Quick action is needed, and the White House must take decisive action. Abigail Anne Spanberger (ne Davis, August 7, 1979) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Virginia's 7th congressional district since 2019. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. She argued that Democrats should watch Republican ads before deciding how to talk about issues and "not ever use the word 'socialist' or 'socialism' ever again". After dipping his toe in all three branches of government, Jones said hes found the right place to serve: The Hill is a special place. Proudly Serving Virginias Seventh District. In the longer term, I am pursuing legislation to ensure we dont face this challenge again., Congresswoman: They Ran to the Sound of the Guns WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Theyre grossly overqualified, he boasted of the full-time staff of 17. Spanbergers chief of staff says House is like a startup, Roscoe Jones Jr. relishes chambers fast pace after move from the Senate. But Spanberger again prevailed by winning the district's shares of Henrico and Chesterfield counties by a combined 43,400 votes, five times her overall margin of 8,400 votes. After college, Abigail moved to Germany and earned her MBA from a dual-degree German-American program between the GISMA business school and Purdue University. [10] In 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed her to the Virginia Fair Housing Board. Rep. Spanberger is working in Congress to increase investment in vocational training and apprenticeship programs for young people that lead to better-paying jobs, support the growth of small businesses in our communities, and prepare the next generation as they enter a competitive and rapidly changing global economy. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Send GMA your Why It Matters video about which issues inspires you to vote. May it please the court, I am Roscoe Jones on behalf of the United States of America, Jones recited. Abigail Spanberger has served as the Democratic congresswoman for Virginia's 7th Congressional District since 2019. Allies Abigail Spanberger has always served her country and community. "That's why the big job in front of us is implementing the laws we passed, so people start to see it in their lives all the benefits that are there because you produced it for them.". Rep. Spanberger is also working to reduce premiums in the insurance marketplace and to lower out-of-pocket costs. She stressed that she'd supported appropriation bills that maintained or increased federal. [40][41] In the 2019 Speaker of the United States House of Representatives election on the opening day of the 116th United States Congress, Spanberger voted for U.S. Representative Cheri Bustos, an Illinois Democrat, joining 11 other Democrats who did not back Nancy Pelosi. When I was a CIA officer we would have meetings and you dont know what people's politics are We were there to serve a mission that we were focused on that mission.. Protecting Womens Healthcare Access Memo: Emmers son has new job in Congress, As the pandemic ebbs, Minnesota lawmakers and their staff resume taking free trips. [50] She said the bill went "far beyond" pandemic relief and had no chance of passing the Republican-controlled Senate. Corporations got permanent tax cuts, permanent tax cuts, Spanberger responded. Spanberger knows of what she speaks. They wrote that if the allegations were true, they amounted to "a flagrant disregard for the law" and "a threat to all we have sworn to protect. The daughter of a nurse and a federal law enforcement officer who also served in the Army, she says she was drawn to national service and the idea of learning new languages and cultures. Congresswoman: They Ran to the Sound of the Guns WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. "Folks, you all know how much we've gotten done, but a lot of the country still doesn't know it," Biden said. Brown said this is all part of the strategy to keep the impact of Democrats' votes in Washington top of mind for their constituents. [7] On June 12, 2018, Spanberger defeated Dan Ward in the Democratic primary election with 73% of the vote, receiving more votes than any other candidate in the Virginia primaries that day. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger greets voters on Saturday, Nov. 5 in Woodbridge, VA. . Spanbergers career took her around the globe. The congresswoman said that voters sent Biden to the White House "to be normal and stop the. "[62] Spanberger later announced that she would vote in favor of impeachment. She represents a central Virginia seat that went for President Donald Trump by 6 points in 2016 - and where she appears to have barely eked out a victory by. Rep. Abigail Spanberger's 2020 Report Card Representative from Virginia's 7th District Democrat Serving Jan 3, 2019 - Jan 3, 2025 These statistics cover Spanberger's record during the 116th Congress (Jan 3, 2019-Jan 3, 2021) and compare her to other representatives also serving at the end of the session. Abigail Spanberger ( Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Virginia's 7th Congressional District. "You tell us what you need to help us understand the impact that it's having on all of your district and your folks, and we're going to get it done," Biden said. Brat beat his last Democratic challenger by 15-percentage points, and the district went for President Trump in 2016 by a margin of 6.5 points, though Democrat Hillary Clinton won the state overall. That means what members ask of the administration will vary from district to district depending on the president's popularity. This is the intersection of law, policy and politics, he said. Additionally, she is actively seeking innovative, bipartisan legislative solutions to help combat rising rates of maternal mortality in the United States, particularly within historically underserved and disadvantaged communities. Remember Lincoln, going to his knees in times of trial and the Civil War and all that stuff. In some ways, Abigail Spanbergers story parallels dozens of other first-time female candidates across the country this year: a successful, smart woman driven to get involved in politics for the first time after President Trump was elected and eventually inspired to take on her Republican congressman. [48][49], In May 2020, Spanberger voted against the HEROES Act, a proposed $3 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Abigail Spanberger spoke with voters at a campaign event in June in Midlothian, . Lowering Prescription Drug Costs Postal Inspection Service, has represented Virginia's 7th District since she flipped the GOP-held seat in 2018 as part of a Democratic wave that retook . She was hired by Royall & Company (now EAB). Spanberger, a former CIA case officer who unseated former Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) in 2018, has been in a heated battle to retain her swing seat, with nonpartisan handicapper Cook Political Report. On November 5, days after winning reelection by a margin of 1.8%,[27] Spanberger criticized the Democratic Party's strategy for the 2020 elections in a phone call with other Democratic caucus members that was subsequently leaked. Former long-shot Trump challenger and one-time Republican congressman Joe Walsh announced on Twitter Tuesday he voted for a Democrat for the first time for president, casting his ballot for Joe Biden. Submitted Comments (Click here for meetings with SEC officials) Comments have been received from individuals and entities using the following Letter Type A: 31 B: 24 C: 6,254 D: 5 That came after a job in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and a stint as a federal prosecutor. Shes spoken to too many families who have lost loved ones to addiction and overdose. Spanberger grew up in the district in west of Richmond, Virginia, where she now lives again with her family and is running for office. His team wrestles with every vote, even when time is tight and the night has been long. House Democrats in competitive districts elected Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday to represent them in the caucus leadership . The days go by so quickly., The toughest days are probably MTRs motions to recommit, he said. She ultimately targeted the congressional seat held by then-Rep. Dave Brat, who had stunned House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the GOP primary four years earlier. [30] Spanberger's remarks were disputed by Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who noted that Democrats kept the House, and progressive Representative Rashida Tlaib, who said the Democratic Party should "study the results" before dismissing progressives who represent their districts. I was able to get involved in those races and watch really great people step forward and stand up for what they believe in and want to be a part of the political process, Spanberger said. Spanberger decided the time to serve her country was then no more waiting. Freitas carried eight of the district's ten counties, as Brat had done two years earlier. Rep. Abigail Spanberger is an experienced leader and a deeply committed public servant who ran for reelection to Congress to expand economic opportunity for Virginia working families. [2], In 2002 and 2003, Spanberger taught English literature as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Northern Virginia. [61], On September 23, 2019, Spanberger joined six other freshman House Democrats with national security backgrounds in calling for an impeachment inquiry into Trump. Her top priorities include strengthening our countrys national security and fighting for Virginia families by lowering prescription drug costs, creating jobs, and cleaning up Washington. After years of working for an incumbent senator holding a safe seat, Roscoe Jones Jr. was ready to build something from scratch. Spanberger's chief of staff says House is like a startup Roscoe Jones Jr. relishes chamber's "fast pace" after move from the Senate Roscoe Jones Jr. compares his move from Senate aide to House. Spanberger, who has also worked for the U.S. Following her love of country, public service, and languages, Abigail joined the CIA as a case officer. Also, aides for any relevant committees, leadership offices, campaign committees and leadership PACs will not be included here, nor do we have data for unpaid staff such as interns or people who are "detailed" from the GAO, executive branch or private sector. Copyright 2023 NPR. [52], In January 2020, Spanberger sponsored the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which passed the House unanimously. [28] Calling the elections "a failure" from a congressional standpoint, she singled out Republican attack ads decrying "socialism" and the movement to "defund the police" as prime reasons the Democratic Party lost seats in swing districts. The mission is I want to change the lives of ordinary people.. But Im sure there will be points of frustration probably for me and for them, frankly speaking.. She is a member of the Democratic Party. "No, no. Jayapal told reporters that while "nobody is surprised that Biden was not my choice in the first election for the primary," the CPC and the administration have formed an "incredibly strong partnership.". She formerly produced the NPR Politics Podcast and got her start in radio at as an intern on NPR's Weekend All Things Considered and Tell Me More with Michel Martin. Supporting 7th District Businesses & Entrepreneurs She had to work with the CIA to get her service record declassified to run for Congress and now on the trail sticks to carefully scripted lines, approved by the agency, when talking about her work. All rights reserved. [2] Spanberger was later a page for U.S. I bowled a 129. It still does.. Postal Inspection Service. So far, Spanberger, who unseated Republican Dave Brat last fall in a historically red Virginia district, has broken with her party several times on motions to recommit. Any plan released by this administration must make sure that formula is stocked on our shelves for all Virginia parents, crack down on price gouging, and increase imports of formula from abroad. Please subscribe to keep reading. Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., speaks about her past work as a Central Intelligence Agency officer and her recent appointment to the House Intelligence Committee during an interview at her congressional offices on Feb. 8 in Washington. [12][13][14] She made the final decision to run after the House of Representatives voted to repeal the Affordable Care Act. WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger today released the following statement after speaking one-on-one with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain about the ongoing formula shortage in Virginia and across the country. @RepSpanberger" After eight years, Spanberger had several choices for her next posting, from Kenya to Costa Rica. CQ Roll Call is a part of FiscalNote, the leading technology innovator at the intersection of global business and government. Abigail Rindo is the narrative design director at King, the company behind popular mobile game franchises such as Candy Crush, Farm . Thank you for visiting my campaign website. In the weeks since she was named to the intelligence committee, Spanberger says she's already recognizing some of the names and programs in the classified materials she's receiving. . "Most of the intelligence community doesn't understand Congress and most of Congress doesn't understand the intelligence community.. I have been practicing. She believes in stabilizing the Affordable Care Act and preserving its protections for the more than 1.3 million Virginians with pre-existing conditions. RICHMOND, Virginia - Congressmen Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Donald McEachin (D-VA-04) touted the recently-passed $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, highlighting funds for Virginia's infrastructure and the benefits the measure will bring to Virginia workers. Obama later apologized. You have to think of multiple levels; you have to be very strategic. If anything, being a Republican target means youve got to be more collaborative than a lot of other offices, he added. The mission isnt just Go, Democrats, go, he said. She won with 51% of the vote to Freitas's 49%. Those votes can be tricky because we dont have very much time.. In 2017, a record number of women won in local elections in Virginia, making the state one of the first to experience and reflect a wave of energy among Democrats, female voters and female candidates in the country. And now we're having wonderful conversations about how to help the American people in their day-to-day lives. Spanberger has said she thinks the Democratic Party needs new leaders and that she would not back Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-California, as the next Speaker of the House if Democrats won the majority. Marc Polymeropoulos, a fellow former operations officer who retired after suffering symptoms consistent with Havana syndrome, says Spanberger brings an insider's knowledge of the challenges faced by the CIA and other agencies. [59], Spanberger objected to Trump's travel bans from certain predominantly Muslim countries and argued that they would aid jihadist propaganda by allowing a portrayal of the United States as an anti-Muslim country. The reality of divided government means it's unlikely Democrats will pass any major legislation, forcing them to instead go on the defensive and tout the legislation they've already passed. Meet Abigail. [46][47], Although not a member of Congress when it passed, Spanberger criticized the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act supported by President Donald Trump, arguing that its permanent tax cuts for corporations would increase the national debt. March 3, 2023. 30th July, 2021. Note that the salary index for a given time period does not necessarily reflect exactly who is on staff at the present time. Postal Inspection Service before becoming a CIA officer focused on counterterrorism. [63], On June 1, 2020, Spanberger tweeted criticism of Trump's reaction to the George Floyd protests, a series of protests against police brutality that began in Minneapolis on May 26. In Congress, Rep. Spanberger is committed to providing our servicemembers with the compensation, training, equipment, and benefits they need to successfully carry out their vital missions and protect their fellow citizens. They co-wrote a Washington Post opinion piece explaining their support for an impeachment inquiry, writing: "Congress must determine whether the president was indeed willing to use his power and withhold security assistance funds to persuade a foreign country to assist him in an upcoming election." During a recent debate, Brat repeatedly accused Spanberger of being a Nancy Pelosi-style Democrat and too liberal for the district. Ronald Reagan had this to say to a room full of logging industry officials when he was running for governor of California in 1966: A tree is a tree. She believes that an effective response involves working directly with community leaders, law enforcement officials, religious organizations, and healthcare professionals to build an actionable strategy to provide treatment, recovery, and wraparound services to everyone impacted by the opioid epidemic. "Overall I am not a supporter of the Green New Deal", she said. "The President's actions violate his oath of office, endanger our national security, and betray the public trust", she said. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07) and Trent Kelly (R-MS-01) today introduced bipartisan legislation to award the Congressional Gold Medal to Americans who served in World War II with the Canadian and British militaries prior to Americas declaration of war. She has voiced her support for stronger border security measures but opposes Trump's proposed wall. Adapting to the tempo. Spanberger, who spent years in law enforcement herself, offered a model on how to do that in a recent half-day tour that demonstrated her support for the Culpeper Police Department speaking to. Obama told this unfortunate joke about his bowling skills during an appearance on The Tonight Show in 2009. Retrieved March 18, 2020. [35], Spanberger's committee assignments include:[36][37], Some commentators have characterized Spanberger as a centrist Democrat. Fool me you can't get fooled again.. That's especially true now as lawmakers demand answers about classified documents found in the private possession of two presidents and the Biden administration's response to a suspected Chinese spy balloon. You can cancel at any time. She is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania native. Postal Service. She is working in the U.S. House to find additional ways to support military families as their loved ones serve abroad and as they eventually transition to civilian life. In 2014, Abigail left government service to begin a career in the private sector and bring her family back home to Virginia. 11/11/22 3:30 PM ET News Five midterm surprises in the House Abigail Spanberger, a congressional candidate, had a 12-year career with the CIA. "We're going so far as to print signs to let people know who is bringing this project and why it's happening," he said to applause. [15][16] Her campaign outraised Brat's. "I know the lingo. [60] In the 2016 presidential election, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 50% of the vote to her 44% in Spanberger's congressional district. She favors requiring background checks on private gun sales and supported a ban on bump stocks. Although Biden hasn't officially announced his reelection bid, it's widely expected he will seek another term, which means his fate and those of House Democrats are likely tied together. She'll know how to fix things., You could fill a book with the eyebrow-raising Bush-isms of President George W. Bush. The reality is other countries perceive that and they perceive that in a way that can't be good, she said. Democratic U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger held onto her seat Tuesday evening, per the Associated Press, beating back a challenge by Yesli Vega, a Trump-endorsed county supervisor who made national headlines for her inaccurate comments on pregnancies resulting from rape. "As a former CIA officer, I know this playbook, and I know the president's actions are betraying the very foundation of the rule of law he purports to support, the U.S. Constitution", she said. The bill requires pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), who manage prescription drug benefits for health insurance companies, to publicize the rebates, discounts, and price concessions they negotiate, via a website hosted by the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services. ", During his speech, Biden brought out a mock-up of a sign for an infrastructure project in Baltimore to rebuild a tunnel. [9], In 2014, Spanberger left the CIA and entered the private sector. "Those are the kinds of stories that people stop to think 'Oh, I have a better commute' or 'Oh, I'm working from home because I have better internet service.' Look, I love the Senate. "It's by working together, having Cabinet members and officials from the government come to our districts.". [68], In a November 2021 interview with the New York Times, Spanberger criticized Biden after the 2021 Virginia gubernatorial election, saying, "Nobody elected him to be F.D.R., they elected him to be normal and stop the chaos. Abigail Anne Spanberger[1] (ne Davis, August 7, 1979) is an American politician serving as the U.S. representative from Virginia's 7th congressional district since 2019. Posted December 6, 2022 at 5:16pm. [43] She voted for a bill that included funding for border infrastructure, technology at ports of entry and more customs and border patrol agents. She supports universal coverage through the adoption of a public option and, in Congress, she advocates for solutions that achieve real progress, respond to the unique challenges of Virginias rural communities, support the Commonwealths expansion of Medicaid coverage, and preserve funding for critical programs like the Childrens Health Insurance Plan. The next four years she was evaluated, physically and physiologically, and began to train for life undercover.I loved the idea of understanding people, places, concepts, concerns and large international questions, she said, describing her work. Spanberger, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Americans Who Served & Fought Bravely in WWII Prior to Americas Entry. "This is news to me and I'm very disappointed," said Del. Barbara Sprunt is a producer on NPR's Washington desk, where she reports and produces breaking news and feature political content. New delegates to the Virginia Assembly, like Danica Roem, the first openly transgender legislator in the country, made national headlines. The top issues on her campaign website are health care, gun violence prevention and protecting social security and Medicare. After serving in CIA, lawmaker now has role overseeing it. The "Whole Milk for Healthy Kids Act" Would Allow Flavored and Unflavored Whole Milk in Participating Schools WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger helped reintroduce a bipartisan bill to allow unflavored and flavored whole milk to be offered in Virginia's school cafeterias. In February, for example, she joined 25 other Democrats to help the GOP push through a provision that would alert U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement if an undocumented immigrant tries to buy a gun. "As a former CIA officer who worked terrorism cases, I find it particularly disgraceful that they would try and make that some sort of leap or claim when I was in fact a long-term substitute teacher for a bunch of kids, she said in response. We can't let that happen.". [5] When she was 13, her family relocated to the Short Pump area in Henrico County in Virginia, outside Richmond. "I am already seeing a number of my Republican colleagues who voted against these historic pieces of legislation want to claim credit. Jones doesnt let the tough reelection fight thats already brewing for Spanberger back home faze him, even as his team is still settling in at the Capitol. "At a minimum, your agency ought to provide parents with a clear timeline of when they can expect . "If we did nothing nothing but implement what we've already passed and let the people know who did it for them, we win," Biden said during an energetic speech Wednesday as House Democrats kicked off their annual three-day retreat in Baltimore. Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. "[43] During a Committee on Foreign Affairs meeting in 2019, Spanberger asked the Trump administration to reverse its isolationist policies, saying, "its in [the US's] national interest to reinforce our stature as a global leader on international environmental and energy issues. As Rep. Spanberger meets with families, patients, providers, and community healthcare organizations across Virginias Seventh District; she repeatedly hears about the financial struggles facing seniors, families, and those with chronic conditions as their prescription drug costs continue to rise. Republicans have been particularly adept this year at using those procedural motions to send a message and put moderate Democrats like his boss in a tight spot. And we're making that connection to your precious tax dollars, hard at work making a difference in your life. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. [18] She won the November 6 general election by just over 6,600 votes. Send GMA your Why It Matters video about which issues inspires you to vote and explore our midterms coverage. by The Hill staff. Virginia's fresh faces in Congress, "RESULTS: Nick Freitas squares off against Democratic incumbent Abigail Spanberger in Virginia's 7th Congressional District", "Eric Cantor loses GOP primary to tea party challenger Dave Brat", "Abigail Spanberger becomes the fifth female candidate vying for the Democratic nomination to run against Republican Congressman Dave Brat", "Abigail Spanberger easily defeats Dan Ward in 7th District Democratic primary", "Spanberger wins Democratic primary in Virginia's 7th Congressional District", "Open Secrets breakdown of the 7th District", "Democratic House candidate Abigail Spanberger suffers the kind of election year smear John McCain would recognize", "Virginia's 7th House District Election Results: Dave Brat vs. Abigail Spanberger", "Abigail Spanberger Just Beat Tea Party Darling Dave Brat in Virginia", "After nearly 50 years of Republican control, this Virginia House district could flip to the Democrats", Virginia presidential results by congressional district, "Abigail Spanberger declares victory over Freitas in 7th Congressional District race", "Spanberger criticizes Democrats' strategy in caucus call", "Analysis: This Democratic congresswoman just spoke some hard truth to her party", "Democratic leaders play a ridiculous blame game with progressives", "State of the Union: Interview with Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-NY)", "Trump endorses Yesli Vega, Spanberger's GOP challenger", "Virginia Seventh Congressional District Election Results", "SPANBERGER SELECTED TO SERVE ON U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON FOREIGN AFFAIRS & U.S. HOUSE COMMITTEE ON AGRICULTURE", "Peterson Announces House Agriculture Subcommittee Chairs for the 116th Congress", "New Democrat Coalition Inducts 30 Members-Elect and Elects New Leadership", "Democrats Didn't Always Pick The Most Progressive Candidate And That Might Help Them In November", "The moderate squad: swing-state Democrats wary of leftward path", "Virginia congresswoman one of 12 Democrats to oppose Pelosi's bid for speaker", "A look at where Brat and Spanberger stand on the issues", https://thehill.com/homenews/house/3839808-house-gop-passes-bill-to-end-covid-19-national-emergency/, https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/104, https://www.washingtonexaminer.com/news/house/seven-democrats-join-house-gop-lift-vaccine-mandate-healthcare-work, https://projects.propublica.org/represent/votes/118/house/1/98, "Spanberger Pushes for Final Progress on USMCA: "We Need to Get this Done", "Why these Democrats want to make a trade deal with Trump", "In a historically Republican stronghold, Democrat Abigail Spanberger looks to hang on", "Spanberger opposes latest stimulus package, saying it 'goes far beyond pandemic relief', "Spanberger leads bipartisan effort to save 340B Drug Pricing Program", "Pelosi faces pushback over stock trade defense", "Congressman Schiff, Bipartisan Group Introduces Act to Ban Members of Congress & Their Families from Trading Individual Stocks", "Citing Threats to National Security, Representative Elaine Luria, Va.-2, Takes Climate Change Head On", "Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger quizzed on immigration in first town hall", "Seven more lawmakers including six Democrats have signed on to a letter pushing Joe Biden to send F-16 jets to Ukraine", "Spanberger bill aims to shed light on prescription drug pricing", "Introducing the 2017 Cook Political Report Partisan Voter Index", "Seven freshman Democrats: These allegations are a threat to all we have sworn to protect", "Vulnerable Democrats to vote to impeach Trump", "Trump's Response to Protests Draws Bipartisan Rebuke in Congress", "CIA veterans who monitored crackdowns abroad see troubling parallels in Trump's handling of protests", "George Floyd White House Protest: Donald Trump Acting Like Dictator During Racial Tensions, Intelligence And Defense Officials Warn", "Trump's tear gas photo-op was 'frightening' to authoritarianism experts, who warn that his behavior will only get worse without 'fierce opposition', "Does Your Member Of Congress Vote With Or Against Biden? Their hope: flip the handful of seats needed to regain control of the chamber next year. In 2017, three local state seats within Spanbergers own congressional district flipped from Republican to Democrat and some of the volunteers making phone calls and sending letters in her campaign offices described volunteering on local races in 2017 and then heading straight into helping Spanberger next.