WASHINGTON, D.C. — U.S. Representative Abigail Spanberger was sworn in today as a Member of the 116th Congress, where she will serve the people of Virginia’s 7th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

“It is an incredible honor to begin serving the people of Virginia’s 7th District in Congress,” said Spanberger. “I thank everyone who helped us get here, and I look forward to working every single day on behalf of the people I serve—those who voted for me and those who did not—to pursue policies that will create opportunities across our country, improve the lives of Americans, and strengthen our communities.”

Spanberger’s legislative priorities include making healthcare and prescription drugs more affordable, restoring the faith of voters in our electoral system through comprehensive campaign finance and good governance reforms, and bringing broadband internet infrastructure to rural communities. Spanberger is also committed to strengthening our public education system, increasing support for career and technical education programs, protecting Social Security and Medicare, reforming the U.S. criminal justice system, addressing the environmental, economic, and security impact of global climate change, and reaffirming the national security priority of maintaining strong relationships with U.S. allies.

In advance of the swearing in ceremony, Spanberger and her colleagues voted to elect the Speaker of the House for the 116th Congress. Spanberger, who had frequently spoken about the importance of having new leadership and new voices lead the party in Congress, cast her Speaker vote for U.S. Rep. Cheri Bustos (D-IL-17).

Commenting on her vote, Spanberger said, “The central Virginians I represent expect me to get to work pursuing policies that will positively impact our district, the Commonwealth, and our country—and they, rightfully, expect me to keep my promises. Today, I kept my promise to vote for new leadership on the floor of the House. I voted for someone whom I believe represents the type of leadership that will be vital in the coming years as we work to address the challenges facing communities across the United States, put an end to partisan gridlock, and deliver results for the American people.” Spanberger continued, “It was important that I demonstrate clearly with my vote what I had meant when advocating along the campaign trail for new voices and new leadership in Congress. However, with the clear mandate Speaker Pelosi received today, I am committed and look forward to working with her, House leadership, and my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to serve the American people.”

A former federal agent and operations officer with the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA), Spanberger campaigned on her experience in public service and her commitment to working to find long-lasting solutions to the tough challenges facing the country and the American people.  In November, Spanberger was elected to represent Virginia’s 7th District, which contains all or portions of Amelia, Chesterfield, Culpeper, Goochland, Henrico, Louisa, Nottoway, Orange, Powhatan, and Spotsylvania counties in central Virginia.

Spanberger is the first woman ever elected to represent the 7th District, and the first Democrat elected since 1968.

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