MANASSAS, Va. — Democratic Congressmen Eugene Vindman (VA-7) and Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) appeared before a packed audience Friday morning at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters to reflect on their first 100 days in office.
The event, titled “The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective,” was moderated by UVA Health Chief External Affairs Officer Jen Siciliano and offered a sweeping look at the challenges facing Northern Virginia and the nation.
Both lawmakers, elected in November 2024, emphasized the urgency of their work amid what they described as a time of national “chaos” and “uncertainty” that has rattled communities, economies, and institutions alike.
“We’re facing unprecedented circumstances — not just politically, but economically and institutionally,” said Subramanyam, a former state legislator and Obama-era White House tech advisor. “Even the most seasoned members of Congress haven’t seen anything like this, so in many ways, freshmen like us are just as prepared.”
Vindman: “Smart Growth” Vision and Focus on Democracy
In a one-on-one interview after the event, Rep. Vindman told Potomac Local News that his long-term vision for Northern Virginia centers on “smart growth through smart-funded infrastructure,” which includes bringing more industry to the region and capitalizing on the area’s strong schools and educational institutions. However, he cautioned that his immediate focus remains on “preserving the republic.”
That, Vindman said, means protecting Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid, “especially for families like Shannon and Luca’s in Stafford County, who rely on Medicaid for 24-hour care,” he said. He also called for defending democratic norms and due process. “We have to hold the line on what America stands for,” he said.
Response to Book Spending Allegations
Vindman had no comment when asked about a New York Post report that his campaign spent nearly $39,000 at a Florida bookstore where his brother, Alexander Vindman, held book signings.
Chamber CEO Sweeney: “Fantastic Kickoff” to New Headquarters
Prince William Chamber of Commerce CEO Robert “Bob” Sweeney praised the event as a “fantastic kickoff” to the organization’s new home and called the conversation “refreshing and honest.”
“Having two freshman congressmen that serve in this unpredictable, uncertain time was wonderful,” Sweeney said. “They really shed light on what’s possible, what to look forward to, and what to be concerned about.”
While some attendees expressed concerns about immigration and workforce shortages, Sweeney said he hadn’t directly heard of businesses losing employees due to immigration issues. Instead, he highlighted how major industries — including healthcare and tech — are banding together to weather economic turbulence.
“Inova, Kaiser, Sentara, UVA Health, AWS, Google, and Iron Mountain were all in the same room this week trying to figure this out together,” he said.
One bright spot came from UVA Health, which Sweeney said has fully resolved its nursing shortage by training high school graduates for entry-level clinical roles and supporting them toward becoming registered nurses. “They’ve built a pipeline — no open nursing positions today,” he said.
On the other hand, retail businesses in Manassas City were described as “very, very concerned.” According to Sweeney, while the impact of tariffs hasn’t yet shown up on expense reports, foot traffic has dropped as consumers tighten discretionary spending. “We’ll see how it plays out, but our members are watching it closely,” he said.
Economic Warning Signs and Workforce Concerns
Both congressmen warned that tariffs, federal spending cuts, and efforts to relocate federal agencies to red states are threatening the region’s economic stability. Vindman, a member of the House Armed Services Committee, said his district could lose billions in economic activity if current policies continue. Subramanyam added that unpredictability is deterring businesses from investing in innovation and long-term growth.
“You can’t plan if you don’t know what tomorrow brings,” Vindman said. “That’s the worst environment for business.”
In one of the first major events at the Prince William Chamber of Commerce’s new headquarters, Northern Virginia’s two newest congressmen will share insights from their first 100 days in office.
“The First 100 Days: Our Freshmen Congressmen’s Perspective” will take place Friday, April 25, 2025, from 8 to 10 a.m. at the Chamber’s new office, located at 9733 Buchanan Loop, Manassas. The event is open to Chamber members; admission is $10, with proceeds benefiting the Chamber Foundation. Breakfast will be served.
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Congressman Suhas Subramanyam (D) has been appointed to the House Committees on Science, Space, and Technology and Oversight and Accountability. Leveraging his experience as a former Obama administration technology advisor and entrepreneur, Subramanyam aims to promote innovation, support economic development, and champion research and STEM education in Virginia's 10th District, which includes western Prince William County, Manassas, and Manassas Park.
Subramanyam will advocate for federal workers in the Oversight Committee, representing the 34,000 in his district. He plans to hold the former Trump administration accountable, ensure efficient government services, and resist efforts to politicize federal service or relocate jobs out of Virginia. A former Virginia General Assembly legislator, Subramanyam is known for bipartisan achievements and community service, including his work as a firefighter and EMT. He resides in Ashburn, Virginia, with his family.
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On January 7, the U.S. House of Representatives convened for the first session of the 119th Congress and passed H.R. 29, the "Riley Laken Act," with bipartisan support.
The bill is named in memory of Riley Laken, a 22-year-old nursing student tragically murdered in February 2024 while jogging on the University of Georgia campus. Her assailant, José Antonio Ibarra, a 26-year-old Venezuelan national who entered the U.S. illegally, was convicted and sentenced to life in prison without parole.
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From The Center Square:
The districts most likely to shift Virginia’s current balance of power in the House of Representatives from Democratic to Republican would be District 7 or 10, according to the nonpartisan Virginia Public Access Project – but that may prove a tough feat for District 10’s Republican Mike Clancy.
Clancy is a lawyer, tech executive and “national media commentator,” according to his campaign website. He was the clear winner of the district’s Republican primary, capturing nearly 65% of the vote. But he has never been elected to state-level office before. At the same time, his competitor is Sen. Suhas Subramanyam, D-Loudoun, elected to the state Senate after two terms in its House of Delegates.
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Results of informal “should Joe Biden stay in the race” survey: Of the fifty-three respondents to our emails last week, 51% think Joe should stay in the race while 36% think he should withdraw. Another 13% either had a policy-related comment or offered nuanced comments.
Their call matches Suhas Subramanyam, the Democrat running for Virignia’s 10th Congressional District, which includes western Prince William, Manassas, and Manassas Park. Earlier this week, Subramanyam told Potomac Local he supports the president’s re-election bid for a second term, despite calls from some in his party to withdraw his candidacy due to cognitive issues.
Fairfax County, a stronghold for Democrats, is the most populated jurisdiction and often decides how the entire state will vote — so goes Fairfax, so goes Virginia.
Meanwhile, Democrat Eugene Vindman continues to be hounded about whether or not he supports Biden. Potomac Local has twice asked him to ignore questions on the matter. He’s running for Virginia’s 7th Congressional District, which includes eastern Prince William County, Stafford and Spotsylvania counties, and Fredericksburg.
A video posted by the National Republican Congressional Committee of Vindman showed him walking into a fundraiser, where, again, he dodged the question.
Extreme Democrat @YVindman still REFUSES to answer the question.
IS BIDEN FIT FOR OFFICE?#VA07 deserves to know. pic.twitter.com/ewY4Ep5vNl
— NRCC (@NRCC) July 10, 2024
