Who Is Don Beyer? U.S. Representative from Virginia

Don Beyer serves as a Democratic U.S. Representative from Virginia.

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Beyer was a co-leader of a congressional letter urging the FAA to pause its SMART artificial intelligence air traffic tool, and he formerly served as the United States ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein.

Where Don Beyer Is Now

Don Beyer currently represents Virginia in the United States House of Representatives as a Democrat, as reported by Raw Story. His congressional district includes Arlington National Cemetery and the area surrounding Memorial Circle, according to Newsweek.

• Current role: Democratic U.S. Representative from Virginia
• Organization: United States House of Representatives
• Known for: Co-leading a congressional letter to pause the FAA's SMART artificial intelligence tool and serving as former U.S. ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein
• Recent news: Co-leading oversight of FAA artificial intelligence tools and protesting a proposed 250-foot arch near Arlington National Cemetery

AI Air Traffic Tool Oversight

Don Beyer served as a co-leader of a congressional letter urging the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to pause its SMART artificial intelligence air traffic tool, according to AeroTime.

The letter's co-leaders included Representatives Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, Don Beyer, Kweisi Mfume, Suhas Subramanyam, and Sarah Elfreth.

Diplomatic Service and Legislative Initiatives

Don Beyer formerly served as the United States ambassador to Switzerland and Liechtenstein, according to Raw Story.

In the House of Representatives, Beyer was one of six House Democrats who introduced the Stop the Settlements Act, as reported by Ynetnews.

Beyer also attended a news conference at the United States Capitol on May 18, 2021, in Washington, U.S., regarding the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act, according to The Lufkin Daily News.

Opposition to Proposed Triumphal Arch

Beyer participated in a demonstration at Memorial Circle protesting Donald Trump's planned triumphal arch near Arlington National Cemetery, which sits within Beyer's congressional district, according to Newsweek.

He raised concerns regarding air traffic, historic preservation, traffic congestion, and the absence of congressional authorization for the proposed arch project. Beyer publicly stated that the proposed 250-foot arch is illegal and faces legal challenges the administration expects to lose, adding that the law requires prior congressional approval and that courts will halt the project.

Beyer also stated that placing a drone launch site or weapons cache on a monument near National Airport poses unacceptable public-safety hazards.

Congressional Authority and Foreign Policy Views

Beyer criticized Donald Trump's decision to lift sanctions on Russian fossil fuels and stated that granting him expanded tariff powers was a mistake, according to The Guardian.

Addressing House procedures, Beyer raised concerns regarding rumors about whether Mike Johnson might attempt not to seat incoming members of Congress, as reported by Raw Story. Beyer stated that the Clerk of the House swears in the Speaker, meaning Mike Johnson would have no power to refuse to seat incoming members, and asserted that the ability to file or participate in lawsuits would not be hindered if a national emergency were declared prior to the vote.

Sources

• lufkindailynews.com
• aerotime.aero
• newsweek.com
• rawstory.com
• theguardian.com
• ynetnews.com

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