Spanberger: “I Look Forward to Continuing to Build Upon This Work in Further Service to Virginia in the Future”
RICHMOND, Va. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger last week reflected on her six years of service in the U.S. House of Representatives in an op-ed for the Richmond Times-Dispatch.
First elected to represent Virginia’s Seventh District in November 2018, Spanberger wrapped up her third and final term in Congress on January 2, 2025. In a Richmond Times-Dispatch op-ed, Spanberger shared some of her proudest accomplishments on Capitol Hill and most meaningful moments spent with Virginians. She also expressed her gratitude for the Virginians whom she served and looked forward to her continued service to the Commonwealth.
Click here to read her op-ed, and the full text is below.
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Richmond Times-Dispatch: U.S. Rep. Abigail Spanberger: I’ve been honored to serve Virginia’s 7th District
Wednesday, January 1, 2025
For the past six years, I’ve been grateful to serve Virginia’s 7th District — a cross section of our beautiful commonwealth and our extraordinary country — in the U.S. House of Representatives.
The 7th District’s communities are built up by hard-working families, entrepreneurs and business leaders who make our commonwealth the best place to live and work. Our communities are strengthened by dedicated public servants, law enforcement officers, first responders and health care workers who put our neighbors first. Our communities are fed and fueled by producers who work sunup to sundown — and often longer — to tend to their operations. And our communities are home to dedicated service members and veterans who put on our military’s uniform to protect our values, our rights and our shores.
Over the past six years, I’ve had the honor of both celebrating our communities’ greatest successes and supporting our neighbors through their greatest hardships. I’ve forged strong partnerships with local officials to get things done for the Virginians we serve. Along the way, I’ve been grateful for warm welcomes and open arms at school events, ribbon cuttings, farm tours, business visits, medal pinnings and events up and down the I-95 corridor — and from the Piedmont to the Potomac.
When I first arrived on Capitol Hill, I promised to work tirelessly for the people and communities I serve — whether they voted for me or not. From the moment I swore the oath of office until I cast my final vote, I’ve endeavored to be responsive to the needs of Virginia’s 7th District and accountable for every action and vote.
I’ve worked directly with local officials to identify the unique needs of our communities and secured more than $42 million to address them — vital resources for first responders, a ladder firetruck, upgraded police radios and training systems, investments in behavioral health, funding for vital road infrastructure and water projects. Since taking office in January 2019, my team and I have also delivered nearly $50 million in backlogged federal benefits — like Social Security checks, tax refunds and veterans benefits — to people across Virginia’s 7th District.
On Capitol Hill, I’ve worked to pass laws to lower health care costs and prescription drug prices. I’ve led bipartisan efforts to support those facing addiction and combat the flow of fentanyl across our southern border — and had them signed into law. I helped negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law, which has already brought billions of dollars of investment to Virginia to upgrade our roads, rail, bridges and electrical grid. I wrote legislation to close a loophole that was preventing retired police officers and firefighters from accessing the health care assistance promised to them — and I got it signed into law. I was proud to help expand health care benefits for thousands of Virginia veterans who were exposed to Agent Orange, burn pits and other toxins during their service. And I’ve worked to protect the rights of all Virginians.
As a new year begins, I’m preparing to watch President Biden sign the Social Security Fairness Act into law — a bill that I have worked tirelessly in partnership with U.S. Representative Garret Graves, R-Louisiana, to get passed. Once law, our bill will ensure that those who chose a life of public service — police officers, teachers, firefighters, federal employees — will no longer see their earned Social Security benefits stolen year after year. It’s a law that will right a decades-old wrong and shows that with hard work and a focused approach, we can build consensus around addressing problems.
All of these wins for our communities — and the Virginians I have proudly served — are proof that with dedication and a focus on effectiveness, we can get things done. I’ve consistently been ranked the most bipartisan member of Congress from Virginia — not merely a talking point, but evidence of my approach. Building coalitions among lawmakers across communities and constituencies and with local elected leaders is how we have achieved real results — laws that make an impact, investments that support our communities, and support to community members.
It has been the honor of a lifetime to work on behalf of our neighbors and our communities across Virginia’s 7th District. I thank my fellow Virginians for entrusting me with this immense privilege, and I look forward to continuing to build upon this work in further service to Virginia in the future.
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