Virginia Rep. Jennifer Wexton used text-to-speech know-how to advocate for her invoice on the Home ground Monday, following her analysis with the uncommon mind situation often called 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 know-how to advocate for her invoice on the Home ground Monday, following her analysis with the uncommon mind situation often called 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 ground 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 publish workplace in her county after common buyer — and late Secretary of State — Madeleine Albright.
Wexton delivered her almost two-minute remarks utilizing a text-to-speech software, know-how she’s more and more relied on since she was identified final yr with a degenerative mind situation often called progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP).
“PSP makes it very troublesome for me to talk, and I take advantage of an assistive app so that you just and our colleagues can perceive me,” Wexton advised the Home speaker by the use of opening remarks.
In the present day, with the help of voice to textual content tech because of my PSP, I spoke on the Home ground in favor of my invoice to rename the Purcellville publish workplace in honor of Madeleine Albright.
Sec. Albright was a trailblazer & inspiration to numerous girls 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, stability, eye actions and swallowing, for which there is no such thing as a treatment, in line with 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 mentioned she wouldn’t search reelection in 2024 — however pledged to maintain serving the individuals of northern Virginia’s tenth Congressional District till then.
“Whereas my time in Congress will quickly come to a detailed, I am simply as assured and dedicated as ever to maintain up the work that bought me into this battle within the first place for my remaining time in workplace – to assist construct the longer term we would like for our kids,” mentioned 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 exchange her, with major 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 know-how to query Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, in addition to Appearing Secretary of the U.S. Division of Housing and City Growth 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 mentioned.
On Monday, Wexton spoke in favor of a invoice she first launched final spring, in search of to rename the publish 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 turned a fixture on the publish workplace that may bear her title,” Wexton mentioned.
“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 guide this laws to have fun her historic life and legacy right here in Virginia’s tenth Congressional district, the place her farm is positioned and the place she spent as a lot time as she was in a position.”
Wexton famous that this might be the newest in an extended record of accolades for the previous secretary — together with a 2012 Presidential Medal of Freedom — and known as it an honor to assist protect her legacy in Virginia.
“Secretary Albright as soon as mentioned the best honor of her life was representing the USA of America, a sentiment I’m certain all of us share as members of the Home of Representatives,” Wexton mentioned.
The Home handed the invoice the subsequent day, by a vote of 371 to twenty-eight. The Albright household known as it a “great tribute to her reminiscence” in an announcement shared by Wexton’s workplace.
Wexton has efficiently launched a number of payments to rename publish 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 shouldn’t be the primary lawmaker to make use of assistive know-how in Congress — Sen. John Fetterman, D-Penn., makes use of captioning know-how because of 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 1000’s 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 exceptional braveness and style, she continues to dedicate herself to the tenth district. Her constituents are fortunate to have her preventing for them.”
Virginia State Delegate Kathy Tran wrote that “for people who use augmentative and various communication (AAC) Jennifer Wexton is exhibiting 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 might be exhibiting the world what true braveness and willpower appear like,” she wrote late Tuesday. “Maintain preventing.”
Wexton replied with a message of thanks, including: “And I nonetheless have issues to do!” — muscle emoji included.
