Late last week, House leadership blocked a vote to rein in President Trump’s war policies in Iran because they knew the measure was poised to pass.

That means Congress had an opportunity to lower prices, restore its constitutional role, and stop putting our servicemembers in harm’s way, but DC conservatives chose to leave town instead.

Here is what happens next: under the War Powers process, they can only delay this vote for two legislative days. The first legislative day has already passed. Because the House is out this week, the second legislative day is expected when the House returns on June 2.

If leadership tries to block accountability again, I will be ready to keep pushing for a vote.

And next week, I will have the opportunity to question Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin when he appears before the Homeland Security Committee. As we enter peak summer travel season, I will be ready to demand answers on failed DHS policies, reckless threats that could disrupt airports and international flights, and serious concerns about corruption within DHS.

The American people do not want another costly war that has taken the lives of at least 13 U.S. servicemembers and sent gas and food prices skyrocketing here at home. They want leaders focused on lowering costs, keeping families safe, and putting people here at home first. I’ll keep fighting to end these dangerous war policies, hold this Administration accountable, and make sure your tax dollars are used to help working families, not fuel endless foreign conflicts.

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

Please continue reading below to learn more about how I’ve been serving you.

For too many families, unpaid leave is simply unaffordable. A typical worker would need more than $7,500 to cover 12 weeks of basic expenses like rent, groceries, health care, transportation, and personal care items. Yet 73 percent of private-sector workers do not have access to paid family leave, and 58 percent do not have access to temporary disability leave.

That is why Virginia’s progress on paid family and medical leave matters. Our Commonwealth has shown that paid leave is not just good policy, it is a basic economic security issue for working families.

Now Congress must follow Virginia’s lead by passing the FAMILY Act. Under the bill, a typical worker could receive about $9,700 during 12 weeks of leave, enough to help cover the basics while they care for themselves or someone they love.

If this country can find trillions of dollars for tax breaks for the wealthy and wars of choice, then we can find the resources to make sure every worker in America has access to paid leave.

The visit was part of a coordinated effort by the House Labor Caucus to connect Members of Congress directly with workers at their worksites. I was grateful for the opportunity to hear directly from workers about their experiences, thank them for the essential role they play in our economy, and discuss how Congress can better support working families.

Workers are the backbone of Virginia’s economy. I’ll keep fighting to make sure every worker has the protections, dignity, and respect they deserve.

Applications are now open for Virginia’s 11th District 2026 Youth Leadership Council!

This is an opportunity for high school students in grades 9–12 across VA-11 to join my team and me for conversations about leadership, public service, and the issues shaping their lives and communities.

Youth Leadership Council participants will have the chance to sharpen their leadership skills, learn more about how government serves our community, and help elevate the voices and perspectives of young people across Northern Virginia.

I’m excited to hear directly from the next generation of leaders and work with students who are ready to serve, learn, and make a difference.

Applications are due June 30 at 5:00 PM. Learn more and apply on my website.

Fairfax County Park Authority Wins National Energy Efficiency Award

Fairfax County continues to show that smart investments can save taxpayer dollars, strengthen public facilities, and support long-term sustainability.

The Fairfax County Park Authority recently received a 2026 Better Project Award from the U.S. Department of Energy for energy-saving upgrades at the Franconia Recreation Center. The national recognition highlights the County’s work to modernize a community facility that residents use every day while reducing long-term operating costs.

The project upgraded heating and cooling systems, boilers, pool systems, building controls, and other infrastructure to improve reliability, reduce maintenance needs, and create a better experience for visitors.

These improvements are expected to save more than 360,000 kilowatt-hours of energy each year and reduce operating costs by approximately 20 percent. Even better, the upgrades were completed without upfront capital costs by using guaranteed energy savings to fund the project over time.

I will keep working to deliver resources and support for our local government, the Park Authority, and community partners who are improving public facilities, lowering costs, and making Fairfax County an even better place to live.

By investing responsibly in energy efficiency and public infrastructure, Fairfax County is helping ensure our recreation centers remain welcoming, reliable spaces for families across our community.

Celebrate National Trails Day Across Fairfax County 

Residents are invited to celebrate National Trails Day on Saturday, June 6, with opportunities throughout the month to explore Fairfax County’s extensive park system and more than 300 miles of natural surface and paved trails.

National Trails Day is a nationwide celebration of outdoor recreation, public lands, and the trails that connect our communities. Here in Fairfax County, it is also a reminder of how important our parks and open spaces are to our quality of life.

On June 6, residents can attend a ribbon-cutting ceremony for a new trail improvement project at Brookfield Park in Springfield. The project includes approximately 1,400 feet of new natural surface trail connecting to the Gerry Connolly Cross County Trail and Accotink Stream Valley Park. After the ceremony, attendees can join a guided bike ride led by Mid-Atlantic Off-Road Enthusiasts to experience the new trail.

Families are also encouraged to explore trails throughout the county, use tools like the Trail Buddy app to find new routes, and take advantage of outdoor programming scheduled throughout June.

I will keep working to support the local partners who maintain and improve the parks, trails, and public spaces that help make Fairfax County such a special place to call home.

Honoring Our Community’s Military Service and Sacrifice

Across our community, Memorial Day observances offered powerful reminders of the courage, service, and sacrifice that have shaped our nation.

In Great Falls, I joined neighbors in honoring the fallen as Commander Mike Watson, U.S. Coast Guard retired, reflected on the “shot heard round the world” and the patriots who gave their lives at Lexington and Concord.

In Vienna, Colonel Mark Taylor, U.S. Army retired, shared the stories of servicemembers who made the ultimate sacrifice in Vietnam and Iraq, and reminded us that honoring the fallen also means redoubling our efforts to support veterans when they return home.

At both observances, I was grateful to share an update on my work in Congress and discuss how I am fighting for veterans, servicemembers, and their families, including efforts to strengthen the benefits, care, and support they have earned.

I was honored to join these solemn community observances and stand with families, veterans, servicemembers, and neighbors as we remembered those who gave everything for our country.

Celebrating Community at ViVa Vienna

Thank you to the Town of Vienna, the Vienna Rotary, and everyone who helped make this year’s ViVa Vienna Festival another wonderful community celebration.

For 42 years, ViVa Vienna has brought neighbors, families, small businesses, and community organizations together. Events like this do not happen by accident, and I am grateful to the volunteers, staff, first responders, and local leaders whose hard work made the festival possible.

I was glad to spend the day talking one-on-one with neighbors, hearing what is on people’s minds, sharing more about my work in Congress, and making sure community members know how my office can help them navigate federal agencies, access available resources, and get support when they need assistance with federal services.

It was great to spend time with so many neighbors and celebrate one of Vienna’s beloved traditions.