I look forward to celebrating alongside you at events across the 11th district and wish you and your family a safe and happy 4th of July!

Anniversary of Big Beautiful Bill

One year ago this week, President Trump signed the "One Big Beautiful Bill" into law.

For Virginians, there has been nothing beautiful about its impact.

The law made historic cuts to health care and food assistance while providing another round of tax breaks for billionaires and big corporations. Here in Virginia's 11th District, 10,005 people are projected to lose access to health coverage because of these Medicaid cuts. At the same time, families continue to face higher costs for groceries, housing, health care, and other everyday necessities.

I have opposed this law from the beginning because I believe your tax dollars should lower costs, protect health care, support working families, and create opportunity.

As your Congressman, I will continue fighting to make life more affordable, protect the programs families rely on, and hold accountable any government official who buys into the culture of corruption that has become far too common in Washington.

Public office should never be a path to self-enrichment. It is a public trust. Our government should work for the people it serves, not the wealthy, the powerful, or the well-connected.

Helping constituents navigate federal agencies is one of the most important parts of my job.

This week, I was pleased to partner with Congressman Suhas Subramanyam and the Washington Passport Agency to host our first Passport Intake Day, bringing passport services directly to residents in Fairfax and Loudoun Counties.

The event gave neighbors the opportunity to submit passport applications closer to home and receive assistance from experienced passport specialists, helping make the process more convenient for families preparing for travel.

Thank you to everyone who joined us and helped make this event a success. If you were unable to attend, my office is always here to help with passports and other federal agencies. We also hope to host additional Passport Intake Days in the future, so stay tuned for upcoming opportunities.

As technology evolves, so do the cyber threats facing our country. Northern Virginia is home to cutting-edge technology companies and some of the nation’s strongest cybersecurity talent. To build on that expertise, we must continue optimizing the systems, standards, and accountability that help the federal government detect threats, close gaps, and respond quickly.

That’s why Congressman Don Bacon and I introduced the bipartisan Cybersecurity Logging Enforcement and Accountability Reporting (CLEAR) Act to help strengthen our nation’s cybersecurity and improve federal accountability.

A recent government watchdog report found that the Department of Homeland Security is not fully meeting federal cybersecurity standards, creating gaps that could make it harder to detect cyber threats, investigate security incidents, and respond before damage is done.

Our bipartisan bill requires DHS to identify those gaps, report them to Congress, and provide a plan to fix them. It also requires the Department to publish an unclassified public summary so Americans can better understand how we are strengthening our nation's cyber defenses.

Northern Virginia is home to thousands of federal employees, cybersecurity professionals, and technology innovators who help keep our country safe every day.

I will continue working across the aisle to strengthen our cyber defenses, improve government accountability, and ensure our nation is prepared to meet the cybersecurity challenges of the future.

The Fourth of July is one of my favorite traditions because it brings families, friends, and neighbors together to celebrate our country.

As you enjoy the holiday, I encourage everyone to keep safety in mind. Fairfax has fireworks regulations designed to prevent fires, protect our neighborhoods, and reduce the risk of serious injuries. Before using any fireworks at home, be sure they are approved for use in Fairfax County and follow all safety instructions.

If you're looking for a great way to celebrate, consider attending one of the many public fireworks displays across our community. They're a fun, family-friendly way to enjoy the holiday while leaving the fireworks to trained professionals.

I hope you and your loved ones have a safe, joyful, and memorable Fourth of July!

Preparing for Extreme Heat

Extreme heat is expected across our region later this week, with temperatures forecast to approach or exceed 100 degrees.

Fairfax County is activating its Heat Plan, which opens cooling centers at libraries, community centers, and recreation facilities so residents have access to safe, air-conditioned spaces.

Please take precautions to protect yourself and your loved ones. Drink plenty of water, avoid strenuous outdoor activity during the hottest parts of the day, and check in on neighbors, seniors, children, outdoor workers, and anyone who may be more vulnerable during extreme heat.

You can find more information and local resources through Fairfax County’s Extreme Heat Resources page.

It was great to join families from across Fairfax County at the Fairfax County Park Authority's first-ever Independence Day drone show. As our community begins

celebrating America's 250th anniversary, events like these bring neighbors together and remind us what makes Northern Virginia such a special place to call home.

Thank you to the Fairfax County Park Authority for organizing an innovative celebration. I will continue carrying the voices and priorities of our community with me in Congress.

A powerful morning at Mt. Olive Baptist Church celebrating their 2026 high school and college graduates.

Thank you to Pastor Wilkins and the congregation for welcoming me back. Our community's future is bright because of young leaders like these, and I'll keep working in Congress to ensure tomorrow's leaders have every opportunity to succeed.

Thanks to the McLean Community Center for hosting another incredible Independence Day celebration!

There's no better way to kick off the week leading up to America 250 than by spending time with neighbors, answering questions, and hearing what's on their minds. I'll keep taking those conversations with me as I fight for Northern Virginia in Congress.

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Congratulations to our newest U.S. citizens!

It was an honor to celebrate this incredible milestone with our newest Americans and their loved ones at the Town of Vienna's naturalization ceremony.

Their hard work, perseverance, and dedication embody the promise of America. As we celebrate Independence Day and begin America 250, it was especially meaningful to welcome them into the next chapter of our nation's story.

Thank you to the Town of Vienna for hosting such an inspiring ceremony.

Herndon PRIDE reflected the best of our community by bringing neighbors together through art, music, culture, and a shared commitment to making sure everyone feels welcome.

Thank you to Arts Herndon and everyone who helped make this year’s festival possible. As we close out Pride Month, I will continue carrying that spirit of inclusion with me in Congress, including through my support for the Equality Act to protect the rights, dignity, and freedom of every person in our community.

Yours in service,

James Walkinshaw

Member of Congress