Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton used text-to-speech expertise to advocate for her invoice on the Home flooring Monday, following her analysis with the uncommon mind situation often known as progressive supranuclear palsy.
C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
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C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton used text-to-speech expertise to advocate for her invoice on the Home flooring Monday, following her analysis with the uncommon mind situation often known as progressive supranuclear palsy.
C-SPAN/Screenshot by NPR
Rep. Jennifer Wexton is being hailed as an inspiration after advocating for her invoice on the Home flooring this week, whilst she battles a uncommon mind dysfunction that has restricted her means to talk.
The Virginia Democrat took the rostrum on Monday to make the case for her invoice, which might rename a put up workplace in her county after common buyer — and late Secretary of State — Madeleine Albright.
Wexton delivered her practically two-minute remarks utilizing a text-to-speech utility, expertise she’s more and more relied on since she was recognized final 12 months with a degenerative mind situation often known as progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
“PSP makes it very troublesome for me to talk, and I exploit an assistive app so that you just and our colleagues can perceive me,” Wexton informed the Home speaker by means of opening remarks.
Right this moment, with the help of voice to textual content tech resulting from my PSP, I spoke on the Home flooring in favor of my invoice to rename the Purcellville put up workplace in honor of Madeleine Albright.
Sec. Albright was a trailblazer & inspiration to numerous ladies in public service, together with me. pic.twitter.com/S5v203jBsu
— Rep. Jennifer Wexton (@RepWexton) Might 7, 2024
PSP is a uncommon mind illness that impacts strolling, steadiness, eye actions and swallowing, for which there is no such thing as a remedy, in response to the Mayo Clinic.
Wexton, 55, introduced her analysis in September, a number of months after being misdiagnosed with Parkinson’s Illness. Acknowledging that “there is no such thing as a ‘getting higher’ with PSP,” she stated she wouldn’t search reelection in 2024 — however pledged to maintain serving the folks of northern Virginia’s tenth Congressional District till then.
“Whereas my time in Congress will quickly come to an in depth, I am simply as assured and dedicated as ever to maintain up the work that obtained me into this battle within the first place for my remaining time in workplace – to assist construct the long run we would like for our kids,” stated Wexton.
Wexton is in her third time period after first flipping her seat blue in 2018. A dozen Democrats and 4 Republicans are vying to interchange her, with main voting set to shut in mid-June.
Wexton has remained concerned as promised. Within the days main as much as her speech, she traveled to Baltimore to debate restoration of the Francis Scott Key Bridge with different Appropriations Committee leaders and used voice assistive expertise to query Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in addition to Performing Secretary of the U.S. Division of Housing and City Improvement Adrianne Todman at separate hearings, disclosing her PSP analysis in each.
“I describe it as Parkinson’s on steroids and I do not advocate it,” she stated.
On Monday, Wexton spoke in favor of a invoice she first launched final spring, looking for to rename the put up workplace in Purcellville — about 50 miles west of Washington, D.C. — after her former constituent.
Albright, who died in 2022 at age 84, “selected to not have her mail delivered to her rural western Loudoun County farm however as an alternative grew to become a fixture on the put up workplace that may bear her title,” Wexton stated.
“Secretary Albright was a fearless trailblazer for ladies and a faithful public servant who touched the lives of so many whom she taught, mentored and labored with, together with me,” she added. “It’s my honor to steer this laws to rejoice her historic life and legacy right here in Virginia’s tenth Congressional district, the place her farm is situated and the place she spent as a lot time as she was in a position.”
Wexton famous that this is able to be the most recent in a protracted listing of accolades for the previous secretary — together with a 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom — and referred to as it an honor to assist protect her legacy in Virginia.
“Secretary Albright as soon as stated the best honor of her life was representing the US of America, a sentiment I’m positive all of us share as members of the Home of Representatives,” Wexton stated.
The Home handed the invoice the subsequent day, by a vote of 371 to twenty-eight. The Albright household referred to as it a “fantastic tribute to her reminiscence” in an announcement shared by Wexton’s workplace.
Wexton has efficiently launched a number of payments to rename put up places of work in her district throughout her time within the Home, after WWII veteran Norman Duncan and nation music icon (and Winchester native) Patsy Cline.
She is just not the primary lawmaker to make use of assistive expertise in Congress — Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., makes use of captioning expertise resulting from auditory processing points following his 2022 stroke. But it surely stays a uncommon sight, and has garnered consideration and appreciable reward in latest days.
As video of Wexton’s remarks racked up hundreds of views and lots of of likes on X, previously Twitter, different politicians and onlookers shared statements of help for the congresswoman.
“Congresswoman Jennifer Wexton will get extra inspiring every day,” wrote Virginia State Delegate Rip Sullivan. “With outstanding braveness and charm, she continues to dedicate herself to the tenth district. Her constituents are fortunate to have her combating for them.”
Virginia State Delegate Kathy Tran wrote that “for people who use augmentative and various communication (AAC) Jennifer Wexton is displaying them that they can also lead and serve on the highest ranges.”
Even Vice President Kamala Harris weighed in, calling Wexton “an inspiration to me and to thousands and thousands of People throughout our nation.”
“You’re displaying the world what true braveness and dedication appear like,” she wrote late Tuesday. “Hold combating.”
Wexton replied with a message of thanks, including: “And I nonetheless have issues to do!” — muscle emoji included.
