Abigail Spanberger

By recognizing and thanking our local veterans, we are reminding them that their selfless service does not go unnoticed.

Making our communities safer for all Americans, combatting longstanding prejudices, and ending discrimination should be issues where we can find common ground.

The people of Central Virginia expect me to work with all Members of the House - regardless of party affiliation - to advocate for policies that will expand opportunity for their businesses and families, and I'm committed to following through on that promise.

Lawmakers should focus on building strong coalitions, including across the aisle, as they create, draft, and develop effective legislation.

Especially as we engage in critical conversations about the vast inequalities that persist across our Commonwealth and our country, we need to dive deeper into how we can address the systemic challenges that permeate our healthcare system.

The crippling health and economic effects of the COVID-19 crisis have been felt across Central Virginia. But in our communities of color, COVID-19's spread has been particularly destructive.

Many kids in Central Virginia do not see leadership in Silicon Valley that looks like them - we can start turning that around by inspiring our students to reach for a career in any of the many U.S. industries that will rely on emerging technologies and STEM innovation in the years to come.

We will depend on American students who can turn their literacy in coding and computer science into creative solutions that address the complex problems facing our nation.

The COVID-19 crisis has presented disproportionate risks to Central Virginia's seniors, and it has created extremely stressful situations for their families.

Reduced investment in U.S. diplomatic efforts could cripple our ability to prevent and respond to national security threats abroad - including infectious diseases and terror threats.

Protecting the lives of women in childbirth and in their postpartum months should be a common priority.

To prevent the death of mothers across our country, we must expand research, implement researched best practices, and fiercely work to understand why African American, Hispanic, and Native American mothers die at even higher rates than white mothers.

No mother should worry about dying during childbirth in the twenty-first century - and rising maternal death rates in the United States should spark alarm for lawmakers and the general public.

The Freedom Flag is a powerful, physical reminder of one of the darkest days in American history.

In the digital age, fast and secure Internet access is a necessity for Central Virginia families, students, and businesses - but in many of our rural Virginia communities, unreliable high-speed broadband Internet drastically limits the scope of opportunities for growth and success.

The dignity of our neighbors deserves to be defended.

For those with health conditions like diabetes, cancer, and heart disease, the rising cost of lifesaving medications is straining budgets, fueling undue stress, and forcing them to make difficult decisions.

Central Virginia taxpayers should be able to see how their tax dollars are being spent - and they should have the ability to identify which programs could be contributing to waste, fraud, and abuse.

No matter which administration is in power, and no matter which President is delivering the State of the Union, I will continue to pursue smart and pragmatic policies that put the people of Central Virginia first.

Access to equal opportunity should not be constrained by zip-code.

Each year, the State of the Union reflects the priorities of the current administration - and it provides the American people with a collective moment to reflect on the strength and security of our country.

Listening to the people I serve is a critical component of any legislative effort.

A lack of reliable high-speed Internet access creates an opportunity divide between Central Virginia's rural communities and our suburban areas.

Head Start has a proven track-record of success in Central Virginia, and millions of Americans have walked through its doors and benefited from the foundation it provides.

The Secure 5G and Beyond Act is a clear step toward developing a nationwide gameplan to mitigate the threat posed by foreign-based 5G companies.

Each American has a right to be heard, and I was proud to vote to pass the Voting Rights Advancement Act to restore vital voter protections and strengthen Virginians' trust in our political process.

Central Virginia students deserve access to the best educational and job training opportunities possible.

To keep our region's economy strong, we need to make sure Central Virginia students and workers receive the training required to remain competitive and successful.

From our nation's founding to the Civil Rights movement, Virginians have always stood up to fight for their most foundational right - a voice in our government.

Throughout my first year in office, some of my most informative conversations have occurred at public, community-focused events like our town halls.

To help inform my work in Congress, I consistently need to gather information about the healthcare challenges facing Central Virginia patients, providers, and local officials on the ground.

Across Central Virginia, the traditions of Thanksgiving bring us closer together with those we love. We gather with family and close friends, we share memories and laughter, and we give thanks for the profound blessing of living in the United States.

In Central Virginia, farmers are some of our strongest conservationists. They understand the complex ecosystems they inhabit, and they cherish the role they play as stewards of the land.

Amid credible national security concerns related to Huawei, ZTE, and other 5G firms, we must take concrete steps to protect the privacy and data of American consumers and companies.

In Central Virginia, we've seen firsthand how telemedicine is playing a critical role in keeping seniors, families, and veterans connected to their healthcare providers during the COVID-19 crisis. Without this lifeline, thousands of Central Virginians could be left without access to routine appointments and lifesaving care.

Telehealth has provided a solution for thousands of Central Virginians to receive the high-quality care they need, while still taking precautions to protect themselves and their families from COVID-19.

During a public health crisis, families, seniors, and veterans need to have reliable access to their doctors and caregivers.

The safety of our children should be our number-one priority.

As a former CIA case officer, I recognize that the rapid rise of firms like Huawei and ZTE presents a significant national security threat to the telecom infrastructure of the United States and our allies.

After decades of persistent, courageous advocacy - often at risk to their own lives, livelihoods, and safety - African Americans succeeded in securing their right to a voice in our government, and their work laid the foundation for the social justice work of generations to follow.

If our communities and our country truly want to keep our citizens healthy and safe, we must invest in a strong, resilient, and diverse healthcare workforce. This reality has been made abundantly clear by the selfless, around-the-clock contributions of doctors, nurses, and long-term care workers during the COVID-19 crisis.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, we've seen the importance of having safe and accessible public lands as outdoor spaces in which to reflect and grow. We are all responsible for being stewards of these precious lands and keeping these natural treasures safe for generations to come.

The results of inequity and bias impact everything from suspension rates, to housing access, to health outcomes, to medical interventions, to job opportunity and promotions, to criminal sentencing, and even to the very safety of the water one drinks and air one breathes.

Since the pandemic began, COVID-19 has posed significant and often disproportionate risks to Central Virginia seniors and their families.

Central Virginians have a proud, centuries-long record of service and commitment to country, and each year, we gather to honor our neighbors who have made the ultimate sacrifice in defense of and service to our nation.

The team at VCU is renowned for being at the cutting edge of some of the world's most important, lifesaving medical and pharmaceutical engineering research.

The supply of medicines for our servicemen and women should not be dependent on the decisions of the Chinese Government.

By promoting cutting-edge manufacturing processes at research instructions in Virginia and across the country, we can create more American jobs, strengthen the resiliency of our supply chain, and reduce our dependence on foreign-based pharmaceuticals.

I'm proud to support legislation that would increase the competitiveness of American-made pharmaceuticals and allow our nation's manufacturers to better prevent and respond to shortages.

The COVID-19 pandemic has exposed critical vulnerabilities in our pharmaceutical supply chain.