Message: I care. It gave me chills. [70], Spanberger is married to Adam Spanberger, and they have three daughters. "At a minimum, your agency ought to provide parents with a clear timeline of when they can expect . I hope that helps me do my job better. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER IS ONE OF A GROWING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SAY " ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. Her top priorities include strengthening our countrys national security and fighting for Virginia families by lowering prescription drug costs, creating jobs, and cleaning up Washington. "We're going so far as to print signs to let people know who is bringing this project and why it's happening," he said to applause. In February 2022 Chesterfield mother Shannon Davis and her son, Joshua, appeared with President Joe Biden and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-7th, in Culpeper to urge lower prescription drug prices . And we're making that connection to your precious tax dollars, hard at work making a difference in your life. 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. Jones doesnt take them lightly. She won reelection in 2020 and 2022. Copyright 2023 NPR. Even when you don't agree on something, you're able to build trust with her, which is something I always appreciated. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger of Virginia, who's being targeted by the GOP as she runs for re-election in a competitive district, spotlights her efforts to lower gas prices. Even before the attack [], Bipartisan Bill Would Give Borrowers Regular, Pertinent Information Related to Projected Payments, Accrued Interest, & Other Personalized Details WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Following her love of country, public service, and languages, Abigail joined the CIA as a case officer. [2], In 2002 and 2003, Spanberger taught English literature as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Northern Virginia. Biden's cuts to Medicare Advantage will cost seniors hundreds more per year, but Abigail Spanberger is silent. We discussed all possible avenues for getting formula back on the shelves so that parents who rely on it as I did to feed my three daughters know they will be able to feed their babies. [35], Spanberger's committee assignments include:[36][37], Some commentators have characterized Spanberger as a centrist Democrat. Their hope: flip the handful of seats needed to regain control of the chamber next year. Lyndon B. Johnson once had this to say about Gerald Ford: Gerry Ford is so dumb he can't fart and chew gum at the same time. Ford was a congressional leader while Johnson was president. The Virginia mother of three told Good Morning America during a sit-down interview in her kitchen this summer that she always had a desire to serve her country, an interest in government, and a love of languages. '', President Bill Clinton cut to the heart of the matter during his grand jury testimony in the Monica Lewinsky affair in 1998 when he infamously said: It all depends on what the meaning of the word is is.. [54][55], Spanberger has called climate change "one of the greatest and most imminent threats to our economy, our national security, and our way of life" and promised to "stand up to attacks against science. You can't be. [43], Spanberger voted to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be notified when undocumented immigrants attempt to purchase firearms, and voted against the House budget in summer 2019 because it failed to acknowledge the growing national debt. Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. When she saw partisan politics and division threatening the country she dedicated her life to defend, Abigail decided to run for Congress. Jones doesnt let the tough reelection fight thats already brewing for Spanberger back home faze him, even as his team is still settling in at the Capitol. She argued that Democrats should watch Republican ads before deciding how to talk about issues and "not ever use the word 'socialist' or 'socialism' ever again". Brat shocked the nation when he defeated sitting House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Republican primary in 2014. Shes spoken to too many families who have lost loved ones to addiction and overdose. "Overall I am not a supporter of the Green New Deal", she said. In some ways, Abigail Spanbergers story parallels dozens of other first-time female candidates across the country this year: a successful, smart woman driven to get involved in politics for the first time after President Trump was elected and eventually inspired to take on her Republican congressman. His first challenge? Abigail Spanberger, a congressional candidate, had a 12-year career with the CIA. "It's by working together, having Cabinet members and officials from the government come to our districts.". Abigail Spanberger ( Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Virginia's 7th Congressional District. [68], In a November 2021 interview with the New York Times, Spanberger criticized Biden after the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, saying, "Nobody elected him to be F.D.R., they elected him to be normal and stop the chaos. March 3, 2023. Spanberger, the daughter of a federal law enforcement officer, worked as an investigator with the U.S. Part of that unity is aimed at opposing what members call "an extreme Republican agenda." She recognizes the tremendous sacrifice of those who serve in our military, and she believes we have a sacred obligation to honor their dedication to our country and to give them the support they deserve. He told voters in 1992: ''You cannot be president of the United States if you don't have faith. "I am already seeing a number of my Republican colleagues who voted against these historic pieces of legislation want to claim credit. WASHINGTON A key group of House Democrats in swing seats elected Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Va.) on Tuesday to serve as the first dedicated representative to House Democratic leadership of. The top issues on her campaign website are health care, gun violence prevention and protecting social security and Medicare. The "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act" Would Allow Flavored and Unflavored Whole Milk in Participating Schools WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped reintroduce a bipartisan bill to allow unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in Virginia's school cafeterias. Like others with access to America's top secrets, she will be called on to review intelligence matters in private and explain what she can to fellow lawmakers and the public. [74][75] She is a Protestant. [57], In February 2023, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Spanberger signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. President Biden and House Democrats are mounting a full-court press to take their legislative record on the road and into districts across the country to remind voters of what they've already accomplished. examining federal efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute pandemic relief fraud to safeguard funds for all eligible americans [50], According to FiveThirtyEight's congressional vote tracker, Spanberger voted with President Donald Trump 6.9% of the timeabout one seventh of the expected tally (49.1%) when factoring in the district's partisan leaning and general partisanship in Congress. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks about her past work as a Central Intelligence Agency officer and her recent appointment to the House Intelligence Committee during an interview at her congressional offices on Feb. 8 in Washington. Obama later apologized. Protecting Womens Healthcare Access "We were right in the midst of one of the more challenging political debates and discussions about strategy and timing," Kuster said. But Im sure there will be points of frustration probably for me and for them, frankly speaking.. 214 Massachusetts Avenue NE Washington, DC 20002 (202) 548-5280 Visit our sister site: The Heritage Foundation Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger told CNN Friday morning that she spoke with Klain twice in the last two days to discuss the shortage, saying that Klain told her the White House views . If you want to be a plumber, you've got to know about plumbing, he said. [52], Spanberger supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks. The days go by so quickly., The toughest days are probably MTRs motions to recommit, he said. She assumed office on January 3, 2019. Rep. Spanberger supports giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, so that more senior citizens in the Commonwealth do not have to choose between putting food on the table or affording their life-saving medications. [44][45], On January 31, 2023, Spanberger was among seven Democrats to vote for H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. Years of high-profile fights over intelligence matters have taken a toll, with some Republicans accusing the agencies of being part of a deep state" controlling U.S. politics. Rep. Spanberger is working in Congress to increase investment in vocational training and apprenticeship programs for young people that lead to better-paying jobs, support the growth of small businesses in our communities, and prepare the next generation as they enter a competitive and rapidly changing global economy. Fool me you can't get fooled again.. In the U.S. House, Abigail serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Agriculture Committee. After serving in CIA, lawmaker now has role overseeing it. The Virginia Democrat and former CIA officer won reelection in a race that was considered a toss-up. "[31][32], After the 2020 United States redistricting cycle, Spanberger's district was radically redrawn, and no longer included her home in Henrico County. To ensure our communities stay protected, Rep. Spanberger is fighting to reaffirm the importance of our countrys relationships with its key allies, including member countries of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO). [15][16] Her campaign outraised Brat's. "We just have a buffet of accomplishments to offer, and he just rolled them out in such a way that it can really resonate with the everyday person," Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown told NPR. The mission isnt just Go, Democrats, go, he said. Spanberger faced a close reelection contest against State Delegate Nick Freitas, who represents much of the congressional district's northern portion. She applied for a job with the CIA and had a confidential offer by 2002. After years of working for an incumbent senator holding a safe seat, Roscoe Jones Jr. was ready to build something from scratch. CIA Democrat Abigail Spanberger [Source: yahoo.com] Did they have outside help? She believes in stabilizing the Affordable Care Act and preserving its protections for the more than 1.3 million Virginians with pre-existing conditions. "Now, those battles are behind us we have come out the other side. [43] She voted for a bill that included funding for border infrastructure, technology at ports of entry and more customs and border patrol agents. ", She underscored: "One thing that's been really nice this session is there's just tremendous unity.". I was able to get involved in those races and watch really great people step forward and stand up for what they believe in and want to be a part of the political process, Spanberger said. She has voiced her support for stronger border security measures but opposes Trump's proposed wall. [40][41] In the 2019 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election on the opening day of the 116th United States Congress, Spanberger voted for U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, an Illinois Democrat, joining 11 other Democrats who did not back Nancy Pelosi. [18] She won the November 6 general election by just over 6,600 votes. she mused. Walsh's home state of Illinois is voting today. A vote for my opponent will be a vote for the Nancy Pelosi liberal agenda, he said. 11/11/22 3:30 PM ET News Five midterm surprises in the House I know the . Why Republicans and Democrats will be watching this race on election night. She's running unopposed in her party for a third term, and there will be no. Spanberger, who spent years in law enforcement herself, offered a model on how to do that in a recent half-day tour that demonstrated her support for the Culpeper Police Department speaking to. Last updated on Jan 30, 2021. The daughter of a nurse and a federal law enforcement officer who also served in the Army, she says she was drawn to national service and the idea of learning new languages and cultures. In Congress, Rep. Spanberger is committed to providing our servicemembers with the compensation, training, equipment, and benefits they need to successfully carry out their vital missions and protect their fellow citizens. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. I know because I wrote up those reports you know, theres fighting with these two factions and this is what it means.'. But I have never had this much fun on the Hill as Im having now., The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. She won with 51% of the vote to Freitas's 49%. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in the federal student loan process and to give borrowers additional tools to understand and decrease [], At Least 519 Protesters Have Been Killed by the Regime & More Than 19,000 Iranians Have Been Arrested Since the Death of Mahsa Amini In September 2022 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging the Biden Administration to impose stricter sanctions against members of the Iranian Parliament or [], The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Voted Unanimously to Pass the Congresswomans China Financial Threat Mitigation Act WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House Financial Services Committee voted unanimously 40 to 0 to advance U.S. Representative Abigail Spanbergers bipartisan bill that would build up Americas response to emerging financial threats from the Chinese []. The mission is I want to change the lives of ordinary people.. The relationship between Congress and the U.S. intelligence services can be uneasy and is often adversarial. Spanberger's chief of staff says House is like a startup Roscoe Jones Jr. relishes chamber's "fast pace" after move from the Senate Roscoe Jones Jr. compares his move from Senate aide to House. I know the culture, Spanberger told The Associated Press in a recent interview in her office. [2] Spanberger was later a page for U.S. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs House Democrats in competitive districts elected Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday to represent them in the caucus leadership . Not only will they see their health care premiums rise, their benefits will be cut while Abigail Spanberger stands idly by. and staff to file reports after . [43] She supports a public option for healthcare via the proposed Medicare-X Choice Act. The Republican political action committee, known as the Congressional Leadership Fund, ran ads claiming she worked at a school that produced some of the worlds most dangerous terrorists. She decided ultimately to leave the CIA. Jayapal told reporters that while "nobody is surprised that Biden was not my choice in the first election for the primary," the CPC and the administration have formed an "incredibly strong partnership.". She was seen as one of the most vulnerable incumbents of the 2022 election cycle, with pre-election polls projecting a close race with Republican nominee Yesli Vega, a law enforcement officer endorsed by Governor Glenn Youngkin and former President Donald Trump. Any plan released by this administration must make sure that formula is stocked on our shelves for all Virginia parents, crack down on price gouging, and increase imports of formula from abroad. The relationship between Congress and the U.S. intelligence community can be uneasy an. "If we did nothing nothing but implement what we've already passed and let the people know who did it for them, we win," Biden said during an energetic speech Wednesday as House Democrats kicked off their annual three-day retreat in Baltimore. By Lindsey McPherson. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. Before vaulting to the House, Jones spent just under two years with Feinstein and served as senior counsel to Sen. Cory Booker both Stanford grads like him. In 2014, Abigail left government service to begin a career in the private sector and bring her family back home to Virginia. Although most of the conference was marked by strong support of the president, there was a brief interruption on Thursday, when news of Biden's decision not to use his veto power to block a GOP-effort to repeal D.C.'s new crime law broke during a press conference with the Congressional Black Caucus. Rep. Spanberger released a statement : Spanberger Votes with Bipartisan Majority to Condemn World's Worst Dictators, Calls for House GOP Leadership to Also Bring Bills to the Floor to Address. CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. I know the language. Barbara Sprunt is a producer on NPR's Washington desk, where she reports and produces breaking news and feature political content. Postal Inspection Service, has represented Virginia's 7th District since she flipped the GOP-held seat in 2018 as part of a Democratic wave that retook . During a recent debate, Brat repeatedly accused Spanberger of being a Nancy Pelosi-style Democrat and too liberal for the district. "We continue to draw the contrast with Republicans who voted 'no' but want to take the dough," said Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar. [9], In 2014, Spanberger left the CIA and entered the private sector. Spanberger defeated Brat in 2018. Memo: Emmers son has new job in Congress, As the pandemic ebbs, Minnesota lawmakers and their staff resume taking free trips. I talk in broad brush terms about what it is that I did, because thats all I am permitted to do There are at times when I say I wish I could talk about something in a little bit more detail, but thats just never a path that Ill go down, she explained. "[56], She described the Green New Deal proposed by Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez as a "bold compilation of ideas meant to address global climate change" but criticized it for allegedly including unrelated policy proposals and not identifying specific resolutions to the problems that it identifies. She favors requiring background checks on private gun sales and supported a ban on bump stocks. It was his father who shaped his sense of public service and taught him to go where the problems are. His parents went to segregated schools in Meridian, Mississippi, and his father marched across the bridge in Selma, Alabama, on Bloody Sunday, as white state troopers wielded their nightsticks against proponents of civil rights. In 2014, the family moved back to Henrico County. Another element is uniting around Biden himself. @RepSpanberger" She represents a central Virginia seat that went for President Donald Trump by 6 points in 2016 - and where she appears to have barely eked out a victory by. In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, she is working to make sure Virginia employers and employees are able to recover and succeed. Although Biden hasn't officially announced his reelection bid, it's widely expected he will seek another term, which means his fate and those of House Democrats are likely tied together. [2], Spanberger defeated Republican incumbent Dave Brat in 2018, ending the Republican Party's 36-year hold on the district. She added that it "degrades the value of the conversation if we're not actually talking about what the real concern is. "It may be a lower-level official that's coming in talking about 'let's have a roundtable with your town officials to talk about how to apply for rural broadband funding.' Proudly Serving Virginias Seventh District. Theyre grossly overqualified, he boasted of the full-time staff of 17. Freitas carried eight of the district's ten counties, as Brat had done two years earlier. Spanbergers blue and white yard signs have a single, small star a subtle reference to her work in the agency but apart from that she actually does not reference her work much when campaigning, though she does emphasis service, honor, and American values in her speeches. Republicans have been particularly adept this year at using those procedural motions to send a message and put moderate Democrats like his boss in a tight spot. Legislative Director to Rep. Abigail Spanberger at U.S. House of Representatives Washington, District of Columbia, United States 1K followers 500+ connections Posted December 6, 2022 at 5:16pm. $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sweeping climate, health care and tax bill, Biden's decision not to use his veto power, Big stores see how we spend. I spoke with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain yesterday and today about the urgency of this shortage. The specifics of her cases remain classified. Miles Taylor, Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2019) (Forward) Christine Todd Whitman, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (2001-2003) and Governor of New Jersey (1994-2001) (Forward) Postal Service. Abigail Anne Spanberger[1] (ne Davis, August 7, 1979) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Virginia's 7th congressional district since 2019. [10] In 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed her to the Virginia Fair Housing Board. She was studying overseas on Sept. 11, 2001, and the terrorist attacks marked a turning point in her life. Trading in his role as Dianne Feinsteins legislative director, he moved over to the House, accepting a job as chief of staff for newcomer Abigail Spanberger. Spanberger's background in intelligence and her moderate politics representing a swing district south and west of Washington will be assets on the committee, Goss and Hurd said. Speaking in 2002 in Nashville, during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, Bush had this to say about Iraqs threat to the United States: There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once, shame on shame on you. And now we're having wonderful conversations about how to help the American people in their day-to-day lives. She rejects talk of a deep state and called on other lawmakers not to promote conspiracy theories about intelligence or the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. Postal Inspection Service. She stressed that she'd supported appropriation bills that maintained or increased federal. [30] Spanberger's remarks were disputed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who noted that Democrats kept the House, and progressive Representative Rashida Tlaib, who said the Democratic Party should "study the results" before dismissing progressives who represent their districts. Bush. [25] She was also boosted by Joe Biden narrowly carrying the district;[26] Biden is the first Democrat to win what is now the 7th since 1948. Look, I love the Senate. [67][64], Spanberger opposed Democrats' attempts to amend the Insurrection Act of 1807, saying that amending the rarely used law would not accomplish what Democrats intended. [12][13][14] She made the final decision to run after the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger held onto her seat Tuesday evening, per the Associated Press, beating back a challenge by Yesli Vega, a Trump-endorsed county supervisor who made national headlines for her inaccurate comments on pregnancies resulting from rape. staff members, chiefs of staff, legislative directors, they can buy and sell stock too. [50], As of June 2022, Spanberger had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. Spanberger, who has also worked for the U.S. Abigail Spanberger, a congressional candidate, had a 12-year career with the CIA. Quick action is needed, and the White House must take decisive action. What I find particularly repugnant is the fact that they are, in any way, trying to link me to terrorism. Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. She believes that an effective response involves working directly with community leaders, law enforcement officials, religious organizations, and healthcare professionals to build an actionable strategy to provide treatment, recovery, and wraparound services to everyone impacted by the opioid epidemic. They co-wrote a Washington Post opinion piece explaining their support for an impeachment inquiry, writing: "Congress must determine whether the president was indeed willing to use his power and withhold security assistance funds to persuade a foreign country to assist him in an upcoming election." Virginia Republican Police Chief Endorses Spanberger; Denounces Yesli Vega's False Comments on Rape-Related Pregnancy and her Defense of January 6th Insurrectionists. Rep. Spanberger told The New York Times that voters didn't elect President Biden to govern like FDR. [43], Spanberger supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). [28] Calling the elections "a failure" from a congressional standpoint, she singled out Republican attack ads decrying "socialism" and the movement to "defund the police" as prime reasons the Democratic Party lost seats in swing districts. Abigail has consistently been ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia as well as the one of the most bipartisan Members of Congress overall. Biden ticked through a list of legislative accomplishments, including the $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, the first major gun safety legislation passed by Congress in nearly 30 years, legislation to boost the domestic manufacturing of semiconductor chips and a sweeping climate, health care and tax bill. Corporations got permanent tax cuts, permanent tax cuts, Spanberger responded.