U.S. Rep. Elaine Luria represents Virginia's Second Congressional District. Prior to her election in 2018, Rep. Luria served two decades in the Navy, retiring at the rank of Commander. Rep. Luria served at sea on six ships as a nuclear-trained Surface Warfare Officer, deployed to the Middle East and Western Pacific, and culminated her Navy career by commanding a combat-ready unit of 400 sailors. Vice Chair of the House Armed Services Committee and a member the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, Rep. Luria was one of the first women in the Navy's nuclear power program and among the first women to serve the entirety of her career in combatant ships. She serves on the House Armed Services Committee, where she is the committee's Vice Chair, the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs, where she serves as Chair of the Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs Subcommittee, and the House Committee on Homeland Security. Of all members in the House Democratic Caucus, she served the longest on active duty, having completed 20 years of active military service with the U.S. Navy. Rep. Luria graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy and received a master's in engineering management from Old Dominion University.
As a former small business owner, I am committed to growing Coastal Virginia's business community and ensuring all American families and small businesses have the resources they need to thrive. Since taking office, I have toured dozens of local businesses in our district to hear directly from constituents about how Congress can cut through red tape, grow our regional economy, and create jobs. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have continued to support affected industries and small businesses by passing small business legislation and creating a Small Business Hotline.
Businesses are struggling, which is why on March 27, 2020, I voted for the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act. This bill created the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and provided the Small Business Administration $10 billion to distribute to small businesses and nonprofits in direct grant funding and almost $350 billion for low-interest loans. I also cosponsored H.R. 7010, the Paycheck Protection Program Flexibility Act, which allowed small businesses to spend PPP loan proceeds within 24 weeks instead of the original 8 weeks. These laws have helped small businesses stay afloat during this crisis and has ensured that workers in hard-hit industries will stay on their companies' payroll.
I've talked with many local seasonal small businesses, including restaurants, that certain requirements meant that federal loans would not be enough to recover losses from their peak season. In response, on April 23, I called for reforms to the PPP to give seasonal businesses more flexibility in choosing their loan base period. On April 28, the Department of Treasury issued a new rule for the PPP to assist seasonal businesses. I also became a cosponsor of H.R. 7197, the RESTAURANTS Act, which would create a $120 billion grant fund for restaurants and caterers to survive the pandemic.
As our economy recovers, we must ensure American workers have the skills needed to attain good-paying jobs. That is why I am working to support apprenticeship programs, career and technical education, and access to broadband so workers can have the skills they need to advance their careers. I am also fighting for the working women of our district by being an original cosponsor of the Paycheck Fairness Act. This bill will help ensure women get equal pay for equal work.
Education is the foundation for success in our democracy. I strongly believe all students should have access to a quality education, regardless of their zip code.
During my first term in Congress, I have continued to fight for Coastal Virginians. Our close connection with the military makes education funding a challenge. That is why I supported increased funding for Impact Aid to support schools with a high population of military children. Knowing firsthand that military children come with their own set of unique challenges, I called on Governor Northam to allow a military spouse on the Military Compact Commission to facilitate communication between military families and their new school setting.
I've also worked to expand access to broadband internet. Now more than ever it is important that all children, especially the ones most in need to have access to the internet and receive a quality education even in the midst of a pandemic.
The increasing costs of student loans have been a major concern of mine, as student debt has reached over $1.5 trillion, second only to mortgages in the consumer debt category. I have spoken with teacher unions in my district and they expressed concern over the high costs to pay for school and how that impacts their retention rates. That is why I introduced the Teacher Loan Forgiveness Improvement Act. My legislation would increase the outdated forgiveness rates from $17,500 for special education and STEM educators to $30,000. Non-science-based teachers would receive an increase as well of $15,000 from $5,000. In addition to my legislation, I supported the College Affordability Act. This legislation would reauthorize the Higher Education Act, which hasn't been done since 2008.
I strongly believe that we need to do more for students by providing them with the resources they need to succeed, whether that's preparing them for college or the workforce.
Coastal Virginia can be a national and global leader in our clean energy future. As a co-chair of the New Democratic Coalition Climate Change Task Force, I have laid out a bold vision for cutting greenhouse gas emissions while investing in the jobs and infrastructure of the future. For Coastal Virginians, sea level rise, recurrent flooding, and extreme weather aren't concerns for tomorrow; they are problems we deal with every day. We must act now to expand our investments in new, clean technologies like wind, solar, and advanced nuclear power.
As an engineer who operated nuclear reactors in the Navy, I saw firsthand that nuclear power, when deployed safely and responsibly, can play a key role in our future as a zero-carbon energy source. That is why I introduced the bipartisan Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, which will encourage innovation in the design and deployment of advanced nuclear reactor technologies. Nuclear energy paired with other clean energy investments will help move the United States towards a more sustainable future. In September, the House of Representatives passed my bill, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act, as part of a larger energy package.
I support policies that will incentivize people to use renewable energy sources to power their homes and businesses. That is why I cosponsored the Renewable Energy Extension Act, which would extend the investment tax credit (ITC), an incentive that provides a tax credit up to 30% of the cost for new renewable energy and energy efficiency installations, for residential and commercial properties through 2027.
I am also helping to lead the fight against drilling off the coast of Virginia. Offshore drilling threatens our vibrant tourism economy, aquaculture, and fisheries by spoiling our beautiful beaches and shorelines. That is why the first bill I cosponsored in Congress was the bipartisan Defend Our Coast Act, which would forbid any drilling, exploration, development or production of fossil fuels off the Continental shelf in the mid-Atlantic region. Additionally, Members of the Virginia Delegation and I urged President Trump to extend the offshore oil and gas drilling moratorium to Virginia. Days later, President Trump announced its extension, protecting our irreplaceable coastline for many more years.
I am fighting to ensure all Americans can breathe clean air, drink clean water, and have access to pristine natural environments. Protecting our local natural treasure, the Chesapeake Bay, is among my top priorities in Congress. The Bay generates $33 billion in economic value annually and hosts one of the most important sites for ecological diversity in North America. Without full support for Chesapeake Bay cleanup efforts, however, the progress made in restoration will remain fragile.
I introduced the bipartisan Chesapeake Bay Program Reauthorization Act, which would authorize more funding for crucial EPA cleanup efforts in the Bay watershed. On October 30, 2020, President Trump signed my bill into law as part of the America's Conservation Enhancement Act. The America's Conservation Enhancement Act is a bipartisan bill that will invest in wetland conservation throughout North America, proving how important this legislation is to the Commonwealth and our region.
In addition to preserving our waterways, we must also protect and conserve public lands and wildlife. That is why I cosponsored and voted for the Great American Outdoors Act, which was signed into law on August 4, 2020. This legislation will permanently fund the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF), as well as improve and make necessary upgrades to our renowned national parks. Over the last four decades, Virginia has received nearly $360.8 million from the LWCF, supporting projects in the Chincoteague National Wildlife Refuge, the Eastern Shore National Wildlife Refuge, and Virginia battlefields like Yorktown. Permanently funding the LWCF was a major bipartisan win for Virginia's national parks and battlefields.
As a former Navy Commander and now as a Member of Congress, I took an oath to protect this nation and its people, while simultaneously swearing to protect our Constitution. I believe that law-abiding citizens should be able to own guns, but commonsense measures are necessary to keep our communities safe from gun violence.
I joined the bipartisan effort to require universal background checks for gun purchases or transfers, with commonsense exceptions for gun transfers between immediate family members, and temporary transfers for the purpose of hunting or target shooting. On February 27, 2019, I voted for the Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8), which passed the House of Representatives and is pending in the Senate
This issue took on even greater urgency after the mass shooting in Virginia Beach on May 31, 2019. Along with all members of the Virginia Beach community, I will forever remember and honor the individuals who were tragically taken from their families and loved ones. I introduced a resolution to honor the lives that we lost during our community's darkest day. This resolution will help us properly remember the victims and honor the heroism that emerged from this tragedy.
Large-capacity ammunition magazines (gun magazines that could hold more than 10 rounds of ammunition) have emerged as a popular tool among mass shooters. These magazines allow people to fire more bullets at a faster rate. That is why I supported the Keep Americans Safe Act (H.R. 1186). If signed into law, it would prohibit the possession or transfer of large-capacity ammunition magazines.
I am also a cosponsor of the Extreme Risk Protection Order (ERPO) Act. This bill would allow family members, therapists, law enforcement, and others to petition a judge to sign a protective order to prevent an individual from purchasing or retaining their firearm for a certain period if they are determined to be a danger to themselves or others.
Most recently, I cosponsored the Assault Weapons Ban of 2019 (H.R. 1296). This bipartisan legislation would prohibit the importation, transfer, or sale of semiautomatic weapons. At the same time, it respects the rights of law-abiding gunowners by not instituting a buy-back or repossession program for semiautomatic weapons or bump stocks.
I am confident we can help protect our communities while preserving law-abiding citizens' 2nd Amendment rights.
Access to quality and affordable health care is essential to a good life in America. That's why I have supported numerous bills to improve our healthcare system for all Americans. I voted for the Elijah Cummings Lower Drugs Costs Now Act of 2019, which could lower the costs of prescription drugs for over 600,000 Coastal Virginians. The bill would give Medicare the power to negotiate directly with drug companies to lower prescription drug prices for those covered by private insurance companies. I also added an amendment to this bill that would help federal employees to benefit from the Medicare negotiations as well.
Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, I have fought to protect the second district's access to care by cosponsoring bills to improve access to telehealth. This is especially important to protect Virginians during these times of uncertainty. Providing more accessibility to communicate with your health care professional during these uncertain times is of the upmost importance.
I am also making sure communities of color are represented during the pandemic and that Congress is seeking to address disparities in health care. I co-signed a letter that would make sure to include minority communities during the clinical trials for the COVID-19 vaccine because they are disproportionally impacted by the virus. I'm also a member of the Black Maternal Health Caucus, a caucus that focuses on improving Black maternal health outcomes through awareness and science-based policies that do not include implicit bias.
Infrastructure is the backbone of Virginia's Second Congressional District. Improving maritime infrastructure is essential for our community, which is home to one of the largest ports on the East Coast, the world's largest naval base, and numerous other major military installations. By deepening and widening our port, larger vessels can bring more goods and services into the Port of Virginia. Improvements to our maritime infrastructure benefits all users of the harbor and the U.S. Navy.
Another key component of infrastructure is the expansion of broadband access. High-speed internet breaks down the barriers of distance and time, allowing residents of rural areas to participate in economic and civic life far beyond Virginia's Second District. Among other things, broadband expansion allows direct access to global markets, new streams of information, and online education options. Broadband access is also critical to make our farmers competitive as modern precision farming relies on internet access to use technology to monitor crops.
The long-term economic benefits of investing in our infrastructure includes job creation, economic investment, and the efficient flow of goods to Virginians. Investing in our nation's infrastructure is vital to boosting not only our district's economy, but the global economy.
The United States has the finest military in the world, and it is critical to ensure the brave women and men who serve have the resources, support, and equipment they need. As a 20-year Navy veteran and Member of the House Armed Services Committee, I am committed to supporting policies that will improve life for active duty military, support military families, build resiliency in defense communities, and ensure the Department of Defense spends your tax dollars as efficiently and effectively as possible.
Having a strong and ready military is only part of maintaining national security. Sending our troops into combat must always be a last resort. That is why I support diplomacy and encourage negotiations to resolve conflicts before they escalate. It is also important to support our allies, such as Israel, to protect U.S. interests around the world.
I am also fighting for Gold Star Families – those who have made the greatest sacrifice imaginable by losing an immediate relative in combat.
The long American story of racism, discrimination, and Jim Crow laws is shameful. Though some important reforms have been made, there is still much more work to be done to address institutional racism that still exists.
George Floyd and Breonna Taylor were senselessly murdered because of shortcomings in the American criminal justice system. Unfortunately, their stories are common to Black Americans as many in their community lose their lives or experience discrimination and police brutality simply because of the color of their skin. Only by enacting corrective policies can we begin to revitalize the vital role that police play in keeping our communities safe.
We have a lot of work to do as a nation to identify and erase systemic racism so all Americans will be equal, regardless of the color of their skin. The pleas of the protestors for equity, respect, and justice cannot fall on deaf ears. Throughout my time in Congress, I have worked tirelessly to advocate for all—especially Black communities that are forgotten about all too often.
We must holistically address systemic racism in our country. The Black community has faced unfair obstacles for years in areas such as health care, education, voting rights, criminal justice, and much more. During my time in Congress, I have supported several bills aimed at working towards racial equality.
Most recently, I supported H.R. 7120 George Floyd Justice in Policing Act, which aims to ensure better and more just policing while also stopping the senseless deaths of Black Americans. Additionally, I supported H.R. 4179, No Federal Funding for Confederate Symbols Act which ends the use and presentation of Confederate symbols on any federal public land or property, a step towards reconciling our history as a nation.
As we look to our healthcare system, the Black community clearly is not given the same level of care. In 2017, 10.6 percent of Black Americans were uninsured compared with 5.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites—an unacceptable disparity. I supported H.R. 6142, Black Maternal Health Momnibus Act, which aims to fix the staggering disparity of maternal mortality between Black mothers and white mothers. It is unacceptable that black women are dying at a significantly higher rater then other because they are not given the proper treatment and care while giving birth. I also supported H.R. 1185, the FAMILY Act which ensures every individual has access to family and medical leave insurance benefit payment for a specific period of time, in order to allow people to utilize leave insurance if needed.
We know that young Black students are often not given equal access and resources to a quality education. The color of your skin, where you grew up, or financial barriers should not be a barrier in receiving a high-quality education. That is why I supported H.R. 4674, College Affordability Act, which increases Pell Grants, incentives states to fund public universities and colleges, and addresses the student loan crisis. Additionally, I secured $10 million for Historic Preservation Grants for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCU) like Hampton University and Norfolk State University. We also must work to get good teachers into areas that have struggling school systems, which is why I supported H.R. 5350, Diversify Act, which increases the TEACH program which gives grants to college students who teach in low income areas after graduating.
Combating the systemic racism in our country will not be easy, but rest assured that I am working every day in Congress to advocate for the Black community.
One of my top priorities is working to strengthen Medicare and Social Security. Hardworking seniors who paid into Social Security and Medicare deserve retirement security. I will continue to support measures that enhance the solvency of these critical federal programs.
I am a cosponsor of several bills to protect seniors, including the Medicare Negotiation and Competitive Licensing Act. This bill would authorize the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to negotiate drug prices and, if drug companies refuse to negotiate in good faith, it would enable the Secretary to issue a competitive license to another company to produce the medication as a generic. This will help make medications more affordable for senior citizens.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, our seniors were among the most vulnerable populations to the health and economic crisis. I heard from many social security beneficiaries throughout Coastal Virginia that their economic impact payments were delayed. Eager to mitigate this issue, I joined a bipartisan letter to the Internal Revenue Service requesting that they secure automatic payments for seniors on social security ensuring they receive their payments in a timely manner. Additionally, I cosponsored the Retirement Protection Act, which would suspend the 2020 Required Minimum Distribution for retirement accounts allowing seniors to keep their retirement savings invested without penalty. I also cosponsored the COVID-19 SCAM Act, which would help protect seniors and other vulnerable individuals by imposing civil penalties on scam artists who perform fraudulent related COVID-19 calls or texts.
The high numbers of fatalities from COVID-19 at assisted living facilities motivated me to cosponsor the Assisted Living Facility Coronavirus Reporting Act. This bill would require states to report to the CDC, for each assisted living facility in the state, weekly COVID-19 data, broken down by demographic information. It would also require assisted living facilities to notify federal, state, and local health officials, as well as residents and their loved ones, within one day after confirmed COVID-19 cases and suspected outbreaks in the facility.
There is no higher priority to me than fighting for those who chose to serve their country in uniform. As a 20-year Navy veteran, I know firsthand the unique challenges and opportunities that our veterans face as they transition out of service.
As a member of the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, I work closely with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to find ways to support veterans and their families. On the Economic Opportunity Subcommittee, I have pressed the VA to find ways to streamline jobs programs to make them easier to use for veterans, and I am a cosponsor of the Reduce Unemployment for Veterans of All Ages Act. This bill will repeal a limitation preventing veterans who have been out of the service for longer than 12 years from participating in employment programs. I also joined the leading Republican on the Committee in cosponsoring a bill to allow veterans to qualify for in-state tuition in any state they choose.
I am also advocating on behalf of Gold Star families harmed by the 2017 tax law. Together with a bipartisan group of cosponsors, I introduced the Gold Star Family Tax Relief Act, which would repeal an error in the 2017 tax reform bill that was causing some Gold Star families to pay thousands of dollars in additional taxes on their survivor benefits. This bill passed the House as part of a larger legislative package. With the support of Democrats, Republicans, and nonpartisan organizations, we are working to fix a flaw in our tax law and provide more financial security to America's most heroic families.