To the editor:

As we begin to approach the 2018 November elections, I can’t help but think that what we need as an outcome at the federal level is exactly what happened last year in the Virginia state legislature after the November 2017 elections. We need to bring back balance to the Congress and Senate.

Currently, both the legislative and executive branches of our federal government are controlled by the Republican party. Its majority is such that it makes it possible for many extreme outcomes from both executive and legislative branches. Examples would be reducing health care options, aggressive enforcement of immigration regulations including splitting families, unilateral tariff implementation and rolling back environmental protections, just to name a few.

We need to bring back balance to the federal government by re-electing Tim Kaine to the Senate and Bobby Scott to Congress. Extreme legislative and executive power is not what we need. Vote the Democratic party candidates on Tuesday, Nov. 6.

Joe Puglisi

Smithfield