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Va. leaders react to U.S. bombing three nuclear sites in Iran
Virginia lawmakers on both sides are either showing their concern or their support after President Donald Trump announced the United States had bombed three Iranian nuclear sites on Saturday, entering war. “We have completed our very successful attack on the three Nuclear sites in Iran, including Fordow, Natanz, and Esfahan,” Trump posted on Truth Social. This news comes just two days after the White House said Trump would decide whether to get involved in the conflict between Iran and Israel “in the next two weeks” to give a window for negotiations.
Youngkin orders assessment of federal sexual assault prevention programs in Virginia National Guard
Hoping to provide oversight for existing federal sexual assault prevention programs in the military, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin issued an executive order Friday that would establish a commonwealth work group. Youngkin said he hoped the order would provide an assessment the Sexual Assault Prevention Response (SAPR,) a federal program introduced in the 2000s to respond to sexual violence claims in all branches of the military, as well as the National Guard.
Republican Governors Association to invest in Earle-Sears
The Republican Governors Association is investing $500,000 in Republican gubernatorial nominee Winsome Earle-Sears. RGA also released a new digital ad attacking Earle-Sears’ Democratic opponent, former Rep. Abigail Spanberger. The RGA is prepared to spend “several million dollars to keep Virginia red,” Punchbowl reported [Saturday] morning. Earlier this month, the Democratic Governors Association announced its plans to make a $5 million initial investment in Spanberger’s campaign.
Democrats push unity in first day of bus tour
The Democratic statewide ticket held its first joint event Saturday afternoon at Abner Clay Park in Richmond, launching an eight-day bus tour. Gubernatorial nominee Abigail Spanberger, lieutenant governor nominee Ghazala Hashmi and attorney general nominee Jay Jones emphasized party unity and standing up to President Donald Trump. “Today is a really fun day,” Spanberger said. “We are starting our bus tour across the commonwealth to make sure that everywhere we travel, people get to hear from us about the things that we are for, the policies we wish and will work to pursue.” The ticket was introduced by United States Senator Mark Warner and Rep. Jennifer McClellan, D-VA04, who both stressed the importance of standing up to Trump.
Sen. Tim Kaine says President Trump is waging ‘unconstitutional’ war against Iran
Sen. Tim Kaine said Sunday that it was “unconstitutional” for President Trump to launch a military strike against Iran without congressional approval. Mr. Kaine, Virginia Democrat and a member of the Senate Armed Forces Committee, said Mr. Trump cannot rely on the 2001 Authorization of Military Force, which was enacted after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks, and he expects Congress to vote on a new AUMF this week. “We will have all members of the Senate have to declare whether or not the U.S. should be at war with Iran,” Mr. Kaine said on “Fox News Sunday.” “It is unconstitutional for a president to initiate a war like this without Congress. Every member of Congress needs to vote on this.”
Shields, Deane, Redican, Broening, Quach and Miller: How that ‘big, beautiful bill’ discards RVA’s children
On May 21, the House of Representatives passed the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which made deep cuts to the country’s social safety net. The list of programs that would be changed and/or reduced is steep and significant: Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Medicaid, the Affordable Care Act and many others. If the bill passes the Senate, the impact would be enormous and fall mainly on low income families, caregivers and children. The “one big beautiful bill” would significantly cost-shift the funding of these programs to the states.
Experts warn of the economic and environmental impacts of federal cuts on Hampton Roads
During a committee meeting Friday at Norfolk State University, Virginia lawmakers heard from experts from a variety of sectors about how the volatility of federal cuts is having a profound impact on Hampton Roads. The Emergency Committee on the Impacts of Federal Workforce and Funding Reductions convened for the fourth time, having heard presentations at the General Assembly Building in Richmond as well as in Alexandria and Wytheville. In Norfolk, speakers highlighted significant federal workforce populations and reliance on federal funding for climate resiliency and other initiatives.
Bray: Federal ‘choice’ bill would harm local public schools
There’s nothing wrong with a family choosing to send their child to a private school; that’s their right and choice. However, a component of the federal budget reconciliation bill called the Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) brings Virginia Beach to a crossroads in educational reform. This legislation would have serious consequences for our neighborhood public schools and threatens our community.
Judge approves settlements for 5 babies hurt at Henrico Doctors’ NICU
A judge in Salem approved settlements Friday that resolved likely lawsuits from the families of five toddlers, who as newborn babies suffered broken bones and other injuries while being cared for at Henrico Doctors’ Hospital. Circuit Judge David Carson said he was keeping confidential the amounts of money to be placed in trust accounts structured to provide payments to the victims, once they come of age, “over quite a long period of time.” The civil settlements are related to the criminal case of Erin Strotman, a former nurse at the Richmond-area hospital, who is facing 20 felony counts of child abuse and malicious wounding of the patients under her care.
Richmond’s 4th Circuit upholds federal ban on handgun sales to young adults
The 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals on Wednesday upheld a federal law barring gun shops from selling handguns to individuals under the age of 21. The ruling is another flashpoint in a yearslong saga by Second Amendment advocates to allow young adults to buy handguns — an issue that has divided Virginia’s federal judiciary since 2018, when a young Republican political organizer first alleged an infringement of his rights. ... Wednesday’s ruling came in response to a lawsuit brought in June 2022 by Palmyra resident John Corey Fraser.