Congress | FFXnow

Published October 24, 2024 at 3:45PM

Congressional districts in Northern Virginia (via Virginia Department of Elections)

Democratic candidates maintain cash-on-hand advantages in two of three significant Northern Virginia races for the U.S. House of Representatives.

With Election Day looming on Nov. 5, the financial margin is closest in the 10th District, where Democrat and current state Sen. Suhas Subramanyam held a robust but not overwhelming cash-on-hand lead at the start of October over Republican Mike Clancy, a lawyer, according to the latest figures from the Federal Election Commission as reported by the Virginia Public Access Project.

Countywide

Fairfax County library may turn to Congress to address e-book costs

By Scott McCaffrey

Published October 17, 2024 at 9:00AM

Fairfax County Public Library (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

Fairfax County leaders say it likely will be up to Congress to give public libraries relief from a complex and costly process of obtaining electronic materials.

In its first joint meeting with the Fairfax County Public Library Board of Trustees in three years, the Board of Supervisors heard from the local library system on Tuesday (Oct. 15) on its efforts to get e-books and other electronic items without breaking the bank.

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Fairfax County’s use of Chinese drones questioned by Congress

By Jared Serre

Published October 11, 2024 at 9:45AM

A Fairfax County Police Department drone (via FCPD)

A congressional committee is urging Fairfax County to rethink its approach to the use of drones — specifically those manufactured in China.

In a letter sent to the Fairfax County Board of Supervisors last month, top members of the House Select Committee on the Chinese Communist Party raised national and economic security concerns related to the county’s use of drones made by DJI Technologies.

News

Reston Association backs federal bill for exemption from ownership reporting mandate

By Fatimah Waseem

Published October 2, 2024 at 3:45PM

Reston Association

Reston Association is throwing its support behind federal legislation that would exempt community associations from having to report information about their owners under a law designed to root out fraud and other shady dealings.

The organization sent letters to Rep. Gerry Connolly and senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner yesterday (Tuesday) urging them to co-sponsor the Community Association Reporting Exemption Act, which would exempt some homeowners and community associations from requirements that RA calls “burdensome.”

Countywide

Fairfax County early voting starts: Here’s what’s on the ballot

By James Jarvis

Published September 20, 2024 at 8:15AM | Updated September 20, 2024 at 10:18AM

Voters fill out their ballots for the 2023 Democratic primary at Bailey's Community Center (staff photo by Jay Westcott)

Early voting for the Nov. 5 general election in Fairfax County kicks off today (Friday) at three polling locations.

Voters will not only be deciding between Vice President Kamala Harris and former president Donald Trump in the presidential race, but also choosing candidates for Congress and, for Herndon residents, the town’s mayor and six council members. Several bond referenda and a proposed amendment to Virginia’s constitution will also be on the ballot.

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Rep. Connolly, Va. senators react to President Biden ending bid for reelection

By Angela Woolsey

Published July 22, 2024 at 10:30AM

The White House (via René DeAnda on Unsplash)

After weeks of speculation and reported angst within the Democratic Party, President Joe Biden announced yesterday (Sunday) that he will no longer seek a second term, instead endorsing Vice President Kamala Harris as his party’s nominee.

Reps. Gerry Connolly and Don Beyer, who represent parts of Fairfax County in the House, and Virginia senators Tim Kaine and Mark Warner quickly expressed support for Biden’s “difficult decision” and joined him in backing Harris.

News

Marshall HS students help draft Congressional bill to boost teen voter registration

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 26, 2024 at 1:45PM

Marshall High School students (left to right) Nia Gouvis, Eleanor Liang, Vedansh Garg, Samad Quraishi and Miranda and Julia Elliot Ortega advocate for youth voter registration (photo by Donnie Biggs/Fairfax County Public Schools)

Future high school students across the U.S. may find it easier to register to vote, an expansion of access that would be made possible in part by some current students at Marshall High School.

A group of students at the Pimmit Hills school spent the past year advocating for federal legislation that would designate all high schools as voter registration agencies, allowing them to host registration drives and receive reimbursement for the costs.

Countywide

BREAKING: Rep. Gerry Connolly wins Democratic primary

By Angela Woolsey

Published June 18, 2024 at 9:30PM

Campaign signs for the June 2024 primaries outside the North County Governmental Center in Reston (staff photo by Angela Woolsey)

With no local or state races on the ballot, Fairfax County voters turned out in a trickle today (Tuesday) for relatively low-key primary elections.

In the lone Fairfax County-only race, Rep. Gerry Connolly remains on track for a ninth term representing Virginia’s 11th Congressional District after handily securing the Democratic nomination over challenger Ahsan Nasar.

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Fairfax County to expand early voting for Congressional primary this weekend

By James Jarvis

Published June 6, 2024 at 1:30PM | Updated June 7, 2024 at 9:03AM

Political yard signs outside of Fairfax County Government Center (staff photo by James Jarvis)

Early voting in the upcoming Virginia primaries will expand this weekend, with Fairfax County opening additional in-person sites starting this Saturday (June 8).

Voters will determine representatives for Virginia’s 10th and 11th Congressional districts, as well as the Republican who will challenge Democratic Sen. Tim Kaine this fall. Early voting for the June 18 primary began on May 3 and will continue in-person through June 15.

Countywide

New federal budget funds Fairfax County homeless shelter, pedestrian projects

By Angela Woolsey

Published March 11, 2024 at 3:30PM

Fairfax County's existing Patrick Henry Family Shelter (via Google Maps)

(Updated at 3:35 p.m.) Congress has passed another short-term budget package, averting a partial shutdown of the federal government just hours before a midnight deadline.

In addition to funding the Justice Department, Housing and Urban Development, and other key agencies, the slate of bills passed 75-22 by the Senate on Friday (March 8) includes $12.7 billion in “pork” — money designated for local projects requested by lawmakers for their constituents.