Friends,

To all the mothers, I hope you had a fabulous Mother’s Day. To those who have lost a mother or child, I hope your memories provided more smiles than tears. In addition to mothers, last week we honored and appreciated teachers, nurses, public service workers and small businesses. Meanwhile, the House geared up for a marathon week of committee action on budget bills starting tomorrow. 

DEFENDING FEDERAL WORKERS DURING PUBLIC SERVICE RECOGNITION WEEK

In honor of last week’s Public Service Recognition Week, I want to take a moment to express my deepest appreciation for public servants across the country — and especially those in Virginia — who dedicate their careers to serving our communities with integrity, professionalism, and resilience.

Since becoming a public servant myself, I often reflect on how much our public workforce does to uphold the promise of our democracy, from ensuring veterans receive the care they’ve earned to protecting our national security, defending civil rights, and keeping our government running day in and day out.

Recent mass layoffs at the hands of the Trump Administration and Elon Musk’s DOGE left thousands of federal workers blindsided and without the support they deserved. Despite Republicans and this Administration’s attempts to downplay their chaos and move on, I continue to stand up for our resilient, dedicated federal workforce. I’ve spoken on the House floor and alongside federal employee unions and advocates at rallies, and I met with federal employee groups and civil service organizations to ensure their voices were brought directly to the halls of Congress and coordinate a united front against this Administration’s unprecedented assault on the federal workforce.

Legislatively, I’ve joined my Democratic colleagues in introducing the SERVICE Act and the Ensuring Agency Service Quality Act – two bills that would protect federal workers and their agencies from the reckless attacks of the Trump Administration and secure their ability to continue serving the American people.

I also introduced legislation to halt mass firings at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, highlighting the devastating impact on our public health workforce and calling for immediate accountability, and called out partisan obstruction when Energy & Commerce Committee Republicans blocked common-sense protections for federal workers.

These actions are grounded in one principle: public servants deserve respect, not pink slips.

Our work isn’t done, and I will continue pressing for legislative solutions and uplifting the voices of the dedicated people who make our government work. They are not just workers — they are neighbors, parents, veterans, and community leaders. They represent the best of what public service means.

If you or someone you know was affected by the DOGE layoffs and struggling to access support or benefits, my office is here to help. Please don’t hesitate to reach out.

Thank you to every public servant for your hard work, sacrifice, and dedication. We see you, we value you, and we are still fighting for you.

SMALL BUSINESSES FEEL THE PAIN OF THE TRUMP ADMINISTRATION’S ACTIONS

Small businesses provide the backbone of the American economy — but the actions of the Trump Administration, from sparking tariff uncertainty to triggering mass funding cuts, have caused widespread confusion and anxiety among the small business community.

To commemorate Small Business Week, I convened a roundtable with small business leaders from across Virginia’s Fourth to hear their concerns and discuss what I am doing to help. A wide variety of business owners participated, from retailers, child care providers, healthcare staffing agencies, and more. All of them, in one way or another, have already seen the impact of this Administration’s actions and fear for their financial futures.

A Richmond bridal shop owner discussed how very few gowns are designed and manufactured in the United States, with the vast majority made in China. As a result, the cost of gowns has gone up between $225 and $800. A Petersburg bookstore sees higher costs on books from its Canadian supplier and had two bulk orders from schools canceled due to funding cuts. Restaurant owners and wine shops have seen costs go up because of tariffs and fewer customers in the door because of the uncertainty over the economy and their own finances.

The effects aren’t limited to retailers. Many child care and health care providers are small businesses — and now, over 400 child care small businesses between Hanover and Emporia have been impacted by funding freezes or cuts under the Trump Administration. Health care providers fear that Medicaid cuts will similarly impact their ability to cover the cost to provide services, and some have already lost grants covering everything from HIV to cancer treatments.

A rooftop and farmfield solar installation business says that potential cuts to clean energy tax credits have made long-term solar projects more uncertain, which by extension hurts our ability to lower energy costs and provide new sources of income to farmers. Even realtors and contractors are feeling the effects — as tariffs on new construction make it harder to reduce home prices by adding more supply, and fewer folks are willing to sell.

These impacts are not limited to Virginia’s Fourth District, but are felt nationwide. While the Trump Administration seems indifferent to these struggles, I remain committed to standing up for our small businesses. I cosponsored Rep. Gregory Meeks’ bill to terminate Trump’s April 2nd tariffs and end this state of panic — which House Republicans killed. I also joined House Democrats in demanding answers and an end to the tariff uncertainty.

LOOKING AHEAD

Starting tomorrow at 2 pm, the House Energy and Commerce Committee begins a marathon markup of a bill to implement the Congressional Republican-passed budget plan that instructs the committee to find $880 billion in cuts – a mathematical impossibility without gutting Medicaid. While I am still reviewing the text that was released late last night, the Congressional Budget Office has already estimated that it will kick millions of Americans off of their health insurance. 

My Democratic colleagues and I will fight these cuts tooth and nail on behalf of everyone who relies on this lifesaving coverage. You can follow along on my social media accounts.

I’ll be back next week to update you on our efforts, and thank you for keeping the faith!

MY BRIGHT SPOT

On Friday, I announced the winners of the 2025 Congressional Art Competition for Virginia’s Fourth District. This annual contest showcases the incredible talent of our high school students and highlights the importance of arts education in our communities. The first place winner will have her art displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a full year!

Check out the overall winners’ incredible pieces below or view all of the winning submissions and honorable mentions here!

Overall Congressional Art Competition Winners:

1st Place: In Our Hands / Journi Marlow of Henrico High School

2nd Place: New Form of Life / Olivia Price of Hermitage High School

3rd Place: Journey for Water / Chloe Stampher of Brunswick High School

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