Dear John,
This has been a stressful summer for me on many levels, but I am determined to stay focused on my senate work and continue to serve you in the best ways possible.
It is too early to understand the full impacts of the program cuts in Trump’s so called “One Big, Beautiful Bill (OBBB),” but denying life-saving health care and other support programs that help low-income Americans care for their families is cruel and will make our communities less safe. Moreover, such cuts will put enormous strains on the state budget, local economies, K-12 public schools and safety-net programs. It is not possible to justify the value of giving additional tax breaks to the ultra-wealthy when so many Americans will have to compromise their health, suffer food insecurity and live under financial instability.
VIRGINIA HAPPENINGS:
Reproductive/Sexual Health Data Protections in Virginia:
My data protection bill, SB754, was signed into law and became effective on July 1, 2025. It is intended to protect personal, identifiable information related to a consumer's reproductive and sexual health data from being released or sold without consent, including the purchase of certain products. In these times of escalating threats to reproductive freedom, it is more important than ever that consumers can trust that their most private data is kept private.
In interpreting the law, some retailers are asking for consent before a relevant purchase is made. This request is confusing and concerning to consumers, especially when no clear assurances are offered that the data will not be sold in a personally identifiable manner. I have been working diligently with retailers to help shape a more consumer-friendly approach that is fully compliant with the law and respectful of individual privacy. As you may have seen, this story has been getting quite a bit of media attention. For more information, you can reference this story from NBC4, this story from WTOP, or this story from the Virginia Mercury.
Federal Interference with Boards of Trustees at Virginia’s Public Universities:
The Senate Privileges and Elections (P&E) committee has met and decided to not move forward on Governor Youngkin’s nominees to the Boards of Visitors for our public institutions. The Senate Democratic Caucus believes that this action alone is enough to ensure that nominees are not seated. However, the Governor disagrees with this interpretation. Consequently, Senator Lucas, supported by the entire Democratic caucus, has filed a lawsuit to defend the authority of the Senate.
Additionally, my colleagues and I sent a letter to the members of the Boards of Visitors of all state-supported universities expressing support for Virginia's system of higher education and tradition of educational self-governance.You can access the caucus statement here.
It is particularly important that ideologically driven appointees not serve on the boards of our educational institutions. We already know that the Trump administration is determined to undermine and interfere with the operations of these institutions under the guise of eliminating DEI-related programs. At UVA, President Jim Ryan faced a Board of Trustees so heavily stacked with Youngkin-Trump loyalists that he had no ability to fight the Trump onslaught. It is now clear that President Gregory Washington at George Mason University is the next target of political pressure by the Trump administration. In short, appointees to our Boards of Trustees matter.
I offered a statement on the value of academic freedom on X, which you can read here.
Update on Virginia Statewide Races:
We’re almost 100 days away from the general election on November 4th! Our candidates down the ballot have been busy campaigning, fundraising, and talking to voters across the Commonwealth about the issues that matter most to them. Both Abigail Spanberger, our candidate for Governor, and Ghazala Hashmi, our candidate for Lieutenant Governor, are far outraising their opponents.
Of the three statewide races, I believe the race for Attorney General is the most competitive. The current Attorney General, Jason Miyares, has more cash on hand than our Democratic nominee, Jay Jones. Let’s help close that gap by donating to his campaign here.
IMPACTS OF FEDERAL POLICIES IN TRUMP’S ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL:
Vulnerable Virginians Lose Access to Health Care:
My personal health experience this summer has really crystallized how frightening it must be for someone with a serious health condition to access life-saving care and the preventive follow-up care without health insurance. I have used every venue I could to educate and advise congressional lawmakers about the horrific impact that cuts to Medicaid and the Medicaid expansion programs will have on human lives, the economy of Virginia, and the ability of rural hospitals to stay open.
It was incredibly disappointing to see two members of Virginia’s congressional delegation, Congresswoman Kiggans and Congressman Whittman, vote to throw 330,000 Virginians off Medicaid expansion. Moreover, their votes will also block approximately 100,000 Virginians from receiving the subsidies they need to afford the private health insurance options offered on Virginia’s Insurance Marketplace. The pain and heartache that these federal actions will inflict on children and families struggling to make ends meet is unconscionable.
SNAP and Food Security Programs Cut -Leaving Virgina Families Hungry:
The OBBB includes reductions to the Supplemental Nutrition Program (SNAP), a critical resource for families facing food insecurity. SNAP is one of the most effective programs we have to help our low-income families. It helps ensure that no one goes hungry during times of hardship, generates economic activity, and supports local businesses and farms.
This bill has the largest reduction to SNAP in history. Over 800,000 Virginians rely on SNAP benefits, and the reduction of this resource could cost Virginia up to $264 million in new costs. This will disproportionately impact some of our most vulnerable populations, including seniors, children, and individuals with disabilities. This reduction in food assistance, combined with healthcare cuts, will force families to make impossible choices between food, medicine, and rent.
Public Education Programs that Support Marginalized Students Eliminated:
Personnel cuts and efforts to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education completely would place an untenable burden on states and localities. The federal Department of Education has historically protected the rights of children with disabilities to obtain an education, dispersed dollars to schools with high percentages (40% or more) of children on free or reduced lunch and administered grants to assist with after school programs and academic enrichment.
Essentially, this department oversees programs that aim to level the playing field; it ensures that every child has opportunities, and a quality education, regardless of their zip code. Losing this support would have devastating consequences here in Virginia and across the nation.
A Final Note:
It is possible that my colleagues and I may convene for a Special Session the week of September 8th to address the budgetary impacts of the actions of the Trump administration. We have not yet decided if this will happen.
Lastly, thank you all for your kind wishes, prayers and support as I continue through my cancer treatment. The first phase of the treatment has gone well, and I’m preparing to begin chemotherapy shortly. I remain committed to representing you in Richmond and continuing my Senate work. Your encouragement continues to be a powerful source of strength as I move forward.
I hope you’ll visit my website at BarbaraFavola.org and subscribe to my regular newsletters. I also have a dynamic social media presence through Facebook, X (formerly Twitter), and Blue Sky. I hope you’ll follow my work using one or more of those platforms. You may also track legislation through Virginia’s Legislative Information System. The Commonwealth’s General Assembly Website is a useful tool as well. You can follow events, find pertinent information, observe sessions, and monitor committee meetings through the site.
It is an honor and a privilege to represent you in Richmond.
