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Dear friends,
Just a month from our Virginia elections, the federal government has been upended by another Trump shutdown. As I shared on Twitter, [[link removed]] before he was elected President Trump blamed federal shutdowns on the President, telling an interviewer, "He's the one that has to get people together!" [[link removed]]
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Unlike a normal shutdown, the federal workforce was already being assaulted by an administration willing to break the law. By forcing Republicans to publicly acknowledge the need to negotiate with Democrats, hopefully the shutdown helps lead to a greater respect for the rights of federal workers as well.
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We all know how we got here, but I know many of the workers who are impacted by the shutdown may not know what to do next. Fairfax County has resources covering a variety of needs available here [[link removed]] . Fairfax County Public Schools has free and reduced-price meals [[link removed]] for families of furloughed employees. Additionally, furloughed federal employees may wish to become substitute teachers [[link removed]] .
The Commonwealth of Virginia remains open for business, and I am doing everything I can to strengthen our community. Please do not hesitate to reach out to my office at [email protected] if you are in need of any type of assistance.
Virginia Votes
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The next time you receive a newsletter from my office, Virginia will have elected new leadership. Early voting is ongoing - find your early voting location here [[link removed]] or make a plan to vote by mail [[link removed]] or on Election Day, Tuesday November 4th.
The debate between Abigail Spanberger and Winsome Earle Sears is this Thursday, October 9th at 7pm from Norfolk State University, broadcasting on your local Nexstar [[link removed].] television station and online at DCNewsNow.com [[link removed]] .
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FCNP October Column
Knowing that many of you will be making a choice soon on who to vote for, I used this month's column to share my views on the candidates I have endorsed for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Virginia. Please read this month's column at FCNP.com. [[link removed]]
GMU Alum of the Year
George Mason University is more than a school. It is an institution that changes lives. I have enormous gratitude for the opportunity that Mason gave to me, and I know how important it is that young people today and in future generations get that same opportunity.
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That is why it was my tremendous honor at this year's GMU Celebration of Distinction to receive the Alum of the Year Award. When I first showed up to campus as the first in my family to go to college, I could not have hoped that a college education would do so much to change my life.
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From graduating with a Master's degree, to my career as a federal contractor, to my election to the Virginia Senate, none of it would have been possible without Mason's commitment to inclusive excellence. It was truly an honor to be recognized, and to be able to thank so many people who have supported me along the way.
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It was an honor to be recognized alongside so many accomplished Patriots. Click here to learn about all this year's distinguished alumni. [[link removed]]
Trump Watch
With the shutdown dominating the headlines , you may have missed one of the worst presidential speeches in US history. After Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth made the unusual decision to summon all US Generals and Admirals to a public meeting, President Trump told the assembled military leaders that they would be using US cities as training grounds and fighting a "war within." Read more about this alarming speech here. [[link removed]]
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Pete Hegseth doing crowd work for the assembled leadership of the U.S. Military.
Congratulations, Congressman Walkinshaw!
On September 9th, James Walkinshaw won a resounding victory in the 11th Congressional District, garnering 75.14% of the vote, the strongest margin Democrats have ever won in that district. This follows a trend of Democrats overperforming since Kamala Harris got 66% of the vote in CD11 last year.
Congressman Walkinshaw hit the ground running, getting sworn in to Congress the very next morning, and taking the opportunity of his first speech in Congress to talk about how DOGE cuts have hurt Fairfax families.
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Committee Update
The Joint Commission to Oversee the Transition of the Commonwealth into a Cannabis Retail Market will meet again this Monday, October 6th. On the agenda are speakers from Bronx Cannabis Hub, KND Group and Cannabis Wise Guys to give presentations on their experience working in other states as they have transitioned from medical to recreational legalized cannabis. More information and a livestream of the meeting can be found on the General Assembly's website [[link removed]] . If you have thoughts on what Virginia should prioritize in this legislation I hope you will feel free to contact my office at [email protected].
Traffic & Construction News
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Lane and ramp closures will be in place this weekend on southbound I-495 (Capital Beltway Outer Loop) between the American Legion Memorial Bridge and Lewinsville Road in McLean . Multi-lane closures and ramp closures with detours will occur on Friday and Saturday nights, and a single lane closure is planned to be in place all day on Saturday. Following this weekend’s work, the on-ramp from Georgetown Pike to southbound I-495 will be an extended acceleration lane, allowing motorists a longer merge area onto I-495.
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The Virginia Department of Transportation is seeking feedback on potential safety, operational, transit and bicycle/pedestrian improvements along the two-and-a-half mile stretch of South Van Dorn Street (Route 613) between Telegraph Road (Route 611) and the Alexandria city limits, and three-quarters of a mile of Franconia Road (Route 644) between Grovedale Drive and South Van Dorn Street. VDOT invites residents and travelers to take an online survey regarding the proposed alternatives [[link removed]] .
Upcoming Events
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Vienna Oktoberfest
Saturday, Oktober 4th, 11-7
Church St, Vienna
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KORUS Festival 2025
Saturday and Sunday, October 4th-5th
K Market, 4251 John Marr Dr, Annandale
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Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts
Saturday and Sunday, October 4th-5th, 11am-5pm
Capital One Center
1803 Capital One Drive South, Tysons
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The Virginia Museum of Fine Arts' Artmobile will be at the Capital One Center Celebration of the Arts featuring the traveling exhibition "Love, Laughter, Tears: An Artist's Guide to Emotions," which is a compilation of works from the VMFA collection that examine the relationship between art and emotion across various cultures and time periods.
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Hamkae Center mid-autumn festival potluck!
Sunday, October 5th, 3:30-5
223 Little Falls St, Falls Church
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Team Spanberger Debate Night Watch Party
Thursday, October 9th, 6:30-9pm
Vienna, address provided upon RSVP
Register here [[link removed]]
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Fundraiser co-hosted by former Congressman Jim Moran i n Support of Hashmi for Lieutenant Governor
Sunday, October 19th at 2pm
McLean. Address provided upon RSVP.
RSVP here [[link removed]] or send emails to [email protected].
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Homes for All VOICE Assembly
Sunday, October 19th, 3:30-5pm
Flores United Methodist Church
13600 Frying Pan Rd, Herndon VA
RSVP here [[link removed]]
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Democratic Asian Americans of Virginia Diwali Celebration
Sunday, October 19th, 5:30-7:30pm
Aroma Restaurant Bar & Banquet
12821 Fair Lakes Pkwy, Fairfax
RSVP here [[link removed]]
Vienna Halloween Parade
Wednesday, October 29th at 7pm
Maple Ave, Vienna
Learn more here [[link removed]]
Legislative Town Hall on Healthcare Cuts and the Needs of Virginians
November 17th
I am in the early stages of planning this town hall event with several local partners in the healthcare and disability spaces. I will have more information to share next month.
Commonwealth Spotlight
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I was pleased to join House Majority Leader Del. Charniele Herring, Del. Kathy Tran, and Del. Irene Shin at the investiture of Judge Dipti Pidikiti-Smith, who we elected to elevate from the Fairfax County General District Court to the Fairfax Circuit Court.
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I spoke to students at GMU about legislative problem solving as part of the course "Tackling Wicked Problems in Society and the Environment." The term "wicked problems" was coined in 1973 meaning problems for which there is no definitive formulation of the problem or solution.
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I also partnered with the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning for a Build Your Own Bill workshop.
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As always it is an honor to continue to represent you.
Sincerely,
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Senator Saddam Azlan Salim
Virginia Senate District 37
Democrat for Virginia's Future
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