I have some fundamental beliefs. Our nation is a good and decent country, inhabited by good and decent people, who want to do well by themselves and their families. At our best, we are noble, with deeds throughout our history that speak to the potential for goodness — a small one among them welcoming my family as immigrants and refugees over multiple generations.
We also have had deep failings. Where these exist, good and decent and brave people have time-and-again stepped forward to right the wrongs of our past and set us on a path toward progress. While we have a long way to go, prosperity, peace, and security can be enjoyed by ever larger numbers of Americans.
The promise of our future and my thanks for what this country has done for my family in our past is what has always driven me to serve. It’s why I chose to attend West Point. It’s why I was glad to have a chance to serve in uniform and defend our country in the wake of attacks by extremists on 9/11.
As a parent, I expect a lot of difficult conversations with my sons. But still, few have been as difficult or as heart wrenching as having to explain the election and subsequent actions of a President who is the antithesis of values I hold dear, values like integrity, selfless service, and respect for others. Nor is it much easier to bear the quiet whisperings of those in office of the President’s party who share these values and talk privately of his failings, but, with few exceptions, have lacked the courage to speak publicly of a need to restore dignity to public life.
Yet I take exception with those who see Donald Trump’s election four years ago as suggesting that Americans themselves have taken a dark turn. I believe we remain mostly good and decent people and, confronted with an ossified political system in which moneyed interests bought the elections of politicians who would serve their interests, not the people’s, Americans sought change.
This President will never be the solution. Neither will the public sycophants who failed to speak up in the wake of his failings. Neither will be those who looked the other way as special interests corrupted the people’s work and made Trump look like an acceptable option for so many. If there is a good outcome of the 2016 election is that it did inspire a new generation of leaders toward public service, to serve our communities and country again — and to take head on the wrongs of our past and set the path for a brighter future.
Tomorrow, that future is on the ballot. And, if you haven’t already, I hope you’ll vote.
Legislative Updates
The Governor has signed my bill, House Bill 5050, which makes Virginia the first state in the nation to be able to bulk purchase PPE for healthcare providers, small businesses, and nonprofits. This will drive down costs for businesses and nonprofits in Virginia while ensuring our workers remain safe. As COVID-19 continues to ravage our communities, this bill ensures that Virginians, and particularly our healthcare providers, will be able to acquire personal protective equipment.
Events & Meetings
I joined the Virginia Department of Transportation for public information meetings on Route 28 and the I-66 Outside the Beltway project. I have also continued conversations with VDOT to ensure constituent voices are heard on local projects. I met with the Virginia Nurses Association to hear the concerns and policy interests of frontline workers serving Virginians during this pandemic. And I led a conversation with a group of University of Virginia students studying business & public policy on the work of our legislature and how young people can get involved.
I’ve done multiple visits to early voting sites around the region to talk with voters directly and listen to the reasons that they are inspired to vote. I joined Senator Barker at the Centreville Library earlier this week when I cast my own ballot, and joined Congresswoman Wexton, Supervisor Smith, and Senator Petersen at the Sully Government Center on Saturday. The legislative agenda that my colleagues and I passed earlier this year has come into effect, and it’s been incredible to see so many Virginians taking advantage of their right to no-excuse absentee voting, whether in-person or by mail. I look forward to continuing to visit polls around the 40th District tomorrow, on Election Day itself.
Additionally, with the election right around the corner. I was glad to kickoff phone-bank parties for two of Virginia’s majority-maker Congresswomen, Abigail Spanberger and Elaine Luria. Like my own Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton, they won hard-fought races and have worked hard in Washington to serve as independent voices that deliver for their districts.
Wishing you all well this week. Please reach out of you need anything.