119th Congress

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released the following statement after voting no on the partisan Department of Homeland Security (DHS) funding bill, that House Republicans brought to the floor instead of the bipartisan DHS funding bill that passed the Senate unanimously last night:

“This Republican shutdown should be over. Instead, House Republicans chose to ignore the voices of the American people and continue the pain by passing a bill that has no chance of ending this debacle. So TSA, FEMA and other federal workers and contractors will continue to not get paid. Americans will be less safe and face travel disruptions.

I am ready and willing to vote for a bipartisan solution that funds DHS and increases accountability for immigration enforcement.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, wrote to Sarah Ferguson to request she submit to questioning by the Oversight Committee as part of the ongoing probe into Jeffrey Epstein, his accomplices, and enablers.

The Ranking Member said, “It is clear that you possessed social and business ties to Mr. Epstein and have knowledge of information that can assist our investigation. Documentation of your relationship with Mr. Epstein includes referring to Mr. Epstein as ‘a legend’ – after Mr. Epstein’s 2008 conviction – and writing: ‘I really don’t have the words to describe my love, gratitude for your generosity and kindness… I am at your service. Just marry me.’ Moreover, according to Department of Justice documents, Mr. Epstein was involved in discussions to become your company’s majority owner.”

In the letter, Ranking Member Subramanyam also points to Ms. Ferguson asking Mr. Epstein for a financial loan and that she may have information on Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor’s relationship with Epstein. Ranking Member Subramanyam requested Mr. Mountbatten-Windsor submit to questioning from the Oversight Committee last year.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) is bringing attention to the ongoing situation with the Army potentially purchasing the Middleburg Training Facility despite community opposition and making every effort to ensure the community has a voice in the process. The Congressman and his staff are working with community leaders and the U.S. Army to see if a solution can be found. Today, the Congressman spoke about it on the House floor. That speech can be found here on YouTube and below.

The Congressman said, “I rise to bring to the attention of the House the potential sale of the Middleburg Training Center to the Army. 

The Training Center has been a bedrock of the town’s local economy since its establishment in 1956.  

It is one of the leading horse training facilities in the country and a major driver of the local economy. 

There is really not a horse training facility public or private nearby.

And to be clear, we welcome the Army and the Old Guard Caisson Detachment in Loudoun. But we need to give the community a voice in this process and consider alternative sites that won’t disrupt the local economy. 

Because if this sale goes through, thousands of jobs and the tens of millions of dollars that benefit the local economy may be lost

So I ask that we slow this process down and consider an alternative site within the region that can appropriately accommodate the Caisson horses and provide a turnkey solution for the Army’s needs.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, released the following statement after a judge ruled that the Pentagon’s policy illegally restricts press credentials of reporters who wouldn’t agree with the new rules:

“I have said repeatedly that banning reporters at the Pentagon was an attack on the First Amendment and our democracy. This week the courts finally agreed. Secretary Hegseth must obey the order and, as this war with Iran enters its 4th week, it’s more important than ever that the American people know what's happening at the Pentagon and how their taxpayer money is being spent.”

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representatives Suhas Subramanyam (D-VA) and Jay Obernolte (R-CA) have introduced the bipartisan Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act. The bill would allow for support to small AI businesses so they can compete in this emerging market and create jobs.

“The future of AI will be shaped not just by big tech, but also by small businesses and startups. To stay ahead of international competitors, we must support the small innovators who play a key role in this industry," said Rep. Subramanyam. “My bill will investigate the challenges to federal funding, recruiting and retaining top talent, and navigating regulations these businesses face. As our world becomes increasingly reliant on AI, we must act now to support these innovators.”

“America’s leadership in artificial intelligence will not only depend on large technology companies, but also on the next generation of innovators building breakthrough tools in small businesses and startups across the country. As a software engineer and small business owner myself, I understand how difficult it can be for early-stage companies to navigate access to capital and talent, and to deal with regulatory uncertainty. This bipartisan legislation will help Congress better understand the barriers facing small AI innovators so we can ensure the United States remains the global leader in artificial intelligence,” said Rep. Obernolte. 

The Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act directs the Department of Commerce, in collaboration with NIST and the SBA, to conduct a study on challenges faced by small artificial intelligence businesses across the country. This study will investigate:

• Federal and non-federal funding opportunities for small AI businesses, including early and seed funding.
• The ability of small AI businesses to access R&D tax credits.
• Downstream policy impacts on small AI businesses, including regulatory uncertainty.
• Talent and recruitment challenges faced by small AI businesses.

“In order for lawmakers to pass sound legislation both regulating and promoting the development of AI, they need a firm grasp of the realities faced by AI startups across the country. The Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act will shine light on the experiences of startups from the first dollar they raise to eventual successful exit—and all of the product development, regulatory hurdles, and other challenges they encounter in between. Engine is proud to endorse this legislation and is grateful to Reps. Subramanyam and Obernolte for their leadership on this issue and support of the U.S. startup ecosystem,” said Kate Tummarello, Executive Director of Engine.

“Small AI businesses are developing, deploying, and adapting tools that improve productivity, expand access to services, and strengthen U.S. competitiveness. Unfortunately, they often face distinct and overlooked challenges in accessing capital, computing resources, and talent, while also navigating uncertain pathways for growth. The Small AI Innovators Empowerment Act includes provisions to document and better understand those challenges to ensure policymakers considering a comprehensive AI regulatory framework have a clearer picture of the needs of the smallest AI innovators. We are proud to support this legislation and appreciate Representatives Subramanyam (D-VA-10) and Obernolte (R-CA-23) for leading this effort in the House,” said Morgan Reed, President, ACT, The App Association.

Rep. Subramanyam recently spoke about this bill on the House floor. You can watch that here. 

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10), Ranking Member of the Military and Foreign Affairs Oversight Subcommittee, led a bipartisan group of members in pushing the Department of Defense (DOD) to continue to support Scouting America. In December, Ranking Member Subramanyam and his colleagues outlined concerns over reports that the military was considering cutting ties with Scouting America, including withdrawing support from the National Jamboree. 

Today they followed up with new concerns about Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth’s February 27th video that “officially put Scouting America on notice.” The video lays out new requirements in an evaluation after six months and states the Department was “very seriously considering ending our support of scouting altogether.”

The members said, “Our constituents and federal statute demand unconditional support for Scouting America, and we strongly urge the Department to continue this partnership beyond the six-month deadline. Cutting this partnership could impact the thousands of young Americans across our district who participate, and as President Trump himself said in 2017, the ‘United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts.’”

The members ended their letter to Secretary Hegseth urging the Department to continue its support of Scouting America and noting highlights of the century-long partnership between Scouting America and the DOD.

In addition to Ranking Member Subramanyam, Representatives Bacon, Bishop, Goodlander, Horsford and Walkinshaw signed the letter to Secretary Hegseth.

The letter can be found below and here.

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Dear Secretary Hegseth,

On December 5, 2025, we outlined our concerns over reports that the military was considering cutting ties with Scouting America, including withdrawing support from the National Jamboree. Our letter highlighted the century of partnership between Boy Scouts, Scouting America and the military, including the values of citizenship, service, and leadership that it instills in the next generation. Moreover, our letter highlighted the successful scouting pipeline into the military – as evidenced by the number of West Point cadets with Eagle Scout badges. But, as of March 16, 2026, we have yet to receive a response.

We now write not only to follow up on the December 5, 2025 letter, but to raise additional concerns following your February 27, 2026 video, in which the Department of War “officially put Scouting America on notice.” The video makes the Department’s future support for Scouting America conditioned on meeting new requirements in an evaluation after six months. In the video, it is stated that the Department was “very seriously considering ending our support of scouting altogether.”

Our constituents and federal statute demand unconditional support for Scouting America, and we strongly urge the Department to continue this partnership beyond the six-month deadline. Cutting this partnership could impact the thousands of young Americans across our districts who participate, and, as President Trump himself said in 2017, the “United States has no better citizens than its Boy Scouts.” Additionally, the Support our Scouts Act, passed in the 109th Congress, prohibits the reduction of support from year-to-year.

As noted in the social media video, six Scouts have been elected President. Eleven of the twelve people who walked on the moon were Scouts. Once again, we strongly urge you to continue the Department’s support of Scouting America.

We look forward to your response.

WASHINGTON, DC – U.S. Representative Suhas Subramanyam (VA-10) released a statement on a new OPM rule allowing the president to reclassify approximately 50,000 federal workers as “at will” employees under a new classification known as Schedule Policy/Career (Schedule P/C). The President can sign an executive order to finalize this rule effective this week. 

“This administration has already taken a chainsaw to our federal workforce and led a misguided, partisan war against all federal workers and contractors since taking office,” said Congressman Subramanyam. “Trump wants unilateral control over our federal workforce, and in doing so, he has eliminated hundreds of years’ worth of experience, knowledge, and expertise. These efforts jeopardize the safety and security of the American people every day. There are nearly 40,000 federal workers and contractors in my district. They are not only our hardworking neighbors and friends, but a critical part of our economy and community. This new OPM rule is just another way to harm those who serve us and prevent potential opposition to Trump’s agenda.”

Schedule P/C employees would lose rights to appeal terminations that they previously had, including reviews and appeals by the Office of Special Counsel and the Merit Systems Protection Board, as well as recruitment, retention, and relocation incentives.