Media

Before we look at the highlights of 2020, I first want to address the rocky start that has so far been 2021. What happened on January 6th is completely unacceptable, undemocratic, un-American, and criminal, and I condemn - in the strongest terms possible - the attack against the US Capitol and the United States system of government. This was a senseless attack perpetrated by misguided individuals who were led to believe that something could have been done that day that would have changed the outcome of the election.

In his last public speech given in March 1799, Patrick Henry pleaded, "Let us trust God, and our better judgment to set us right hereafter. United we stand, divided we fall. Let us not split into factions which must destroy that union upon which our existence hangs." Today, I am reminded of those powerful words. While our nation faces deep divisions, we are also united in the sadness, anger, and disbelief we all experienced on Wednesday while watching the senseless and criminal attack occur on the Capitol building, the very symbol of our Republic and democratic system of government.

I wanted to take a moment to highlight important provisions of the combined government funding ("omnibus") and COVID-19 relief package Congress passed last week. After hearing from many folks, it is important to note the many positives in this bill, both for our nation and for the Commonwealth of Virginia as a whole, as we continue down the road of economic recovery.