By Sen. Saddam Salim

Summer is typically the slowest time of the year in state politics. The last-minute adjustments to the budget by the General Assembly are usually wrapped up by the end of the fiscal year on the last day of June, and preparations for the next year’s session don’t fully begin until the fall. However, this year has been unexpectedly lively due to multiple special sessions on the Virginia Military Survivors and Dependents Education Program (VMSDEP). VMSDEP is a program that provides tuition benefits to the children of deceased and certain injured military personnel and first responders. Over the past decade, multiple General Assembly sessions have expanded the program to include more individuals. While we all agree that the children of these veterans deserve our support, the program has grown much faster than originally projected during the last round of changes, prompting General Assembly leaders to consider adjustments to ensure its future financial stability. Due to the short and fast-paced nature of our legislative session, the original budget that was passed included widespread eligibility restrictions. The General Assembly listened to the families that would be affected, and although we started with many disagreements, we came together to pass a bill repealing the new eligibility restrictions, adding new funding to the program, and authorizing an expedited study of the issue. This study will consider both the long-term sustainability of the program and the needs of VMSDEP-eligible families.

At the beginning of the summer, it also seemed as if the presidential race would be relatively quiet compared to the last few cycles. Trump and Biden were deadlocked in the polls, with little movement. However, after the June debate, the attempted assassination of former-President Trump, and President Biden stepping aside, everything changed. Although Democrats were divided for a few weeks and had some uncomfortable conversations, I believe we have come out stronger. I am thankful to President Biden for making the selfless decision to step aside and put his country above himself. This decision will be remembered in history as a noble one. I am proud to support Vice President Kamala Harris for President this year, and I am excited to see how Democrats have unified around her. As a South Asian, I am particularly thrilled that, in addition to being the first Black woman elected to the Presidency, she would be our nation’s first AAPI President. She will be a fighter for making life more affordable, for our democracy, and for all Americans. I will be a delegate to the DNC at the end of August, and I am excited to officially make her our party’s nominee. With the Democrats re-energized, I am confident that our Commonwealth will vote solidly to elect Kamala Harris and re-elect Senator Kaine in November.

Finally, I would like to congratulate all the Olympians from the US, especially those from Virginia, who are competing this year in Paris. As of this writing, one Virginian has won a gold medal; congratulations to Torri Huske from Arlington! You are making our great Commonwealth proud. Good luck to all the other athletes competing!