This post was written by Mena Yousef and published first here in the Fairfax County Times. Mena Yousef is a small business owner and a lifelong resident of Fairfax County. He has a deep appreciation for and is committed to the well-being of this vibrant community.
Our Founding Fathers brilliantly created a Constitutional Republic so that all citizens have the unique ability to be represented in Congress. Through the creation of the U.S. Senate and the House of Representatives, the American citizen has a connection point to elected representatives who are theoretically in tune with their constituents’ local needs. The original purpose of a member of Congress was to come from the Congressional District he or she represents and present needs and concerns to Congress through the committee and legislative process and vote accordingly based on the desires and needs of those who elected them.
Is Congressman Gerry Connolly truly in tune with the local needs of the citizens of Virginia’s 11th Congressional District? His legislative priorities often seem to prioritize the welfare, borders, and economic well-being of nations other than our own, creating a significant disconnect.
Parents in Fairfax County are concerned about public safety, high gas and grocery prices, a spike in gang violence and violent crime, and, of course, education. One of the driving forces of increased crime stems from a wide-open southern border. Why did Connolly oppose the Secure the Border Act yet continuously press for funding to secure Ukraine’s Border? Why does he have a whole webpage on his campaign site entitled “Environmental Justice,” yet does nothing to combat the gross economic injustice hard-working families are facing due to excruciatingly high gas and grocery prices while Connolly and his buddies in Congress keep funding political projects with taxpayer dollars? What has the congressman done to foster an education system in the U.S. based on meritocracy versus the disastrous tenants of DEI?
One must wonder what Connolly has done to prove himself worthy of representing the 11th Congressional District over the last 15 years. Have our lives improved? Do we feel safer? Have education scores for Fairfax County students improved? The lack of significant improvement in these areas raises serious questions about his effectiveness.
One must also question why Connolly refuses to debate his opponent in the upcoming November election. If he has such a stellar track record to defend, what is the issue, and why is he not coming out in public to answer questions and debate his opponent? Connolly faces off with Mike Van Meter, who is running due to such a downturn in the quality of life in Fairfax County. A public debate is not just a formality but a crucial opportunity for constituents to hear directly from their potential representative.
We, the people of the 11th District, want to hear directly from the congressman before he jet sets off on his next international trip. Our lives and livelihoods, our safety, and the education and future of our children matter and should be of paramount concern to our elected representative in Congress.