[link removed] [[link removed]]
Dear friends,
I hope that you were able to enjoy a long relaxing Labor Day weekend with family and friends.
[link removed] [[link removed]]
As we transition to cooler weather and back-to-school, Labor Day also kicks off Campaign Season and the race to Election Day on November 4th.
alt [[link removed]]
On Sunday I joined Delegate Rozia Henson, Delegate Paul Krizek, and Nelson from NOVA Labor to serve lunch to union workers and their families and friends at Fort Hunt Park. Rozia and Paul are both up for re-election this year!
For those of us in Northern Virginia, our fall campaign season begins fast with the Special Election for Congress taking place on September 9th - if you haven't already voted, now is the time to make your plan to make sure your voice is heard!
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Our Democratic candidate James Walkinshaw [[link removed]] , former Chief of Staff to Gerry Connolly , has worked tirelessly to keep this seat blue, and I hope you will join me in supporting him. Learn more about where voters in the 11th [[link removed]] Congressional District go to vote here [[link removed]] .
Blockchain Advisory Committee
[link removed] [[link removed]]
On Wednesday afternoon, I chaired the September meeting of the Blockchain Advisory Subcommittee to learn more about our potential legislative recommendations. There are a number of topics we have been tracking and considering, including Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs), regulatory sandboxes, and cryptocurrency kiosks.
We began learning during last month's review of new technology legislation in other states about the increasing presence of crypto kiosks at retail locations. Scams targeting the elderly trick them into converting their savings into untraceable cryptocurrency using these kiosks before transferring it to the scammer. While the issue was not previously considered by the General Assembly, in the last few weeks several organizations have expressed interest in this including Virginia AARP. To watch archived video or livestream future meetings, you can navigate the House of Delegates' streaming video platform here [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
For our August meeting, the Committee met virtually to have a free ranging discussion of the topics we have reviewed and the need for legislation in the upcoming legislative session.
FCNP September Column
Many of us have been directly impacted by President Trump's Emergency Declaration and National Guard deployment in Washington D.C. - and all of us are impacted as Americans. Please read this month's column at FCNP.com. [[link removed]]
alt [[link removed]]
Deployed by President Trump to address an imaginary "crime emergency", National Guard troops have busied themselves with landscaping and beautification of tourist spots. A judge held this week that the military deployment to Los Angeles violates the Posse Comitatus Act, but the President's authority over Washington D.C. is unique. Photo by Andrew Leyden, Getty Images.
Statewide Election Update
I have written several times about my support for my colleague, Senator Ghazala Hashmi , to be our next Lieutenant Governor. Senator Hashmi has had a number of events in our area, and I hope you have had a chance to meet her. To expand on the issues at stake in this election, WSET recently sat down with Senator Hashmi and her opponent, conservative radio host John Reid, for a Town Hall which can be viewed here [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
WSET also sat down for video interviews with both candidates for Attorney General, former delegate Jay Jones and incumbent Republican AG Jason Miyares. You can view the Attorney General town hall online here [[link removed]] .
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle-Sears will hold their first debate on October 9th. While the race for Governor always deserves the spotlight, the drastic and often unconstitutional actions of President Trump make the Attorney General's office more relevant than ever. For example, Jason Miyares has declined to join AGs from Democratic states suing to end Trump's unilateral tariffs [[link removed]] or to secure funding for higher education and research initiatives [[link removed]] . Miyares has also raised far more campaign funds [[link removed]] than his opponent and his running mates. I hope you will learn more about these candidates and share the importance of this race with family and friends.
Trump Watch
alt [[link removed]]
President Trump in the Oval Office on September 2nd, 2025.
Our monthly Trump Watch has taken on new significance as observers have noted that the usually omnipresent President has been seen only in fleeting glimpses over the last week.
On Tuesday afternoon, President Trump appeared in the Oval Office to announce that he is moving the Space Force, currently based in Colorado, to Alabama. His appearance puts an end to wild speculation about his disappearance. Still, the sudden change in his public behavior was certainly noticeable and has yet to be explained - and his hasty reorganization of the government continues.
In addition to the resources linked below I hope you will reach out to my office at [email protected] [[email protected]] if you are dealing with challenges related to federal workforce reductions and are in need of information or assistance
Resources (PDF) [[link removed]] Resources (Web) [[link removed]]
On Special Session
The possibility of a September convening of the General Assembly had been considered all year, including by Governor Youngkin, who carved $900 million out [[link removed]] of this year's budget bill to ensure Virginia could respond as needed to the federal government's chaotic and sweeping budget cuts. At present, the Governor has not called a Special Session, nor has the General Assembly decided to reconvene on its own under the 2024 Special Session that is still technically ongoing.
The House of Delegates Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions [[link removed]] has its next meeting on Thursday, September 11th. I expect to learn from this meeting whether the General Assembly will be budgeting unappropriated funds this fall or letting them roll over into next year, when the distraction of the campaign will be over and members will have the time and space to be more thorough.
Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market
At our August meeting [[link removed]] , the Cannabis Commission heard testimony about the revenues likely to be raised by a recreational cannabis market and how the General Assembly could potentially appropriate those funds. Much of this will depend on how this new market is structured. If done well, we would establish a steady new stream of revenue for both state and local governments, without anyone's current taxes going up.
alt [[link removed]]
If done poorly, there is the potential for many businesses to struggle. While many Virginians rightly view this new market as an opportunity to start a business and get ahead, getting a license from the state doesn't ensure a business will succeed. Making sure that small businesses have a fair opportunity to compete with larger interstate companies has emerged as a priority in the Joint Commission's work, and I expect this will result in better legislation in January.
Our next meeting has not been scheduled, but I anticipate meeting several more times before January so that 2026 can be the year that we finally pass full legalization.
Senate of Virginia Page Program
[link removed] [[link removed]]
The Senate Page Program is now accepting applications for the Class of 2026! Students who will be 13 or 14 years of age on the first day of the 2026 legislative session (second Wednesday in January) are eligible for consideration. Learn more about the Senate's best-in-the-nation program here [[link removed]] .
Application deadline: All students who want to be considered for this unique educational experience must submit a completed online application by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday, October 1.
Traffic & Construction News
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Fairfax County invites the public to participate in the planning process for the newly proposed Active Transportation and Trails Plan [[link removed]] , which aims to create a more accessible, connected and inclusive transportation and trail network for all users.
The Fairfax County Department of Transportation (FCDOT) has opened a public comment period to receive feedback on the proposed plan. Learn more and submit comments at [link removed] [[link removed]] . Comments must be submitted before 4:30 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 19.
In addition, County staff will host two virtual community meetings to present the draft plan and gather community feedback. Meeting dates, times and joining instructions are as follows:
Wednesday, Sept. 3
7 – 8 p.m.
Join the meeting On Microsoft Teams [[link removed]]
Join the meeting on the web [[link removed]] :
Meeting ID: 236 941 186 389 3; Passcode: h5H6Ke6m
Dial In: 571-429-5982; Conference ID: 747 865 061#
Thursday, Sept. 4
Noon – 1 p.m.
Join the meeting On Microsoft Teams [[link removed]]
Join the meeting on the web [[link removed]] :
Meeting ID: 211 556 945 689 7; Passcode: 2HZ3Ho6P
Dial In: 571-429-5982; Conference ID: 912 042 675#
For more details, visit the project webpage [[link removed]] .
alt [[link removed]]
Earlier this year I was proud to vote for HJ446 [[link removed]] designating the first week of September as Zero Waste Awareness Week in Virginia! The resolution encourages all Virginians to take part in the effort to reduce waste by:
* Refusing to purchase products that generate excessive or non-recyclable waste
* Reducing dependence on single-use and unnecessary items
* Reusing, recycling, or repurposing items whenever possible
The resolution also calls on businesses across the Commonwealth to engage with employees and customers to support waste-reduction strategies and challenges state agencies to actively participate by offering public education programs during Zero Waste Awareness Week.
[link removed] [[link removed]]
The Virginia Department of Small Business and Supplier Diversity (SBSD) is pleased to announce the second year of a state-wide veteran initiative: The Virginia She Served Business Builder (VS2B2) . This initiative is designed to support active and reservist women, women veterans, and military or veteran women spouses who are interested in entrepreneurship or expanding their small businesses. SBSD offers a comprehensive instructor-guided virtual curriculum at no cost to participants including specialized training, workshops, and seminars that cover essential skills needed to succeed in owning and growing small businesses within the Commonwealth.
Applications are due by Friday, September 12, 2025 at 5:00 p.m. For more details, please visit [link removed] [[link removed]] or contact us via email at [email protected] [[email protected]] .
Upcoming Events
[link removed] [[link removed]]
W&OD Trail Tree Clearing Rally
Saturday, September 6th at 10am
Vienna Town Green
144 Maple Ave East, Vienna
Register here [[link removed]]
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Fault Lines
Sunday, September 7 at 3:15 pm
Angelika Film Center at Mosaic
2911 District Ave, Fairfax
RSVP here [[link removed]]
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - GrillMarx [[link removed]]
Monday, September 8th at 5pm
510 S. Washington St., Suite E, Falls Church
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Hashmi for Lieutenant Governor
Sunday, September 7 at 5pm
Alexandria. Address provided upon RSVP.
RSVP here [[link removed]] or send emails to [email protected].
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - Entangled [[link removed]]
Tuesday, September 9th at 5:30pm
103 Rowell Ct, Falls Church
Northern Virginia Democratic Black Caucus Forum on Big Beautiful Bill
Saturday, September 13 at 10am
First Baptist Church of Vienna
450 Orchard St NW, Vienna
Register here [[link removed]]
Build-Your-Own-Bill Event
Friday, September 17th at 2pm
George Mason University
Further details TBD
West Falls Fall Fest
Sunday, September 28th, 11am-3pm
The Commons at West Falls
Learn more here [[link removed]]
Commonwealth Spotlight
alt [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]]
Chris Falcon, Clerk of the Fairfax Circuit Court, hosted his 'Dog Days of Summer' BBQ and drew a great crowd out to Mason District Park!
alt [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]]
Senator Salim spoke to the New Virginia Majority annual 'People's Congress' about a range of issues, from housing to immigration policy and 287(g) agreements between ICE and local law enforcement agencies.
alt [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]]
Senator Salim's Chief of Staff Aeshah Sheikh joined legislative colleagues for a tour of Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern in Vienna.
alt [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]]
Aeshah also joined the Northern Virginia Regional Commission for their 20 year celebration, pictured here with Supervisor Rodney Lusk, Congressman Alex Vindman, and Executive Director Robert Lazaro, who is retiring from NVRC [[link removed]] after more than 10 years of service to our region. He will be succeeded by Craig Fifer. Our congratulations and our thanks to both Robert and Craig!
alt [[link removed]]
James Walkinshaw hosted this Spanberger Grassroots Calition suburban social at Settle Down Easy Brewing Co in Falls Church. Join us to get energized for this campaign!
As always it is an honor to continue to represent you.
Sincerely,
[link removed] [[link removed]] alt [[link removed]]
Senator Saddam Azlan Salim
Virginia Senate District 37
Democrat for Virginia's Future
Get Updates from your Local Government
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Support Senator Salim
[link removed] [[link removed]]
Find us on social media
[link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [link removed] [[link removed]] [email protected] [[email protected]] [link removed] [[link removed]]
Paid for and Authorized by Friends of Saddam Azlan Salim
Not Paid For Using Taxpayer Funds
Office of Senator Salim
P.0. Box 249
Merrifield, VA 22116-0249
United States
unsubscribe: [link removed]