Economic Renewal & Energy Independence for Northern Virginia

For decades, Northern Virginia has depended heavily on federal employment and contracting. While this has supported strong wages, it has also made our region economically vulnerable. When Congress stalls budgets, freezes hiring, or cuts the federal workforce, it is Northern Virginia families, small businesses, and local governments who feel the impact first.

It’s time to diversify our economy and build a foundation that is strong, stable, and built to last.

My plan does exactly that — by expanding clean, reliable, American-made energy, creating high-paying jobs, and positioning Northern Virginia as a national leader in advanced nuclear technology and manufacturing.

Northern Virginia is home to one of the largest concentrations of federal workers and contractors in America. That means:

• When federal budgets stall — our economy stalls.
   
• When Washington cuts jobs — our families suffer.
   
• When political games are played — Northern Virginians pay the price.
   

We deserve an economy that is strong because of us — not fragile because of Washington.

On Day One in Congress, I will introduce two bills that turn vulnerability into opportunity:

This bill will:

• Designate Northern Virginia as a Nuclear-Ready Grid Zone
   
• Modernize substations and transmission capacity
   
• Develop regional microgrids for resilience
   
• Streamline permitting to cut red tape
   
• Provide up to 70% federal cost-share
   
• Deploy Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) as a local, reliable power source
   
• Authorize $3 billion in infrastructure investment for 2026–2030
   

This bill will:

• Create Nuclear Workforce Hubs in Northern Virginia
   
• Fund apprenticeships, scholarships, and certifications
   
• Train workers for SMR operations, cybersecurity, and grid modernization
   
• Provide job transition pathways for displaced federal workers and veterans
   
• Build partnerships with local universities and community colleges

We are the data center capital of the world, and our energy needs are growing faster than our grid can support. Demand for 24/7 power has pushed our system to its limits — resulting in:

• High congestion fees
   
• Transmission bottlenecks
   
• Rising monthly electric bills
   

This plan changes that.

By generating clean, steady power right here at home using Small Modular Reactors (SMRs), we:

• Reduce grid congestion
   
• Cut expensive transmission fees
   
• Stop importing peak-hour electricity
   
• Protect families from price spikes
   
• Stabilize and lower monthly electric bills
   

Local power = lower costs.
Local jobs = stronger families.
Local innovation = economic independence.

This is more than an energy plan — it’s a job creation engine.

It will create:

• Construction and skilled trades jobs immediately
   
• High-wage long-term careers in operations and engineering
   
• New opportunities in cybersecurity, safety, and grid technology
   
• A regional SMR manufacturing and assembly hub right here in Northern Virginia
   

We keep the jobs and the supply chain in America — and in our region.

This plan builds on — and accelerates — major bipartisan nuclear legislation already advancing in Congress, including:

• H.R. 9710 — Small Modular Reactor Demonstration Act (2024)
   
• H.R. 2813 — Small Modular Reactor Commercialization Act (2025)
   
• The International Nuclear Energy Act (2024)
   
• The Nuclear REFUEL Act (Bipartisan)
   

These laws are already opening the door.

My bills ensure Northern Virginia becomes the gateway.

And we are aligned with Glenn Youngkin’s Virginia SMR and Advanced Nuclear Initiative, which has already:

• Identified SMR-ready development zones
   
• Begun utility and industry alignment
   
• Established early-stage training partnerships
   

 Federal and State momentum exists.
Our plan ensures Northern Virginia becomes the leader — not the last to benefit. 

Northern Virginia becomes:

• The clean energy innovation capital of America
   
• The national manufacturing hub for small modular reactors
   
• The workforce training center powering the next energy era
   
•  Make Northern Virginia economically independent
   

We will no longer be economically captive to political gridlock in Washington.
We will build a stronger future ourselves — right here, at home.

We can:

• Continue living tied to federal instability and budget fights, or
   
• Build a strong, independent economy powered by local industry, local energy, and local jobs.
   

I choose strength.
I choose independence.
I choose Northern Virginia.