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? Speaking in 2002 in Nashville, during the run-up to the invasion of Iraq, Bush had this to say about Iraqs threat to the United States: There's an old saying in Tennessee I know it's in Texas, probably in Tennessee that says, fool me once, shame on shame on you. 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. Lyndon B. Johnson once had this to say about Gerald Ford: Gerry Ford is so dumb he can't fart and chew gum at the same time. Ford was a congressional leader while Johnson was president. Abigail Spanberger - Ballotpedia Spanberger decided the time to serve her country was then no more waiting. Lowering Prescription Drug Costs She is a graduate of American University in Washington, D.C., and a Pennsylvania native. The security clearance form listed another one of Spanbergers former jobs as a substitute English teacher at a Saudi Arabia embassy school. The Postal Service said the un-redacted document, that included social security numbers and health information, was released by mistake in response to a Freedom of Information Act request. 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. Charlotte McWilliams met Spanberger when they were trainee officers before going to the CIA's academy in rural Virginia known as The Farm. They were both sent on to overseas postings Spanberger in Europe, McWilliams in Africa and bonded over their shared experiences doing clandestine work while becoming new mothers at the same time. Spanberger faced a close reelection contest against State Delegate Nick Freitas, who represents much of the congressional district's northern portion. ", "This Democrat thinks Joe Biden fundamentally misunderstood his mandate Chris Cillizza", "Moderate Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger says Americans didn't elect Biden to be FDR", "Election 2018: Dave Brat and Abigail Spanberger", "Faith on the Hill: The religious composition of the 116th Congress", Biographical Directory of the United States Congress, United States representatives by seniority, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Abigail_Spanberger&oldid=1142575641, This page was last edited on 3 March 2023, at 05:22. And now we're having wonderful conversations about how to help the American people in their day-to-day lives. "The President's actions violate his oath of office, endanger our national security, and betray the public trust", she said. Pressed on details, she gives few. 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. [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. She's trustworthy, said Hurd, who left Congress after the 2020 election. Spanbergers chief of staff says House is like a startup, Roscoe Jones Jr. relishes chambers fast pace after move from the Senate. She grew up in Henrico County, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia. She'll know how to fix things., You could fill a book with the eyebrow-raising Bush-isms of President George W. Bush. "I am already seeing a number of my Republican colleagues who voted against these historic pieces of legislation want to claim credit. As for his leap from the well-oiled machinery of the Senate to the front lines of the House, he has no regrets. "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.' 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. ABIGAIL SPANBERGER IS ONE OF A GROWING MEMBERS OF CONGRESS WHO SAY " ENOUGH IS ENOUGH. At the top in all caps are the words "President Joe Biden.". Prince William County supervisor and former law enforcement officer Yesli Vega defeated five GOP opponents on her way to a tight 29-24-20 percent victory spread. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (VA-07) | The Office of Majority Leader Steny Hoyer 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.. Spanberger was a postal inspector before joining the CIA in 2006. White House 'strongly' considering using Defense Production Act to How many more do you need to look at?, Gerald Ford once said: If Lincoln were alive today, hed roll over in his grave., Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. Abigail Spanberger has always served her country and community. 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. [44][45], On January 31, 2023, Spanberger was among seven Democrats to vote for H.R.497:Freedom for Health Care Workers Act, a bill which would lift COVID-19 vaccine mandates for healthcare workers. But Im sure there will be points of frustration probably for me and for them, frankly speaking.. Now, shes a third-term Democratic congresswoman from Virginia who was just named to one of two committees that oversees the work of America's spy agencies. 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. [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. She's someone that works hard and is focused on the mission. [17], In August, the Congressional Leadership Fund, a super PAC closely aligned with Republican Speaker of the House Paul Ryan, conducted a smear campaign against Spanberger. 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. Copyright 2023 NPR. I spoke with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain yesterday and today about the urgency of this shortage. 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. It was wonderful to have this dear friend who was working hard to kick butt as much as she could, professionally and personally at the same time," McWilliams said in an interview. The Climate Crisis Democrats strongly believe in our responsibility to serve as stewards of our environment and public lands for current and future generations Rep.-Elect Spanberger Names Roscoe Jones Chief of Staff House Democrats in competitive districts elected Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger on Tuesday to represent them in the caucus leadership . The relationship between Congress and the U.S. intelligence services can be uneasy and is often adversarial. A few years later, during the 2016 presidential election, she started to discuss with her friends the possibility of running for office. Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-Virginia, 7th) - Staff salaries 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. But as a former spy for the Central Intelligence Agency, her life has been anything but typical. Supporting 7th District Businesses & Entrepreneurs Kuster, who said she lives in "purple world," said members have been in close talks with Cabinet officials and the White House about how to work together to make intricate legislation like the infrastructure bill accessible to their constituents. [43], Spanberger supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). You can't be. Retrieved March 18, 2020. 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. Virginia Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger told CNN Friday morning that she spoke with Klain twice in the last two days to discuss the shortage, saying that Klain told her the White House views . FREDERICKSBURG, VA - The campaign of Rep. Abigail Spanberger a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer released its latest ad, "Shocked." [8] She said she gathered intelligence about nuclear proliferation and terrorism. She supports maintaining federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other providers that provide essential healthcare screenings and preventive services to both women and men. Her current term ends on January 3, 2023. [51] In November 2020, Spanberger led a bipartisan effort to secure the 340B Drug Pricing Program against changes that would lead to significant increases in prescription medication costs. Biden defends administration's response on baby formula shortage 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. [50], As of June 2022, Spanberger had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. Virginia Rep. Abigail Spanberger Wins New Democratic 'Battleground' Post WASHINGTON A key group of House Democrats in swing seats elected Rep. Abigail Spanberger (Va.) on Tuesday to serve as the first dedicated representative to House Democratic leadership of. 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. In an interview, Goss described his experience with overseeing intelligence while in Congress as frustrating., The tensions are greater than when I was there, he said, blaming polarization both in Congress and within the spy agencies. I bowled a 129. His first challenge? Moving to northern Virginia, Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D-Glen Allen) politically marginal 7th CD produced a general election Republican challenger last night. 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. Rep. Spanberger is actively focused on advancing legislation that grows the Seventh Districts small businesses, reduces unnecessary regulatory burdens, cuts red tape, and invests in critical physical infrastructure improvements that support growth like expanded broadband internet access. Spanberger is challenging Republican incumbent Dave Brat and the prospect of flipping the seat is a long-shot. She decided ultimately to leave the CIA. examining federal efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute pandemic relief fraud to safeguard funds for all eligible americans . ", During his speech, Biden brought out a mock-up of a sign for an infrastructure project in Baltimore to rebuild a tunnel. [20], In a visit to the district, former Trump adviser Steve Bannon described it as "an absolute bellwether of the entire country", adding that losing the district would mean the GOP losing control of the House. Midterm election results: Abigail Spanberger wins Spanberger's chief of staff says House is like a startup At least two other former CIA officers became members of the committee Republicans Will Hurd of Texas and Porter Goss of Florida, who was chairman before being named CIA director in 2004 under President George W. Bush. But I have never had this much fun on the Hill as Im having now., The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. Biden's cuts to Medicare Advantage will cost seniors hundreds more per year, but Abigail Spanberger is silent. Meet Abigail. Additionally, she has led many bipartisan efforts to hold pharmaceutical companies accountable, increase transparency in the prescription drug marketplace, and prevent shortages by manufacturing essential medicines here at home. All rights reserved. . Abigail Spanberger called out House leadership for not bringing a bill Rep. Spanberger told The New York Times that voters didn't elect President Biden to govern like FDR. Whether they choose to go to college or not, Rep. Spanberger believes that all Virginia workers should have access to the education and training they need to achieve career success, earn a good living, and keep the Commonwealth the best state in the country for business. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. [57], In February 2023, during the Russo-Ukrainian War, Spanberger signed a letter advocating for President Biden to give F-16 fighter jets to Ukraine. 30th July, 2021. Subscribe to receive news alerts and updates on issues important to you and your family. Those did not trickle down to employees.. Even when you don't agree on something, you're able to build trust with her, which is something I always appreciated. [60] In the 2016 presidential election, Trump defeated Hillary Clinton with 50% of the vote to her 44% in Spanberger's congressional district. The Republican political action committee, known as the Congressional Leadership Fund, ran ads claiming she worked at a school that produced some of the worlds most dangerous terrorists. Their hope: flip the handful of seats needed to regain control of the chamber next year. ABC News Send "GMA" your Why It Matters video about which issues inspires you to vote and explore our midterms coverage. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) on Friday called for new House leadership because of Speaker Nancy Pelosi's handling of legislation that would ban members of Congress from trading stock,. Postal Service. After serving in CIA, Abigail Spanberger now has role overseeing it 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. [53] She has introduced legislation that would require lawmakers, as well as their spouses and dependent children, to place assets in a blind trust while in office. I know the language. Remember Lincoln, going to his knees in times of trial and the Civil War and all that stuff. 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. 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. '', President Bill Clinton cut to the heart of the matter during his grand jury testimony in the Monica Lewinsky affair in 1998 when he infamously said: It all depends on what the meaning of the word is is.. It was watching that example that led me to decide that I too wanted to step forward and run.. We discussed all possible avenues for getting formula back on the shelves so that parents who rely on it as I did to feed my three daughters know they will be able to feed their babies. Examining Federal Efforts to Prevent, Detect, and Prosecute Pandemic It gave me chills. I know the culture, Spanberger told The Associated Press in a recent interview in her office. Freitas carried eight of the district's ten counties, as Brat had done two years earlier. Postal Inspection Service. I talk in broad brush terms about what it is that I did, because thats all I am permitted to do There are at times when I say I wish I could talk about something in a little bit more detail, but thats just never a path that Ill go down, she explained. 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. It's like it was like Special Olympics, or something." Republican sheriff cuts ad endorsing Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger Here are 4 things they say about the economy, Coming up on Connections: Friday, March 3, 2023, Ukraine is dominating the election in Estonia, a key NATO ally. Democratic Rep. Abigail Spanberger narrowly held onto her seat in Virginia on Tuesday, defeating Republican Yesli Vega in a contest both parties saw as an early bellwether in the battle for the. [43], Spanberger voted to allow U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to be notified when undocumented immigrants attempt to purchase firearms, and voted against the House budget in summer 2019 because it failed to acknowledge the growing national debt.