Congress today passed bill H.R.8035, known as the Ukraine Security Supplemental Appropriations Act, 2024, which gives $61 billion in assistance to Ukraine. This includes funds for various forms of aid, such as military, economic, and humanitarian support.
Locally, Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-7th District, Prince William, Stafford, Fredericksburg), and Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D-10, Prince William, Manassas) supported the measure. Rep. Ben Cline (R-6th, Roanoke) and Bob Good (R-5th, Lynchburg) were among 112 Republicans who opposed the measure.
More than 10,500 people have been killed, and nearly 20,000 injured since Ukraine’s war with Russia began on on February 24, 2022. The war in Ukraine, often referred to as the Russo-Ukrainian War, started when Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
This conflict is part of a larger ongoing dispute that began in 2014 following Russia’s annexation of Crimea and the conflict in Eastern Ukraine.
Spanberger and Wexton also voted today to send $14.3 billion to support U.S. military operations in and around Isreal in the wake of attacks from Iran last week. Rep. Don Beyer (D-Arlington) and Rep. Bob Good voted against the measure.
Spanberger and Wexton announced they will not seek office in 2024 after serving three terms. Wexton is retiring due to health matters, while Spanberger is mounting a run for Virginia governor in 2025.
Travis Nembhard: “I’m running for the U.S. Congress in my home district of VA-10. I look forward to continuing to serve the community that has given me so much, and where I’ve been raising my two children with my wife Stephanie.”
“I have spent my career standing up for people who are too often forgotten. My lifetime of public service is focused on combating injustices and fighting for those who need someone to fight for them the most. While working in the Obama White House, I witnessed the power of government to be a force for good. As an assistant attorney general in the Civil Rights Bureau, I went after slumlords, corrupt employers that violated wage laws, and companies that discriminated against individuals. And, as a financial regulator, I investigated instances of complex white-collar crime. I have a consistent record of working to protect the public against bad actors, and I intend to do the same in Congress, on behalf of the 10th Congressional District.”
Nembhard, a Democrat, lost his bid for the Virginia House of Delegates seat in the 22nd District in Prince William County, which includes Bristow and Nokesville. Republican Ian Lovejoy won the seat by four points.
Nembhard is on a growing list of candidates who seek to replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton (D), who announced her retirement at the end of her term on December 31, 2024, due to health reasons.
The 10th congressional district includes western Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Insidenova.com: “Del. Michelle on Wednesday became the latest Democrat to join the growing race for Congress to replace Rep. Jennifer Wexton, who is not seeking reelection because of ongoing health issues.”
“Maldonado is a second-term Democrat who recently won reelection to the House of Delegates 20th District. In an interview Tuesday with InsideNoVa, Maldonado positioned herself as a unifier who can bridge seemingly irreconcilable divides at a time when Congress is defined by fractures. She cited her work in Flint, Michigan, a community suffering a perpetual clean water crisis, her time working with the Minneapolis community following murder of George Floyd and her efforts to support congressional staffers following the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the capitol.”
Press release: “Today, Atif Qarni [D], the former Virginia Secretary of Education, declared his candidacy for Virginia’s 10th Congressional District, bringing a seasoned perspective of public service to the forefront of the 2024 congressional race.”
“Qarni expressed his deep respect for the incumbent Congresswoman. “I want to begin by offering my sincere gratitude to Congresswoman Wexton for her years of dedicated service to Virginians. I was devastated to hear about her battle with progressive supranuclear palsy and I continue to pray for her and her family during this incredibly difficult time.”
Press release: “[Eileen Filler-Corn, a Democrat] Virginia’s first woman and first Jewish person to serve as Speaker of the House of Delegates today made the following statement announcing her intentions to run in Virginia’s open 10th Congressional District, currently represented by Rep. Jennifer Wexton.”
“First and foremost, I was truly devastated to learn of my friend Jennifer Wexton’s recent diagnosis. Jennifer has served Virginia selflessly both in Richmond and Washington. She is an incredible person and a stalwart representative for her constituents. Her work is improving the lives of so many in our commonwealth and our country. Bob and I are continuing to pray for her and her family.
“I am also continuing to fight relentlessly in these remaining 20 days until November 7th, working arm-in-arm with many thousands of Virginians determined to ensure that Democrats regain the majority in the House of Delegates and keep our Virginia State Senate majority in order to protect and expand our historic progress at the state level.
Wexton said she won’t seek a fourth term in the 10th Congressional District, in western Prince William and Loudoun counties, after being diagnosed with an aggressive form of Parkinson’s Disease.
While still serving in the House of Delegates, fellow Democrats inexplicably removed Filler-Corn from her leadership role as Democratic Leader in 2022. In March 2023, Filler-Corn said she would not seek re-election to the seat, representing portions of Fairfax County.
The Center Square: “Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton said Monday she will not be seeking reelection, citing health concerns.”
“The third-term Democrat previously announced she was battling Parkinson’s Disease and receiving treatments. After further testing amid unresponsive treatment, Wexton disclosed she had been diagnosed with Progressive Supra-nuclear Palsy, type-p. The congresswoman said the disease is characterized as “’Parkinson’s on steroids.’”
The congressional candidates made their closing arguments in the 2022 campaign at events across the region on Monday, November 7, 2022.
First Lady Jill Biden joined Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton (D), who is hoping to hold onto Virginia's 1oth District seat, which she's had for four years. The First Lady joined Wexton for an event in Loudoun County.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Congressional candidates Jennifer Wexton (D) and Hung Cao (R) spoke to voters at a forum Wednesday night in Manassas Park.
Mary Washington University Professor Dr. Steven F. Fuller asked more than 10 questions of the candidates during an exchange that lasted nearly an hour and a half. Many of them were about multiple crises facing the nation -- inflation, the weakening economy, increased fuel costs, and increased mortgage rates in a cooling Real Estate market.
This article is FREE to read. Please Sign In or Create a FREE Account. Thank you.
Republican congressional candidates are focused on Prince William and Stafford counties.
Yesli Vega (R), a Board of County Supervisors member seeking to flip Virginia's 7th Congressional seat, will hold a get-out-the-vote rally tomorrow, Saturday, September 24, at her campaign headquarters outside Quantico.