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Dear friends,
Last week, I joined my Senate colleagues in Richmond for 5 days under our continuing Special Session to respond to the actions of the Trump administration and protect the rights and freedoms of Virginians.
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Even before I was called back to Richmond, many of you called or emailed my office to demand that we stand up and fight back - including many constituents who professed to have voted in favor of the Virginia Redistricting Commission when it went to a referendum in 2020.
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This week saw some of the most intense disagreements about procedure that I have seen in my time in public service, not because of any sincere doubt about how the process works, but because our opponents attempted to abuse the process to prevent us from enacting the will of the people.
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The resolution we passed, HJ6007 [[link removed]] , will not undo the Virginia Redistricting Commission. It will create a one-time opportunity for the Virginia General Assembly to redraw Virginia's congressional districts to help counterbalance the Trump Republicans' attempt to tilt the odds in their favor. Virginia voters will have the final say on whether or not this moves forward in a r eferendum this spring , so be on the lookout for more information about this early next year.
I wrote about my reasoning for voting in support of the amendment in this month's column for FCNP.com [[link removed]] , which you can read here [[link removed]] .
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Virginia Votes!
Tomorrow is Election Day! After a long campaign, Virginia will finally elect a new Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General, as well as the whole House of Delegates.
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Knowing that many of you will be choosing who to vote for, I wrote a column in October to share my views on the candidates I have endorsed for Governor, Lieutenant Governor and Attorney General of Virginia. Please read that column here. [[link removed]]
If you have an absentee ballot at home, DON'T PUT IT IN THE MAIL! This close to Election Day, your ballot would likely be delivered too late to be counted. Instead, bring your absentee ballot to your poling place - or destroy it and cast a normal ballot on Election Day. Find your Election Day polling place here. [[link removed]]
Trump Watch
Despite Trump's promise that his ballroom would be "near [the White House] but not touching it," Americans were shocked last month when the entire East Wing of the White House was suddenly demolished.
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Satellite images by 2025 Planet Labs PBC via Reuters
The demolition also erased the Jacqueline Kennedy Garden [[link removed]] which was first established in 1903, as well as magnolia trees [[link removed]] that were planted as memorials to former presidents Franklin Delano Roosevelt and Andrew Jackson. In response to the blowback, the Trump administration has declared they can do the same to other famous D.C. monuments if they choose to. [[link removed]]
The American people are struggling with high prices made worse by tariffs and a government shutdown, but rather than use his power to reduce prices like he promised, Trump is eliminating American history to build monuments to himself, and using the military to crack down on dissent. This should alarm and disgust Americans of all political persuasions.
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.
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Traffic & Construction News
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The Fairfax County Department of Transportation will hold a Community Workshop for the Route 29 Active Transportation Study on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 6:30 p.m., at Timber Lane Elementary School, 2737 West Street, Falls Church.
This study focuses on Route 29, from inside the Beltway to Tripps Run at the City of Falls Church/County border. Workshop attendees will have the opportunity to provide feedback on improvements for pedestrians, bicyclists, transit and the street. For more information, visit the Route 29 Active Transportation Study [[link removed]] webpage.
FCDOT will also hold a Community Workshop for the Oakton Congestion Mitigation and Safety Study on Thursday, Nov. 13, 6:30 p.m., at Oakton High School, 2900 Sutton Road, Vienna.
This study will include transportation analysis to test the effects on congestion from new roadway connections, lane configurations and other improvements. The Oakton Congestion Mitigation and Safety Study [[link removed]] originated from a Follow-On Motion authorized by the Board of Supervisors in response to the approval of the AT&T Oakton site specific plan amendment [[link removed]] .
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The Virginia Department of Transportation announced the northern extension of the 495 Express Lanes is scheduled to open in late November, ahead of holiday travel. Two new express lanes in each direction of I-495 (the Capital Beltway) between the Dulles Corridor Interchange and the George Washington Memorial Parkway (GWMP) Interchange, as well as new express lanes access at both interchanges, will provide relief for people who face daily gridlock and congestion in this section of the Beltway.
Upcoming Events
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Arlington & Fairfax CountyDems Watch Party
Tuesday, November 4th, 7pm
Fire Works Pizza, 2350 Clarendon Blvd, Arlington
Learn more on Mobilize [[link removed]]
Falls Church Watch Party
Tuesday, November 4th, 7:30 pm
Clare and Don's Beach Shack
130 N Washington St, Falls Church
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As part of the Virginia School Boards Association's declaration of November as Bring Your Legislator to School Month, I will be visiting several public schools to tour the facilities, and to hear from students and teachers about how we can do things better.
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Fairfax County Kimchi Festival
Saturday November 8, 2-4pm
Fairfax County Government Center, 12000 Government Center Pkwy
Learn more at kkimchiwashingtondc.org [[link removed]]
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Falls Church Veterans Day Ceremony
Sunday, November 9, 1 PM
Falls Church VFW Post 9274, 7118 Shreve Rd
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City of Fairfax Veterans Day Ceremony
Tuesday, November 11, 10:30 AM
American Legion Post 177, 3939 Oak Street
Learn more at Fairfaxva.gov [[link removed]]
Commonwealth Spotlight
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I was amazed by the turnout to the VOICE Homes for All Assembly. The high cost of housing in our region is an issue that I will be continuing to work on in the coming legislative session, and your energy and your ideas are critical to the process.
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Thank you to the Gupta Family Foundation for hosting me at the ArtsFairfax Awards, where I was honored to recognize Tom Rizer [[link removed]] with the Philanthropy Award, and enjoyed the performance by Sopranessence.
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I took to the streets as part of the 'No Kings' protest on October 17th. Our community has been among the most heavily impacted by Trump's policies, but we refuse to be silent.
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I was glad to join the Virginia Blockchain Council to talk about how this emerging technology can help consumers. I had a great time meeting people at KORUS Fest in Annandale! At the Virginia Dental Association's Fall Fest, where we talked about how we can help more Virginians afford to see a dentist.
I also partnered with the Office of Community Engagement and Civic Learning for a Build Your Own Bill workshop.
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Thank you to all the volunteers who joined me at Spanberger for Governor's Asian American and Pacific Islander Get Out The Vote Rally! Everyone Get Out and Vote Vote Vote!
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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