Rep. Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., arrives as Democrats hold elections for their new leadership for the next Congress, at the Capitol in Washington, Nov. 30, 2022. $1 trillion bipartisan infrastructure bill, sweeping climate, health care and tax bill, Biden's decision not to use his veto power, Big stores see how we spend. She was studying overseas on Sept. 11, 2001, and the terrorist attacks marked a turning point in her life. Jones doesnt take them lightly. 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. [43], Spanberger supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). As a Member of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, she will continue to voice her unwavering support for U.S. diplomats, law enforcement, intelligence officers, and civil servants who work every day at home and abroad to identify dangerous threats, prevent tragedies, and save American lives. Subscribe to receive news alerts and updates on issues important to you and your family. It may not be having the Cabinet or the president in your district every other week," New Hampshire Rep. Ann Kuster told NPR. Eleanor Holmes Norton of D.C. 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. The two also sparred over issues like the recent Republican tax reform law. 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.. CIA Democrat Abigail Spanberger [Source: yahoo.com] Did they have outside help? Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in the federal student loan process and to give borrowers additional tools to understand and decrease [], At Least 519 Protesters Have Been Killed by the Regime & More Than 19,000 Iranians Have Been Arrested Since the Death of Mahsa Amini In September 2022 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging the Biden Administration to impose stricter sanctions against members of the Iranian Parliament or [], The U.S. House Committee on Financial Services Voted Unanimously to Pass the Congresswomans China Financial Threat Mitigation Act WASHINGTON, D.C. The U.S. House Financial Services Committee voted unanimously 40 to 0 to advance U.S. Representative Abigail Spanbergers bipartisan bill that would build up Americas response to emerging financial threats from the Chinese []. On June 2, The Washington Post and The New York Times quoted Spanberger and several other high-profile former CIA analysts' interpretations of Trump's reaction to the protests as reminiscent of the reaction of totalitarian dictators on the brink of losing control of their dictatorships. But I have never had this much fun on the Hill as Im having now., The Source for news on Capitol Hill since 1955. She assumed office on January 3, 2019. Spanberger, Kelly Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Award Congressional Gold Medal to Americans Who Served & Fought Bravely in WWII Prior to Americas Entry. 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. 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. Look, I love the Senate. Abigail Spanberger, a congressional candidate, had a 12-year career with the CIA. Walsh's home state of Illinois is voting today. The top issues on her campaign website are health care, gun violence prevention and protecting social security and Medicare. Abigail Spanberger has served as the Democratic congresswoman for Virginia's 7th Congressional District since 2019. Yes, she said, she had disguises and a cover story. May it please the court, I am Roscoe Jones on behalf of the United States of America, Jones recited. Spanbergers blue and white yard signs have a single, small star a subtle reference to her work in the agency but apart from that she actually does not reference her work much when campaigning, though she does emphasis service, honor, and American values in her speeches. [10] In 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed her to the Virginia Fair Housing Board. Fool me you can't get fooled again.. To see staff salaries for aides in the personal office of Rep. Abigail Spanberger, select a time period below. What I find particularly repugnant is the fact that they are, in any way, trying to link me to terrorism. United States Won re-election with a 1.82% margin, outperforming Vice President Biden. You have permission to edit this article. 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. Note that the salary index for a given time period does not necessarily reflect exactly who is on staff at the present time. I have been practicing. 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. examining federal efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute pandemic relief fraud to safeguard funds for all eligible americans 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. Rep.-elect Abigail Spanberger (D-VA, 7th) named Hill Veteran Roscoe Jones as her incoming chief of staff, in what is her first Congressional hire as a freshman representative.. Jones has an extensive public service record and is currently the legislative director to Sen. Dianne Feinstein.Jones was previously senior counsel to Sen. Cory Booker and the Senate Judiciary Committee. She began her career of public service as a federal law enforcement officer working narcotics and money laundering cases with the U.S. That came after a job in the Justice Departments Civil Rights Division and a stint as a federal prosecutor. 32.52% of Virginia residents on Medicare use Medicare Advantage. 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. 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. "We were right in the midst of one of the more challenging political debates and discussions about strategy and timing," Kuster said. Chief of Staff - USDA-RMA. The Virginia Democrat and former CIA officer won reelection in a race that was considered a toss-up. She won reelection in 2020 and 2022. "[31] Downie quoted progressive Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, who had noted that no swing-district House Democrat who co-sponsored Medicare for All lost their seat, and had remarked in response to Spanberger's comments that "not a single member of Congress that I'm aware of campaigned on socialism or defunding the police in this general election. 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. Spanberger decided the time to serve her country was then no more waiting. I've committed adultery in my heart many times. Like others with access to America's top secrets, she will be called on to review intelligence matters in private and explain what she can to fellow lawmakers and the public. She recognizes the tremendous sacrifice of those who serve in our military, and she believes we have a sacred obligation to honor their dedication to our country and to give them the support they deserve. 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. 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. "Folks, you all know how much we've gotten done, but a lot of the country still doesn't know it," Biden said. I really started getting more politically involved after the 2016 election, watching how partisan and how angry our political conversations became, she said. They live in Glen Allen, Virginia. She rejects talk of a deep state and called on other lawmakers not to promote conspiracy theories about intelligence or the Capitol riot on Jan. 6, 2021. [61], On September 23, 2019, Spanberger joined six other freshman House Democrats with national security backgrounds in calling for an impeachment inquiry into Trump. Abigail Spanberger, incumbent U.S. Representative Declined . Following her love of country, public service, and languages, Abigail joined the CIA as a case officer. Democrat Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) announced she will run for reelection in Virginia's new seventh congressional district which she currently represents after the redistricting maps were unanimously approved, putting her current residence outside the new lines. Rep. Spanberger released a statement : Spanberger Votes with Bipartisan Majority to Condemn World's Worst Dictators, Calls for House GOP Leadership to Also Bring Bills to the Floor to Address. The Climate Crisis Democrats strongly believe in our responsibility to serve as stewards of our environment and public lands for current and future generations "At a minimum, your agency ought to provide parents with a clear timeline of when they can expect . Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.), a former CIA case officer and one of a bevy of national security-savvy freshmen Democrats, took to the House floor last Tuesday as part of a bipartisan group. Obama later apologized. In 2018, she became the first Democrat since 1968 to be elected to represent Virginias 7th Congressional district. A few years later, during the 2016 presidential election, she started to discuss with her friends the possibility of running for office. She had briefly worked for the USPS on an inspection team, investigating narcotics and money laundering cases. [50], As of June 2022, Spanberger had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. We have each others backs.. Two former CIA officers, Abigail Spanberger and Elissa Slotkin, won reelection on Tuesday night, while anti-CIA candidate Geoff Young was defeated in Kentucky's 6 th district.. Spanberger, a Democrat, defeated her Republican challenger Yesli Vega with 51.9 percent of the vote in Virginia's 7th district, while . Even before the attack [], Bipartisan Bill Would Give Borrowers Regular, Pertinent Information Related to Projected Payments, Accrued Interest, & Other Personalized Details WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. 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. Spanberger was a postal inspector before joining the CIA in 2006. FREDERICKSBURG, VA - The campaign of Rep. Abigail Spanberger a former federal law enforcement officer and CIA case officer released its latest ad, "Shocked." All rights reserved. President Jimmy Carter made a nation cringe when he told Playboy magazine: "I've looked on a lot of women with lust. [19] While Brat won eight of the district's ten counties, Spanberger dominated the two largest counties, Henrico and Chesterfield, by a combined margin of over 30,000 votes. 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. Currently serving Virginia District 7 Spanberger faced a close reelection contest against State Delegate Nick Freitas, who represents much of the congressional district's northern portion. Brat shocked the nation when he defeated sitting House Majority Leader Eric Cantor in the Republican primary in 2014. 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. Democrats in Baltimore repeatedly talked about the need to make sure their constituents know who voted and didn't vote for federal dollars on infrastructure. [29], CNN political editor Chris Cillizza described Spanberger's remarks as "some hard truth" for the Democratic Party, adding that in order to succeed in the 2022 and 2024 elections, the party should "listen to the likes of Spanberger" instead of pushing for "the boldest possible progressive legislation". Spanberger, a former CIA agent, distanced herself from the defund movement during her 2020 campaign. [50] She said the bill went "far beyond" pandemic relief and had no chance of passing the Republican-controlled Senate. In the U.S. House, Abigail serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Agriculture Committee. Rep. Spanberger is also working to reduce premiums in the insurance marketplace and to lower out-of-pocket costs. She has cut a centrist profile and criticized more liberal Democrats who have identified themselves as socialist.. The specifics of her cases remain classified. If your intention was to visit my official House of Representatives website, please, Checks payable to "Spanberger for Congress". 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. March 3, 2023. 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. Spanberger, the daughter of a federal law enforcement officer, worked as an investigator with the U.S. ", She underscored: "One thing that's been really nice this session is there's just tremendous unity.". 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. . The mission is I want to change the lives of ordinary people.. "Overall I am not a supporter of the Green New Deal", she said. Rep. Spanberger recognizes that the addiction and overdose crisis is the other deadly pandemic happening in our country. [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. "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. After eight years, Spanberger had several choices for her next posting, from Kenya to Costa Rica. Posted December 6, 2022 at 5:16pm. Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester speaks with Rep. Abigail Spanberger ahead of President Biden's speech during the annual House Democrats Issues Conference in Baltimore, Md. Reinforcing the Importance of Diplomacy & Our Relationships with U.S. 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. Representatives Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-07), Mike Waltz (R-FL-06), and Lori Chavez-DeRemer (R-OR-05) today introduced bipartisan legislation to increase transparency in the federal student loan process and to give borrowers additional tools to understand and decrease [], At Least 519 Protesters Have Been Killed by the Regime & More Than 19,000 Iranians Have Been Arrested Since the Death of Mahsa Amini In September 2022 WASHINGTON, D.C. U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger joined a bipartisan, bicameral effort urging the Biden Administration to impose stricter sanctions against members of the Iranian Parliament or [], Proudly Serving Virginias Seventh District. She supports maintaining federal funding to Planned Parenthood and other providers that provide essential healthcare screenings and preventive services to both women and men. 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. Spanberger also co-sponsored the Elijah Cummings Lower Drug Costs Now Act, which grants Medicare Part D the power to negotiate prescription prices directly with drug companies. [52], Spanberger supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks. [5] When she was 13, her family relocated to the Short Pump area in Henrico County in Virginia, outside Richmond. Rep. Abigail Spanberger on Twitter: "RT @PWCPolice: Thank you to Congresswoman Abigail Spanberger for meeting with #PWCPD @ChiefNewsham and Senior Staff today at our Central District Station to review current concerns in our #community. "This is news to me and I'm very disappointed," said Del. Abigail Spanberger has always served her country and community. This is the intersection of law, policy and politics, he said. President Biden and House Democrats are mounting a full-court press to take their legislative record on the road and into districts across the country to remind voters of what they've already accomplished. 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 . 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. "Abigail Spanberger is . Abigail has consistently been ranked as the most bipartisan Member of Congress from Virginia as well as the one of the most bipartisan Members of Congress overall. [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. (renews at {{format_dollars}}{{start_price}}{{format_cents}}/month + tax). The days go by so quickly., The toughest days are probably MTRs motions to recommit, he said. 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. 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. 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. Abigail Spanberger Spanberger, a mother of three school-aged girls, has been juggling homeschooling, protecting her family from Covid-19, and protecting her district from the pandemic.. [2], Spanberger earned a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Virginia and a Master of Business Administration from a joint program between the GISMA Business School in Germany and Purdue University's Krannert School of Management. Abigail Rindo is the narrative design director at King, the company behind popular mobile game franchises such as Candy Crush, Farm . Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. As for his leap from the well-oiled machinery of the Senate to the front lines of the House, he has no regrets. 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." Going to turn now to Representative Abigail Spanberger. [74][75] She is a Protestant. His first challenge? 24/7 coverage of breaking news and live events. We live in a stream of history.. 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 . [21], A number of sources claimed Spanberger was the first Democrat to win this seat since 1970, when four-term Democrat John Marsh retired and was succeeded by Republican J. Kenneth Robinson. But Im sure there will be points of frustration probably for me and for them, frankly speaking.. 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. 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. Retrieved March 18, 2020. Miles Taylor, Chief of Staff to the United States Secretary of Homeland Security (2019) (Forward) Christine Todd Whitman, Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (2001-2003) and Governor of New Jersey (1994-2001) (Forward) Those did not trickle down to employees.. [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. Meet Abigail. "I spoke with White House Chief of Staff Ron Klain yesterday and today about the urgency of this shortage. [22] But until 1993, the 7th stretched from the outer Washington suburbs through the Shenandoah Valley and Charlottesville to the outer Richmond suburbs;[23] the present 7th is geographically and demographically the successor to what was the 3rd district before 1993.[24]. It was watching that example that led me to decide that I too wanted to step forward and run.. 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. ", "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. The Virginia mother of three told Good Morning America during a sit-down interview in her kitchen this summer that she always had a desire to serve her country, an interest in government, and a love of languages. "It's by working together, having Cabinet members and officials from the government come to our districts.". I know the . 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. When you put capital in the hands of the American worker, the American worker knows what to do with it, Brat said during their debate. Moving to northern Virginia, Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D-Glen Allen) politically marginal 7th CD produced a general election Republican challenger last night. 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. After serving in CIA, lawmaker now has role overseeing it. If you want to be a plumber, you've got to know about plumbing, he said. 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. 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. A vote for my opponent will be a vote for the Nancy Pelosi liberal agenda, he said. Spanberger ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District. New delegates to the Virginia Assembly, like Danica Roem, the first openly transgender legislator in the country, made national headlines. She said she does not support "sanctuary cities" but also called the term "a campaign slogan a lot of people get caught up in." 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. In February 2022 Chesterfield mother Shannon Davis and her son, Joshua, appeared with President Joe Biden and Rep. Abigail Spanberger, R-7th, in Culpeper to urge lower prescription drug prices . At the top in all caps are the words "President Joe Biden.". She won with 51% of the vote to Freitas's 49%. 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.