Dear friends, I hope that you were able to enjoy a long relaxing Labor Day weekend with family and friends. |
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.
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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! |
Our Democratic candidate James Walkinshaw, 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 Congressional District go to vote here.
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Blockchain Advisory Committee |
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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.
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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. |
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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. |
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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.
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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. |
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 or to secure funding for higher education and research initiatives. Miyares has also raised far more campaign funds 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.
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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] if you are dealing with challenges related to federal workforce reductions and are in need of information or assistance
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The possibility of a September convening of the General Assembly had been considered all year, including by Governor Youngkin, who carved $900 million out 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 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.
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Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market |
At our August meeting, 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.
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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 |
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.
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 |
Fairfax County invites the public to participate in the planning process for the newly proposed Active Transportation and Trails Plan, 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 https://publicinput.com/ATTP. 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 Join the meeting on the web:
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 Join the meeting on the web:
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. |
Earlier this year I was proud to vote for HJ446 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: |
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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
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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. |
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 https://sbsd.virginia.gov/vs2b2/or contact us via email at [email protected]. |
W&OD Trail Tree Clearing Rally Saturday, September 6th at 10am Vienna Town Green 144 Maple Ave East, Vienna Register here |
Fault Lines
Sunday, September 7 at 3:15 pm Angelika Film Center at Mosaic 2911 District Ave, Fairfax RSVP here |
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - GrillMarx Monday, September 8th at 5pm 510 S. Washington St., Suite E, Falls Church |
Hashmi for Lieutenant Governor Sunday, September 7 at 5pm
Alexandria. Address provided upon RSVP. RSVP here or send emails to [email protected]. |
Falls Church Chamber of Commerce Ribbon Cutting - Entangled 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 |
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 |
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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! |
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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. |
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Senator Salim's Chief of Staff Aeshah Sheikh joined legislative colleagues for a tour of Caboose Brewing Company & Tavern in Vienna. |
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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 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!
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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. |
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Senator Saddam Azlan Salim Virginia Senate District 37 Democrat for Virginia's Future |
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