Rep. Abigail Spanberger (D-VA) is gearing up for the 2025 Virginia gubernatorial race, and she’s not holding back when it comes to her thoughts on the mess in Congress. In a recent interview, she didn’t sugarcoat her frustrations with the current state of the Capitol.
When asked about the hardest part of working in Congress, Spanberger wasted no time in saying, “The worst part is the chaos.” She pointed to the constant struggles with keeping a proper calendar, the back-and-forth drama about government shutdowns, and the fact that Congress can’t seem to get the basics done on time.
“Will They, Won’t They?” – The Shutdown Drama
The stress of potential government shutdowns is something that hits close to home for Spanberger, especially since Virginia has so many federal employees. For her, the political games in Washington aren’t just a Capitol Hill issue; they’re affecting real people back in her district.
“What might seem like a procedural drama here is a huge worry around the dinner table in my community,” she explained. The constant uncertainty and last-minute decisions have real consequences for families, and Spanberger has seen firsthand the worry it causes among her constituents.
A Better Way Forward: No More Last-Minute Scrambles
The government narrowly avoided shutting down this past December, thanks to a last-minute bipartisan deal. But Spanberger isn’t impressed by the way Congress handles funding. She shook her head at the yearly scramble in September, saying, “I’ll never understand how people are shocked when the fiscal year is ending… It happens every year!”
She believes Congress needs to stop with the last-second games and start planning ahead. It’s something that affects millions of people, and we deserve better than constant panic over what should be routine budgeting.
Fixing Congress: A Simple Solution
What does Spanberger think might help clean up the chaos? One idea she has is to close the Speaker’s Lobby to the press. “That way, members can actually talk to each other,” she said, suggesting that removing the spotlight might encourage more meaningful conversations and less showboating.
Tackling Corruption and Focusing on the People
Another big issue for Spanberger is congressional corruption. She strongly supports a bill that would ban members of Congress from buying, selling, or trading stocks while in office. “When I’m here on Capitol Hill, I’m here working for you and that’s it,” she said, making it clear that she’s all about putting the people first, not personal profits.
Looking Ahead to 2025: A Tough Race
As for the upcoming gubernatorial race in Virginia, Spanberger is likely to face off against Republican Lt. Gov. Winsome Earle-Sears. While it’s expected to be a tough fight, Spanberger has a lot of support, especially from the northern Virginia population centers. If she can keep that momentum going, she might just take home the win.
So, while Congress may be in chaos, Spanberger is clear about one thing: She’s ready to bring order, transparency, and a focus on the people to Virginia.
