Weekly Updates

"It is absolutely critical to have a full and organic understanding of the challenges our servicemen and women face every day, both on and off the battlefield." Read more »

The dog days of summer are rolling in, and things have been heating up across the First District and in Washington as I continue working to find solutions to the challenges facing our nation. These challenges are substantial, but they are not unsolvable, and the hearings and meetings I have in both Washington and Virginia are geared toward building a thorough understanding of the issues… Read more »

For our system of government to truly work, American citizens and those who represent them must remain consistently engaged in a healthy discussion about the issues at hand. Throughout my time serving the First District, I’ve found few issues that generate as much passion as the debate surrounding the health care overhaul law often referred to as Obamacare. This debate has been going on… Read more »

"My analysis centered on a few overarching questions: Do these directives stand to benefit the American people and our nation’s economy? Do the directives enable the U.S. to negotiate from a position of power? Or, on the other hand, are they weak and vague, allowing negotiators to conveniently leave out provisions that are important to industries in Virginia, solely for the sake of finalizing a deal more quickly?" Read more »

"I believe that any program the government implements should be thoughtful, utilizing the best data and science available in a transparent manner." Read more »

Military Appreciation Month has been observed throughout May across the nation, and I was privileged to attend a number of events around the First District honoring these patriots. I enjoyed cheering on the runners and meeting a number of exceptional Marines and community leaders at the recent Marine Corps Historic Half marathon in Fredericksburg. The Historic Half is a fantastic… Read more »

During May, we’ve been honoring our military service members all month long, but Memorial Day gives us the distinct opportunity to honor our fallen heroes, and to remember those who gave “the last full measure of devotion” so that we might go on living in the absence of fear. Read more »

This May, we recognize Military Appreciation Month, and I hope that all of you will take an opportunity to thank our men and women in uniform and support them in any way you can. Read more »

Learning from history is a vital part of policymaking. At the same time, policymakers can also learn from those who currently serve. Read more »

By including a No Budget No Pay provision like the one I introduced in January, this year’s budget represents a step forward in that return to so-called “regular order,” and it also provides a way forward for addressing our fiscal crisis. Read more »