, that authority expired on December 20th. Given the concerning rise in SNAP theft in Richmond and across the nation, I will continue to fight for Congress to renew this authority to protect vulnerable SNAP families and support state efforts to address these instances of theft in the 119th Congress. 

THE WEEK IN WASHINGTON

Bill Renaming Petersburg Post Office for John Mercer Langston Passes the Senate

Earlier this year, I introduced H.R. 7385 to rename the Petersburg Post Office after John Mercer Langston, which passed the House by a voice vote on July 22nd. You can watch my floor remarks during House debate of the bill here: 

The Senate passed the bill by unanimous consent on Wednesday evening. This is my first stand-alone bill to pass Congress and head to the President for signature.

Mr. Langston was a staunch civil and voting rights advocate, attorney, diplomat, higher education administrator, and politician. He played a critical role in the abolitionist movement and helped recruit Black soldiers to fight for the Union’s cause during the Civil War. After the war, he served as the Inspector General of the Bureau of Freedmen, Refugees, and Abandoned Lands while he practiced law in Washington, D.C. He would later serve as Dean of Howard University Law School. Following the founding of the Virginia Normal and Collegiate Institute – what is now Virginia State University – he moved to Petersburg to serve as its first President. In 1890, Mr. Langston became the first Black member of Congress to represent Virginia - representing the Fourth Congressional District. His story is one of inspiring perseverance, as he redefined what was deemed possible for Black Americans in the late 19th century. As the first Black woman to represent Virginia, I stand on his shoulders and am committed to honoring his legacy.

Growing up in Petersburg, I often would go to the historic post office on Franklin Street with my father.  Now, children going to or walking past that post office can see Mr. Langston’s name, and be inspired to learn more about his incredible contributions to our community, Commonwealth, and country.

REMINDERS

Youth Advisory Council – Apply Now!

We are now accepting applications for my inaugural Youth Advisory Council. The program provides high school students in Virginia’s Fourth with the opportunity to share their perspectives, learn more about our democratic processes, and see the inner-workings of a congressional office. I encourage all high school students to apply. You can learn more about the program and submit an application on my website. 

Open Enrollment – Now Until January 15th

Open Enrollment under the Affordable Care Act is underway. For the second year, Virginians also have access to a state-based marketplace, thanks to my work in the Virginia General Assembly with Del. Mark Sickles. I encourage everyone to review their options and make their selections as quickly as possible to ensure no interruptions in coverage. You can learn more at the Virginia Health Insurance Marketplace. 

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