Beginning Tuesday, the Senate will proceed to consider voting rights legislation for the first time in my Senate career. Up until now, Republicans have blocked our ability to even consider voting rights—essentially a “gag rule” on this topic. But we have found a path to begin debate on the Freedom to Vote Act and John Lewis Voting Rights Advancement Act even over Republican opposition.

I support the Biden Administration’s decision to withdraw the remaining U.S. troops in Afghanistan by September 11th. As we approach the 20th year of the war—the longest in U.S. history—we should acknowledge what we achieved and be realistic about the challenges that remain: Development outcomes in Afghanistan, including access to education for women, increased life expectancy, and access to electricity, have significantly improved. Additionally, Osama bin Laden is dead, and Al-Qaeda degraded.

The sun is up on a new day. But there must be accountability for yesterday:

The Cabinet should invoke the 25th Amendment against Trump. If he wants to challenge, Congress should vote him out.

Congress should inform Trump that he is not welcome at the inauguration. Congress must also dig into the awful lack of security yesterday—praising those who performed heroically and holding accountable those who allowed the second attack on the Capitol in US history.

Tonight I spoke on the Senate floor about exactly what objecting to these electoral results means for our country: After John Lewis was savagely beaten on Bloody Sunday, the US Senate came together to pass the Voting Rights Act.

We should be coming together today—after more violence—to affirm the votes cast in November. Instead we’re contemplating an unprecedented act of disenfranchisement.

To Senators attempting to overturn state electoral results in states that voted for Biden/Harris: Your challenge is dangerous—you are attempting to overthrow the government of the United States.

At 5am today, I spoke on the Senate floor in opposition to the nomination of Judge Amy Coney Barrett to the United States Supreme Court—a process that has shown just how deeply misplaced the priorities of the Senate GOP are in this moment. We're facing the largest public health crisis in 100 years, the most significant economic collapse since the Great Depression, and the Senate has done nothing to provide relief for 6 months! This is inexcusable.

30 American servicemembers—including Virginians—were killed in Afghanistan in 2019 and 2020. Now we’re hearing reports that Russia was paying bounties to Taliban-linked militants to kill Americans. And the White House reportedly knew, holding meetings about the explosive charge in March of this year.

As a lawyer, I had cases in every court from the Richmond traffic court to the U.S. Supreme Court. I know courtrooms front, back, and center. And now I'm a juror for the first time in my life. I want to share some thoughts after the first few days of this impeachment trial: As jurors we're grappling with 3 questions:

1. What are the facts?
2. Do the facts establish either or both of the articles of impeachment?
3. If they do, did they establish them at such a level—a high crime or misdemeanor—to warrant removal of the President from office?

This so-called “investigation” is a complete sham. This process was wrapped up in just *5 days,* despite the many witnesses pleading to share relevant information who were ignored by the FBI.

After meeting with him, reviewing his record, and watching his hearing, Judge Kavanaugh has clearly failed to show he would be an independent check against executive power. He would threaten Supreme Court precedent on women's health, marriage equality, and more.

I will vote no. Kavanaugh failed to show he'll be an independent check against unlawful action by a President. He would not say whether a President must comply with subpoenas. He would not say whether a President could pardon himself. He would not decry scorched-earth attacks on law enforcement.

If you follow me on here, you probably already know that I think the GOP tax bill is bad news. But it's going to be voted on in the (very) near future, and I need you to speak out loud and clear against it. Here's why: 1/ First, and very importantly: This tax bill very clearly puts large corporations and the wealthiest among us ahead of middle-class families. Full stop. By 2027, we would see a substantial tax hike for the middle class. 2/

Budget Cmte is diving into the Trump/GOP #TaxReform plan today & what we’ve seen is bad news for Virginia families…some of my big concerns: 1/ Tax cuts are for the wealthy at the expense of the middle class. 80% of the benefits could go to the top 1%.