The Shadow
An Opportunity to Pause and Reflect Into a Promising Future
While the Christmas and holiday season was a time for celebration, the New Year is one for reflection. There have been many challenges over the first session of the 118th Congress. Still, one thing has been constant: I am forever grateful to the Sixth District of Virginia for giving me the honor of representing you as your Congressman. As we look forward to the 2024 legislative calendar and tackling the critical issues confronting our Nation, I wanted to take a moment to update you on my office’s efforts on your behalf these past twelve months.
Legislative Accomplishments
In 2023, I was proud to lead and garner support for several important pieces of legislation. Passed by committee and awaiting floor action, H.R. 4477, the American Confidence in Elections: District of Columbia Election Integrity and Voter Confidence Act., would implement several election reforms in the District of Columbia’s election processes, including requiring photo voter ID, prohibiting noncitizens from voting, and conducting list maintenance. Additionally, H.R. 3315, the National Guard and Reservist Debt Relief Extension Act, which I co-led, was signed into law by the President. This bill reauthorizes an additional four years of debt relief for qualifying servicemembers experiencing financial hardship. Lastly, the bi-partisan H.R.1105, Debbie Smith Act, which I co-led, was passed in the House and awaits action in the Senate. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for the values and the issues that we hold important to us in the Sixth District.
Working For You
While my D.C. office handles legislative issues I work on in the House of Representatives, as well as my responses to your legislative inquiries, I also have District offices located in Harrisonburg, Winchester, Staunton, and Roanoke where my staff assists constituents in communicating with federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration, the Department of Veterans Affairs, and the Internal Revenue Service. In addition, my offices and I also handle congressional nominations to the United States Service Academies and an array of other services such as offering Capitol flag sales, D.C. tours, and more listed on my website.
My team and I have worked hard to be assessable and to serve Virginia’s Sixth District, meet with constituents, answer questions, and provide assistance, and the results in 2023 speak for themselves:
$12,346,026.83 total amount our office has recovered for constituents
146,762 completed responses to constituent calls, emails and letters
20 in-person Town Halls were held across the district
211 community events attended/or hosted through my official office
2,318 constituents helped through casework
115 Mobile Office Hours held for constituents to meet directly with my team
District Travels
Even though most of what is seen on national news outlets focuses on the hearings and votes on Capitol Hill, the assistance I provide to those dealing with problems with federal agencies is perhaps the most vital. My interaction with constituents, local leaders, and small business owners in the district to ensure their views are represented in Washington. It’s where both the constituents we represent and our loved ones reside. It’s the place we call home.
First, I hosted my annual farm tour. Virginia’s Sixth District is the largest agriculture district in the Commonwealth, where farming is the number one industry. I enjoyed speaking with farmers and agriculture industry leaders to discuss how we can assist them.
Additionally, I held my annual Higher Education Roundtable at Southern Virginia University in Buena Vista. I have long believed that no family or student should worry that attending college or university will break the bank, rack up mountains of debt, or fail to prepare them for good-paying jobs in the real world. With more than 20 colleges and universities across Virginia’s Sixth District, we need to do the hard work of finding solutions to improve student performance, boost post-graduation job placement, and keep tuition affordable.
Engaging with our nation’s future generation of leaders has always been a favorite opportunity of mine, whether it be reading to students, talking to government classes, or speaking at school events. I was proud to visit 13 schools throughout the district this year and look forward to meeting more of our incredible young people this coming year.
s your representative, I am honored to recognize the extraordinary accomplishments of VA-06 residents on the House floor. This year I recognized 19 citizens for their numerous achievements of my constituents this year, whether they are championship victories in high school or college athletics, volunteer and charitable recognitions, or honoring our Veterans.
Visiting large and small businesses in the district serves as a reminder that the government should promote rather than impede economic growth. I’ll keep fighting in Washington to ensure that all of our hardworking businesses can prosper because they are essential to generating jobs and economic expansion.
Meeting with the Veterans of the Sixth District is one of my greatest honors. It is always a delight to express gratitude and honor, and fight for those who fought for us, whether local VFWs or at significant occasions like Veterans Day, Memorial Day, and 9/11 remembrance ceremonies.
Meetings with Constituents in Washington
Engaging with citizens in the People’s House of Representatives and hearing their problems reminds me why I came to Washington, D.C. I enjoy listening to people’s opinions about the most meaningful subjects and how I may best represent and promote their goals in particular areas.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.
For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow my Facebook and Twitter pages.
Best wishes in 2024 to you and yours!
