Today, on the Friday Power Lunch, we heard from the fabulous Virginia Congresswoman Jennifer McClellan. She holds a special place in our hearts as we supported her run for Congress when Governor Glenn Youngkin declared as special election in Virginia's 4th Congressional District for February 21, 2023. The seat was previously held by Representative A. Donald McEachin, who passed away on November 28, 2022.
Jennifer is always willing to be part of our community and is a dedicated public servant. She is a history maker as the first Black woman to be elected to Congress from Virginia. We celebrated Black History Month on the program today, and her family’s story on voting dates back to Jim Crow laws that included a poll tax. When we chatted today about the Republican’s bill called the SAVE ACT that will disenfranchise voters and has elements of modern day poll tax, the Congresswoman reminded us that we are experiencing another backlash against racial progress — and we will get through this dark time as we have done before.
Below are some video highlights from her appearance on today’s show called:
“Supporting Immigrant Families and Communities“
MY MANTRA
Congresswoman first wanted to make sure we are taking care of ourselves. Her advice, as she named it, is “MY MANTRA” — we are in an all-hands-on-deck moment.
WE HAVE A STRATEGY
We wanted to find out what Democrats plan to do to counter the COUP. She mentions that the muzzle velocity is the MAGA strategy to overwhelm us. She details the House's approach to countering the fire hose of orders coming at them.
VIRGINIA IS MY DISTRICT
Every Dem House member is mission-focused. Each will take a piece of the fight so no one person is overwhelmed. McClellan will focus on Virgina, veterans, and federal works. Virginia is home to about 140,000 federal workers, and everyone is impacted by the purge. She also mentioned the frozen funds for community health centers and the attack on public education department.
BE EXCELLENT
Lastly, when I asked Rep. McClellan how she is doing, how she is holding up, she surprised me by saying, “EXCELLENT.”
She gave excellent wise advice on how she faces each day. McClellan said that it is important to reflect on the good you have in your life. For her, it was being alive and surviving a health incident; it was knowing that God blessed her with another day, and she was not going to let anyone take that from her. She said, “Don’t let anyone take your excellence.”
PUT THE PRESSURE ON
We wrapped up with calls to action. McClellan said that we need to keep the calls coming — but the most important part of the equation is to put pressure on Republican lawmakers. If you live in a Republican district, call your representative.
We need a few decent Republicans to help Democrats vote against bad bills. I am not sure there are any, but we have to push in all directions. Miracles do happen.
Stay tuned for more great content from the Friday Power Lunch. The full Feb.7, 2025, show will be posted this weekend.
Be Excellent,
BIG MIC
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