ENVIRONMENTAL JUSTICE: In a Tuesday ruling that at least temporarily protects public lands in Virginia and elsewhere, the U.S. Senate parliamentarian stripped the Senate Republicans’ controversial budget bill of provisions that would allow the sale of 120 million to 258 million acres of national forests and parks, recreation areas, trails, wilderness areas, and other federal lands for logging, mining, energy development, and privately profitable activities. The parliamentarian declared the provision outside of the legally allowed scope of the bill. Also scrapped was language that would have nullified “lengthy environmental reviews for offshore oil and gas projects” and imposed fees on renewable energy projects on federal land. However, to date, severe cuts to climate change prevention and research remain in the bill, despite 2024 being the hottest year on record globally and concerning conclusions of a recent scientific report on rising sea levels—a major concern of coastal Virginians--by climate scientists. 

MEDICAID/MEDICARE: With U.S. senators aiming to vote on the proposed controversial budget bill by tomorrow, June 27, Medicaid and Medicare advocates are pushing hard to convince U.S. Republican senators not to make the estimated $715 billion in cuts to Medicaid and $500 billion to Medicare over 10 years these critical programs. Medicaid or FAMIS, (Family Access to Medical Insurance Security Plan)--the state’s health insurance program for children--serves nearly 1.9 million Virginians, especially youth, older adults, and people with disabilities. An overview article, “Threats to Medicaid and Medicare: Potential Impacts on Vulnerable and Marginalized Populations,” by NASW Senior Policy Advisor Mel Wilson, LCSW, MBA, breaks down what’s at risk.  

VOTING/CIVIC ENGAGEMENT: Congratulations to both of our chapter-endorsed candidates who won during the June 17 Primary Election! Rep. Abigail Spanberger officially became the Democratic candidate for governor, facing Winsome Earle-Seales on November 4. State Sen. Ghazala Hashmi triumphed over five other candidates to win the Democratic lieutenant governor primary; she is now up against Republican John Reid in the General Election. Through our Virginia PACE (Political Action for Candidate Election) Committee, we are currently seeking other candidates who will champion social work values and policy program priorities. Please email Executive Director Debra Riggs, driggs.naswva@socialworkers.org, if you have names of local and district candidates you think worthy of endorsement consideration or want to volunteer for PACE. Contact candidate offices directly to get involved in the individual campaigns. Read here for a list of state voter rights. 

NASW PUBLIC POLICY PRIORITIES: NASW’s 2025 Blueprint of Public Policy Priorities outlines a bold federal strategy grounded in social work values. From increasing reimbursement rates to protecting Medicaid, the Blueprint is our roadmap to stronger protections, fair pay, and support for the challenges social workers face every day. Learn more about this important document and our policy priorities.