Press Releases

Congressman Don Beyer issued the following statement, expressing his concern about the continuing erosion of the Voting Rights Act (VRA): “Our fundamental belief in the right to vote is part of what defines us as Americans. Legislative accomplishments brought about some of the best moments in our history. One of those moments came a half century ago today, when President Johnson… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer welcomed the release of President Obama's final Clean Power Plan as an historic action on climate change: “Climate change is the existential crisis of our time. President Obama’s Clean Power Plan will combat this threat to our health, safety, and security of the generations who will inherit our environmental legacy," said Rep. Don Beyer. "Millions of… Read more »

“Nearly 191,000 Virginians go without access to affordable healthcare every year because the General Assembly refuses to expand Medicaid under ACA. The great irony is that the communities most in need are represented by some of the ACA’s biggest opponents in Richmond.  The Virginia Department of Medical Assistance Services estimates that Medicaid expansion would save the state $600… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer released the following statement in response to the Department of Defense (DoD) Report on the National Implications of Climate Change:  “Today’s report from the Defense Department is another emphatic statement that climate change is not only real, but is a national security threat," said Rep. Don Beyer. "Sea level rise, drought and severe weather,… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer released the following statement commemorating the 25th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), signed on July 26, 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. “The Americans With Disabilities Act was a monumental achievement to ensure workplace inclusion and an equal opportunity to succeed for our largest minority group.  Nearly one in five Americans… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer, former Ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, applauded the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated by the Obama Administration's and the P5+1 Group with Iran over its nuclear program:   “This is an historic accomplishment for President Obama, Secretary Kerry, the American negotiators, and the diplomatic process to prevent Iran’s nuclear… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer expressed disappointment with H.R. 5, the reauthorization of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA), that passed the House of Representatives today with on a partisan vote of 218-213.     “This bill undermines federal support for students who need it, reduces the number of teachers across the country, and weakens funding for critical… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer released the following statement expressing his shock at news that the personal data of nearly 21.5 million past and present federal employees and contractors was exposed in a breach of Office of Personnel Management (OPM) records. “This is disturbing news, both in terms of our government’s IT failure and that tens of millions of Americans lost the privacy of their… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer, Ranking Member on the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology’s (SST) Subcommittee on Oversight, questioned witnesses today at a joint Subcommittee hearing on the Office of Personnel Management (OPM) federal employee data breach. “The personal and professional impact of the OPM breach on our already underpaid, underappreciated, and overworked… Read more »

Congressman Don Beyer reacted harshly to news that the CEOs of Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac would receive $4 million salaries, far above the $600,000 cap imposed on the lending giants after they were bailed out by the federal government:   "It is inexplicable that the government backed Fannie and Freddie want to raise their CEOs pay less than a decade after American taxpayers… Read more »