CBS19, SARAH ALLEN

Virginia Representative Abigail Spanberger (D-VA-7th) spoke to students of the University of Virginia community Monday as a part of the Batten Hour series of events. The attendees also used the opportunity to get input from the congresswoman on the war in the Middle East and the chaos on Capitol Hill. 

“There have been movements for liberation, there have been movements for freedom, throughout the world that have been successful and have brought peace, that have brought change, that have brought progress. Some here in South Africa, and throughout every part in the world, and they did not do it by murdering babies,” Spanberger said. 

Spanberger reflected on her time in the CIA, where she worked domestically and internationally to keep the country safe from terrorism and inform policymakers in their national security decisions. With this experience, she feels strongly about the current war taking place in the Middle East. 

“Hamas is a terrorist organization. The murder of children, of families, in their beds, in their homes, is absolutely something I will condemn every single day,” Spanberger said.

Meanwhile in Washington, D.C., the House of Representatives is scheduled to vote Tuesday at noon for the new Speaker of the House.  

“There has been one nominee, and he couldn’t get 217 and there is another nominee, and it seems unlikely he will get 217, and all while Democrats are saying ‘hey guys, we can work together,’” Spanberger said.

Spanberger says that all 212 Democrats are likely to vote for Hakeem Jeffries, the current minority leader, and it would take only five Republican votes for Jeffries to then assume the position of Speaker.