Walkinshaw, James RSS Articles

Walkinshaw Demands Bondi Appear April 14 or Face Contempt, Calls Out Comer Coverup

Wed, 08 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released the following statement demanding former Attorney General Pam Bondi appear before the Committee or face contempt.

“In yet another Comer coverup, Chairman Comer is shielding Pam Bondi from accountability for her role in burying the Epstein files and failing to comply with the law.

The House Oversight Committee issued a lawful subpoena that did not become null and void when she was fired. Bondi must comply.

This is a shameful attempt to protect the powerful at the expense of survivors and the American public, who deserve full transparency and accountability.

Bondi knows why the files remain hidden and why illegal redactions were made. She must come before the Committee. If she doesn’t, we must immediately hold her in contempt.

Oversight Democrats will not back down. We will continue demanding accountability for Epstein’s victims and insist that Bondi appear, as required by the law, to answer for her actions.”

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Federal Workforce Caucus Co-Chairs Call for Fair Pay After Trump Budget Freezes Federal Worker Salaries

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representatives James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) and Steny Hoyer (MD-05) and U.S. Senator Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.), co-chairs of the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus, released the following statement.

“As co-chairs of the Congressional Federal Workforce Caucus, we strongly oppose President Trump’s FY2027 budget proposal to implement a federal civilian pay freeze and make deep cuts to agency budgets that would undermine the federal workforce and the services Americans rely on.

We are committed to protecting federal workers and strengthening our merit-based civil service so non-partisan civil servants can continue serving the American people free from political interference. A pay freeze — especially following a 1% pay raise last year that did not keep pace with inflation — would make it harder to recruit and retain the skilled workforce needed to carry out critical missions.

Federal employees deliver essential services every day, from processing benefits to supporting national security. Stability in the workforce is fundamental to an effective federal government that can deliver the services the American people deserve.

We will continue working to advance the FAIR Act, which provides a 4.1% pay increase to better reflect the cost of living and the value of public service. The President has proposed a 7% pay raise for our service members — a recognition of the importance of readiness and retention. We support that and do believe that the same principle should apply to the civilian workforce that serves the American people every day.”

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Walkinshaw Statement Denouncing Trump’s Unhinged Iran Comments

Tue, 07 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security Committees, released the following statement denouncing President Donald Trump’s unhinged comments on Iran.

“Unhinged. Out of control. Criminal.

It’s past time for Congress to end Trump’s dangerous war in Iran before it and he spirals even further out of control.

Republican leaders will explain this away, as they always do. But they won’t be able to escape the moral and political responsibility they hold for enabling this lunatic.”

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Rep. Walkinshaw Statement Denouncing Iranian Regime's Human Rights Abuses

Mon, 06 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a Member of the Committees on Oversight and Government Reform and Homeland Security, released the following statement.

"Since protests erupted in December, thousands of Iranians have been executed or arbitrarily detained by the regime.

The Iranian people deserve a free and democratic future, one that is no longer defined by repression, violence, and fear at the hands of an authoritarian government."

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Walkinshaw Slams Trump Budget for Freezing Federal Pay and Slashing Funding for Key Agencies

Fri, 03 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), Co-Chair and Founder of the Federal Workforce Caucus, slammed President Trump's FY2027 budget request for freezing civilian federal employee pay while slashing funding for key federal agencies.

“For 15 months, the Trump administration has attacked federal employees through reckless DOGE policies, used them as political leverage through two shutdowns, and offered a meager 1% raise in the current fiscal year. This budget continues that pattern with an insulting pay freeze, chainsaw slashes to key federal agencies, and no meaningful investment to retain the workforce that continues to serve the American people despite the abuse from the Administration and Republican Congress.

The nonpartisan public servants who continue showing up to work, even after this Administration has repeatedly shoved them to the side, choose public service over bigger private sector paychecks. As Co-Chair and Founder of the Federal Workforce Caucus, I will keep fighting to deliver exactly that through the FAIR Act, which provides a 4.1% raise grounded in real economic data and the statutory FEPCA formula."

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Walkinshaw Statement: Chairman Comer Must Not Let Pam Bondi Evade Testimony

Thu, 02 Apr 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), a member of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, released the following statement in response to Attorney General Pam Bondi’s firing.

“Former Attorney General Bondi and Todd Blanche have overseen one of the biggest cover-ups in modern American history.

Firing her does not end this. She remains legally obligated to appear before Congress and answer, under oath, for her failure to comply with the law. Her removal only increases the urgency for the Oversight Committee to fulfill its oversight obligations. Chairman Comer cannot look the other way or allow her to evade testimony before the Committee, as media reports indicate he is trying to do.

We need to know why the full Epstein files have still not been released. We need to know what decisions were made, by whom, and why survivors were put at risk. And we need to know why she gave special treatment to Ghislaine Maxwell.

I will not let this go. Oversight Democrats have been conducting a serious investigation and that work continues regardless of who has been fired or reassigned. No one gets to simply walk away from this.

The full Epstein files must be released immediately, and illegal redactions must be unredacted. There is no legitimate reason for further delay. The survivors who have waited years for justice — and the American people who deserve the truth — cannot wait any longer.”

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Congressman Walkinshaw Slams Trump’s Unconstitutional Attack on Mail-in Voting

Tue, 31 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. – Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) issued the following statement in response to President Trump’s unconstitutional Executive Order that attacks mail-in voting and would suppress the right to vote.

“Trump’s unconstitutional attack on mail-in voting comes as his approval ratings crater, gas prices skyrocket, and his dangerous war in Iran continues.

This is another panicked abuse of power ahead of November.”

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Walkinshaw Statement on CISA Employees Reinstated After Being Wrongly Targeted by Trump's DHS

Sat, 28 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Washington, D.C. -- Today, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11) issued the following statement after employees at the Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency (CISA) were reinstated and cleared of all wrongdoing following their wrongful suspension by Trump's Department of Homeland Security (DHS).

“I’ve been demanding answers after CISA staff were punished by Trump’s DHS and CISA leadership for simply doing their jobs.

I pressed CISA’s Acting Director this week to make this right.

Today, those employees were cleared of wrongdoing and invited back to work.

Nonpartisan civil servants should never be targeted for political reasons.”

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Walkinshaw, Vindman Lead Colleagues Demanding Answers on Delays for Ukrainians Seeking Parole and Work Authorization

Tue, 24 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), alongside Congressman Eugene Vindman (VA-07), led a letter to U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Director Joseph B. Edlow demanding answers about delays affecting Ukrainian humanitarian parole and re-parole applications, as well as related employment authorization requests.

The letter, also signed by Reps. Ami Bera (CA-06), James P. McGovern (MA-02), Ilhan Omar (MN-05), Delia Ramirez (IL-03), Kim Schrier (WA-08), Josh Riley (NY-19), and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) raises alarm over prolonged backlogs that are leaving thousands of Ukrainian nationals in uncertainty despite following all legal requirements.

“Thousands of Ukrainians who came to the United States lawfully under the Uniting for Ukraine program are being left in prolonged uncertainty because of unacceptable processing delays,” said Rep. Walkinshaw. “These families followed the rules. They filed on time. They did everything asked of them. They should not lose the ability to work or maintain lawful presence because of the Trump administration’s failure.”

“Ukrainian families who came to the United States through the Uniting for Ukraine program followed the rules and met every requirement, and they deserve timely responses from our government,” said Vindman. “Instead, many are now facing processing delays that put their ability to work and maintain lawful status at risk. These backlogs are not just administrative failures — they are disrupting the lives of thousands who have already endured immense hardship and are trying to build a safe, stable life here.”

In the letter, the lawmakers wrote, “We write to express serious concern regarding ongoing delays in the processing of Ukrainian humanitarian parole and re-parole applications, as well as related employment authorization requests, which continue to place thousands of Ukrainian nationals in prolonged uncertainty.”

They also warned that many applicants remain stuck in backlogs, resulting in “lapses in work authorization and the loss of lawful presence through no fault of their own.”

Although USCIS resumed processing these applications following a June 2025 federal court order lifting the administrative freeze on parole renewals, the lawmakers noted that many cases still appear effectively stalled.

The lawmakers are requesting answers from USCIS on several urgent issues, including the steps the agency is taking to reduce the backlog, the causes of current delays and lower approval rates, whether enhanced security reviews or manual processing are contributing to the problem, what is being done to prevent lapses in work authorization, and whether streamlined or blanket relief is under consideration while delays persist.

Read the full letter below or here.

The Honorable Joseph B. Edlow
Director
U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services
One Capital Gateway Drive
Camp Springs, MD 20588

Dear Director Edlow,

We write to express serious concern regarding ongoing delays in the processing of Ukrainian humanitarian parole and re-parole applications, as well as related employment authorization requests, which continue to place thousands of Ukrainian nationals in prolonged uncertainty.

Our offices regularly assist constituents who lawfully entered the United States under the Uniting for Ukraine (U4U) program and who have timely filed applications for re-parole and Employment Authorization Documents (EADs). Despite compliance with all filing requirements, many of these individuals remain in extended processing backlogs, resulting in lapses in work authorization and the loss of lawful presence through no fault of their own.

It has come to our attention that a significant number of Ukrainian re-parole applications filed in early and mid-2025 remain pending well beyond posted processing timeframes. Although U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has resumed processing these applications following the June 2025 federal court order1 lifting the administrative freeze on parole renewals, many cases appear to be functionally stalled, with limited approvals issued to date. As a result, many of our constituents remain unable to work, support their families, or maintain financial stability while awaiting adjudication.

Our offices have also experienced increasing difficulty obtaining timely and substantive responses through congressional inquiries. In many instances, cases remain pending despite clear eligibility and evidence of timely filing, limiting our ability to assist constituents effectively and undermining confidence in the parole renewal process.

To ensure USCIS addresses these concerns, we respectfully request thorough answers to the following questions:

- What steps is USCIS taking to reduce the backlog of Ukrainian humanitarian re-parole applications and ensure timely adjudication?
- What are the primary drivers behind the current delays and the decline in approval rates?
- To what extent are enhanced security reviews or manual case processing contributing to current delays?
- What measures are in place to prevent lapses in employment authorization for individuals who have timely filed re-parole and EAD renewal applications?
- When does USCIS anticipate processing times for Ukrainian re-parole and related EAD applications will return to reasonable and predictable levels?
- Is USCIS considering streamlined or blanket relief mechanisms for Ukrainian parolees while backlogs persist?

We share your commitment to ensuring that USCIS adjudications are both thorough and timely. However, Ukrainians who fled a war and sought safety here because of U.S. humanitarian commitments should not be left in legal and economic limbo due to prolonged administrative delays. We look forward to your response outlining the steps USCIS is taking to address these urgent issues.

Thank you for your attention to this matter and for your continued service.

Sincerely,

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Congressman James Walkinshaw, Workhouse Arts Center Host Voting Rights Conversation on Historic Grounds Where Suffragists Were Imprisoned

Fri, 20 Mar 2026 04:00:00 GMT

LORTON, VA – This Women's History Month, Congressman James R. Walkinshaw (VA-11), in partnership with the Workhouse Arts Center, will host a powerful and timely discussion examining the future of voting rights in America.

The event, titled “Voices That Shape History. Conversations That Shape Tomorrow,” will take place on Monday, March 23, 2026, from 1:00 PM to 3:00 PM at the Workhouse Arts Center, located at 9518 Workhouse Way, Lorton, VA.

The program will feature a thought-provoking panel discussion surrounding the SAVE Act, exploring the devastating effects that this legislation would have on women, minorities, and rural communities.

Following the panel discussion, attendees will have a chance to visit the Lorton Prison Museum and featuring the Lucy Burns Gallery. The Workhouse gained early visibility by holding suffragists Lucy Burns, Dora Lewis, and dozens more. The treatment of the suffragists while at the Occoquan Workhouse in 1917 would play a pivotal role in the fight to pass the 19th Amendment, and today's attendees will walk the same grounds where these courageous women were imprisoned for demanding their right to vote.

“Standing on the very grounds where women were imprisoned and tortured for demanding the right to vote is a powerful reminder that democracy is never guaranteed. Every generation is called to defend it,” said Congressman Walkinshaw. “The suffragists who suffered here did not endure injustice so future Americans could be pushed away from the ballot box by cynical attacks on their rights. As bills like the SAVE Act threaten access to the vote for millions of women, minorities, and rural Americans, we have a responsibility to speak out, organize, and fight back. I am proud to partner with the Workhouse Arts Center to bring our community together in this historic place to honor the legacy of the suffragists and continue their unfinished fight for equal access to the ballot box.”

Katie Crooks, Director of Museum and Visitor Experience at the Workhouse Arts Center, emphasized the profound significance of the setting:

"Our museum stands as a testament to the resilience of the suffragists who were imprisoned within these walls simply for demanding a voice in their government. To host a conversation about the future of voting rights here is to remind ourselves that history is not a distant relic—it is a through-line connecting the courage of Lucy Burns to the advocates of today. We are honored to provide a space where our community can be inspired by the past and empowered to shape tomorrow."

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