Dear Neighbor,

I hope you and your family had a wonderful Fourth of July and enjoyed a safe, relaxing holiday with loved ones. As we celebrate America's story, I'm reminded how fortunate we are to live in a community where neighbors look out for one another and where public service continues to make a real difference in people's lives.

As Congress returns to Washington, I remain laser-focused on lowering costs for families, protecting our federal workforce, and making Fairfax an even better place to live, work, and raise a family.

I'm also excited to share some encouraging news. Next week, the House is expected to consider two bipartisan bills that I introduced, and I am optimistic they will pass.

The first is my bipartisan, bicameral legislation to rename the Springfield Post Office in honor of my friend, mentor, and predecessor, Congressman Gerry Connolly. Gerry was a singular leader whose decades of public service transformed Fairfax, strengthened our nation, and left a lasting impact around the world. Naming this post office in his honor is a fitting tribute to a man who dedicated his life to serving our community.

The House is also expected to consider my bipartisan Measuring Illicit Fentanyl Trafficking Act, which will help the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) better measure and understand the flow of illicit fentanyl into the United States. Better data means better policies to stop these deadly drugs from reaching our communities and save lives.

I look forward to sharing an update on both bills with you in next week's newsletter.

As always, it is the honor of a lifetime to represent Virginia's 11th District in Congress.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve, and I hope you enjoy this week's update.

The Postal Service’s job is to deliver Americans’ ballots, not decide whether they get delivered.

That is why I helped lead more than 170 House Democrats in urging Postmaster General David Steiner to reject a proposed rule that would allow the Postal Service to withhold mail ballots if states do not comply with new federal requirements. This proposal is dangerous and would create unnecessary barriers for voters and election officials.

For generations, Americans have trusted the Postal Service to deliver their mail safely and reliably, including their ballots. That trust should never be abused to interfere with the right to vote.

I will keep fighting to protect vote by mail, defend our democracy, and ensure every eligible voter can make their voice heard.

As a member of the House Homeland Security Committee, I recently questioned U.S. Customs and Border Protection officials about reports that DHS agents used tear gas or pepper spray on 79 children, including a one-year-old.

When I asked whether any officers had been disciplined for using force against children, CBP could not provide an answer. I demanded that the agency provide me with those answers because the American people deserve transparency and accountability.

No child should be subjected to unnecessary force, and I will continue conducting rigorous oversight to ensure our government is held accountable for its actions.

This work reflects Fairfax’s broader commitment to health, housing stability, economic opportunity, and making sure every resident can get help in a way that is respectful, effective, and easy to understand.

Learn more here: Countywide Strategic Plan Launches New Empowerment and Support for Residents Facing Vulnerability Dashboard.

Constituent Resources: Emergency Passport Help

For many families in Northern Virginia, urgent international travel can happen with little notice, especially when a loved one overseas is seriously ill or has passed away.
You may qualify for a life-or-death emergency passport appointment if you need to travel abroad within the next two weeks because an immediate family member outside the United States has died, is in hospice care, or has a life-threatening illness or injury.

Immediate family members include parents or legal guardians, children, spouses, siblings, and grandparents.

Before making an appointment, gather documentation of the emergency, such as a death certificate, mortuary statement, or signed hospital letter, along with proof of travel within two weeks, a passport application, passport photo, and valid government-issued ID. If your documents are not in English, they must be professionally translated.

To make an appointment, start online. If you cannot get an appointment online or have already applied, call 877-487-2778 Monday through Friday, 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM ET. For TDD/TTY, call 888-874-7793. For weekends, federal holidays, or after-hours emergencies, call 202-647-4000.

If you experience delays, run into any issues, or need additional assistance, please don't hesitate to contact my office at (703) 256-3071. 

I was glad to start Independence Day at the Kingstowne 2.5K Fun Run with the Mount Vernon Springfield Chamber of Commerce, Supervisor Rodney Lusk, and neighbors from across the community.

Events like this are part of what makes Fairfax such a special place to call home. They bring people outdoors, support local connections, and remind us that strong communities are built one neighbor at a time.

In Congress, I’ll keep working to make sure Fairfax remains a place where families can live healthy, active lives and where every neighborhood has the resources it needs to thrive.

Thank you to everyone who helped kick off the holiday weekend with such great energy.

While the Fourth of July is behind us, I’m still thinking about the neighbors, families, and friends who packed Fairfax High School despite the rain to celebrate together.

As America begins commemorating its 250th anniversary, the evening was a reminder of what makes our country special: people coming together, looking out for one another, and believing in our democracy.

That same spirit guides my work in Congress as I fight to lower costs, protect our freedoms, and make Fairfax an even better place to live.

Yours in service,

James Walkinshaw

Member of Congress