1. United States
2. Va.
3. Letter

I write to you today with deep concern regarding the recent wave of federal job cuts disproportionately affecting Virginians, particularly in Northern Virginia. While I recognize and appreciate the resources your office has made available to assist laid-off federal employees, I am deeply troubled that we have yet to see strong, vocal leadership from you condemning these cuts and their reckless implementation. These layoffs are not just numbers on a spreadsheet, they represent real people, families, and communities whose livelihoods are being upended. Northern Virginia has long been the economic backbone of our state, generating a significant portion of Virginia’s tax revenue. The abrupt elimination of federal jobs is already having a direct and devastating impact on our local businesses, school systems, and public services. Schools, in particular, will see a reduction in federal Impact Aid as more students’ families lose their primary source of income, further straining already stretched education budgets. While local leaders are doing what they can to support affected families, Virginia needs you to take a stand. These job cuts are not the result of thoughtful, strategic workforce restructuring. Instead, they are being carried out by unqualified individuals who lack the context and knowledge necessary to perform a true audit of which positions are essential and which are not. Virginians are being forced into financial insecurity by decisions made without transparency or accountability, and yet, your office has remained silent in directly opposing these harmful actions. I urge you to publicly denounce these shortsighted cuts and advocate for Virginians who have dedicated their careers to serving our country. Beyond the immediate crisis, I ask that your office take further action to mitigate the harm these layoffs are causing. Specifically, I urge you to: - Provide clear guidance on what additional measures the state will take to support those affected beyond encouraging them to apply for state government positions. - Publicly challenge the decision-making process behind these federal job cuts and demand a more thoughtful, evidence-based approach. - Address the broader economic ripple effects of these layoffs, particularly their impact on state tax revenue and public services, including education. - Explore rent stabilization policies to prevent displaced federal employees from facing housing insecurity as a result of sudden job loss. Transparently, you can’t keep playing both sides. You either stand up for Virginians or betray your constituents by supporting DOGE in its current state. Virginians deserve more from their state leadership in the face of an economic crisis. I urge you to take bold and immediate action, not only in offering assistance but in using your platform to push back against harmful policies that jeopardize our residents and our state’s financial future.