(The Center Square) – Some Virginia Democratic congressional leaders have decided to use President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address on Tuesday night to protest his decision to reduce the federal workforce.
A few members opted to invite poignant guests impacted by the workforce cull while sending strong messages of solidarity with federal workers.
Sen. Tim Kaine has invited Jason King, a disabled veteran from Fairfax, Va., recently laid off from the Federal Aviation Administration’s safety division as part of the Trump administration’s plan to cull the federal workforce.
“Jason has served our country for years – first in the military and then at the Federal Aviation Administration where he worked to ensure air safety for millions of passengers,” Kaine said. “Despite Jason’s service, he is one of many federal employees who were recently fired by the Trump administration. Jason’s story is a powerful example of how indiscriminately firing federal employees disproportionately hurts our veterans and also threatens the safety of the American people who rely on agencies like the FAA.”
Kaine’s announcement comes on the heels of demanding the Trump administration “immediately reinstate all of the estimated 6,000 veterans who were fired during the mass terminations” of federal employees.
The senator also recently called on the president to “prioritize” air travel safety by reversing cuts to “essential FAA safety roles.”
Sen. Mark Warner chose to invite Ashley Ranalli, a former National Park Service ranger who worked at the Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park until being one of an estimated 1,000 park service employees to be let go.
Warner says Ranalli was laid off as part of the president’s plan to eliminate “probationary” employees.
“Ashley Ranalli is one of the many dedicated public servants who have been forced out of their jobs serving Americans by President Trump and Elon Musk…These indiscriminate cuts of Park Service personnel are devastating to the parks and their local communities,” said Warner. “I am glad that Ashley is able to join as my guest for the address to Congress, so that President Trump can look out into the audience and face a Virginian directly affected by his short-sighted and reckless choices.”
Rep. Bobby Scott chose to invite retired Army Staff Sgt. Alexzandria Hunt, a veteran and supply technician at the Hampton VA Medical Center recently laid off as part of the federal workforce reduction.
“President Trump and Elon Musk have unleashed chaos and confusion across the federal government with their haphazard and harmful mass firings of civil servants,” said Scott. “Many civil servants provide critical services to the American people and ensure public safety. She was working hard to ensure other veterans in Hampton Roads received the care they earned.”
Rep. Gerry Connolly is choosing to protest the president’s actions by boycotting the address, stressing that he has never missed a State of the Union.
Connolly released a statement laying out his reasons for skipping the address, underscoring his solidarity with federal workers.
“We have never seen our laws, institutions, and the separation of powers so attacked from within,” he said. “These are not normal times. The challenges my constituents face demand more than sitting in a chamber I revere, listening as if the person addressing our country is not unleashing chaos and cruelty on their lives. I cannot give audience to that.
“In solidarity with federal workers and contractors, who have been treated with unspeakable disregard and disrespect by a president and an oligarch billionaire who do not value their public service. I will not attend Donald Trump’s address to Congress.”
The address will be the first opportunity for Trump to address the joint chambers of Congress since retaking office in January.
