Thanking Virginia's Seventh Congressional District

Floor Speech

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Ms. SPANBERGER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to thank the people of Virginia's Seventh District. The greatest honor of my life has been to serve them in the U.S. House of Representatives.

For these three terms, I have had the privilege of representing a cross-section of what makes this extraordinary country, the United States of America, the greatest in the world.

I have spoken with hardworking families going through their proudest days or their darkest moments. I have met with brilliant entrepreneurs who are not only pursuing their own dreams but making sure their employees can succeed.

I have worked alongside dedicated public servants, law enforcement officers, first responders, and healthcare workers, who put the safety of Virginians first. I have met crop and livestock producers who work sunup to sundown to keep America fueled and fed, and I have represented the men and women who put on the military uniform to protect our shores.

As my time serving them in Congress comes to an end, I am reflecting on what we have achieved together.

When I was first elected to Congress, I promised to work tirelessly for the people I serve. I promised to be effective and responsive.

In response to Virginia's seniors struggling to afford their medication, I voted to lower drug costs for Medicare beneficiaries. In response to the fentanyl crisis, I worked with both parties to strengthen America's investment in prevention, treatment, and recovery programs. Both former President Trump and President Biden have signed into law the bills that I have led to crack down on fentanyl trafficking.

To fix our crumbling infrastructure, I helped negotiate and voted to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law which has already delivered more than $10 billion of investment to Virginia.

In response to the threats from America's adversaries, I led efforts that were signed into law to build a nationwide 5G strategy and hold cybercriminals accountable, and I made clear that I will always stand up for the role of U.S. global leadership.

In response to the threat of climate change, I brought farmers, producers, conservation groups, and Fortune 500 companies to the table. We got bipartisan legislation signed into law that will not only help protect our natural resources but will help protect the bottom line of Virginia's producers.

After we heard from retired police officers struggling to get their benefits, we closed a loophole that was stopping them from getting the retirement they deserved.

For those who have borne the battle, I voted to expand healthcare benefits for thousands of Virginia's veterans who have faced toxic exposures. My bill was signed into law to deliver surplus computers to veterans so they can access new job opportunities, and I led the charge to make sure America's atomic veterans, many of whom are no longer with us, are recognized every year.

For me, being responsive has also meant making responsible investments in our public schools, our law enforcement, and critical infrastructure. My office has secured more than $42 million that went directly to 40 projects across the Seventh District. I thank our local leaders for working with my team to realize these investments.

We have also focused on delivering for individual constituents. Since 2019, my office has returned nearly $50 million to Virginians who have had challenges with a Federal agency. They are seniors who needed help to pay bills. They are veterans who finally secured the VA benefits they had earned. They are Virginia businesses who needed to cut through red tape. Along the way, we have proved that we could do all of this by bringing people together.

I am honored to be ranked the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia. It is not a talking point, but it is because that is how we make sure we achieve progress across the long haul. That is how we get things done, and we can get things done without sacrificing our principles or what makes us who we are.

In office, I have endeavored to be responsive, transparent, and accountable because that is at the very heart of what I believe is a responsibility of every Member of Congress.

In this role, I believe that trust is earned, and I promise that I have never taken this trust for granted.

Today, I thank those who have also made it possible for me to serve in this role. I thank the love of my life, my husband, Adam, for being my biggest supporter and someone who has made it possible for me to serve the people of Virginia's Seventh District every day. I thank my daughters, Claire, Charlotte, and Catherine, for seeing that every effort I take in the political space is for them, their future, and the future of their peers in Virginia and beyond at the center of all I do.

I thank my parents. I am the daughter of Martin Davis, a retired law enforcement officer, and Eileen Davis, a nurse. They taught me service, and they taught me that a life committed to helping others is one that every person can find value and dignity in.

I thank my sisters, Hilary and Meredith, who are and always have been my best friends, my greatest supporters, and the two who remind me consistently of who I am.

I thank my parents-in-law, my brothers- and sisters-in-law, my nieces, my nephews, my aunts, my uncles, my cousins, and my late grandparents, everyone who had a part in making me who I am.

I also thank every single member of Virginia's Seventh District team. They are extraordinary people who have used their time, talents, and tenacity to deliver results for the people of Virginia. I believe in them. They made people believe in what is possible with good governance. I am grateful for them. I am grateful for their service.

I am so grateful for the privilege to have served the people of Virginia's Seventh District.

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