Dear Constituent,

As I write, the government has been shut down for a full month with no end in sight.

I continue to seek bipartisan negotiations to reopen the federal government, get federal employees the pay they need and deserve, and shield the American people from skyrocketing price increases for health insurance.

Unfortunately, the House still stands in recess, as it has for six weeks by direction of Speaker Mike Johnson. I think this is simply bad governance. 

Every day this shutdown drags on, families, small businesses, and communities across the country and here in Virginia suffer needlessly. 

Tuesday Is Election Day

This has been a discouraging month, especially for our region, but I hope you will not lose hope. In a democracy we still have power to seek change for the better.

In that spirit, I want to remind you that early voting for Virginia’s general elections runs through tomorrow, Saturday, November 1st. Mail ballots must be returned or postmarked by November 4th.

For those not voting early, Election Day is Tuesday, November 4th.

You can find your district and polling place here, and check your voter registration status online via the Virginia Department of Elections here.

Additional information on locations and hours for early voting is available for VA-8 voters by jurisdiction: Alexandria | Arlington | Fairfax County | Falls Church

Decisions are made by those who show up. Please vote!

Addressing Shutdown Impacts

As the shutdown continues, I continue to work hard to support federal workers, contractors, and constituents affected by the ongoing government shutdown.

You can read a quick rundown of stories about my efforts here, and I have shared resources for impacted federal workers and contractors here. I urge anyone who needs help with a federal agency to request here or contact my office at 703-658-5403.

With open enrollment for health insurance coverage beginning soon, I am deeply concerned about rising health care costs.

For years, millions of people insured through the Affordable Care Act have been able to afford coverage thanks in part to enhanced premium tax credits. These credits will expire at the end of the year, and millions of American families will be hit with out-of-pocket insurance costs that rise substantially, even doubling for many.

Extending these credits and lowering the cost of health care is a top priority for me. I have addressed the urgency and details of this issue at greater length here on my Substack.

SNAP Funding

Just as urgent, regular SNAP funding is set to run out amid the ongoing shutdown. There is a SNAP emergency fund already set aside by Congress to help sustain benefits. In past shutdowns, Republican and Democratic Administrations have used this fund to ensure that people get the help they need to put food on the table, but the Trump Administration has said they will not use it to prevent over 40 million Americans who depend on SNAP from going hungry. 

In my view, the law requires the Administration to release this emergency funding, and dozens of states filed a lawsuit earlier this week seeking to compel the Administration to do so, which just won two favorable rulings from federal judges a short time ago.

Notably, the Administration's decision to withhold food assistance comes on the heels of actions by the President and Republicans in Congress earlier this year to enact the largest cut to SNAP in the program’s history. I wrote about concerns that SNAP might lapse at greater length here.

As this situation unfolds, the news is changing quickly. To stay up to date on my work on your behalf, please sign up for my newsletter, follow me on Twitter, Bluesky, Facebook, Substack, Instagram, or Threads, or visit my congressional website.

These are trying times, but please know that I am constantly working to support our community and defend our values every single day.