That’s unacceptable — and I’m fighting back.

On day one of this shutdown, I asked the House to withhold my congressional pay until the government reopens, because if federal workers are going without pay, so should Members of Congress. I also demanded answers from OMB Director Russ Vought, who has threatened mass firings of federal employees during a shutdown — a move that is prohibited under the Antideficiency Act. I’ve called on Committee leadership to bring him before the Oversight Committee to testify under oath about his unlawful plan.

I will continue working each and every day toward a bipartisan agreement to reopen the government and protect families in Fairfax. In the meantime, my office has prepared a resource guide to help you navigate this shutdown, and my staff and I will be here every step of the way to provide support.

I’m also out in the community often, listening and learning directly from Fairfax residents. If your organization or neighborhood group is hosting an event, please let my office know — we want to stay up to date and connected with everything happening across our community.

Make sure to follow me on X, Facebook, Instagram, Bluesky, and Threads to stay up-to-date!

New reports suggest the White House is considering policy guidance to block furloughed workers from receiving back pay during the shutdown.

Let me be clear: the law requires that all federal workers, including those furloughed, receive back pay when the shutdown ends.

In 2019, Congress passed, and Donald Trump signed, a law guaranteeing back pay for every federal worker after any lapse in funding. 

I led my Virginia Delegation colleagues, Reps. Scott, Beyer, McClellan, Subramanyam, and Vindman, in sending a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought clarifying that refusing to provide back pay to furloughed federal workers is prohibited.

Federal workers are the backbone of our nation. They keep our government running and deliver the services Americans rely on. That’s why I stood up to the Administration on two of their reckless policies that undermine our workforce and weaken oversight.

First, I led a bicameral letter with Senator Chris Van Hollen and Senator Gary Peters demanding answers on the cancellation of the 2025 Federal Employee Viewpoint Survey (FEVS). This survey is required by law and gives federal employees a voice in improving their workplaces. Cancelling it silences federal workers in and across the country while taking away a vital tool for oversight and reform. 

Second, I led a letter to OMB Director Russ Vought requesting answers on his decision to defund the Council of Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency (CIGIE). These independent watchdogs protect whistleblowers, expose waste and abuse, and return billions in savings to taxpayers. Stripping their funding is an attack on accountability and will allow waste, fraud, and abuse to go unchecked. That’s why I’m taking over Rep. Connolly’s Keep the Watchdogs Running Act — to make sure Inspectors General can keep doing their jobs, even in a shutdown.

Federal workers and taxpayers deserve nothing less than full transparency and accountability. I’ll keep fighting to protect both.

I introduced new legislation aimed at providing timely relief for federal workers who are unjustly fired or experience other prohibited personnel practices. I joined U.S. Senators Richard Blumenthal (D-CT), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in introducing the Fair Access to Swift and Timely (FAST) Justice Act, which provides federal workers with a private right of action if the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), an independent agency that adjudicates employee appeals, does not act within 120 days of an employee filing an appeal.

This is critically important right now because policies by the Trump Administration have undermined the independent MSPB and have already resulted in significant delays for fired federal workers seeking relief.

This legislation provides a new path for those seeking justice: individuals denied relief by the Merit Systems Protection Board may petition the federal courts directly when the Executive Branch fails to carry out its responsibilities.

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Third Annual Climate Action Conference: Healthy Waterways