Jobs & Economy

A strong economy should allow families to afford their everyday needs, workers to keep more of what they earn, small businesses to grow, and every American to pursue a secure and successful future. Economic growth is not simply a statistic—it determines whether a paycheck goes far enough, whether a business can afford to hire another employee, or whether young people can find good employment opportunities close to home.

The federal government’s role should be to eliminate barriers to success, not create them. That means supporting working families, maintaining a competitive tax code, producing affordable American energy, modernizing permitting, and removing unnecessary regulations that increase costs and prevent businesses from expanding.

I supported the Working Families Tax Cuts to provide greater certainty and relief for families, workers, and small businesses. The law expanded family tax relief, provided tax relief for qualifying tips and overtime, strengthened incentives for American investment, and preserved important tax provisions for small businesses. Families and entrepreneurs should be able to plan for the future without facing constantly changing tax rules or sudden tax increases.

Small businesses are the backbone of Virginia’s communities. They create jobs, support local organizations, and give our towns and neighborhoods their distinct character. I will continue working to ensure small businesses have access to capital, a trained workforce, a predictable regulatory environment, and a tax system that allows them to compete, invest, and grow.

Workforce development is also essential to long-term economic growth. Employers across Virginia need skilled workers in health care, construction, manufacturing, transportation, shipbuilding, information technology, and other critical industries. We must expand Career and Technical Education, STEM programs, apprenticeships, dual-enrollment courses, and industry-recognized credentialing programs that connect students and workers with available jobs.

My bipartisan Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act was signed into law in 2025. It allows Americans to use their 529 savings for eligible workforce training, professional certifications, licenses, continuing education, and related expenses. This gives students, workers, and families greater freedom to choose the educational and career pathway that best meets their needs—whether that involves a four-year degree, an apprenticeship, technical training, or a professional credential.

Preparing the workforce also means addressing the barriers that keep people from working. Parents who work nights, weekends, or changing shifts need child care options that reflect their schedules. Individuals with disabilities who want to return to work should not be discouraged by confusing rules, benefit cliffs, or the fear of losing essential support. I support practical, bipartisan policies that help parents remain in the workforce and give more Americans the opportunity to pursue meaningful employment.

America must also rebuild its domestic manufacturing capacity and secure critical supply chains. Our nation should not depend on Communist China or other foreign adversaries for the minerals, energy, technologies, medicines, and industrial components essential to our economy and national security. Bringing production back to the United States will create jobs, strengthen local economies, and make our country more resilient.

I will continue advancing a pro-worker, pro-family, pro-growth agenda that supports Virginia businesses, strengthens American manufacturing, prepares our workforce, and helps families keep more of their hard-earned money.

Legislative Work

• Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act (H.R. 1151): Signed into law in 2025, expanded eligible uses of 529 savings accounts to include workforce training, professional credentials, licenses, and certification expenses.
• Working Families Tax Cuts (H.R. 1): Provided tax relief for working families and small businesses, expanded family tax benefits, and included the Freedom to Invest in Tomorrow’s Workforce Act.
• Main Street Tax Certainty Act (H.R. 703): Would provide permanent tax certainty for qualifying small and family-owned businesses. Provisions from this bill were signed into law through the Working Families Tax Cuts.
• After Hours Child Care Act (H.R. 7498): Would expand child care options for parents who work evenings, overnight shifts, weekends, and other nontraditional schedules.
• Child Care Modernization Act of 2026 (H.R. 9224): Would modernize federal child care programs, improve accountability, and expand access to affordable, dependable child care.
• Removing Barriers to Work for Disabled Americans Act (H.R. 8884): Passed the House and would allow the Social Security Administration to test voluntary approaches that help disability beneficiaries return to work without unnecessarily jeopardizing their income.