ARLINGTON, VA (December 18,
The first school division in Virginia to certify an
Press Releases
December 17, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today introduced legislation that would allow for revenue generated from speed camera enforcement on roads within the National Park System, such as the George Washington Memorial Parkway, to be reinvested for safety improvements, road maintenance, and related infrastructure needs in the parks where violations occur.
“Speeding is a persistent and dangerous problem along the George Washington Memorial Parkway – and on Parkways across the country – that threatens drivers, cyclists, and pedestrians alike,” said Rep. Don Beyer. “This bill enables revenue from speed camera enforcement to be reinvested within our national parks to fund safety improvements, critical maintenance, and educational efforts without diverting resources from these treasured public lands. It is smart, responsible policy that keeps Americans safe and strengthens the national parks and major transportation corridors they use every day.”
December 16, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Today the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) issued its November jobs report, which found that the unemployment rate rose to 4.6 percent, the highest level since the pandemic, while the economy lost jobs on balance over the months of October (-108,000 jobs) and November (+64,000 jobs). In the seven months since President Trump’s tariffs took effect, the U.S. economy has averaged just 17,000 jobs added per month, a dramatic decrease from the monthly average of 168,000 the year before Trump took office.
Rep. Don Beyer, Senior House Democrat on the Joint Economic Committee, said:
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives Jamie Raskin (MD-08) and Don Beyer (VA-08) and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced bicameral legislation to bring ranked choice voting (RCV) to congressional races across America. The Ranked Choice Voting Act would require RCV for all primary and general congressional races beginning in 2030, allowing voters to express their ranked support for multiple candidates. This would make our elections fairer and more representative and create a more positive politics.
With RCV, voters rank candidates in order of preference. If a candidate receives more than half of the first choices, that candidate wins, just like in any election. If not, the candidate with the fewest votes is eliminated, and voters who picked that candidate as ‘number 1’ have their votes redistributed and counted for their next favored choice. This process continues until a candidate wins with more than half the votes.
RICHMOND — As snow makes its way across Virginia early this week, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) wants drivers to keep their guards up for slick roads and to check road conditions before doing any driving, especially during the Tuesday morning commute.
Forecasts indicate that a wintery mix of rain, snow and freezing rain is expected to begin Monday night in the southwest part of Virginia and spread across the commonwealth into Tuesday morning. As rain changes to freezing rain through Tuesday morning, drivers should prepare for slower commutes and plan to leave early or delay travel and take it slow.
Arlington, Va. — Marymount University’s Early Learning Academy (ELA) is enhancing its innovative approach to early childhood education through the development of a new STEAM Lab and outdoor STEAM learning area, made possible by a $75,000 Child Care Capacity Building & Quality Improvement Grant awarded by the Arlington County Board and additional donor funding from Marymount trustee J. Andrew Steele.
Approved in May 2025, the grant supports the creation of a dedicated indoor STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) learning space and complementary outdoor environment designed to encourage nature-based creativity, exploration and hands-on discovery for preschoolers. The project is part of Arlington County’s Child Care Initiative, which focuses on improving accessibility, availability and quality in local child care programs.
Crews will complete second passes to vacuum leaves Monday-Saturday. Look for orange signs posted around your neighborhood 3 to 7 days before collection starts.
Note: The date on the sign marks the beginning of the leaf collection window. Leaves may not actually be collected on that date, but should be left at the curb from that date until they are collected.
RICHMOND — The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) is thankful for people who buckle up, drive sober and put the phone down while behind the wheel so everyone can arrive safely to their destinations and enjoy a Thanksgiving Day feast.
VDOT will be suspending many highway work zones and lifting temporary lane closures on interstates and other major roads in Virginia from noon on Wednesday, Nov. 26 until noon on Monday, Dec. 1.
ARLINGTON, Va.—Army National Military Cemeteries (ANMC) is pleased to announce the opening of a new exhibit in the Memorial Amphitheater Display Room, featuring a rare artifact from the USS Maine. The U.S. Navy ship tragically exploded in Cuba’s Havana Harbor on Feb. 15, 1898—killing more than 260 sailors and Marines and leading to the Spanish-American War.
Army National Military Cemeteries and Office of Army Cemeteries Executive Director Karen Durham-Aguilera emphasized the importance of the exhibit in preserving history and honoring those who served. “This exhibit reflects Arlington’s commitment to educating visitors about the sacrifices made by our service members and the pivotal moments in our nation’s 250-year history,” said Durham-Aguilera.
RICHMOND, VA – Governor Glenn Youngkin today announced that total general fund revenues increased 7.0 percent ($134.1 million) for the month versus October last year. The year-over-year increase was driven primarily by higher individual income tax withholding and nonwithholding payments, lower refunds, and greater sales and use tax collections. On a year-to-date basis, general fund revenues increased 5.5 percent ($508.5 million) above last fiscal year and are ahead of the official forecast assumed in Chapter 725 by 5.4 percent (497.0 million) through the first four months of fiscal year 2026.
“Virginia recorded another strong revenue month, despite the backdrop of the government shutdown,” said Governor Glenn Youngkin. “With individual income growing 11% for the month and 7.5% year-to-date, our job creation continues to drive Virginia forward, helping us generate a healthy surplus and consistently meet the needs of Virginians – most recently, with the Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) support when the Democrats shut down the federal government. The strength of our general fund revenue allowed us to stand in the gap using surplus revenue. While we saw some impact from the federal government shutdown on state revenue in October, there is potential for some softening in November revenues. However, historically, Virginia has not experienced significant revenue impacts from previous shutdowns. With that uncertainty behind us, we will continue to demonstrate – through prudent fiscal management, strong job growth, and record capital investment from companies expanding in the Commonwealth – that Virginia remains financially stronger than she has ever been.”
November 10, 2025 (Washington, D.C.) – Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) today issued the following statement on the Senate’s proposed continuing resolution, which would extend current levels of government funding through January 30 while failing to address the expiration of critical health care tax credits under the Affordable Care Act that help millions of Americans afford health insurance:
“I will be voting no on Senate Republicans’ proposed continuing resolution in the U.S. House. Republican leaders have turned their backs on Americans facing rising health care costs and refuse to engage in serious negotiations toward real solutions for the affordability crisis their own policies created. I have said from the beginning that my goal is to end the shutdown in a way that protects Americans from skyrocketing health care costs, and this bill fails that test.
RICHMOND, VA — Governor Glenn Youngkin announced today that, following federal notification that Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits would be paid this week, Virginia will pause the issuance of Virginia Emergency Nutrition Assistance (VENA) benefits to ensure full compliance with federal requirements. The federal Food and Nutrition Service directed that 65 percent of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) monthly benefits for more than 850,000 Virginians will be issued this week.
This action follows the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) directive to all states to initiate a partial issuance of SNAP benefits, in accordance with the Trump Administration’s USDA guidance. Based on this federal guidance, it is anticipated that benefits will be processed no later than Thursday, November 13.