[74][75] She is a Protestant. Congresswoman, 2019 - Present. Get up-to-the-minute news sent straight to your device. 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. [10] In 2017, Virginia Governor Terry McAuliffe appointed her to the Virginia Fair Housing Board. 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. Rep. Spanberger told The New York Times that voters didn't elect President Biden to govern like FDR. 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. 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. [8] She said she gathered intelligence about nuclear proliferation and terrorism. [25] She was also boosted by Joe Biden narrowly carrying the district;[26] Biden is the first Democrat to win what is now the 7th since 1948. 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. 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. She favors requiring background checks on private gun sales and supported a ban on bump stocks. In the U.S. House, Abigail serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee and House Agriculture Committee. 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. Strengthening Workforce Training & Apprenticeships "Now, those battles are behind us we have come out the other side. Fool me you can't get fooled again.. Even when you don't agree on something, you're able to build trust with her, which is something I always appreciated. That means what members ask of the administration will vary from district to district depending on the president's popularity. Those votes can be tricky because we dont have very much time.. 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. That language added to a bipartisan background check bill may have angered some progressives and dismayed party leadership, but Jones said hes always thinking of whats right for Spanbergers 7th District, which cuts a long vertical path through central Virginia, west of Richmond. Abigail Rindo at King. All rights reserved. Proudly Serving Virginias Seventh District. To see staff salaries for aides in the personal office of Rep. Abigail Spanberger, select a time period below. 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. [2], In 2002 and 2003, Spanberger taught English literature as a substitute teacher at the Islamic Saudi Academy in Northern Virginia. 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. You can cancel at any time. Abigail Spanberger has always served her country and community. Rep. Spanberger supports giving Medicare the power to negotiate drug prices, so that more senior citizens in the Commonwealth do not have to choose between putting food on the table or affording their life-saving medications. She has voiced her support for stronger border security measures but opposes Trump's proposed wall. Washington Rep. Pramila Jayapal, who chairs the Congressional Progressive Caucus, said the group is preparing an "executive action agenda" to present to the president following their own retreat. 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. 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. 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. We have each others backs.. Rep. Spanberger supports a national response that invests in preventing overdoses, expanding access to treatment, and supporting individuals in recovery from addiction as they seek to reclaim their health and well-being. 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. 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. Postal Inspection Service. Spanberger is a former Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) officer. Although most of the conference was marked by strong support of the president, there was a brief interruption on Thursday, when news of Biden's decision not to use his veto power to block a GOP-effort to repeal D.C.'s new crime law broke during a press conference with the Congressional Black Caucus. 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. You can't be. 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." Her current term ends on January 3, 2023. Please subscribe to keep reading. "It may be a lower-level official that's coming in talking about 'let's have a roundtable with your town officials to talk about how to apply for rural broadband funding.' Subscribe to receive news alerts and updates on issues important to you and your family. The Virginia Democrat and former CIA officer won reelection in a race that was considered a toss-up. [52], Spanberger supports banning members of Congress from trading stocks. She was seen as one of the most vulnerable incumbents of the 2022 election cycle, with pre-election polls projecting a close race with Republican nominee Yesli Vega, a law enforcement officer endorsed by Governor Glenn Youngkin and former President Donald Trump. After earning her MBA, Rep. Spanberger began her public service . She's trustworthy, said Hurd, who left Congress after the 2020 election. Virginians deserve strong access to quality, affordable health insurance, and Rep. Spanberger is fighting to expand healthcare coverage for everyone. 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. "This is news to me and I'm very disappointed," said Del. 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. The mission isnt just Go, Democrats, go, he said. 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. 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. 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. 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. examining federal efforts to prevent, detect, and prosecute pandemic relief fraud to safeguard funds for all eligible americans The relationship between Congress and the U.S. intelligence community can be uneasy an. What's happening: Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-Va.) is calling out leadership for not bringing her legislation that would ban members of Congress along with their family members from buying,. [2] Spanberger was later a page for U.S. Spanberger defeated Brat in 2018. [43], Spanberger supports the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare). Abigail Spanberger ( Democratic Party) is a member of the U.S. House, representing Virginia's 7th Congressional District. 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. In 2014, Abigail left government service to begin a career in the private sector and bring her family back home to Virginia. Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. [5] When she was 13, her family relocated to the Short Pump area in Henrico County in Virginia, outside Richmond. "[57] Spanberger called for a pathway to legal status for undocumented immigrants who abide by the laws, work, and pay taxes. 30th July, 2021. Why Republicans and Democrats will be watching this race on election night. Staff Sergeant Gonell, Aquilino (@SergeantAqGo) October 31, 2022 . 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 our Servicemembers & their Families "I think he's the most progressive president we've had in a long time," she added. She believes in stabilizing the Affordable Care Act and preserving its protections for the more than 1.3 million Virginians with pre-existing conditions. 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. When she saw partisan politics and division threatening the country she dedicated her life to defend, Abigail decided to run for Congress. She has cut a centrist profile and criticized more liberal Democrats who have identified themselves as socialist.. Jacob Bliss 29 Dec 2021, 5:33 PM PST 0 . ", During his speech, Biden brought out a mock-up of a sign for an infrastructure project in Baltimore to rebuild a tunnel. 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. Copyright 2023 CQ Roll Call. She's someone that works hard and is focused on the mission. 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. [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. "We just have a buffet of accomplishments to offer, and he just rolled them out in such a way that it can really resonate with the everyday person," Ohio Rep. Shontel Brown told NPR. She stressed that she'd supported appropriation bills that maintained or increased federal. You have permission to edit this article. [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. Now, she's a third-term Virginia congresswoman who was just named to one of two committees that oversees the work of U.S.. To see more, visit https://www.npr.org. Abigail Spanberger, incumbent U.S. Representative Declined . Abigail Spanberger lives with her family in Virginia. Bipartisan duo Abigail Spanberger, D-Va., and Chip Roy, R-Texas, reintroduced the TRUST in Congress Act to ban representatives from trading in the stock market. 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. Addressing the Opioid Abuse & Addiction Epidemic 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. Abigail Spanberger May 2020 - Nov 2020 7 months. "[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. 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. Two Eau Claire natives, sisters Abigail and Rachel Rindo, have been working in the video game industry for a combined 17 years and now work for some of the biggest names in the business. [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. Chief of Staff - USDA-RMA. Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information, Send GMA your Why It Matters video about which issues inspires you to vote. 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] In November 2020, she described reducing the cost of prescription drugs as "the top priority of families in [her] district". She applied for a job with the CIA and had a confidential offer by 2002. Abigail Rindo is the narrative design director at King, the company behind popular mobile game franchises such as Candy Crush, Farm . Freitas carried eight of the district's ten counties, as Brat had done two years earlier. The House has this really kinetic, fast pace, Jones said in an interview this week, after rushing back to the office. 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 . C-SPAN, an acronym for Cable-Satellite Public Affairs Network, is an American cable television network that offers coverage of federal government proceedings and other public affairs programming via its three television channels (C-SPAN, C-SPAN2 and C-SPAN3), one radio station and a group of. Despite this, Spanberger ran for reelection in the seat. 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 []. I have been practicing. His team wrestles with every vote, even when time is tight and the night has been long. 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. [50] She said the bill went "far beyond" pandemic relief and had no chance of passing the Republican-controlled Senate. Note that the salary index for a given time period does not necessarily reflect exactly who is on staff at the present time. Obama told this unfortunate joke about his bowling skills during an appearance on The Tonight Show in 2009. [6] In the early 2000s, she was a postal inspector, working on money laundering and narcotics cases. @RepSpanberger" Shes spoken to too many families who have lost loved ones to addiction and overdose. Memo: Emmers son has new job in Congress, As the pandemic ebbs, Minnesota lawmakers and their staff resume taking free trips. "We continue to draw the contrast with Republicans who voted 'no' but want to take the dough," said Texas Rep. Veronica Escobar. By Lindsey McPherson. Bush. [52], In January 2020, Spanberger sponsored the Public Disclosure of Drug Discounts Act, which passed the House unanimously. Spanberger, who has also worked for the U.S. Barbara Sprunt is a producer on NPR's Washington desk, where she reports and produces breaking news and feature political content. After eight years, Spanberger had several choices for her next posting, from Kenya to Costa Rica. It gave me chills. A vote for my opponent will be a vote for the Nancy Pelosi liberal agenda, he said. She's since won two more close races and been raised as a possible candidate for Virginia governor. 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. 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. She'll know how to fix things., You could fill a book with the eyebrow-raising Bush-isms of President George W. Bush. 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. But Im sure there will be points of frustration probably for me and for them, frankly speaking.. She is an alumnus of the Paul Miller Reporting Fellowship at the National Press Foundation. "As a former intelligence officer, I know that countries are watching us. 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. Spanbergers career took her around the globe. Abigail Spanberger has always served her country and community. [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 you want to be a plumber, you've got to know about plumbing, he said. President Barack Obama is highly regarded as an orator, but he sometimes stumbles when he veers away from the Teleprompter. She defeated Yesli Vega, an. [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. RM2GAEXGB - Washington, United States. So don't feel sorry for don't cry for me, Argentina. CIA Democrat Abigail Spanberger [Source: yahoo.com] Did they have outside help? Spanberger is challenging Republican incumbent Dave Brat and the prospect of flipping the seat is a long-shot. "In its attempt to balance safety from contaminated product and safe infant development through formula access, FDA is achieving neither objective," Senator Mitt Romney (R-UT) wrote in a recent letter criticizing both the FDA's oversight efforts and its "near-shutdown" of facilities. Moving to northern Virginia, Rep. Abigail Spanberger's (D-Glen Allen) politically marginal 7th CD produced a general election Republican challenger last night. [50], As of June 2022, Spanberger had voted in line with Joe Biden's stated position 100% of the time. We can't let that happen.". "[62] Spanberger later announced that she would vote in favor of impeachment. "I am already seeing a number of my Republican colleagues who voted against these historic pieces of legislation want to claim credit. 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 underscored: "One thing that's been really nice this session is there's just tremendous unity.". [48][49], In May 2020, Spanberger voted against the HEROES Act, a proposed $3 trillion stimulus package in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. Legislative Director to Rep. Abigail Spanberger at U.S. House of Representatives Washington, District of Columbia, United States 1K followers 500+ connections Spanberger ( Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the U.S. House to represent Virginia's 7th Congressional District. Thank you for visiting my campaign website. [67][64], Spanberger opposed Democrats' attempts to amend the Insurrection Act of 1807, saying that amending the rarely used law would not accomplish what Democrats intended. 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,. "It's by working together, having Cabinet members and officials from the government come to our districts.". Message: I care. Abigail Spanberger spoke with voters at a campaign event in June in Midlothian, . 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. Copyright 2023 NPR. [15][16] Her campaign outraised Brat's. Sign up for our newsletter to keep reading. 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. 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. Spanberger's background in intelligence and her moderate politics representing a swing district south and west of Washington will be assets on the committee, Goss and Hurd said. As an operations officer, Spanberger worked on cases ranging from counterterrorism to nuclear proliferation. She grew up in Henrico County, Virginia, and is a proud graduate of the University of Virginia. She began her career of public service as a federal law enforcement officer working narcotics and money laundering cases with the U.S. Protecting Womens Healthcare Access 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. 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 . Following her love of country, public service, and languages, Abigail joined the CIA as a case officer. She's running unopposed in her party for a third term, and there will be no. Spanbergers chief of staff says House is like a startup, Roscoe Jones Jr. relishes chambers fast pace after move from the Senate. "The President's actions violate his oath of office, endanger our national security, and betray the public trust", she said. 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. "Abigail Spanberger is . [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. 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. "[69] She also said the Democrats had not sufficiently recognized that "inflation is a problem". [54][55], Spanberger has called climate change "one of the greatest and most imminent threats to our economy, our national security, and our way of life" and promised to "stand up to attacks against science. Another element is uniting around Biden himself. Abigail Spanberger spent almost a decade as a CIA operations officer. Postal Service. 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. President Jimmy Carter made a nation cringe when he told Playboy magazine: "I've looked on a lot of women with lust. What I find particularly repugnant is the fact that they are, in any way, trying to link me to terrorism. 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.