{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"VA\" and year = 2016 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398658", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.26.16", "2016-12-26", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Celebrating All Twelve Days of Christmas\r\n\u201cThe Twelve Days of Christmas\u201d is one of the most popular carols for this time of the year. Its alliteration like \u201cswans a swimming,\u201d outlandish gifts like \u201ctwelve lords a leaping,\u201d and repetition make it an enjoyable song to sing and hear. Artists from Perry Como to John Denver and the Muppets have recorded their own versions that are played during the Christmas season.\r\nThe exact origins of the lyrics have been lost to time. Some theories suggest the song originated in France, while others point to the north of England.\r\nBut we should not let the unusual nature of the song\u2019s gifts or uncertainty about the origins of the carol to take away from the point that there are twelve days of Christmas. When decorations appear in stores and promotions for holiday shopping start in October, it may seem that everything is building towards Christmas Day on December 25th\u00a0alone. But the days after Christmas have their own meanings, too.\r\nTake Boxing Day. On December 26th, Britain and many countries with strong cultural ties to it celebrate Boxing Day, although it is not a tradition that made it to the British colonies that became the United States.\r\nProfessor Mark Connelly of the University of Kent notes, \u201cWhile Christmas Day was about being at home with your family, Boxing Day was a time to get outside, to get away from the home.\u201d1\u00a0Fox hunting and horse racing are pastimes often associated with the day. It is also a popular day for soccer, just as many Americans look forward to watching football on our Thanksgiving.\r\nPerhaps the name of the holiday came from the boxed gifts given by aristocrats to their servants for the Christmas season. Or perhaps the name came from the church boxes which contained donations for the poor and were opened the day after Christmas. This suggestion seems appropriate, for December 26th\u00a0is also St. Stephen\u2019s Day. The day\u2019s link to charity is immortalized in the first lines of the traditional Christmas carol, \u201cGood King Wenceslas:\u201d\r\nGood King Wenceslas looked out  \r\nOn the Feast of Stephen  \r\nWhen the snow lay 'round about  \r\nDeep and crisp and even\r\nAs the song goes, when the king looked out on St. Stephen\u2019s Day, he saw a poor man gathering fuel. Wenceslas called for his page to gather food and drink to take to the poor man\u2019s house. As the pair went forth to their task on the freezing day, the page found warmth by following in the footsteps of the good king.\r\nAnother tradition involving good kings comes at the end of the Twelve Days, on January 6th, which is Epiphany. The kings celebrated on this day are known variously as the Three Kings, the Three Wise Men, or the Magi. We are familiar with them through the Book of Matthew and carols such as \u201cWe Three Kings.\u201d\r\nEpiphany celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to Jesus in Bethlehem bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Spain and Latin America, the day is also known as \u201cThree Kings\u2019 Day.\u201d Just as children here write letters to Santa, in cultures that celebrate this day, they write to the Three Kings asking for gifts.\r\nOn January 5th, the kings arrive in a parade atop live camels and accompanied by floats and pages tossing candy into the crowd. That night, children put out bread and water for the camels and awake the next morning to find their shoes filled with presents from the kings.2\r\nLike the lyrics of \u201cThe Twelve Days of Christmas,\u201d many of these holiday celebrations originated in past ages, when the world looked much different, and for reasons we might not even know with certainty. I believe it is a testament to the magic of the Christmas season that these celebrations remain vital and beloved in many places around the modern world.\r\nWhether they are spent outdoors, as Boxing Day is often done, or performing acts of charity, as the carol of \u201cGood King Wenceslas\u201d celebrates, I hope you can treasure all the days of Christmas.\r\nBy the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, we will have begun the 115th\u00a0Congress and will hopefully do great things for America during this session. On the eighteenth day of this Congress, Donald Trump will be inaugurated, and then we will have real change and hope.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n1http://www.historyextra.com/feature/brief-history-boxing-day\u00a02http://www.spain.info/en_US/reportajes/la_magica_espera_de_los_reyes_magos.html\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398657", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for January", "2016-12-22", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith\u2019s Ninth District\u00a0STAFF\u00a0will be available at the following locations during the month of\u00a0January. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk.\u00a0 Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to confirm that traveling hours are still in effect.\r\nJanuary 3, 2017\r\nRichlands: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nRichlands Town Hall\r\n200 Washington Square\r\nRichlands, VA 24641\r\nBuchanan County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nGrundy Town Hall\r\n1185 Plaza Dr.\r\nGrundy, VA 24614\r\nPulaski County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nDublin Town Hall\r\nRoute 100, 1 mile North of I-81\r\nDublin, VA\u00a0 24084\r\nJanuary 4, 2017\r\nSmyth County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nTown Council Chambers\r\n138 West Main Street\r\nMarion, VA 24354\r\nCovington: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCovington City Hall\r\nCity Hall Conference Room\r\n333 W. Locust Street\r\nCovington, VA 24426\r\nCraig County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nCraig County Administration Bldg.\r\n108 Court Street\r\nNew Castle, VA 24127\r\nBristol: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBristol VA Public Library\r\nUpstairs Conference Room\r\n701 Goode Street\r\nBristol, VA 24201\r\nJanuary 5, 2017\r\nLee County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nLee County Sheriff\u2019s Office\r\nConference Room\r\n33640 Main Street \u2013 Suite U101\r\nJonesville, VA 24263\r\n\u00a0Martinsville: 12:00 noon \u2013 2:00 pm\r\nNew College Institute\r\nRoom 106 \u2013 Classroom Building\r\n30 Franklin Street\r\nMartinsville, VA 24112\r\nNorton: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nCity Council Chambers\r\n618 Virginia Ave NW\r\nNorton, VA 24273\r\nJanuary 10, 2017\r\nGiles County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nPearisburg Town Hall\r\n112 Tazewell Street\r\nPearisburg, VA 24134\r\nDickenson County: 10:00 am. \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research\r\n818 Happy Valley Drive\r\nClintwood, VA 24228\r\nSalem: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nSalem Town Hall\r\n114 N. Broad Street\r\nSalem, VA 24153\r\nWise County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse\r\n3rd\u00a0Floor Room 303\r\n322 Wood Ave. E\r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nJanuary 11, 2017\r\nRadford: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nRadford Public Library\r\nMeeting Room\r\n30 West Main Street\r\nRadford, VA 24141\r\nRoanoke County: 2:00 pm\u2013 4:00 pm\r\nRoanoke Library Hollins Branch\r\n6624 Peters Creek Rd\r\nRoanoke, VA 24019\r\nJanuary 12, 2017\r\nGrayson County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nGrayson County Administration Building\r\nBoard of Supervisors Room\r\nSuite 206\r\n129 Davis Street\r\nIndependence, VA 24348\r\n\u00a0Russell County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center\r\n141 Highland Drive\r\nLebanon, VA\u00a0 24266\r\nTazewell County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\u00a0\r\nBluefield Town Hall \u2013 Council Chambers\r\n112 Huffard Drive\r\nBluefield, VA 24605\r\nGalax: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nGalax Municipal Building\r\nConference Room\r\n111 E. Main Street\r\nGalax, VA 24333\r\nJanuary 17, 2017\r\nCarroll County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCarroll County Administration Building\r\nBoard of Supervisors Room\r\n605 \u2013 1 Pine Street\r\nHillsville, VA 24343\r\nFloyd County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nFloyd Town Hall\r\n134 Wilson St SE\r\nFloyd, VA 24091\r\nJanuary 18, 2017\r\nHenry County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nBassett Historical Society \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0\r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway\r\nBassett, VA 24055\r\nBland County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nBland County Courthouse\r\nAdmin. Office Room 200\r\n612 Main Street\r\nBland, VA 24315\r\nWythe County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nWythe County Sheriff\u2019s Office\r\nConference Room\r\n245 South 4th\u00a0Street\r\nWytheville, VA 24382\r\nPatrick County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nPatrick County Administration Building\r\nConference Room\r\n106 Rucker Street\r\nStuart, VA 24171\r\nJanuary 19, 2017\r\nAlleghany County: 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nClifton Forge Library\r\nConference Room\r\n535 Church Street\r\nClifton Forge, VA 24422\r\nScott County: 10:00 am. \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCommunity Services Building\r\nCommunity Room\r\n190 Beech Street\r\nGate City, VA 24251\r\nWise County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse\r\n3rd\u00a0Floor Room 303\r\n322 Wood Ave. E\r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nPulaski County: 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nPulaski Library\r\n60 3rd\u00a0Street NW\r\nPulaski, VA 24301** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1088", "Wittman Praises Navy\u2019s Plan for USS Fort Lauderdale", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wittman Praises Navy\u2019s Plan for USS Fort Lauderdale  \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        December 20, 2016\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) praised the U.S. Navy's decision today to move forward with its plans for USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) by officially putting the ship under contract. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Wittman has been committed to funding the LPD-28 to ensure the Marine Corps receives its next amphibious transport ship:\u201cToday marks a major milestone for our Navy and for our Marine Corps as they look to add more capacity and capability for the amphibious fleet,\u201d Wittman said. \u201cThe USS Fort Lauderdale contract comes at a critical time. After our 15 years valiantly serving on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, our U.S. Marine Corps has begun to refocus on its core, amphibious, fighting function using warships like USS Fort Lauderdale. In action, USS Fort Lauderdale will transport Marines, their vehicles, and their equipment to distant operating areas allowing them to conduct expeditionary operations ashore. Our Marines must be ready to \u2018fight tonight,\u2019 and ships like the USS Fort Lauderdale will get them where they need to go.\u201dCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.   \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=310", "Rep. Brat Invited as Keynote Speaker at Jerusalem Leaders Summit", "2016-12-20", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "JERUSALEM - Rep. Brat (R-Va.) was invited as the keynote speaker at the second annual Jerusalem Leaders Summit, an event that brings together members of Parliament from Europe and other legislative bodies from India and around the world to discuss the 21st centurys global threats and security challenges, the weakening of the rule of law, and obstacles to economic freedom and free trade.The event provides a strategic platform to affirm the foundational principles of the rule of law  protecting life, liberty and private property.Speakers focused on key policy areas, including foreign policy, global security, economic growth solutions, technology and the significance of strengthening Israels security and sovereignty. The panel also highlighted the benefits of economic freedom and the contributions citizens have made to the world economy through innovation and technology.\"I am delighted to have been invited as the keynote speaker at yesterday's event in Jerusalem,\" said Rep. Dave Brat. \"Three pillars made our country the greatest on earth: the Judeo-Christian tradition, the rule of law, and the free market system. These pillars are crucial to our success, fundamentally connected, and can be adopted by any nation in the world to emulate American success.\"The Jerusalem Leaders Summit is co-hosted by the International Leaders Summit, the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE) and the Heritage Foundation.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=732", "Goodlatte Shepherds Important Cultural Exchange & Preservation Bills Into Law", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement upon the signing of both the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act (H.R. 6477) and the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act (H.R. 6130) into law:   \r\n\r\n\u201cOur museums and art galleries are some of the best outlets for Americans young and old to experience not only our own culture, but the cultures of others from around the world. Many of the world\u2019s greatest works of art and artifacts are preserved in museums around the globe, and this legislation makes these pieces more accessible to American museums and galleries. \u201cThese two bipartisan bills signed into law will not only allow for a greater exchange of culture with partners around the world, but will help preserve world cultures.\u201cAdditionally, both of these bills contain vital provisions which will help return artwork and other cultural property that was stolen by the Nazis during the Holocaust. The return of these important pieces to their rightful owners is a simple measure we can take to preserve the culture of Europe, which the Nazis attempted to destroy during the atrocities of the Holocaust.\u201dBackground: Congressman Goodlatte introduced H.R. 6130, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, which allows civil actions to recover certain artwork or other property that was lost because of Nazi persecution without regard to State statutes of limitations. H.R. 6477, the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act, provides sovereign immunity for a foreign state for works of art that are imported into the United States from the foreign state for temporary exhibition or display.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398655", "Griffith Statement on Release of Final Stream Protection Rule", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior\u2019s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) unfortunately released the final version of its Stream Protection Rule (SPR).\u00a0 The Department first revealed the proposed rule in July 2015. With today\u2019s release, the rule will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow and would therefore take effect thirty days after publication on January 19th, 2017.\r\nCongressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said, \u201cI will continue to fight this rule with every tool available, including, but not limited to, filing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution. This rule is so unpopular that there will probably be many in Congress who will wish to lead this CRA resolution and I will either join with other Members to file a resolution or I will file it myself.\u201d\r\n\u201cWe must prevent the costly and job-killing Stream Protection Rule from going into effect. I am disappointed that OSM decided to go forward with a regulation they know kills jobs, is unpopular, and will take effect a mere day before the new President is sworn in.\u201d\r\n\u201cAnd the Democrats have the gall to accuse the incoming Republican majorities and the new President of using the lawful process to undo those Obama Administration regulations that are job-killing, unpopular, unlawful, and/or unconstitutional. They have chosen to take this action knowing that the war on jobs and coal was rejected by the voters in November.\u201d\r\nSPR Background\r\nAccording to the National Mining Association, as many as 78,000 coal mining jobs will be lost if SPR is implemented, on top of thousands of jobs already lost during the Obama Administration.\u00a0 If jobs in fields related to coal mining are included, up to 281,000 people could be put out of work, with an estimated 190,000 lost jobs in the Appalachian region alone.\r\nCRA Background: \r\nThe Congressional Review Act is a law that allows Congress to overturn rules issued by federal agencies. Once a rule is finalized, Congress has a limited period of time to pass a joint resolution of disapproval preventing it from taking effect. The CRA was last utilized successfully in 2001, when President George W. Bush signed a joint resolution of disapproval overturning a regulation finalized in the last days of the Clinton Administration.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.19.16", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Christmas MessageThe Christmas season is a time to gather to celebrate. The Nativity story is familiar to most, whether Christian or not: Mary and Joseph with Jesus in a manger, where shepherds and kings came to honor him. For over two thousand years, we have celebrated this event and pondered its meaning. The Christmas story celebrates the promise of redemption for our world.\r\nWhile I respect those of all faiths, as a believer, Christmas is most important to me and to many in the Ninth Congressional District. Also, the Christmas season has a way of bringing out the best in people, even during horrific times.\r\nIt is hard to imagine a bleaker place than the Western Front in World War I. For four years, the armies of Germany and the Allied Powers engaged in trench warfare. Soldiers lived in muddy trenches crawling with vermin. They were under bombardment and sniper fire constantly. When they attacked the enemy, they charged into \u201cNo Man\u2019s Land\u201d between the trenches, where they were unprotected from machine gun fire. Over a million died.\r\nBut in many places along the Western Front on Christmas Eve 1914, the misery was put on hold. According to \u201cThe Story of the WWI Christmas Truce\u201d by Mike Dash of Smithsonian.com, German soldiers sang \u201cSilent Night\u201d and the British responded with \u201cThe First Noel.\u201d A few from both sides left their lines and met in No Man\u2019s Land. Then, a few became hundreds. Men who had shot at each other hours before now shook hands, swapped gifts, and even played soccer. \r\nThe truce lasted through Christmas Day, and then the men returned to fighting each other. World War I lasted nearly four more years. As casualties mounted and new horrors such as poison gas were introduced, people looked back on the Christmas Truce with astonishment.\r\nDecades later, the folk musician John McCutcheon wrote a song about this episode called \u201cChristmas in the Trenches.\u201d He sings it from the perspective of a fictional Liverpool soldier named Francis Tolliver who experiences the Christmas Truce. When McCutcheon performed the song in Denmark in 1988, he met a group of four old men who had traveled from Berlin to hear him. The men had taken part in the truce, but when they told younger generations their story, no one believed them.*\r\nMcCutcheon\u2019s song captured a moment that seemed too incredible to be true. Amid the hatred and violence of World War I, men could join in goodwill for at least one night to share in the celebration of Christmas.\r\nAnother event during a terrible war hits closer to home. According to historian Robert Thompson writing for the Civil War Trust, Union and Confederate armies at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, were awaiting the next day\u2019s battle one December night during the War Between the States. A Union band played \u201cYankee Doodle\u201d and \u201cHail Columbia.\u201d Soldiers in the Confederate camps heard the songs, and one of their bands responded with \u201cDixie.\u201d \r\nThis friendly musical battle continued until a Union band started playing \u201cHome, Sweet Home.\u201d The song, written by John Howard Payne, was a popular tune for men on both sides who missed home and their families, especially around Christmastime. Soon Union and Confederate bands were playing the song together.\r\nIn the words of one soldier, \u201cafter our bands had ceased playing, we could hear the sweet refrain as it died away on the cool frosty air.\u201d\r\nIn the film history publication Classic Images, Frances Ingram writes about a direct descendant and namesake of the songwriter John Howard Payne. This John Payne grew up in southwest Virginia and attended Salem High School on Broad Street. He worked hard to bring a Christmas tale of childhood faith to the silver screen, and then starred in it as a lawyer who proved that Santa Claus is real. The film is Miracle on 34th Street. \r\nAs it was true for the soldiers in the trenches in Flanders and in the encampments at Murfreesboro, the message of Christmas is true for you, too. No matter what your circumstances are this year, I pray you will remember what the angel of the Lord told the shepherds on that field over two thousand years ago: \u201cFear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born . . . a Savior . . .\u201d (Luke 2:10-11).\r\nMerry Christmas! Peace and good will to all.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\r\n*https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxqJlnH2m8", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/provisions-congresswoman-comstock-s-research-and-development-efficiency", "Provisions of Congresswoman Comstocks Research and Development Efficiency Act to Become Law", "2016-12-19", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) issued the following statement after the House cleared on Friday the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, included in which are provisions from Congresswoman Comstock\u2019s Research and Development Efficiency Act.\u00a0 It is expected the president will sign the legislation in the coming days:\n\u201cNorthern Virginia is home to many professionals who are conducting significant research in a variety of fields leading to innovative breakthroughs.\u00a0Reports indicate that researchers spend on average 42 percent of their time on administrative requirements instead of conducting vital research.\u00a0 The provisions of my Research and Development Efficiency Act that are included in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act will ensure that more federal research dollars will be spent directly on the important research we are funding.\u00a0 By limiting redundant regulations and focusing our research dollars more efficiently, the included provisions from my legislation clear the way for researchers to do their job without being bogged down under a mountain of paperwork.\u201d\nProvisions from the Research and Development Efficiency Act that are in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act require that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall establish an interagency working group for the purpose of reducing administrative burdens on federally funded researchers while protecting the public interest through the transparency of and accountability for federally funded activities.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=731", "Goodlatte Applauds Congressman Mulvaney\u2019s Selection as OMB Director", "2016-12-17", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement applauding President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s selection of Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): \u201cCongressman Mick Mulvaney is the right choice to help bring fiscal sanity to Washington. As Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Congressman Mulvaney will have the opportunity to provide much-needed oversight of federal regulations, change the culture of rampant spending and deficits, and take hold of the massive federal debt that weighs down our economy and will be passed down to the next generation. I look forward to working with him to bring more balance to the federal budget.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1086", "Wittman Response to Navy FSA", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today on the Secretary of the Navy\u2019s announcement of the 2016 Force Structure Assessment:\u201cThe Force Structure Assessment released today confirms what I, and many of my colleagues in Congress, have known for a while: our Navy's current size and structure doesn't fully meet America's national security needs. \u201cIn an increased threat environment where China and Russia are rapidly expanding their naval capabilities, increasing the size of the Navy's fleet must be the top priority. The FSA clearly defines the need for 18 more Virginia-class attack submarines and 12 aircraft carriers to provide increased U.S. global presence. \u201cThis vision is a critical first step, but there's a long road ahead. It's time for us to rebuild our Navy to ensure dominance of the seas deep into the 21st Century. I am committed to working with the incoming administration and my colleagues in Congress next year to shape the size and scope of the Navy to meet future threats, grow our industrial base and advance U.S. national security.\u201d Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-comstock-finding-and-funding-cures", "Loudoun Times: Rep. Comstock: Finding and funding cures", "2016-12-16", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Dec. 8, I joined with a bipartisan group of House and Senate members and the Speaker of the House, as the speaker signed the 21st Century Cures Act. It was a joyful occasion as we concluded this year\u2019s session with what I believe is one of the most important and game changing pieces of legislation passed this year.\u00a0\nRead the rest of my op-ed in the Loudoun Times-Mirror here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398653", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.12.16", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Clearing the Air at the EPA\r\nPresident-elect Donald Trump\u2019s appointment of Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is welcome news. As Oklahoma\u2019s attorney general, Pruitt has strongly pushed back against many rules and regulations coming from Washington, DC. In particular, he has led states in suing to block the EPA\u2019s overreaching policies.\r\nMany in the media report this news with shock. They wonder how someone \u201cCURRENTLY SUING\u201d the EPA could possibly be fit to lead it. I wish those stunned by this appointment would listen to or read the testimony I have heard from EPA officials in Energy and Commerce Committee hearings. What I find stunning is the logic offered by agency officials to justify actions at odds with the plain text of laws passed by Congress.\r\nTake the Clean Power Plan. I have written often in this column about the EPA\u2019s claim that it can use the Clean Air Act to force states to create and implement a plan to reduce their carbon emissions. It is bad for coal miners and all consumers of electricity, but it is also bad for the rule of law. Under the Clean Power Plan, the EPA claims it can regulate existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the\u00a0Clean Air Act, but the EPA already regulates them under Section 112. The problem is that the language of the Clean Air Act prohibits this type of dual regulation, a point that the EPA itself has conceded in the past (before changing its tune).\r\nWhen famed liberal legal scholar Laurence Tribe, who taught America\u2019s first environmental law class and mentored President Obama, testified before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, he stated:\r\n\u201cEPA is attempting an unconstitutional trifecta: usurping the prerogatives of the States, Congress, and the Federal Courts \u2013 all at once.\u00a0 Much is up for grabs in this complex area.\u00a0But burning the Constitution of the United States \u2013 about which I care deeply \u2013 cannot be part of our national energy policy\u2026\u201d\r\nThe EPA cited the Clean Air Act in another power grab, this time to regulate truck trailers. The law authorizes the EPA to regulate emissions from motor vehicles, defined in the US code as follows:\r\n42 USC 7550(2)\r\nThe term \u201cmotor vehicle\u201d means any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a street or highway.\r\nWhen I asked EPA official Janet McCabe how a trailer could be considered a self-propelled vehicle, she claimed that trailers are covered because, \u201cwithout a trailer, a truck is not transporting goods.\u201d Based on this logic, because trucks don\u2019t currently drive themselves, the EPA could regulate the size of the driver, too!\r\nOn a number of occasions during the current administration, the courts have found that federal agencies exceeded their authority in making rules. The fact that this has happened repeatedly tells me that many of the lawyers employed by the federal government are not doing their jobs.\r\nLawyers employed by the federal government should not evaluate proposed regulations by their goal or their supervisors\u2019 wishes, but rather by their compliance with the Constitution and the law. \r\nI believe that the lawyers for the EPA and other agencies have acted with malfeasance in this regard. When the federal government\u2019s lawyers improperly sign off on ridiculous arguments, Scott Pruitt and other state attorneys general have a duty to stand up for the powers the Constitution reserves to the states, just as congressmen have the duty to stand up for the powers delegated to the legislative branch.\r\nAs EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt\u2019s first task should be to clean house in the EPA\u2019s Office of General Counsel, which provides legal advice to the agency.\r\nUnder its present leadership, the EPA apparently believes that it\u2019s better for a thousand people to lose their jobs than for a single tree to be axed or one chunk of coal to be burned. We need the EPA to balance protecting our environment without destroying our economy. As the Supreme Court ruled in Michigan v. Environmental Protection Agency, it should not pursue an environmental agenda at all costs.\r\nThe EPA must also recognize that it should carry out the laws passed by Congress, not rewrite them or create new ones. \r\nScott Pruitt has shown that he understands the proper role of the EPA. He is an excellent choice to lead the EPA and I urge the Senate to confirm him promptly.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \u00a0Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398654", "Griffith Congratulates Virginia Tech on Transportation Grant Award", "2016-12-12", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) congratulates Virginia Tech Transportation Institute for being named a national safety center by the U.S. Department of Transportation, winning almost $28 million over five years to study benefits of connected and automated vehicles. The grant supports the Safety Through Disruption (SafeD): Goal Zero Center, with an overall aim to increase safety through technology on U.S. roads.\r\nCongressman Griffith said, \u201cVirginia Tech is home to some of the strongest research and engineering programs in the United States and I congratulate them on earning this grant. I supported their efforts to secure the award and I am pleased that Virginia Tech will have the ability to contribute significantly to the research priorities set forth by the FAST Act. (H.R.22 - Fixing America\u2019s Surface Transportation Act)\u201d\r\nCongressman Griffith is an original co-sponsor of the FAST Act.\r\n\u201cIn Southwest Virginia, we are proud of the research and development that takes place at Virginia Tech. I look forward to the potential advances made possible with this funding. It is my hope that the vehicle automation and connectivity studies and other testing will result in new breakthroughs, create opportunities for students, and expand workforce development in our area, in addition to safety advances that can benefit those across the country.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=727", "Goodlatte & Conyers Release First Policy Proposal of Copyright Review", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the first policy proposal to come out of the Committee\u2019s review of U.S. Copyright law.  This first proposal identifies important reforms to help ensure the Copyright Office keeps pace in the digital age.  With the release of this document, the Committee requests written comments from interested stakeholders by January 31, 2017.  These comments will be shared with members of the House Judiciary Committee as they come in and the Committee intends to make comments publicly available after the comment period closes. Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers released the following statement via video:\u201cWe would like to take a few minutes to share with you our plan for the next stage of the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s review of our nation\u2019s copyright laws. For years now, we have deliberately listened \u2013 through hearings, listening sessions, and site visits \u2013 to the views and concerns of stakeholders from all sides of the copyright debate. \u201cNow, it is time to move forward into the next stage.  We intend to periodically release policy proposals on select, individual issue areas within the larger copyright system that are in need of reform where there is a potential for consensus.  These policy proposals are not meant to be the final word on reform in these individual issue areas, but rather a starting point for further discussion by all stakeholders, with the goal of producing legislative text within each issue area.\u201cToday, we are releasing our first policy proposal, which identifies reforms to modernize the Copyright Office so that it can meet the challenges of the 21st Century.  Among the reforms in this document are granting the Copyright Office autonomy with respect to the Library of Congress, requiring the Copyright Office to maintain an up-to-date digital, searchable database of all copyrighted works and associated copyright ownership information, and many others reforms. \u201cNothing should be read into the fact that we are only releasing a policy proposal on one topic today. This is just the beginning of this stage of the copyright review, and we intend to release policy proposals on music licensing issues and other individual issue areas in time. \u201cBut this is not a one way street.  We need your help to turn these policy proposals into legislation.  It is only through the input of all interested parties that agreements can be successfully achieved. \u201cThank you to everyone who has participated in the copyright review, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to improve our nation\u2019s copyright system.\u201dBackground: Chairman Goodlatte first announced the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s intention to undertake a comprehensive review of U.S. copyright law on April 24, 2013, in a speech before the World Intellectual Property Day celebration at the Library of Congress.  As part of the copyright review, the House Judiciary Committee has held 20 hearings which included testimony from 100 witnesses.  Following these hearings, Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers invited all prior witnesses of the Committee\u2019s copyright review hearings and other interested stakeholders to meet with Committee staff and provide additional input on copyright policy issues.  In addition, the House Judiciary Committee conducted a listening tour with stops in Nashville, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles where they heard from a wide range of creators, innovators, technology professionals, and users of copyrighted works.  More information on the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s comprehensive copyright review can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=728", "Goodlatte Applauds Passage of Bill to Protect Children with Autism & Those with Alzheimer\u2019s from Wandering", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives today approved Kevin and Avonte\u2019s Law (H.R. 4919) by a vote of 346-66 to help protect children with autism and individuals with Alzheimer\u2019s from wandering.Kevin and Avonte\u2019s Law is named in honor of two boys with autism, Kevin Curtis and Avonte Oquendo, who both wandered away from supervision and tragically drowned. The bill reauthorizes an existing Department of Justice grant program, the \u201cMissing Alzheimer\u2019s Disease Patient Alert Program,\u201d and extends the program to cover children with autism, who may be susceptible to the same type of wandering behavior as those with Alzheimer\u2019s. It is estimated that 60 percent of the 5.3 million individuals with Alzheimer\u2019s, and 49 percent of the 1 in 68 children with autism, have wandered.H.R. 4919 authorizes the Justice Department to make grants to law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, and nonprofit organizations, to provide proactive, educational, voluntary wandering-prevention programming to families and caretakers of individuals who wander, as well as training to first responders and school personnel in order to recognize and respond to endangered missing individuals and facilitate their rescue and recovery. The bill contains important grant accountability and transparency requirements to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, praised today\u2019s approval of the bill:\u201cIt\u2019s a family\u2019s worst nightmare when a loved one goes missing, especially if their child has autism or their parent has Alzheimer\u2019s. Children with autism and people with Alzheimer\u2019s are prone to wandering and the results can be devastating if they are not found immediately. \u201cKevin and Avonte\u2019s Law reauthorizes a critical grant program to help prevent folks with Alzheimer\u2019s from wandering and also extends it to children with autism. Police searches are expensive and this voluntary preventative grant program can help avoid costly searches and also spare the heartache that families and caretakers feel when a loved one goes missing. It\u2019s also important that first responders and teachers are equipped to recognize and respond to missing individuals so that they can be brought home safely. I thank Representative Chris Smith for his tireless work on this pressing issue and call on the Senate to pass his bill.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1077", "Wittman Opposes Continuing Resolution", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 2028, a short-term continuing resolution that would extend government operations through April 28, 2017:\u201cI\u2019ve said it before, and I\u2019ll say it again: continuing resolutions are a bad way for Washington to do business. This bill is the result of broken process and a lack of accountability. Our job is to do the people\u2019s work and to do it on time. These last-minute, stop-gap measures create economic uncertainty and job insecurity. In the context of national security, they prevent planning, keep critical programs from moving forward, and deplete our forces. Congress needs time for measured debate. We should be making decisions about spending far in advance of December, and I promise to keep fighting for regular order in Washington.\u201d Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-announces-millbrook-high-school-s-logan-apple-winner", "Comstock Announces Millbrook High Schools Logan Apple As Winner Of Congressional App Challenge", "2016-12-08", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement announcing that Millbrook High School\u2019s Logan Apple is this year\u2019s winner of the Congressional App Challenge:\n\u201cStudents from Virginia\u2019s Tenth Congressional District put in countless hours of hard work to develop innovative apps for the Congressional App Challenge.\u00a0 I would like to congratulate Logan Apple from Millbrook High School on his victory in the 2016 Congressional App Challenge.\u00a0 Logan\u2019s app, iSight, is designed to help people utilize their cell phone cameras to translate sign language in real time, helping break down speech barriers.\u00a0 His app can translate more than 150 signs around the world. Coding is becoming an increasingly valuable skill in today\u2019s 21st Century economy and, after viewing these apps, I am confident the next generation in Virginia\u2019s Tenth Congressional District will lead the charge as entrepreneurs and innovators.\n\u201cThank you to our judges who volunteered their time for the challenge: Dr. Scott Martin of the Computer Game Design Program, Troy Murphy of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Sandra Chin of Hyperdoc Link.\u201d\nTo view Logan\u2019s app in action, click here.\nThe Congressional App Challenge will invite winners from across the country to showcase their apps to the Members of Congress and members of the tech community at #HouseOfCode, a DC-based reception to be held in April of 2017. Their work will be featured for one year on the permanent display in the U.S. Capitol Building, and on the House.gov website. Winning students will also be awarded a portion of $50,000 in credits, generously donated by Amazon Web Services.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=725", "Goodlatte & Grassley Call on Obama Administration to Declassify Secret Refugee Deal", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today called on the Obama Administration to declassify its plan to admit into the United States potentially over 2,400 refugees who Australia has refused to admit. Last month, Chairmen Goodlatte and Grassley expressed concern that the Obama Administration\u2019s secret negotiations with Australia left Americans in the dark about the full scope of its resettlement plans and requested a briefing to review the classified agreement. It is unprecedented to classify an agreement to usher in refugees to the United States and the Chairmen\u2019s review of the agreement further confirms that it should never have been classified in the first place.In their letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry, Goodlatte and Grassley call for the declassification of the agreement so the American people can review it.  Full text of the Goodlatte-Grassley letter to Kerry and Johnson follows:December 6, 2016\r\nVIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary               \r\nDepartment of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20528The Honorable John Kerry  \r\nSecretary  \r\nDepartment of State  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20520Dear Secretaries Johnson and Kerry:We write to follow up on our November 22, 2016 letter regarding the agreement between the United States and Australia for the United States to consider for admission as refugees, potentially over 2,400 migrants currently detained in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, whom Australia has refused to admit.  These migrants are nationals of countries like Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and Sudan, as well as others.  As you know, your agencies have deemed the agreement classified.  This is despite the fact that classification of an agreement regarding individuals to be considered for admission by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is unprecedented.    We appreciate your making staff available to provide us with the document in a classified setting and to brief us regarding the circumstances surrounding the agreement.  It is now absolutely apparent to us that there was no reason for the agreement to be classified from the outset, and that it should not continue to be classified.  To that end, we request that you declassify the document outlining the agreement so that the American people can read it.   The American people have a right to be fully aware of the actions of their government regarding foreign nationals who may be admitted to the United States.  American taxpayers not only foot the bill for the majority of the refugee resettlement in the United States, but they bear any consequences regarding the security implications of those admitted to the U.S.       Please respond by December 13, 2016, with your decision as to whether or not you will declassify the U.S.-Australia refugee agreement document.  If your decision is not to seek declassification, please include your justification for such decision in your response.Thank you in advance for your prompt response.  Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte   \r\nChairman\u00a0  \r\nCommittee on the JudiciaryCharles E. Grassley   \r\nChairman   \r\nCommittee on the Judiciary", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=726", "Goodlatte, Gowdy, Jackson Lee Introduce Bill to Help Child Pornography Trafficking Victims", "2016-12-06", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Representative Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) today introduced Justice for Child Victims Act of 2016 (H.R. 6440) to ensure child trafficking victims are able to seek and obtain the restitution that they need and deserve. Under current law, federal courts are required to award any child depicted in sexually explicit material restitution in \u201cthe full amount of the victim\u2019s losses,\u201d which can include medical services, physical or occupational therapy, and attorneys\u2019 fees. However, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Paroline that an individual defendant who may have received, distributed, or possessed child pornography may not be held liable for a victim\u2019s aggregate damages incurred by potentially thousands of others who have viewed her images, and that defendants may be made liable only for the harm caused by their own conduct, not the conduct of others. Because of the nature of the crime, child pornography trafficking victims are involved in countless cases across multiple jurisdictions and time. This means that in order to obtain restitution, a victim\u2019s request must be presented in multiple cases across the country. Since the process is so lengthy and overwhelming, only about 20 out of the thousands of child pornography trafficking victims have sought restitution. The Justice for Child Victims Act remedies this problem by creating a compensation fund that is paid for by child pornography defendants as an alternative avenue for victims to obtain financial support for their losses. This simple, one-step alternative allows child pornography trafficking victims to quickly access financial support for their own recovery. Chairman Goodlatte, Representative Gowdy, and Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee issued the statements below on the introduction of Justice for Child Victims Act.  Chairman Goodlatte: \u201cThe trafficking of child pornography is a serious crime and those who cause the most vulnerable among us pain and suffering deserve to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Although no amount of money can ever take away the trauma these children have experienced, we must ensure that victims of child exploitation receive the full amount of their losses from the production and ongoing trafficking of their images. \u201cThe Justice for Child Victims Act creates a straight-forward and easily accessible compensation fund that provides child pornography victims the financial support they need and deserve. Protecting our nation\u2019s children is a top priority for the House Judiciary Committee and we plan to move this bill in the new Congress.\u201d Rep. Gowdy: \u201cEnforcing the rule of law and protecting human dignity through a fair justice system are among the chief responsibilities of Congress. Victims of child pornography endure severe trauma mentally, physically and emotionally. Ensuring they are able to obtain full restitution is the very least we can do to help them with the recovery process. \u201cThe Justice for Child Victims Act will ensure child pornography trafficking victims are fully compensated for their losses as they begin to recover. I thank Chairman Goodlatte and Representative Jackson Lee for their leadership on this legislation and their steadfast commitment to a fair and equal justice system.\u201dRep. Jackson Lee: \u201cI\u2019m pleased to cosponsor this important bill that will ensure the effective implementation of restitution to the victims of child pornography.  We must do all we can to make sure that offenders pay restitution to their victims and that we mitigate the suffering of the victims, whose victimization continues so long as the images continue to be shown.  This bipartisan bill adopts important suggestions by the Department of Justice and is based on their experience in enforcing the law.  Adoption of this legislation should be a top priority in the new Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398652", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.5.16", "2016-12-05", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Date Which Will Live in Infamy?\r\nSeventy-five years ago, on the morning of December 7, 1941, the United States of America was \u201csuddenly and deliberately attacked.\u201d\r\nAt the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes destroyed eight massive battleships and more than 300 airplanes and killed 2,000 Americans.\r\nOne ship, the USS Oklahoma, was hit with torpedoes and capsized with 400 men trapped inside.\u00a0 In a horrifying scenario, the men trapped under the water slowly ran out of air. Rescuers heard taps from inside the ship but could only save a handful of men, and after a few days the tapping stopped.\r\nThe day after the attack, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a moving speech to a joint session of Congress in which he declared that December 7, 1941 was \u201ca date which will live in infamy.\u201d In the speech, he also asked Congress to declare war on Japan, stating, \u201cNo matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion... I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.\u201d\u00a0\r\nAs families were receiving word of lost loved ones, Americans were reeling with the news of this horrific attack on our soil, and men on the USS Oklahoma were still trapped gasping for air, one member of Congress voted against declaring war on Japan.\r\nJeannette Rankin was the only member of Congress to vote against declaring war on Japan and entering World War II. She had been one of a handful of members who earlier in her life had voted against entering World War I as well.\u00a0 While some may present an argument for the vote against WWI, there is no justifying voting against defending ourselves from the Japanese. This attack occurred seventy-five years ago this week. So imagine my surprise when, this April, the House voted to name a federal science and technology program after Congresswoman Rankin (H.R.4570).\u00a0 I voted against this bill but was only joined by five of my colleagues.\r\nI will note the bill was on suspension and perhaps some of my colleagues did not pay attention to who they were voting to honor.\u00a0 Perhaps some of my colleagues wouldn\u2019t vote against honoring Rankin because it wouldn\u2019t be politically correct to vote against the first female elected to Congress. But political correctness does not excuse Rankin\u2019s vote against self-defense. When voting no, Rankin said, \u201cAs a woman I can\u2019t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.\u201d However, women had been among the forty-nine civilian casualties on Oahu, and thousands of women across the nation had husbands, fathers, and brothers among the dead and wounded. During the war, nearly 350,000 brave women enlisted in the Women\u2019s Auxiliary Army Corps, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women\u2019s Airforce Service Pilots. Rankin\u2019s sex did not justify voting against the declaration of war then, and it does not justify honoring her now.It is my opinion that despite other achievements of Congresswoman Rankin, it is more important to remember Pearl Harbor and honor the lives lost than to honor someone who voted against defending the United States while our ships were still on fire, while our troops in the Philippines were under attack, and while men inside the Oklahoma were tapping desperately hoping someone would come to their rescue.\r\nWhen I talk to my children about WWII, they react as though it was ancient history, but I am teaching them that December 7, 1941, is \u201ca date which will live in infamy.\u201d Although the world is much changed since those times, it was not so long ago.\u00a0 In my life, I have been honored to know brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fought for our nation in that gruesome war.\u00a0 For the WWII veterans that are alive today, and all those who served, we must remember and honor their sacrifices.\r\nOn this year\u2019s seventy-fifth anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is particularly important to remember the lives lost in the devastating attack and in the war that followed. In this seventy-fifth anniversary year, voting to honor Jeannette Rankin showed that many in Congress no longer regard December 7 as \u201ca date which will live in infamy.\u201d\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. \u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \u00a0Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=720", "Goodlatte Elected Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the House Republican Conference voted to confirm the GOP Steering Committee\u2019s recommendation that he continue to serve as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the 115th Congress.Chairman Goodlatte: \u201cI am honored to have been chosen to continue my service as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over some of the most important issues facing our country, including constitutional freedoms and civil liberties, legal and regulatory reform, competition and antitrust laws, terrorism and crime, immigration enforcement and reform, and intellectual property protections. \u201cAs Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee I have worked with my committee members on both sides of the aisle to tackle a broad portfolio of issues and compile a strong record of bipartisan accomplishments. From banning bulk data collection and protecting Americans\u2019 privacy in the digital age to banning Internet access taxes, the House Judiciary Committee has solved some of our nation\u2019s most difficult issues. In the 115th Congress, we intend to build on these successes and will continue to advance an agenda focused on making America stronger and more competitive.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=721", "Judiciary Committee Uncovers that USCIS Fails to Conduct Background Checks on Immigration Applicants", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today pressed Secretary Jeh Johnson on the Department of Homeland Security\u2019s (DHS) failure to ensure immigration benefits applicants have received full background checks prior to approval of their applications.The House Judiciary Committee received from a confidential source an email that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Associate Director for the Field Operations Directorate sent to agency staff on November 29, 2016. In the email, he states that an issue had been identified with the key background system used to vet immigration benefits applicants and that proper background checks have not been run on certain applications. He further states that the agency is uncertain about the scope of the problem.In his letter to Secretary Johnson, Chairman Goodlatte demands answers from USCIS and DHS about the problems with the background check system, potential security risks, and what is being done to immediately resolve the problem.Below is Chairman Goodlatte\u2019s letter. The signed letter can be found here.December 2, 2016Dear Secretary Johnson, I write regarding background checks for foreign nationals seeking immigration benefits and the seeming lack of ability of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure the completion of such background checks prior to approval of immigration benefits applications.  Specifically, on the morning of November 29, 2016, the Associate Director for the Field Operations Directorate at USCIS, sent an email to USCIS regional and district officials as well as USCIS leadership and senior officials, stating \u201cEffective immediately offices are instructed not to approve or oath any naturalization cases in ELIS.  We have identified an issue with FBI Name Checks initiated through ELIS.  At this point we are not confident that proper FBI Name Checks have been run on certain ELIS cases.  At this point we are uncertain of the scope of the problem\u2026.\u201d   The email went on to require that any scheduled naturalization ceremonies be cancelled and that no naturalization applications be approved.    As you know, the FBI Name Check process is an integral and absolutely necessary part of the immigration benefits adjudication process.  No applicant should be approved prior to such a check being completed in and with a result showing no concerns.  And no immigration benefit application should be approved without ensuring that the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) is working properly.     I am troubled by the fact that as the Chairman of the Committee of jurisdiction over USCIS, I was not informed about this epic USCIS failure to ensure that immigration benefits applicants were properly vetted as required by law.  Your agency made no effort to notify me of this problem.  Instead, I was only made aware of it by a confidential source.  As such, I request a briefing from USCIS and DHS officials as to the current and any prior concerns with ELIS regarding background checks.  In addition, please answer the following questions:1.\tSince ELIS\u2019 implementation, how many times has it not run the requisite background checks?  For which immigration benefits categories did this occur?  How many applications were affected?  How was the situation resolved?  Were the checks ultimately run? 2.\tHow many naturalization cases were affected by the most recent failure of ELIS to run the requisite Name Checks, as discussed in the November 29, 2016, email?3.\tOn what date and at what time did USCIS become aware of the ELIS failure to run FBI Name Checks on naturalization cases?  4.\tHow many naturalization applications were approved after USCIS became aware of the ELIS failure?  Of those cases, how many of the individuals for which the naturalization application was approved, have been naturalized?   5.\tWhat action will USCIS take to ensure that individuals already naturalized have had the proper background checks run?  6.\tWhat action will USCIS take to ensure the initiation of denaturalization proceedings for those  individuals who are found to have been improperly naturalized?  7.\tHow many individuals have been naturalized to date this fiscal year and how many were naturalized in each of the fiscal years since ELIS implementation?  8.\tWhat is the total cost of ELIS implementation to date?  9.\tWhat other problems have occurred with regard to ELIS implementation?10.\tWhat plan does USCIS have to fix ELIS?  Please respond to this request by December 9, 2016.  If you have any questions about this request, please contact Andrea Loving, Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, at (202) 225-3926. Thank you for your attention to this matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-defense-bill-comstock-heller-service-member-job-training", "House Passes Defense Bill with ComstockHeller Service Member Job Training Amendment", "2016-12-02", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) released the below statement after the House passed a conference report to accompany S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 by a bipartisan vote of 375-34.\u00a0 The legislation included two of the Congresswoman\u2019s amendments including one that she worked on with Senator Heller.\n\u201cThis bipartisan NDAA includes an amendment that I worked on with Nevada Senator Dean Heller to support service members who are transitioning out of the military by providing better access to job training programs. \u00a0These initiatives foster a smoother transition for outgoing members of our military as they look to build a new career,\u201d said Congresswoman Barbara Comstock.\u00a0 \u201cOur men and women in uniform have sacrificed much for us, and this is just one of the ways we can repay them for their service to our country.\u00a0 I look forward to seeing this provision go to work for our veterans.\u00a0 I have numerous businesses and groups in my district, including the Northern Virginia Technology Council\u2019s Veteran Employment Initiative and this provision can assist them.\u201d\u00a0\n\u201cAs a member of the Senate Veterans\u2019 Affairs Committee, I remain focused on ensuring our nation\u2019s members of the military returning from duty receive the access to resources they need to transition smoothly into civilian life. This means allowing service members to participate in civilian job and employment training, including apprenticeships and internships. These important opportunities can be seized before members leave the military so they are able to be fully-trained and equipped with skillsets employers are seeking,\u201d said Senator Dean Heller.\nCongresswoman Comstock went on to say:\n\u201cOur troops make sacrifices daily so that we may remain safe, and this legislation gives them more certainty with the largest boost in pay in six years at 2.1 percent.\u00a0 For over 50 years, Congress has worked across the aisle to annually reauthorize this important legislation, ensuring a strong national security apparatus is ready to protect the homeland.\u00a0 A strong national defense is essential to preserving the freedoms that are the bedrock of our nation and this legislation actually goes above the administration\u2019s request by $9 billion to provide critical funding to support those in our military as they fight for us and our freedoms.\u00a0\n\u201cThis important legislation also included another amendment I worked on that seeks to enhance protections for our children from increasingly easy to access opioids.\u00a0 This is a valuable tool in our ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic that is sweeping our nation and the numerous overdoses that have resulted from this scourge.\u00a0 The language directs the Department of Defense to analyze the feasibility of new prescription bottle lock mechanisms for opioid medications.\u00a0 Addiction often starts early in life with an adolescent taking a pill from medicine that was not prescribed for them, and this is designed to limit illicit access to prescribed medications.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\nBackground on NDAA:\n Boosts base funding by $9 billion over the administration\u2019s request to\u00a0close the readiness gap, rebuild our military, and ensure our troops have the tools necessary to carry out their missions.\n\tProvides our troops with the\u00a0largest pay raise\u00a0they\u2019ve seen in six years at 2.1 percent.\n\tReforms our acquisition process\u00a0to spend taxpayer dollars more wisely and get our troops cutting-edge technology quickly and efficiently.\n\tMaintains longstanding provisions to\u00a0prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees\u00a0to American soil.\n\tHelps\u00a0combat sexual assault\u00a0in the military by building upon past efforts with an improved reporting process and mandatory sentences for certain offenses.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398651", "Griffith Statement on Roe Chairmanship", "2016-12-01", "2016", "2016-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:\r\n\u201cToday, my friend and colleague, Congressman Phil Roe, who represents the 1st Congressional District of Tennessee, was recommended by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as the new Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.\u201d\r\n\u201cCongressman Roe and I share a large portion of the Virginia-Tennessee border, and it has always been a pleasure working with him on so many issues.\u00a0 I look forward to supporting Congressman Roe on this critical post at tomorrow\u2019s Conference meeting and subsequently working with him in his new role as Chairman on important Veterans\u2019 Affairs issues.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=299", "Rep. Brat on Passage of 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act\u00a0H.R. 34,\u00a0which funds the National Institutes\u00a0of Health (NIH) initiatives\u00a0and the\u00a0fight against opioid abuse:\r\n\u201cI represent all my constituents and their interests in Washington, and I am particularly sensitive to their needs when I am called to vote. While this bill helps fund cures for thousands of diseases including cancer and Alzheimer\u2019s, and provides funds to fight the opioid epidemic, it leaves members with a Faustian bargain.\r\nThis 996 page bill is a cynical ploy engineered by D.C. lobbyists to pit very serious diseases and concerns, some of which do have legitimate need for Federal funds, against fiscal responsibility and sanity.\r\nOver the past several months, I have met with many parents who have lost their children to the ravages of vicious diseases and to the nightmare of the heroin epidemic. I have heroic sheriffs in my district who are creating \u00a0programs to rehabilitate addicts in their prisons virtually out of thin air and lack the Federal help they need.\r\nAll my constituents deserve their interests heard in Washington, and there is no question that funds are needed \u00a0for the fight. At the same time, those funds should have flowed through the regular order process. Despite my persistent advocacy, we did not pass a budget this year, and failed to pass all the spending bills.\r\nLast year when this legislation was brought up for a floor vote,\u00a0it\u00a0was set on auto-pilot\u00a0spending. I introduced an amendment to\u00a0move funding for this legislation back into\u00a0the budget and subject to appropriations\u00a0, according to\u00a0regular order. This bill does that; but it authorizes $6 billion in discretionary spending that will not be subject to scoring by the Congressional Budget Office.\u00a0The Cures Act also creates a spending account for the FDA and NIH that is not subject to the budgetary caps. Its spending is structured in a convoluted and disingenuous way, relying on bogus savings that do not exist. For instance, the bill claims to be paid for with slush funds created by Obamacare, even though we\u2019ve promised to repeal that bill in its entirety next year. Equally problematic, each of the individual bills which were wrapped up into this one are so enormous that the connections between the benefits of the bill and how each individual bill is paid for are are almost impossible to follow.\r\nThe draft of this bill was put out the day after Thanksgiving and less than a week later, we are voting on it. We\u00a0are not taking the time to make the tough decisions on which areas the Federal government has a role to play, and which problems should be sent back to the states. Thus we are left\u00a0in the position that epidemics like opioid addiction do not receive the attention they need.\r\nThis\u00a0bill was bundled together in a week by approximately 1500 lobbyists \u2013 3 lobbyists for every 1 member of Congress.\u00a0I could not be more upset with the process used to create this. While members may be criticized for their votes on this, I believe that the true blame lies with lobbyists and leadership who are pitting funding for the neediest of our constituents against fiscal responsibility.\u201d###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398650", "Griffith Statement on 21st Century Cures Act", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today the House of Representatives voted on the revised 21st Century Cures Act (House Amendment to Senate Amendment to\u00a0H.R. 34\u00a0), which passed 392-26.\u00a0 Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) is a co-sponsor of the original bill (H.R. 6) that passed the House in July, 2015.\r\nCongressman Griffith issued the following statement:  \r\n\r\n\u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act facilitates the discovery of new treatments for patients with rare diseases that currently have no cure.\u00a0 Further, the bill cuts out bureaucratic red tape in order to help speed up the approval of these medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and biological treatments.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cIn addition, the bill has several aspects that are important to patients and families in the Ninth District, including grants to the states to help combat the opioid epidemic and reforms to improve our mental health system.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cI am pleased with provisions that allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to streamline the approval of regenerative therapeutic products and encourage the FDA to identify opportunities for accelerated approval without lowering the current standards of evidence.\u00a0 Regenerative medicine involves cutting-edge technology that has the ability to repair tissues and organs, or regenerate cells. If a drug shows potential to treat or cure a serious or life-threatening disease, the bill facilitates a program for expedited review.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cThe bill requires new federal spending, but Congress has identified ways to fund the research.\u00a0 Although this means the money can\u2019t be spent in other ways, research to cure rare diseases that currently have no cure, I believe, is an appropriate use of federal funding.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cWhile the private sector does undertake their own medical research and development, they focus on treatments and cures that can be sold on a large scale.\u00a0 The federal government must spearhead the research for treatments for rare conditions or cures for diseases that may only affect a few thousand people.\u201d  \r\n\r\nBackground:  \r\n\r\n21st Century Cures brings our health care infrastructure into the 21st century, delivering much needed hope for patients and their loved ones. It accelerates the cycle of discovering, developing, and delivering new cures and treatments and ensures that America remains the global leader in biomedical innovation. The bill provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help researchers change the way we fight disease.\r\nThe Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Congressman Griffith serves, has worked on this initiative since May of 2014, and held hearings in Washington, D.C. and roundtable discussions throughout the nation at which medical experts and patient advocates shared their perspective on how to best accelerate the pace of cures to help patients.\u00a0 On October 22, 2014, Congressman Griffith held one such roundtable in Blacksburg with Congressman Phil Roe M.D. (R-TN) and a number of the region\u2019s medical experts.\u00a0 Ideas from these hearings and roundtables were used to craft the 21st Century Cures Act, which went on to pass the Energy and Commerce Committee on May 21, 2015 in a bipartisan vote of 51-0.\u00a0  \r\n\r\nFurther, Congressman Griffith and Congressman Roe held a roundtable about opioid abuse, and funding to help combat the epidemic is included in the revised Cures bill.  \r\n\r\nSince the time that the Cures bill passed the House in 2015, the Senate passed a number of corresponding bills, and the two chambers have worked to craft a final bill to pass a vote in both houses. \u00a0If passed in the Senate, it will head to President Obama who supports the passage and has indicated he will sign it into law.  \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/landmark-21st-century-cures-act-passes-house", "Landmark 21st Century Cures Act Passes House", "2016-11-30", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after voting in favor of the House-Senate negotiated 21st Century Cures Act, which passed the House by a vote of 392 to 26.\u00a0 The legislation will now go to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the president for signature:\n\u201cThe 21st Century Cures Act is a game changer in medical innovation in the fight for cures of chronic diseases.\u00a0 This legislation will help the United States lead the way in medical research and brings hope to patients with cancer, Alzheimer\u2019s, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions as we fight to find new cures.\u00a0 The 21st Century Cures Act brings together both public and private investment toward medical research, while streamlining the testing and approval process that will lead to new lifesaving treatments getting to patients faster.\u00a0 We must unleash medical innovation across the country to save lives, and this bill does just that.\u00a0 Northern Virginia is home to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute which is ranked in the nation\u2019s top ten percent of cancer centers and the world class research being done there will be helped by the passage of this legislation.\n\u201cChildhood cancer has devastated families throughout the country and the 21st Century Cures Act includes $1.8 billion for cancer research, $1 billion of which will support the Cancer Moonshot over the next three years.\u00a0 Two families I know in the Tenth District have been personally touched by childhood cancer, having lost children to cancer.\u00a0 The Miller family, who lost their daughter Gabriella, and the Giordano family, who lost their son Mathias, have made it their mission to bring awareness and research dollars to the types of cancers that took their own children and this legislation is a big step forward for more resources to stamp out childhood cancers.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n\u201cAnother issue that our community sees the effects of daily is opioid abuse. $1 billion in the 21st Century Cures Act will be used to fight this disease that has taken so many victims and was recently declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia.\u00a0 Fighting addiction requires an all-of-the-above approach and we have talked to medical professionals, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, among others in our region, to better target our response to opioid abuse.\u00a0 This legislation is another powerful tool in this ongoing battle.\n\u201cAlso incorporated into the 21st Century Cures legislation is the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, important reforms that will pave the way for greater resources to improve the lives of many in our communities.\u00a0 Years of valuable input from a wide array of stakeholders has been taken into account and, most importantly, there has been input from families, caregivers, and those personally affected by mental health conditions and a wide spectrum of other illnesses and disorders. This bill is a critical step toward providing integrated resources for those in need.\u201d\nBackground 21st Century Cures:\n21st Century Cures is designed to help accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of promising new treatments and cures for patients and maintain our nation\u2019s standing as the biomedical innovation capital of the world. There are 10,000 known diseases, but we only have cures and treatments for 500 of them. The bill would help patients suffering from those diseases by:\n Streamlining and improving the FDA\u2019s review of life-saving drugs for patients\n\tModernizing clinical trials and removing regulatory uncertainty for the development of new medical apps\n\tSupporting and investing in the next generation of Scientists\n The bill provides $4.8 billion over 10 years to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for:\n The Precision Medicine Initiative\n\tThe Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative\n\tCancer research\n\tRegenerative medicine using adult stem cells\n Additionally, the bill provides:\n $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 10 years to move drugs and medical devices to patients more quickly\n\t$1 billion over 2 years for grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention and treatment activities, such as improving prescription drug monitoring programs and implementing prevention", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=718", "Goodlatte Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Crime Victims\u2019 Rights", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote an amended version of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2577) to strengthen crime victims\u2019 rights. The bipartisan, bicameral bill \u2013 authored by Representative Ted Poe (R-Texas) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) \u2013 builds on the Justice for All Act of 2004 to improve the criminal justice system and ensure public confidence in it. It strengthens crime victims\u2019 rights and programs by increasing access to restitution for federal crime victims. The Justice for All Reauthorization Act also further reduces the rape kit backlog and provides resources for forensic labs, while protecting the innocent by improving access to post-conviction DNA testing. It also improves these programs by increasing accountability for federal funds to protect taxpayer dollars. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, praised today\u2019s approval of the bill:\u201cFor over a decade, the Justice for All Act has done a tremendous amount of good to improve our nation\u2019s criminal justice system and strengthen crime victims\u2019 rights. I am pleased the House has reauthorized and improved the Justice for All Act to further this good work, such as reducing the rape kit backlog so that victims are able to reclaim and rebuild their lives, and providing law enforcement resources to identify the guilty and free the innocent. I thank Representative Poe for his tireless work on these important issues and call on the Senate to swiftly pass the amended bill and send it to the President\u2019s desk to be signed into law.\u201d Watch Congressman Goodlatte\u2019s floor speech in support of this legislation by clicking here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=719", "Goodlatte Presses DHS for Information on Two Men Convicted of Plotting with ISIS", "2016-11-29", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson for information on two men convicted in the United States for conspiring with ISIS. In June 2016, Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were convicted of conspiring to provide material support for ISIS, along with other terrorism-related and fraud charges, and recently sentenced to imprisonment for 30 years.  Both men used social media to discuss terrorist attacks and expressed a desire to die as martyrs. Some media reports indicate that Elhuzayel is a citizen of Israel and a naturalized citizen of the United States, while others reflect that he was born in the United States.  According to reports, Badawi is a citizen of Sudan.  Both were residents of Anaheim, California at the time of their arrests.In his letter to Secretary Johnson, Chairman Goodlatte calls on DHS to provide Elhuzayel and Badawi\u2019s immigration and criminal histories to the House Judiciary Committee in order to understand how they became radicalized and whether there were indicators of their radicalization that DHS should have been aware of prior to their arrest.  Chairman Goodlatte\u2019s letter to Secretary Johnson is below.November 29, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary   \r\nDepartment of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were convicted of conspiring to provide material support for ISIS, along with other terrorism-related and fraud charges June 21, 2016.  Both men were sentenced to imprisonment for 30 years on September 26 and October 19, respectively.  Their plot involved facilitating Elhuzayel\u2019s travel abroad to join ISIS fighters.  Both used social media to discuss terrorist attacks and expressed a desire to die as martyrs.Some media reports indicate that Elhuzayel is a citizen of Israel and a naturalized citizen of the United States, while others reflect that he was born in the United States.  According to reports, Badawi is a citizen of Sudan.  Both were residents of Anaheim, California at the time of their arrests.It is important for the Committee to understand how Elhuzayel and Badawi became radicalized and to determine whether there were indicators of their radicalization that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should have been aware of prior to their arrest.  Therefore, please provide a briefing to Committee staff on this case on or before December 13, 2016.  Additionally, please provide the following information no later than December 15, 2016:1.\tThe alien registration numbers for Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi, if any, their complete, unredacted alien files (A-file), including any temporary files, working files, or Service Center files, and all documents and items contained in them, all documents generated by DHS or in its possession about them, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, all Reports of Investigation (ROI), executive summaries, criminal histories and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek their removal from the United States.2.\tPlease identify each and every date on which Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were encountered by a law enforcement agency in the United States, to include criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charge, the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred, the disposition of each charge, the date(s) on which they were released from the custody of that law enforcement agency, and the reason(s) for the release.  Please provide the arrest and disposition documentation for each encounter.3.\tHow and when did Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi enter the United States?  Were they ever served with a Notice to Appear?  Was it filed with an immigration court? Please explain.4.\tHave Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi been removed previously?  If so, when?5.\tHas ICE issued a detainer or request for notification to any entity regarding Nader Elhuzayel or Muhanad Badawi?  Please explain.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to committees of Congress. Upon receipt of this letter, if it appears that you will not fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please immediately contact Tracy Short, Counsel, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, at (202) 225-3926, and identify the specific item(s) requested to which you will not fully respond and explain why you will not respond.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.  Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-death-fidel-castro", "Rep. Comstock Statement On The Death Of Fidel Castro", "2016-11-26", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013\u00a0Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the death of\u00a0Cuban\u00a0dictator Fidel Castro:\u201cUpon the death of one of the most brutal dictators of our time, may the oppression and the disregard of human rights that defined Fidel Castro\u2019s regime, die with him.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=298", "Rep. Brat on Ruling to Block \"Overtime Rule\"", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after a federal\u00a0judge\u00a0granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Department of Labor\u2019s unlawful new Overtime Rule:\"I applaud the court's decision\u00a0to block the implementation of this disastrous job-killing regulation. Businesses here in the 7th District and around the nation will now\u00a0have time while we work towards repealing the rule entirely. This onerous regulation would more than double the salary threshold for an employee to be entitled to overtime pay, forcing small businesses to substantially increase their employment costs. This overreaching and reckless regulation would have had major consequences for job flexibility and job creation - hurting the people it was purportedly trying to help.\"\"As a proud cosponsor of the bi-partisan Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act, I took the lead on efforts to help protect small businesses from executive overreach. With the strong support of the House Freedom Caucus we were able to fight successfully for the delay of the rule's implementation until its true costs and legality can be fully understood. With this great news, small businesses will stay alive and have a chance to thrive in an economy that offers more opportunities for struggling American families.\"###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=717", "RFS Reform Leaders Respond to Ethanol Mandate Hike", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement in response the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s (EPA) release today of final annual mandatory blending volumes for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): \u201cForcing more ethanol into the market \u2013 while hurting consumers, food producers, and small engines across the nation \u2013 is not the solution. While well-intentioned, it has been clear for some time now that the RFS is a broken policy. The EPA\u2019s action today ignores basic economic and scientific facts, and sets the industry on a path that will be disastrous for families, small businesses and retailers, the agriculture community, food aid organizations, and the environment. Announcing higher fuel volumes for 2017 only emphasizes the unfairness of this mandate, and the need for Congress to step in and stop the harmful impacts. There are several good solutions on the table in the House to help lessen the effects of the ethanol mandate, including the RFS Reform Act, which we have introduced. Reforming the RFS remains a priority, and we will continue working to see a legislative fix move forward in Congress.\u201dThe RFS Reform Act (H.R. 704) eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels. Today\u2019s announcement by the EPA sets ethanol levels above the blend wall, the point at which many small engines can safely use ethanol blended gasoline.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398649", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.23.16", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Words of Thanksgiving\r\nAt Thanksgiving, it is good to remember our history for which we give thanks.\u00a0 \r\nThroughout American history, Presidents have spoken on America\u2019s good fortune and given thanks to our Creator.\u00a0 In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26, as a day of \u201cpublic thanksgiving and prayer\u201d dedicated to \u201cthe service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, and that will be.\u201d\r\nLater, President Lincoln designated the final Thursday in November as a national \u201cday of Thanksgiving and praise.\u201d\u00a0 The year was 1863, and despite the war that raged he proclaimed America would \u201cset apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.\u201d\u00a0 Lincoln also asked \u201cthe Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.\u201d\r\nOne hundred years after President Lincoln\u2019s words, President John F. Kennedy reflected on the words of Washington and Lincoln, and issued moving words of his own, saying: \u201cToday we give our thanks, most of all, for the ideals of honor and faith we inherit from our forefathers--for the decency of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility, which they possessed and which we must seek every day to emulate. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nHis proclamation also recognized Virginia, noting \u201cover three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and Massachusetts, far from home, in a lonely wilderness set aside a time of Thanksgiving. They gave thanks for their safety, the health of their children, the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together and for the faith which united them with their God.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nThe reason he mentioned Virginia is that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1619 at the Berkeley Plantation in Virginia.\u00a0 Led by Captain John Woodlief, they prayed \u201cWe ordain that this day of our ship's arrival \u2026 in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.\u201d\r\nThe pilgrims did not arrive at Plymouth until 1620, and did not hold their Thanksgiving until November 1621.\r\nIn a recent historical moment, President George W. Bush (Bush 2) made a secret, unplanned visit to Iraq for Thanksgiving Day 2003 in the midst of a war.\u00a0 It is reported neither his wife nor parents were aware of his plans.\u00a0 His appearance shocked the soldiers as he thanked them, \u201cYou are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so we don't have to face them in our own country\u2026 We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you.\u201d\r\nThroughout history, Thanksgiving has given Americans an opportunity to express thanks and gratitude, and here in the United States we have much to be thankful for.\u00a0 Among other things, I am thankful for my family, friends, and the freedoms we enjoy.\u00a0 I am also thankful for those who have been dedicated to protecting these freedoms.\u00a0 \r\nI am proud of the rich history of both Virginia and our Nation of celebrating thanks to the Almighty.\u00a0 \r\nWe Gather Together \r\nAlso at this time of year, I reflect on a favorite hymn of thanks, \u201cWe Gather Together.\u201d\u00a0 I am especially moved by the lyrics \u2018Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.\u2019\u00a0 This hymn, while recognized as a popular American song, has Dutch origins.\u00a0 When written, the Dutch were at war to liberate their nation from the powerful Habsburg Dynasty which controlled both the Spanish and Austrian Empires.\u00a0 The Dutch were forbidden from gathering to worship as they wished because they were predominantly Protestants, while the Habsburgs were Catholic.\u00a0 Later, pilgrims coming from both the Netherlands (Dutch) and England to the new world brought the hymn to America.\u00a0 The words and theme fit perfectly with the American Thanksgiving tradition, and have become a well-known song at churches during this holiday.\r\nNo matter your faith, I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.\u00a0 \r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. \u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \u00a0Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-emergency-injunction-against-department-labor-s", "Rep. Comstock Statement On The Emergency Injunction Against The Department Of Labors Overtime Rule", "2016-11-23", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency injunction against the Labor Department\u2019s overtime rule:\u201cThe emergency injunction in this lawsuit sends a strong message to the Administration that it cannot rush rules like this that will\u00a0hurt\u00a0our workers\u00a0and jobs. \u00a0We regularly talk\u00a0with business owners and employees throughout the 10th District and\u00a0they\u00a0raise concerns about the misguided regulations this Administration has imposed without any input from Congress and that have unintended \u00a0consequences and cause uncertainty.\u00a0Workers will now have more certainty in their jobs as they put in the work necessary to build a career, and, in many cases, companies of their own.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=715", "Goodlatte, Grassley Seek Immigration & Criminal History of Individual Charged in Roadside Rape", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairmen Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are requesting the immigration and criminal histories of a man charged in the brutal roadside rape near Fredericksburg, Va., in October.Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian was arrested November 17, and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery after he allegedly struck the vehicle of a woman with his car, dragged the driver into a ditch, and raped her for two hours. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly issued an immigration detainer for Sibrian, which seeks cooperation with local authorities to prevent Sibrian from being released back into the public.In a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley and Goodlatte are requesting Sibrian\u2019s full immigration and criminal background, including when and how he entered the United States, whether he has been previously deported, and whether he applied for or received any immigration benefits.  The chairmen are also asking for details on Sibrian\u2019s previous encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities, arrest history, and any gang affiliations.  Finally, the chairmen are asking whether Sibrian would have been considered an enforcement priority under the Obama Administration\u2019s Priority Enforcement Program prior to the rape charges, what steps federal officials will take if local law enforcement refuses to honor the federal detainer, and whether federal officials have contacted the victims of the alleged crimes committed by Sibrian.The Chairmen\u2019s letter to Johnson follows:November 22, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary   \r\nDepartment of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:We write to request case information on Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, reportedly an alien illegally present in the United States, who allegedly brutally raped a woman near Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 31.  According to reports, Sibrian allegedly dragged a woman from her car into a ditch and raped her for two hours after striking her car with his vehicle.  Sibrian was arrested on November 17 in Sanford, North Carolina and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery.  His bond was set at $100,000.  News sources also report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an immigration detainer for Sibrian.To better understand Sibrian\u2019s immigration and criminal history, please provide both Committees on the Judiciary with the following information as soon as possible, but not later than December 5, 2016:  1.     The alien registration number for Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, his complete alien file (A-file), including any temporary files or working files, and all documents and items contained in them that were generated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or in its possession about him, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Executive Summary, criminal history and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek his removal from the United States.2.     How and when did Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian enter the United States? 3.     Had Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian ever been removed previously?  If so, when?4.     If a law enforcement agency declines to honor a detainer or notify ICE regarding Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, what action will DHS take to ensure that he is not released from custody and allowed to reoffend?5.     Please identify each and every date on which Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian was arrested by a law enforcement agency in the United States, including criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charges, the jurisdictions where the arrests occurred, the dispositions of the charges, the dates on which he was released from the custody of the law enforcement agencies, and the reasons for the release.6.     Did Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian ever apply for any immigration benefit?  If so, was any application approved?  Please provide copies of any applications that Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian may have submitted, whether or not adjudicated.7.     Was Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian a member of, or associated with any criminal gang?  Please explain.8.     If Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian had been encountered by DHS enforcement officials prior to his recent arrest for rape, would he have met the requirements to be considered a priority for removal under the Administration\u2019s Priority Enforcement Program?  If so, please provide the exact reason for such consideration.  If not, why not?9.     Has any victim(s) associated with the alleged crime(s) committed by Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian been contacted by officials at ICE?  Please provide details.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to Committees of Congress. Upon receipt of this letter, if you cannot fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please immediately contact the staff members of the respective Committees below and identify the specific item requested to which you cannot fully respond and explain why you cannot respond.Should you have any questions, please contact Kathy Nuebel Kovarik at (202) 224-5225 or Tracy Short at (202) 225-3926.  Thank you for your cooperation.Sincerely,Charles E. Grassley   \r\nChairman  \r\nSenate Committee on the JudiciaryBob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman\u00a0  \r\nHouse Committee on the Judiciary", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398648", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for December", "2016-11-22", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith\u2019s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of December.\r\nDecember 1, 2016\r\nLee County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nLee County Sheriff\u2019s Office\r\nConference Room \u2013 Suite U101\r\n33640 Main Street\r\nJonesville, VA\r\nMartinsville: \u00a0 12:00 pm \u2013 2:00 pm\r\nNCI\r\nRoom 106 \u2013 Classroom Building\r\n30 Franklin Street\r\nMartinsville, VA\r\nNorton: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nNorton City Council Chambers\r\n618 Virginia Avenue NW\r\nNorton, VA\r\nDecember 6, 2016\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nAmerican Legion Building\r\n226 Central Avenue\r\nTazewell, VA\r\nBuchanan County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nGrundy Town Hall\r\n1185 Plaza Drive\r\nGrundy, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 \u00a02:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nDublin Town Hall\r\nRoute 100, 1 mile North of I-81\r\nDublin, VA\r\n\u00a0\r\nDecember 7, 2016\r\nSmyth County: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a010:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nTown Council Chambers\r\n138 West Main Street\r\nMarion, VA\u00a0\r\nCovington:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCovington City Hall\r\nCity Hall Conference Room\r\n333 W. Locust Street\r\nCovington, VA\r\nCraig County:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nCraig County Administration Building\r\n108 Court Street\r\nNew Castle, VA\r\nBristol:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBristol VA Public Library\r\nUpstairs Conference Room\r\n701 Goode Street\r\nBristol, VA\r\nDecember 8, 2016\r\nGrayson County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nGrayson County Administration Building\r\nBoard of Supervisors Room \u2013 Suite 206\r\n129 Davis Street\r\nIndependence, VA\r\nRussell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center\r\n141 Highland Drive\r\nLebanon, VA\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm \r\nBluefield Town Hall \u2013 Council Chambers\r\n112 Huffard Drive\r\nBluefield, VA\r\nGalax: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nGalax Municipal Building\r\nConference Room\r\n111 E. Grayson Street\r\nGalax, VA\r\nDecember 13, 2016\r\nGiles County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nPearisburg Town Hall\r\n112 Tazewell Street\r\nPearisburg, VA\r\nDickenson County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research\r\n818 Happy Valley Drive\r\nClintwood, VA\r\nSalem: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nSalem Town Hall\r\n114 N. Broad Street\r\nSalem, VA\r\nWise County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse\r\n3rd Floor Room 303\r\n322 Wood Avenue E\r\nBig Stone Gap, VA\r\nDecember 14, 2016\r\nRadford: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nRadford Public Library\r\nMeeting Room\r\n30 West Main Street\r\nRadford, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nPulaski County Library\r\nMeeting Room\r\n60 3rd Street NW\r\nPulaski, VA\r\nDecember 15, 2016\r\nAlleghany County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nClifton Forge Library\r\nConference Room\r\n535 Church Street\r\nClifton Forge, VA\r\nScott County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCommunity Services Building\r\nCommunity Room\r\n190 Beech Street\r\nGate City, VA\r\nRoanoke County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nRoanoke Library Hollins Branch\r\n6624 Peters Creek Road\r\nRoanoke, VA\r\nWise County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse\r\n3rd Floor Room 303\r\n322 Wood Avenue E\r\nBig Stone Gap, VA\r\nDecember 20, 2016\r\nCarroll County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nCarroll County Administration Building\r\nBoard of Supervisors Room\r\n605 \u2013 1 Pine Street\r\nHillsville, VA\r\nFloyd County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nFloyd Town Hall\r\n134 Wilson Street\r\nFloyd, VA\r\nDecember 21, 2016\r\nHenry County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nBassett Historical Society\r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway\r\nBassett, VA\r\nBland County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nBland County Courthouse\r\nAdmin. Office Room 200\r\n612 Main Street\r\nBland, VA\r\nWythe County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nWythe County Sheriff\u2019s Office\r\nConference Room\r\n245 South 4th Street\r\nWytheville, VA\r\nPatrick County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm\r\nPatrick County Administration Building\r\nConference Room\r\n106 Rucker Street\r\nStuart, VA\r\n** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\r\n ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=714", "Goodlatte Statement on President-Elect Trump\u2019s Attorney General Selection", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, made the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump\u2019s selection of Senator Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General:  \r\n\r\n\u201cI congratulate Senator Sessions on his nomination by President-elect Trump to be the next Attorney General. Our nation\u2019s top law enforcement officer has a solemn duty to ensure the rule of law and protect the American people by executing our laws impartially and fully. These core principles have come under attack the past eight years and must be restored at the Justice Department.\u201cUpon confirmation by the Senate, I look forward to working with Mr. Sessions to enforce the rule of law, administer justice fairly without giving special treatment to the politically well-connected, and find solutions to the problems facing our nation\u2019s criminal justice system.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-opioid-addiction-being-declared-public-health", "Rep. Comstock Statement on Opioid Addiction Being Declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia", "2016-11-21", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after opioid addiction was declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia by the state Health Commissioner:\n\u201cWhether it is a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one, addiction does not discriminate against who it harms and we must work as a community to take the opioid crisis head-on.\u00a0 This epidemic reaches across all socioeconomic backgrounds and age groups.\u00a0 With the state Health Commissioner declaring opioid addiction a Public Health Emergency for the Commonwealth today, an even greater spotlight will be put on this crisis in the months ahead.\u00a0 Both as a Delegate and now in Congress I have been working with our community and for legislative responses to battle the scourge of addiction. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I worked with my colleagues to pass the\u00a0Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which addresses education and prevention, treatment and services, and interdiction of these deadly drugs.\u00a0 We must utilize all avenues available to us, and this Public Health Emergency declaration is yet another step toward stamping out the disease of addiction.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398647", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.20.16", "2016-11-20", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Reasons for the Electoral College\r\nEvery four years, American news is dominated by the presidential election.\u00a0 Pundits and analysts play up the drama, predict the outcome of the Electoral College, and endlessly analyze the results.\u00a0 \r\nDiscussions of this year\u2019s results are unavoidable.\u00a0 Since the Republican candidate won the election, yet lost the popular vote by less than one percent, speculation has started on the purpose of the Electoral College.\u00a0 Only five times in our nation\u2019s 228 year history of electing a President have the results of the Electoral College not aligned with the winner of the popular vote (1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016.)\u00a0 Each time this has occurred, the losing party begins the complaints.\r\nThe Electoral College was designed by our Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, to be sure the President was elected by a federation of \u201cStates\u201d and to maintain a balance of power between all of the \u201cStates.\u201d\r\nAt the Constitutional Convention, several methods of electing a President were considered.\u00a0 The Founders were constantly aware of the dangers of consolidated power, and had the incredible foresight to devise a system which distributed power.\u00a0 The Electoral College was created to balance state and federal powers, and most importantly provide a voice to all \u201cStates\u201d \u2013 not just the most populous.\u00a0 \r\nAt the time of the creation of our nation, the smaller states worried about the largest states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts ruling over all the rest.\u00a0 Without the establishment of the Electoral College to prevent this outcome, the Union would have never been formed.\r\nEach \u201cState\u201d was allotted two electors, in addition to the number of members the state has in the House of Representatives (based on population.)\u00a0 Today, the electoral votes per state range from the smallest of 3 to the most for California at 55.\u00a0 To win the Presidency, a candidate must win a majority of 270 of 538 electoral votes.\u00a0 Therefore, even under the Electoral College, winning California gives a candidate just over twenty percent of the votes needed.\u00a0 To match those 55, the other candidate would need to win the votes of a substantial number of smaller states.\u00a0\r\nThis election, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by approximately 1.3 million votes, yet she won California by 3.4 million.\u00a0 If you take out that one state, Donald Trump won the popular vote.\r\nWith a simple popular vote, the megalopolis of the East Coast, combined with California, would control every election.\u00a0 This would completely disenfranchise the flyover states, and rural areas of our country, including the Ninth District.\u00a0 Presidential candidates would focus their entire campaigns in California, New York City, and a few other heavily populated coastal areas, with no regard for the farms, factories, and families who work to keep them operational living in between.\r\nSome feel even in our current system that the voice of rural citizens like those in the Ninth are left out, and have proposed electors allotted by a \u201cdistrict system.\u201d\u00a0 The Constitution states that electors are to be chosen \u201cin such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct,\u201d maintaining the power for states to control their elector system.\u00a0 In 48 of the states, winner takes all, but in Maine and Nebraska, the \u201cdistrict system\u201d awards two votes to the statewide popular vote winner, and one electoral vote for the candidate that wins each Congressional District.\u00a0 \r\nIf the method was adopted in Virginia, this year our state would have likely given six votes to Clinton and seven to Trump, as opposed to all thirteen votes to Clinton.\r\nThe Founders understood the will of the people and the consent of the governed was critical.\u00a0 But they also understood that if a handful of states could always dominate the selection of the Presidency, then the other states would feel both disenfranchised and oppressed.\u00a0 These feelings would exacerbate the divisions which naturally occur between the regions and could erupt into serious divisions within this union of \u201cStates\u201d and threaten the existence of the Republic.\u00a0 Interestingly, the solution was the Electoral College, known to be written by Hamilton in Federalist Paper No. 68, to make sure even the smallest of states had a part in the selection of the President of this union of \u201cStates.\u201d\r\nThe Electoral College is there for an important purpose and has served our Republic well.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. \u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \u00a0Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=286", "House Votes for Relief from Last-Minute Regulations", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5982, the Midnight Rules Relief Act, to increase oversight of the overreaching regulations that are often issued during a president\u2019s final months in office:\"With this bill, we are beginning to peel back the mountains of regulations that have had disastrous consequences for millions of Americans. The Obama administration has made a habit of creating burdensome rules and regulations through executive action that had disastrous economic consequences. The first five years the Obama Administration added 17,522 pages of regulations. No administration, Republican or Democrat, should have that legislative authority. From the overtime rule, to the Waters of the United States rule, the fiduciary rule, the joint-employer rule, and many, many others, businesses have been crushed, jobs lost and the United States economy become stagnant. This bill grants much-needed regulatory relief that will help millions of Americans and small businesses.\u201dA midnight rule or regulation is one that is issued by the executive branch just before an outgoing president leaves office in an effort to push through their\u00a0final priorities. The Midnight Rules Relief Act amends the Congressional Review Act to allow joint resolutions of disapproval of \"midnight regulations\" en bloc. The joint resolutions could include regulations that were submitted to Congress for review within 60 days prior to the departure of an outgoing administration. Under current law, Congress may only disapprove regulations one at a time.Over the last eight years, the Obama administration has used new regulations without Congressional approval, many of which cost over $100 million per year.\"The impact of these rules and regulations on small businesses cannot be understated. I will continue to promote policies that create jobs and spur economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens,\" said Rep. Brat.Rep. Brat has a 100% score with\u00a0NFIB, America's leading small business association.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=713", "Goodlatte Praises Passage of Bill to Stop Midnight Rules", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement upon the House\u2019s passage of the Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R. 5982) by a vote of 240-179:\u201cPresident Obama\u2019s regulatory agenda has already cost hardworking Americans hundreds of billions of dollars over the last eight years. Now, the president expects Americans to cover an additional burden of at least an estimated $113 billion in new regulatory costs imposed during the final months of the Obama Administration. \u201cThe new regulations President Obama intends to force upon the American people are partisan, costly, and overly broad. These regulations are in the fast lane for approval, without sufficient transparency or the proper time for the American people to comment and have their views taken fully into account. The practice of midnight regulation does a disservice to the American people, and today\u2019s action by Congress stops abuse of this practice.\u201dBackground: The Midnight Rules Relief Act creates a rapid-response method for Congress to overturn an outgoing presidential administration\u2019s attempts to impose major regulations without the transparency and scrutiny expected in normal regulatory implementation. The bill specifically amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to allow Congress to overturn multiple midnight rules and empowers Congress to more quickly stop midnight rules which are truly problematic \u2013 such as those that defy the message sent by the voters or those that have been poorly designed in the haste of the midnight rule period.VIDEO: Congressman Goodlatte speaks on the House floor in support of the Midnight Rules Relief Act.Click here to learn more about the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398646", "Griffith Introduces Bill to Limit the Use of the Judgement Fund", "2016-11-17", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced a bill to prevent the Obama Administration from potentially bailing out insurance companies by limiting the use of the Justice Department\u2019s Judgement Fund (H.R.6339 \u2013 To limit the use of the Judgement Fund to settle any lawsuit arising under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes.)\r\nBackground: The Risk Corridor program was designed as protection for insurance companies who lost money in the Obamacare exchanges.\u00a0 Fees were paid into the program by the participating insurance companies.\u00a0 Then, the program was intended to reimburse insurance companies who lost money through participation in the exchanges.\u00a0 The fees were intended to compensate for any and all losses.\u00a0 However, for the first year of the program, 2014, when the insurance companies made their claims, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), estimated the funds available would only provide insurers with 12.6% of the requested funds.\u00a0 This resulted in a shortfall of over 2 billion dollars, and insurance companies are suing for the full amount.\u00a0 Congress required these payments be budget neutral, meaning CMS could only pay out what it took in from the fees, but there is speculation the Judgement Fund will be used to pay the insurance companies the 2 billion requested, without the consent of Congress.\u00a0 Although the court cases are not yet finished, one judge rejected the insurance company\u2019s claim that the federal government owes the plaintiffs the full amount lost under the program.\r\nCongressman Griffith said: \u201cI asked Acting Administrator of CMS, Andy Slavitt, if the federal government was obligated to pay insurance companies who lost money from Obamacare the full amount they lost, through the Risk Corridor Program.\u00a0 After stumbling, Slavitt said, \u2018Yes.\u00a0 It\u2019s an obligation of the federal government.\u2019\u00a0 I was concerned with his response, since the fund is over 2 billion dollars short.\u00a0 Furthermore, he implied they are working with the Justice Department, and could possibly use the Judgement Fund.\u201d\r\n\u201cUsing the Judgement Fund to settle the lawsuits and pay out the insurance companies would be ignoring congressional intent.\u00a0 The bill I introduced today makes it clear \u00a0\u2018no amounts may be paid from the fund\u2026 for any compromise settlement in connection with any proceeding brought against the Government under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.\u2019\u201d\r\n\u201cLike many aspects of Obamacare, the Risk Corridor program failed.\u00a0 This bill prevents the Obama Administration from handing out massive payments, and relieves the American taxpayers from having to bail out these health insurance companies with the Judgement Fund.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=711", "Goodlatte Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Promote Transparency in Government Settlements", "2016-11-16", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) released the following statement following today\u2019s Committee passage of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015 (H.R. 1669) by a voice vote:\u201cWhen hardworking Americans pay their taxes, they expect their money to be used by the government in an honest and open manner in order to fund government agencies and programs.\u201cInformation currently available about payments made from the Judgment Fund lacks sufficient details for the public and Congress to effectively search. This problem was recently highlighted by the lack of information surrounding the Administration\u2019s recent settlement with Iran. In addition to its power of the purse, it is Congress\u2019s prerogative to ensure that the public is informed of government expenditures. This bill does just that.\u201cGreater transparency to the Judgment Fund will allow the American people to understand how the government is using their funds, and determine whether or not they are being used wisely.\u201dBackground: The Judgment Fund was originally set up to provide a mechanism for the federal government to pay damages to parties, in a timely manner, who have been harmed by the federal government. The purpose of the Judgment Fund is thus a good one, but the administration of it must be more transparent. The use of the Judgment Fund has come under recent scrutiny when monies from the fund were used in a settlement with Iran, which lacked proper transparency and clear reporting to the American public.H.R. 1669, the Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015, requires the Department of the Treasury to disclose details after payments are made from the Judgment Fund, which is a permanent and indefinite appropriation to pay final judgments and settlements against the United States. Unless the disclosure is prohibited by law or a court order, Treasury must make available to the public on a website information regarding the claim, including, among other things, the plaintiff\u2019s name and counsel for the plaintiff or claimant. If the payment is made to a foreign state, Treasury must provide additional information, including the method of payment, currency used, and the financial institution of the foreign state that received the funds.Click here to learn more about today\u2019s markup.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=710", "Goodlatte Statement on Secret Service Inspector General Report", "2016-11-15", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report finding that the U.S. Secret Service has taken action to address the recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel made in December 2014 following the White House fence-jumping incident:\u201cI am encouraged that leadership at the United States Secret Service has taken a number of steps to implement the recommendations made by the Protective Mission Panel. The Secret Service has a critical duty to ensure the safety of the President, White House personnel and the historic grounds, and there can be no room for error. In particular, the Secret Service faced many demands during the presidential election cycle, and I commend them for their excellent work. \u201cThe Secret Service must continue to implement reforms so that it restores itself as a dynamic agency in thwarting threats made against the President of the United States. I look forward to continue working with the Secret Service to make necessary improvements at the agency and also call on the Senate to pass the Secret Service Improvements Act so that the agency has the resources it needs to meet its mission.\u201d Additional Background: In July 2015, the House of Representatives approved the Secret Service Improvements Act of 2015 (H.R. 1656). This bipartisan bill \u2013 authored by Congressman Bob Goodlatte \u2013 reforms the United States Secret Service, provides much needed resources to enhance agents\u2019 training, strengthens security at the White House, and improves transparency and accountability at the agency.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-passage-caesar-syria-civilian-protection-act", "Rep. Comstock On Passage of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act", "2016-11-15", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House passed by voice vote H.R. 5732, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a bill that she cosponsored to impose sanctions on individuals who have perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Syrian people:\n\u201cI thank my colleagues for supporting this bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on those perpetuating the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in Syria.\u00a0 The horrors Bashar al-Assad and his despotic regime continue to commit against the people of Syria necessitate serious action.\u00a0 The Administration has blocked these sanctions for far too long and I am pleased that Republicans and Democrats came together today to take a stand against the Assad Regime and its allies in response to years of atrocities committed against the Syrian people.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=284", "Rep. Brat on Speaker Election", "2016-11-14", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement ahead of Tuesday's internal GOP leadership elections:\"The American people just sent a bold message to the Washington elites - it's time for Congress to put the American people first.\u00a0Like last year, I\u00a0ask for clear, unambiguous answers on how the candidates for Speaker\u00a0will pursue the agenda the American people voted for. I am happy to vote for anyone who does so. I will not vote for anyone who does not have this agenda on paper for the American people to see. That is what the people I represent demand and deserve.\"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) wrote an op-ed discussing his thoughts on the upcoming Speaker election. You can read the op-ed by clicking here.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398645", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.14.16", "2016-11-14", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Midnight Regulations\r\n\r\nIn the popular fairytale of Cinderella, the Princess has a golden carriage and a fancy ball gown, only until the clock strikes midnight. \u00a0After midnight, it turns back to a pumpkin and she becomes the house maiden once again.Similarly, after presidential elections conclude, the outgoing President has a limited number of days remaining with control of agencies that can produce new regulations. \u00a0Historically, as the President\u2019s clock ticks closer to midnight, a flurry of new regulations are hastily released, before he and his administration turn back to regular citizens.These regulations are often overly broad, expensive, and can be used to override the will of the voters.\u00a0 The outgoing administration can force through an agenda that they were unable to generate the support to pass in a law. \u00a0\u00a0In our great nation, legislation is meant to be debated and voted on by the legislators, who are held accountable to the people they represent. \u00a0 Passing legislation is not achieved through a \u2018pen and a phone\u2019 or the wave of a wand.The week of November 14, the House of Representatives will vote on the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 (H.R. 5982). \u00a0This bipartisan bill, from the Judiciary Committee, amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and \u201ccreates a rapid-response method for Congress to overturn an outgoing presidential administration\u2019s attempts to impose major regulations without the transparency and scrutiny expected in normal regulatory implementation.\u201dThe CRA \u201c\u2026is an oversight tool Congress can use to overturn certain agency actions. \u00a0The CRA requires agencies to report the issuance of \u2018rules\u2019 to Congress and provides Congress with special procedures under which to consider legislation to overturn rules, in the form of a joint resolution of disapproval. ... If a CRA joint resolution of disapproval is approved by both houses and signed by the President, or if Congress overrides a presidential veto, the rule at issue cannot go into effect or continue in effect.\u201dAdditionally, \u201cWhen a CRA joint disapproval resolution meets certain criteria; it cannot be filibustered in the Senate.\u201dThe Midnight Rules Relief Act amends the CRA to allow \u201ca joint resolution of disapproval (that) may contain one or more such rules if the report \u2026 for each such rule was submitted during the final year of a President\u2019s term\u2026. Such rules shall have no force or effect.\u201dIn other words, if a President passes onerous last minute rules at the end of a term, unlike normal regulations, the next Congress and new President get a chance to roll back the regulations, no matter how many, all at once.The term \u201cmidnight regulation\u201d was first used during the final months of President Carter\u2019s single term, according to the Mercatus Center. \u00a0President Carter added 24,531 pages of regulations between Election Day and Inauguration Day. \u00a0Mercatus Center reports that President Clinton published more than 26,542 pages, representing a 51% increase over the average number of pages published during the same quarter for the previous three years of Clinton\u2019s term.The practice is carried out by outgoing Presidents of both parties. \u00a0The Bush Administration also increased the release of new regulations. \u00a0In fact, the Mercatus Center found an average of a 17% increase in the volume of rules during this midnight regulation time span, stretching back to 1948, with a significant increase in years in which the Presidency switched parties.During the eight years of President Obama\u2019s leadership, thousands of pages of federal regulations have been forced onto the American people. \u00a0 From the overreaching Clean Power Plan to the Waters of the USA (WOTUS) rule to the Department of Labor\u2019s new overtime rules that may cripple small businesses, the agencies have frequently expanded the influence of the federal government into Americans\u2019 lives.\u00a0 This bill would discourage this President and future Presidents from trying to cram down new regulations when their days of power dwindle down to a precious few.With a new President Trump, and a fresh administration, we have a better chance to roll back harmful regulations. \u00a0But first, we should pass the Midnight Rules Relief Act in the House and implore the Senate to follow suit, to prevent President Obama from releasing a heap of new rules in the waning hours of his Presidency, and restore the power of legislating to the legislative branch.\u00a0If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. \u00a0You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. \u00a0To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. \u00a0Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398494", "Griffith Honors Americas Veterans", "2016-11-11", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement paying tribute to Americas veterans:\r\nI am reminded this time each year that Veterans Day was established following the end of World War I, which many idealistically hoped would be the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, as we now know, World War I was not the last conflict of this nature.\r\nIn 1919, President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11 would commemorate Armistice Day, recognizing the official end of World War I with the signing of the First Armistice. Armistice Day was to be a day filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations\r\nArmistice Day was made a national holiday by Congress in 1938, before World War II, which required a significant mobilization of American forces. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day, a day on which we honor American veterans of all wars.\r\nToday, Veterans Day, is a day to pay tribute to the generations of men and women who have selflessly served our great nation in our Armed Forces. I thank our nations veterans and those who are currently serving for their commitment to freedom and liberty. May God bless them and their families, and may God bless these United States.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398644", "Griffith Statement Honoring America's Veterans", "2016-11-11", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, November 11, 2016\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement honoring America\u2019s veterans for their sacrifice and dedication to our country:\r\n\u201cIn 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I ended.\u00a0 Based on the terrible bloodshed and destruction, it was hoped that it would be the \u201cwar to end all wars.\u201d\u00a0 Although it was not the world\u2019s final war, November 11 became a national holiday to recognize those who have sacrificed for our country and served in the military.\u201d\r\n\u201cAll Americans can celebrate and honor our veterans together - Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians, and others.\u00a0 At times our differences seem profound.\u00a0 But the dedication to our great nation rises above all.\u201d\r\n\u201cLike brothers who occasionally fight, when confronted with an outside threat, we are united in defending one another.\u201d\r\n\u201cThough veterans hail from all walks of life, with differing races, religious beliefs, and political views, they fight side by side to defend our freedoms, granted by God and protected in the Constitution of these United States.\u201d\r\n\u201cI am grateful to the men and women who have served our country, and those who continue to do so.\u00a0 The sacrifices made to defend our freedoms must never be forgotten.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=709", "Goodlatte Calls on Director Comey to Answer Questions Clouding the Clinton Investigation", "2016-11-07", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today called on FBI Director James Comey to answer many questions raised by his vague letter to congressional committees that he is not altering the conclusion he previously reached regarding Secretary Clinton\u2019s mishandling of classified information.In his letter to Director Comey, Chairman Goodlatte asks if the FBI found any classified emails in its review of reportedly 650,000 emails in connection to the investigation of Anthony Weiner, if the FBI found any emails pertinent to the Clinton investigation that were not previously disclosed by Secretary Clinton or her associates, and whether the FBI intends to disclose the new emails it reviewed to Congress. \u201cOur laws must be fairly and evenly enforced, regardless of power or position,\u201d writes Chairman Goodlatte.  \u201cHowever, today, there is a perception among the American people that the FBI and DOJ\u2019s actions during the Clinton investigation have tarnished their time-honored reputations for fair and equal application of the law.  Transparency and responsiveness to these questions can help renew the public\u2019s faith that future decisions concerning Secretary Clinton, or any other public official, are not governed by politics, but instead, are grounded in law and pursued based on the facts.\u201d  Below is the text of Chairman Goodlatte\u2019s letter and the signed copy can be found here. November 7, 2016The Honorable James B. Comey  \r\nDirector  \r\nFederal Bureau of Investigation  \r\nU.S. Department of Justice  \r\nWashington, D.C.  20535  \r\nDear Director Comey:Yesterday, you informed Congress that you are not altering the conclusion you previously reached regarding Secretary Clinton\u2019s mishandling of classified information. I appreciate the hard work that FBI personnel undoubtedly put in over the last week to review a reported 650,000 new emails found in connection with your investigation into former Congressman Anthony Weiner.  However, notwithstanding the efforts of the men and women of the FBI, your letter fails to answer many questions regarding the nature of your expedited review of the hundreds of thousands of emails that \u201cappear[ed] to be pertinent to the investigation.\u201d  Once again, we write to demand responses to unanswered questions.  Please respond to these questions no later than November 15, 2016.    1)\tDid the FBI find any classified emails in its review of reportedly 650,000 emails in connection with the investigation of Clinton aide Huma Abedin\u2019s estranged husband, Anthony Weiner?2)\tDid the FBI find any emails \u2013 classified or unclassified \u2013 pertinent to the Clinton email mishandling investigation that had not been previously disclosed by Secretary Clinton or anyone else connected in any way to Secretary Clinton?3)\tHow many unique emails did you find that were not previously obtained by the FBI?a.\tRegarding any unique emails, did you consult with other members of the intelligence community to verify the classification level of the recently-discovered emails? In the past, this process has taken months. If you did not, how did you verify the classification level of those documents?4)\tDoes the FBI plan to release the emails it reviewed, redacted or otherwise, to Congressional oversight committees?a.\tIt was reported today that DOJ, in a court filing, said it could take up to five years to release the Weiner emails.  Please explain how the FBI can decide that none of the emails contain prosecutable conduct in little over a week, and yet DOJ can still delay the release of the emails by half a decade?5)\tDid you consult with Attorney General Lynch prior to informing Congress that you would once again not recommend prosecution of Secretary Clinton? If not, who was the highest-ranking Department of Justice official you spoke with prior to sending your letter to Congress?I believe it is incumbent upon the FBI to promptly provide this information to help rehabilitate its reputation as an impartial, apolitical investigative agency.  It is often said that our country\u2019s greatness is due in part to it having \u2018a government of laws and not of men.\u2019  That means our laws must be fairly and evenly enforced, regardless of power or position.  However, today, there is a perception among the American people that the FBI and DOJ\u2019s actions during the Clinton investigation have tarnished their time-honored reputations for fair and equal application of the law.  Transparency and responsiveness to these questions can help renew the public\u2019s faith that future decisions concerning Secretary Clinton, or any other public official, are not governed by politics, but instead, are grounded in law and pursued based on the facts.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely,BOB GOODLATTE", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398643", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.4.16", "2016-11-04", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Restore the Historic Filibuster\r\nTrue or False: The American government is a majority-rule Republic based on democratic principles, as stated in the Constitution and taught in school.\u00a0 \r\nMaybe.\u00a0 Maybe not.\r\nIn the U.S. Senate, this is currently false!\u00a0 Due to the modern filibuster/cloture hold rules (hereinafter referred to as a filibuster), it takes a supermajority to even bring a bill up for debate. \r\nOnce dubbed the \u201cgreatest deliberative body in the world,\u201d today\u2019s Senate uses secretive, technical procedures to avoid deliberation and avoid tough votes.\u00a0 \r\nI know the House is not perfect, but I am working to change it.\u00a0 In the current Congress, approximately 700 bills came out of the House and some 550 of those unattended bills died a lonely death in the dark and dusty Senate basement. \r\nThe filibuster was intended to provide a Senator with an emergency brake.\u00a0 If an issue was important enough, a Senator could speak as long as they physically could manage, unless a supermajority ended the debate.\u00a0 \r\nHowever, the modern filibuster was established by rules changes in the 1970s.\u00a0 The new rule allows any member to begin the filibuster process with a secret hold, with no physical presence.\u00a0 Without a supermajority of 60 votes, the hold remains and the legislation dies.\r\nIn the meantime, the Senator performing the \u201cfilibuster\u201d can head to their favorite steak house, attend a fancy fundraiser, or go home.\r\nAnd legislatively, nothing is getting done. \r\nI do not advocate eliminating the filibuster, but I do support a return to the historical process that existed prior to the 1970s, when a filibuster required the physical presence of a Senator.\u00a0\r\nWhen the rule was first changed in the 1970s, it was not abused.\u00a0 But starting in the late 1990s or early 2000s, both parties have abused the modern filibuster process.\u00a0 \u00a0It is my opinion that Senators in the 1970s tired of the required physical presence required to filibuster, and agreed to the new rules with an understanding that it wouldn\u2019t be abused.\u00a0 At first it wasn\u2019t, but now it is routine to abuse the rule.\r\nUnder the historic filibuster rule, if a Senator feels strongly enough about an issue, she can pull the emergency brake, stand on the floor of the Senate, and tell the American people why this bill should not pass or even be voted on.\r\nPicture the impassioned scene of Jimmy Stewart\u2019s filibuster in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, of Ted Cruz reading Green Eggs and Ham for a filibuster to defund Obamacare, or Rand Paul and the #standwithRand hashtag to protest the Patriot Act.\u00a0 \r\nIf a Senator is so passionate about an issue that they are willing to take the floor for hours or days, then it is appropriate to use the filibuster.\r\nAs I write, it is prior to Election Day and none of us know who will control the Senate after the election.\u00a0 But whoever controls the Senate should eliminate the modern filibuster rule and return to the historic rule.\r\nRestoring the historic filibuster rule will create more tough votes for legislators in both the House and Senate.\u00a0 But, as lawmakers, we were elected to take tough votes.\u00a0 If Democrats gain control of the Senate, they will pass bills I don\u2019t like.\u00a0 But the will of the voters must be done if we are to remain a Republic based on democratic principles.\u00a0 It will be my job in the House to defeat the crazy measures the Senate might pass.\u00a0 And if the voters don\u2019t like what the Senate actually accomplishes, it will be their job to defeat those Senators, whether Republican or Democrat, in the next election.\u00a0 More votes taken will give constituents the opportunity to know where their representatives stand and hold them accountable.\r\nWhichever party is in control, I will continue to push this reform, because it is in keeping with principles upon which this country was founded.\u00a0 Further, you can\u2019t run a government with divided responsibilities, as is contemplated in a Republic, if one of the branches of government (in this case the Senate) barely functions. \r\nThe Founding Fathers never intended for the majority of the Senate\u2019s business to be able to be blocked by a minority.\u00a0 \r\nRestoring the historic filibuster would be a huge step to restoring Congress\u2019 ability to build consensus and compromise, reassert itself as a co-equal branch of government, and produce legislation the American people need, want, and deserve.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\u00a0 Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=705", "Goodlatte, Grassley, Gowdy, Sessions Call on Obama Administration to Stop Border Surge", "2016-11-03", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Immigration and Border Security Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and Immigration and The National Interest Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to take immediate action to stop the ongoing surge of illegal immigration at the southwest border that is overwhelming federal agencies and to brief lawmakers on the Department\u2019s efforts to address it. Numerous media reports indicate that the ongoing border surge is a large-scale effort to enter the United States before this year\u2019s presidential election. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors and family units from Central America continue to pour across the border. Additionally, thousands of Haitians and Africans are arriving at the border and claiming asylum. As the number of apprehensions by the Border Patrol has climbed sharply over the past year, it has put a strain on resources and the Obama Administration has failed to prudently manage detention capacity and resources, resulting in the release of many of these aliens into the United States.In their letter to Secretary Johnson, the chairmen call on DHS to take immediate action to quell the surge at the border and enforce our nation\u2019s immigration laws. They also request a briefing to learn about what steps the Department is taking to address this pressing issue. To date, the Department has been reluctant to timely provide information to the committees of jurisdiction. Full letter can be viewed here or below.November 3, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary   \r\nDepartment of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:We write requesting that you take immediate action and mobilize all available resources of the Department to stop the ongoing surge of illegal immigration at the southwest border, which is overwhelming the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).  Numerous media reports indicate that this surge is a large-scale effort to enter the United States before this year\u2019s presidential election.  The onslaught of illegal immigration reflects continued efforts by aliens from Central America\u2014El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala\u2014to overwhelm our limited resources at the border, which inevitably results in the release of tens of thousands of removable aliens within the United States.  In addition, thousands of Haitians and Africans are amassing in the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Mexicali for the purpose of presenting themselves to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers asserting dubious claims of asylum, which will practically guarantee their entry.  This group of \u201cOther Than Mexicans\u201d at the southwest border comprises 70-75 percent of all border crossings.   The numbers are staggering.  In Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, the Border Patrol apprehended 408,870 illegal aliens at the southern border, 23 percent more than the preceding fiscal year.  Of those apprehended, more than 77,000 were members of so-called \u201cfamily units,\u201d which represents an increase of 95 percent over FY 2015 figures, and nearly 60,000 were unaccompanied alien minors, which reflects a 49 percent increase over the previous fiscal year.  On October 31, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that the daily referrals of unaccompanied illegal alien minors averaged 262 over the last week and approximately 237 in October.   By comparison, referrals averaged 148 per day in October of FY 2014, the year of the first surge, and 60 per day in October of FY 2015.  As of October 27, 2016, the number of minors in ORR care is approximately 10,700.ICE is currently detaining more than 40,000 aliens\u2014a record number\u2014with internal predictions indicating that the number could reach 47,000 in the coming months. Without additional funding, ICE likely will release thousands of those detained into the United States, many of whom are criminals, who will abscond and hide from authorities.  We have been made aware through media reports and whistleblowers that ICE faces imminent budgetary shortfalls because the border crisis is driving so many additional foreign nationals into ICE detention. While we applaud the Department\u2019s efforts to increase detention capacity in response to this surge, we are keenly aware of the limited resources available to the Department for apprehension and detention of removable aliens, and we want to ensure that you are not again considering the mass-release of criminals and other aliens who are subject to removal.  As such, we expect you to be forthcoming with Congress regarding this critical situation and your proposed efforts to address it.That is why our respective staffs worked closely with the Department\u2019s Office of Legislative Affairs to schedule a bicameral briefing on Tuesday, November 1, to discuss the border surge crisis and the Department\u2019s response to it.  Subject matter experts within the Department were set to brief our staffs and respond to questions at that time.  However, late in the afternoon of October 31, the Department abruptly cancelled the scheduled briefing, citing unspecified scheduling conflicts by some of the experts, and recommended that the briefing occur next week. Efforts by our staffs to have the available experts provide a briefing were rejected.  With this pressing issue at hand, it is irresponsible to delay efforts to provide information about the surge as quickly and transparently as possible to Congress.  Finally, it has come to light through information provided to our Committees that the Department may have issued a directive to limit engagement with Congress until immediately before the election.  Any such directive, if issued, would be an unacceptable political ploy and a serious infringement of Congress\u2019 oversight authority under the Constitution.  We fully expect that such a directive, if issued, would be immediately rescinded.  Additionally, we expect that the Department will provide a briefing to our staffs on these critical issues this week.Should you have any questions, please contact Tracy Short at (202) 225-3926, Kathy Nuebel Kovarik at (202) 224-5225, or Gene Hamilton at (202) 224-7572.  Thank you for your cooperation.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte   \r\nChairman  \r\nHouse Committee on the Judiciary\u00a0Charles E. Grassley                               \r\nChairman Senate   \r\nCommittee on the JudiciaryTrey Gowdy   \r\nChairman  \r\nSubcommittee on Immigration\u00a0Jeff Sessions  \r\nChairman   \r\nSubcommittee on Immigration and  \r\nand Border Security                                                                the National Interest", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=706", "Goodlatte & Chaffetz Call on DOJ to Preserve All Clinton Investigation Documents", "2016-11-03", "2016", "2016-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) today called on the Department of Justice again to preserve all documents related to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server.Last week, Director James Comey notified Congress that the FBI was investigating a new source of emails related to the Clinton email server investigation. It is reported that these new sources of emails are previously-unexamined devices from Huma Abedin, Secretary Clinton\u2019s advisor, and her husband, Anthony Weiner.  Reports also suggest that these emails number 650,000 and are from multiple devices related to the FBI\u2019s investigation of Mr. Weiner\u2019s interactions with teenaged girls.  In their letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Chairmen Goodlatte and Chaffetz call on the Justice Department once again to preserve all documents related to the initial Clinton investigation and to preserve the newly discovered documents found on devices belonging to Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner. Full letter can be viewed here or below.November 3, 2016The Honorable Loretta Lynch   \r\nAttorney General   \r\nU.S. Department of Justice   \r\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W.   \r\nWashington, D.C. 20530Dear Madam Attorney General:We write to supplement our previous request that you preserve all documents referring or relating to Secretary Clinton\u2019s use of a personal email server. On October 28, 2016, Director Comey notified Congress that the FBI was investigating a new source of emails related to the Clinton email server investigation.  Subsequent reports indicate that these new sources of emails are previously-unexamined devices from Huma Abedin, Secretary Clinton\u2019s advisor, and her husband, Anthony Weiner.  Reports also suggest that these emails number 650,000 and are from multiple devices related to the FBI\u2019s criminal investigation of Mr. Weiner.As the respective Chairmen of the committee of jurisdiction over the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the principal oversight committee for the House of Representatives, we hereby request that you preserve all documents, communications, and other records or data obtained in the course of that investigation.  Specifically, preserve any information found on Ms. Abedin\u2019s and Mr. Weiner\u2019s devices, in email accounts referring or relating to those devices and/or their owners, and on any other source that the Department or the FBI reviews that is related to this case. This request includes, but is not limited to, all emails, documents, files, and metadata, regardless of relevancy or claims of privilege, and should be construed in the broadest possible form, understanding that Congressional oversight powers are broader and more far-reaching than those permitted by Department policy, and the limits of subpoenas in the oversight versus the investigatory context are substantially different.  Moreover, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 2704, we expect that you have sought backup preservation of email contents from Yahoo and any other service over which Ms. Abedin and Mr. Weiner communicated. This request necessarily includes, but is not limited to, any and all documents reviewed or sorted by FBI and DOJ pre-reviewers (i.e., the \u201ctaint team\u201d or \u201cfilter team\u201d), before they are handed over to the investigative team. In ensuring compliance with this request, it is your responsibility to make sure that anyone who is coming into contact with documents related to this investigation is aware of the preservation order, and that all documents are preserved in their initial form, including all markings, notes, and metadata.  As in our previous request, \u201cpreserve\u201d means taking reasonable steps to prevent the partial or full destruction, alteration, testing, deletion, shredding, incineration, wiping, relocation, migration, theft, or mutation, of records in any form, as well as negligent handling that would make such records incomplete or inaccessible.  Preservation also includes any evidence related to tampering, hacking, or exploitation of the emails by foreign adversaries or other outside parties. Further, we request that you:1.\tExercise reasonable efforts to identify and notify former employees and contractors, subcontractors and consultants who may have access to such electronic records that they are to be preserved; 2.\tExercise reasonable efforts to identify, recover, and preserve any electronic records which have been deleted or marked for deletion but are still recoverable; and3.\tIf it is the routine practice of any agency employee or contractor to destroy or otherwise alter such electronic records, either halt such practices or arrange for the preservation of complete and accurate duplicates or copies of such records, suitable for production, if requested.We also reiterate our previous request of October 5, 2016, to preserve all records related to the initial Clinton investigation, and the preservation request discussed in the email conversation with your staff on October 27, 2016.  At both of those points, Department staff informed Committee staff that you would preserve materials related to the Clinton investigation, including, but not limited to, the laptops of Heather Samuelson and Cheryl Mills.Thank you for your prompt attention to and compliance with this request.  If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Christopher Grieco of Chairman Goodlatte\u2019s staff at (202) 225-7869 or Liam McKenna of Chairman Chaffetz\u2019s staff at (202)-225-5074.  Sincerely,BOB GOODLATTE   \r\nCommittee on the Judiciary\u00a0JASON CHAFFETZ  \r\nCommittee on Oversight and Government Reform", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398642", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.31.16", "2016-10-31", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Foundations of Farming and Forestry\r\nRecently, I highlighted ways nations build wealth \u2013 make it, mine it, or grow it.\u00a0 This week, I highlight the third way to build wealth. \r\nThe Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) lists agriculture as our Commonwealth\u2019s largest private industry.\u00a0 The economic impact of agriculture and forestry is $70 billion a year and provides 415,000 jobs in the state.\u00a0 Furthermore, these jobs each support another 1.6 jobs in the state economy.\r\nAccording to the U.S. Department of Agriculture\u2019s most recent data, as of 2012, counties in the Ninth District are home to farms with livestock such as cattle, lamb, and poultry that mostly produce eggs.\u00a0 In August, among other places, I toured Green Valley Poultry Farm - Dutt and Wagner, a family farm processing an average of 680,000 eggs a day.\u00a0 I also visited the award-winning cattle farm, Hillwinds Farm in Dublin.\u00a0 The Ninth is also home to alpacas, horses and other equine, emu, geese, goat, hogs, llamas, ostriches, rabbits, sheep, and tilapia.\r\nWe also produce products such as apples, apricot, asparagus, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cherries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, kiwifruit, lettuce, melons, mushrooms, nectarines, onions, okra, peas, pears, peaches, peppers, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, soybeans, squash, spinach, strawberries, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and turnips.\u00a0 In fact, Carroll County is Virginia\u2019s largest pumpkin producer, according to Agriculture in the Classroom.\r\nFarmers in this region also grow grains, nuts, flowers, and Christmas trees.\u00a0 Further, we harvest honey and maple syrup.\u00a0 \r\nAlthough many people don\u2019t realize it, forestry is also a way to generate wealth through growing.\u00a0 Coincidently, the third week in October is National Forest Products Week.\u00a0 Forestry provides jobs and income to many, including jobs at WestRock in Covington and Henry County.\u00a0 In addition to jobs, forestry products play an important role in our day-to-day lives, filling a variety of needs in American houses, schools, and places of business, and are used for construction, fuel, and other assorted byproducts.\r\nWe are blessed to live in a place with so many opportunities to \u201cgrow\u201d wealth.\r\nFarming and forestry provide a way of life, and these traditions for us stretch back hundreds of years.\u00a0 In Virginia, nearly 90 percent of farms are still owned and operated by families or individuals, according to VDACS.\u00a0 \r\nFurther, VDACS also tells us that in the 1960s, one farmer supplied food for 25.8 people.\u00a0 Today, one Virginia farmer provides food for 155 people in the United States and abroad.\u00a0 \r\nOn top of the jobs, food, and products, VDACS outlines additional benefits of farming in the state, including opportunities for recreation, tourism, biodiversity and wildlife habitation, flood mitigation, and the ability to improve soil stabilization and water quality.\r\nIn support of the\u00a0family farm, I voted to eliminate the Death Tax (H.R. 1105).\u00a0 Because of the value of land and equipment, the Death Tax is a threat to our family farms.\u00a0 I hope the Senate will join the House to eliminate this tax.\r\nAnother major threat to our agriculture industry is the Environmental Protection Agency\u2019s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, a controversial rule that redefines the scope of waters protected under the\u00a0Clean Water Act.\u00a0In doing so, it vastly expands EPA\u2019s authority over various wet areas.\u00a0 I voted to support the\u00a0Regulatory Integrity Protection Act\u00a0(H.R. 1732) which would require the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their overreaching rule.\u00a0 \r\nI also voted for a Congressional Resolution of disapproval to negate WOTUS, S. J. Res. 22.\u00a0 This resolution passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by the President.\u00a0 I will continue to fight against harmful rules like the current proposed WOTUS rule.\r\nThe Ninth District is also fortunate to be the home of Virginia Tech.\u00a0 At Tech, they research and test cutting-edge technology that can improve the agriculture industry.\u00a0 They support research in livestock management, field crops, wine production, biofuels, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.*\r\nIn 1787, Thomas Jefferson told George Washington, \u201cAgriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.\u201d\r\nI am thankful for all who \u201cgrow\u201d wealth in the Ninth District, and appreciate their hard work in providing much-needed food and products.\u00a0 The farming and forestry industry have been pillars of the American economy since our founding, and will continue to provide valuable contributions to our economy.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\u00a0 Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=273", "Rep. Brat on FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton: 'No One is Above the Law'", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the announcement that the FBI\u00a0is going to review \"pertinent\" emails to the investigation of former Secretary\u00a0of State Hillary Clinton's private server:\"I am glad the FBI\u00a0has chosen to\u00a0review new evidence in\u00a0its investigation of Hillary Clinton. The American people are desperate to see her face the consequences that any other person who mishandled classified information would face. Today's decision was a small step in returning faith in our system. No one -- no matter their last name, or how powerful or influential -- is above the law.\"\"Our enemies likely gained access to the classified information Clinton so recklessly placed on her home brew server, and Americans serving overseas were very likely put in jeopardy,\" said Rep. Brat. \"This is reprehensible, and I am thankful for the work of Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and the rest of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.\"\"Hillary Clinton isn't sorry for her lack of judgment and mishandling of our most sensitive information.\u00a0She is only sorry for being caught. We must make sure that she experiences the same consequences for breaking the law that any other American would face.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=704", "Goodlatte Statement on the FBI\u2019s Decision to Reopen the Clinton Investigation", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Goodlatte Statement on the FBI\u2019s Decision to Reopen the Clinton Investigation\r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        October 28, 2016 | \r\n      Beth Breeding\r\n      (202-225-5431) | \r\n       comments\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) Friday announcement that it has reopened its investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server to send and receive classified information:\r\n\r\n\u201cThe FBI\u2019s decision to reopen its investigation into Secretary Clinton reinforces what the House Judiciary Committee has been saying for months: the more we learn about Secretary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server, the clearer it becomes that she and her associates committed wrongdoing and jeopardized national security. \u201cNow that the FBI has reopened the matter, it must conduct the investigation with impartiality and thoroughness. The American people deserve no less and no one should be above the law.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398640", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for November", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, October 28, 2016 \u2013 Congressman Griffith\u2019s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of November.\r\nNovember 1, 2016\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nRichlands Town Hall  \r\n200 Washington Square  \r\nRichlands, VA\r\nBuchanan County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nGrundy Town Hall  \r\n1185 Plaza Drive  \r\nGrundy, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 \u00a02:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nDublin Town Hall  \r\nRoute 100, 1 mile North of I-81  \r\nDublin, VA\r\nNovember 2, 2016  \r\n\r\nSmyth County: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a010:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nTown Council Chambers  \r\n138 West Main Street  \r\nMarion, VA\u00a0\r\nCovington:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCovington City Hall  \r\nCity Hall Conference Room  \r\n333 W. Locust Street  \r\nCovington, VA\r\nCraig County:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nCraig County Administration Building  \r\n108 Court Street  \r\nNew Castle, VA\r\nBristol:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nBristol VA Public Library  \r\nUpstairs Conference Room  \r\n701 Goode Street  \r\nBristol, VA\r\nNovember 3, 2016\r\nLee County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nLee County Sheriff\u2019s Office  \r\nConference Room \u2013 Suite U101  \r\n33640 Main Street  \r\nJonesville, VA\r\nMartinsville: \u00a0 12:00 pm \u2013 2:00 pm  \r\nNCI  \r\nRoom 106 \u2013 Classroom Building  \r\n30 Franklin Street  \r\nMartinsville, VA\r\nNorton: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nNorton City Council Chambers  \r\n618 Virginia Avenue NW  \r\nNorton, VA\r\nNovember 9, 2016\r\nRadford: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nRadford Public Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n30 West Main Street  \r\nRadford, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nPulaski County Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n60 3rd Street NW  \r\nPulaski, VA\r\nNovember 10, 2016\r\nGrayson County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nGrayson County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room \u2013 Suite 206  \r\n129 Davis Street  \r\nIndependence, VA\r\nRussell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center  \r\n141 Highland Drive  \r\nLebanon, VA\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm   \r\nBluefield Town Hall \u2013 Council Chambers  \r\n112 Huffard Drive  \r\nBluefield, VA\r\nGalax: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nGalax Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n111 E. Grayson Street  \r\nGalax, VA\r\nNovember 15, 2016\r\nCarroll County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCarroll County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n605 \u2013 1 Pine Street  \r\nHillsville, VA\r\nFloyd County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nFloyd Town Hall  \r\n134 Wilson Street  \r\nFloyd, VA\r\nNovember 16, 2016\r\nHenry County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nBassett Historical Society  \r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway  \r\nBassett, VA\r\nBland County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nBland County Courthouse  \r\nAdmin. Office Room 200  \r\n612 Main Street  \r\nBland, VA\r\nWythe County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nWythe County Sheriff\u2019s Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n245 South 4th Street  \r\nWytheville, VA\r\nPatrick County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nPatrick County Administration Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n106 Rucker Street  \r\nStuart, VA\r\nNovember 17, 2016\r\nAlleghany County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nClifton Forge Library  \r\nConference Room  \r\n535 Church Street  \r\nClifton Forge, VA\r\nScott County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCommunity Services Building  \r\nCommunity Room  \r\n190 Beech Street  \r\nGate City, VA\r\nRoanoke County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nRoanoke Library Hollins Branch  \r\n6624 Peters Creek Road  \r\nRoanoke, VA\r\nWise County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Avenue E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA\r\n** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398641", "Griffith Statement on Renewed FBI Investigation of Hillary Clintons Private Email Server", "2016-10-28", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, October 28, 2016 \u2013 Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that he is reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton\u2019s private email server:\r\n\u201cAlthough it is overdue, I applaud the FBI\u2019s reopening of its investigation of Secretary Clinton. I hope the American people get the answers they deserve. As John Adams wrote, our system of government is \u2018a government of laws, and not of men.\u2019\u201d\r\n\u201cNo one, whether they be President of the United States or the Secretary of State, is above the law.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1069", "Wittman Statement on Marine CH-53 Investigation", "2016-10-27", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, released the following statement today after the results of an investigation into the crash of two CH-53 helicopters last January that resulted in the deaths of 12 Marines confirmed that significant readiness shortfalls contributed to the incident:\u201cOur Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have always been willing to do more with less\u2014that\u2019s what makes them the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. But the fact is that there are human costs to ignoring our readiness shortfalls. Fewer training hours, outdated equipment, longer deployment times, and fatigue lead to incidents like the one in January and create a working environment that is unsafe for our men and women in uniform.\u201cThese kinds of problems exist across the forces, and they threaten the missions we ask our servicemen and women to undertake. Marine Corps and other leaders have been unequivocal about the readiness challenges they face, and it\u2019s our responsibility to provide the resources necessary to buy back full-spectrum readiness. That\u2019s my goal as Readiness Subcommittee Chairman, and it\u2019s my hope that this Administration can put aside political gamesmanship over domestic spending and do the right thing by our military men and women.\u201dCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=272", "#Obamascare: Rep. Brat on Massive Premium Hikes", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the Obama administration confirmed an average increase in Obamacare premiums of over 20 percent\u00a0for 2017:\"Americans are already feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks, and this news simply proves what we have said all along:\u00a0the so-called 'Affordable'\u00a0Care Act is\u00a0totally unaffordable.\"\"President Obama promised that if you like your plan you can keep it. He said there would be an average of\u00a0$2,500 reduction in premiums and that\u00a0insurance would\u00a0be 'stronger, better and more secure.' He promised that he wouldn't add 'one dime to our deficits' and that 'this law means more choice, more competition, lower costs for millions of Americans.' But instead of more choices,\u00a0twenty one percent\u00a0of Americans will have only one\u00a0single insurer to 'choose' from\u00a0next year. This is appalling.\"\"In\u00a0economics, we know that competition helps reduce costs, and this lack of competition puts hardworking\u00a0Americans between a rock and a hard place -- they will be forced to choose between\u00a0low-quality, high-cost insurance and putting food on the table for their families.\u00a0Obamacare's\u00a0pseudo-market is completely\u00a0unsustainable.\"Rep. Brat has introduced legislation to provide Americans with more options and more control over their own health care choices.\"I will continue to fight for free-market policies that create competition and lowers costs for everyone,\" said Rep. Brat. \"This is the number one concern I hear from my constituents and the major legislative priority Congress faces.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398639", "Griffith Statement on POWER Initiative Funding Awarded to Southwest Virginia", "2016-10-25", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Tuesday, October 25, 2016 \u2013 Congressman Morgan Griffith is pleased that tomorrow, October 26, 2016, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will announce new funding awarded to Southwest Virginia.\u00a0 This funding is part of the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative that awards federal funding to grow the economy of struggling coal communities by promoting workforce development, investing in new job creation, and improving reemployment opportunities for unemployed workers.  \r\n\r\nCongressman Griffith\u2019s statement on the funding:\u00a0 \u201cIt is my continued hope that this funding will bring much needed resources to Appalachian coal communities.\u201d  \r\n\r\n\u201cAs I continue to fight for coal industry jobs from an onslaught of regulatory attacks, I also look for any opportunity to grow the local economy and create new jobs.\u201d  \r\n\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=271", "Rep. Brat Earns \"A\" Rating from National Taxpayers Union", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after receiving an \"A\"\u00a0rating from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU):\"I am proud to receive the National Taxpayers Union 'Taxpayers' Friend Award.' Standing up for the American taxpayer has been my top priority in Congress, and I am committed to reigning in our out-of-control spending and creating a budget that actually balances.\"We must begin practicing real fiscal restraint and implementing specific spending reductions now, so it will be possible to balance the budget in reality. Congress is\u00a0breaking\u00a0its pledge to the American people on the budget caps; we\u2019ve lost fiscal discipline, and we\u2019re throwing it all on the next generation to pay for. It's a disaster, and we need to find the courage to restore fiscal responsibility, opportunity, and security to this great country. I will continue to work towards these objectives, because they are the priority of the American people.\"Representative Brat has\u00a0introduced H.J.Res. 55, a bipartisan Joint Resolution to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to our Constitution. This legislation would require federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, excluding expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing. This requirement may be met over more than one year to accommodate economic conditions.\"This legislation is absolutely critical to\u00a0ensuring fiscal responsibility in Congress.\u00a0We cannot continue to legislate-by-crisis where common sense is thrown out the window,\" said Rep. Brat.\"Winning the Taxpayers\u2019 Friend award is no easy feat,\" said\u00a0Pete Sepp, President of NTU. \"It takes a daily commitment to cast principled votes that put the Americans who pay government\u2019s bills first. Representative Brat\u00a0has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again.\u201d\u201cRepresentative Brat's\u00a0pro- taxpayer score of\u00a084 percent was one of the best on all of Capitol Hill,\" said Sepp.\u00a0\"Through his consistent voting record,\u00a0Representative Brat\u00a0showed his colleagues\u00a0the way to lower deficits, less burdensome taxes, and a stronger economy. If every Member of Congress had voted as conscientiously as Representative Brat\u00a0did last year, taxpayers could have looked forward to a much more prosperous future,\u201d Sepp concluded.Rep. Brat has also voted against unnecessary spending in the appropriations process, and has voted against legislation that is fiscally irresponsible.Rep. Brat was the only Virginian to receive the \"Taxpayers' Friend Award.\" To see how other representatives from Virginia scored, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=702", "Goodlatte & Conyers Statement on the Resignation of Maria Pallante", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) today issued the following joint statement after the announcement that Maria Pallante, the former Register of Copyrights, will be leaving the U.S. Copyright Office:\u201cWe are saddened to learn that Maria Pallante, who served with distinction as only the 12th Register of Copyrights and the Director of the Copyright Office for the last five years, will be leaving the Copyright Office. This will be a tremendous loss for the Copyright Office and for America\u2019s creators, innovators, and users of copyrighted works.\u201cWe have had the pleasure of working closely with Maria over the last few years as the House Judiciary Committee conducted a comprehensive review of U.S. copyright law to determine whether the law is still working in the digital age to reward creativity and innovation. Maria has played an instrumental role in the Committee\u2019s efforts. We have welcomed her thoughtful testimony on copyright law and policy a number of times and closely studied the reports produced by her office.\u201cAs Maria transitions from the Copyright Office, it is the perfect opportunity to examine the selection process for the new Register. America\u2019s creativity is the envy of the world and the Copyright Office is at the center of it. We must ensure that any new Register is fully qualified to lead this important office as it continues to directly advise Congress on copyright policy and law. The new Register of Copyrights should be dedicated to protecting creative rights and modernizing the Copyright Office.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398638", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.24.16", "2016-10-24", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Coal\u2019s Death \u2013 Greatly Exaggerated\u00a0\r\nLast week, I discussed mining as one of the ways to create wealth for a nation.\u00a0 Creating wealth through mining is particularly true for the Ninth District.\u00a0 As I mentioned, the mining industry has faced challenges, and among those, the particularly burdensome regulations on the coal industry.\r\nOne third of the nation\u2019s electricity is currently generated from coal, and future electric generation from coal is expected to remain at about 30%\u00a0for Dominion Power and American Electric Power.\u00a0 Also, families across the Ninth District depend on jobs in the coal industry.\u00a0 Therefore, maintaining and restoring coal production and jobs is crucial. \r\nEmerging markets in Asia and other places in the world are increasing their use of coal, and accordingly carbon dioxide (CO2) output, at a rapid rate.\u00a0 It is senseless to bankrupt American coal and coal-related industries with regulations that will have little impact on CO2 emissions, since emerging economies are not likely to follow suit.\u00a0 \r\nInstead of regulating American businesses to extinction, I believe scientific research into new ways to burn our fossil fuels is the better approach.\u00a0 This is a more practical way to move forward in attempting to be more efficient and cleaner.\u00a0 If we lead and discover the scientific breakthroughs that make clean fossil fuel technologies affordable, we not only preserve America\u2019s manufacturing edge, but we can export those technologies to the rest of the world and make the world a better place to live in the future. \r\nIndia has a lot of coal.\u00a0 India has a lot of poverty.\u00a0 India wants to have a clean environment for its people, but first they must have jobs.\u00a0 To have those jobs, India plans to be energy self-sufficient and to be energy self-sufficient, India must, and will, burn coal.\u00a0 Recognizing that the U.S is not alone on the planet, we should lead efforts to find ways to burn coal and other fossil fuels cleaner instead of continuing the war on coal\u00a0that is damaging the U.S. economy and crippling much of the Ninth District.\u00a0 \r\nExciting news!\r\nThis month, it was reported in Popular Mechanics magazine that scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee discovered a new chemical reaction to turn CO2 into ethanol.\u00a0 These results are particularly exciting because the testing used inexpensive materials and water at room temperature.\u00a0 These factors mean there is a good chance the small experiment can be replicated on a larger scale and used across the industry.\u00a0If so, more energy could be available from new coal-fired power plants that could also produce ethanol.\r\nIn previous columns, I have also expressed my interest in chemical looping. In August, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced new funding for projects that \u201cenable cost-competitive, fossil fuel\u2013based power generation with near-zero emissions.\u201d\u00a0 According to DOE, this funding included a $3.2 million investment in pre-project planning for a General Electric (GE) chemical looping combustion pilot plant.\u00a0 Another $3.3 million went to Babcock & Wilcox and The Ohio State University for a \u201cfront end engineering and design study\u201d for their coal direct chemical looping pilot plant. \u00a0I look forward to positive results from these investments.\r\nIn other clean coal technology developments, Scientific American reported on a carbon capture system in Texas, the W.A. Parish Generating Station.\u00a0 Scheduled to open before the end of the year, it is the largest coal power plant in the world with a carbon capture system that is retrofit.\u00a0 This project is noteworthy because it is on time and within budget, and 90 percent of carbon dioxide produced will be harvested.\u00a0 The project was still highly expensive; however some costs possibly can be recovered by utilizing the captured carbon. The carbon will be pumped over to Texas oil fields to be injected in old wells, recovering the remaining crude oil.\u00a0 This technology may only be helpful in limited areas because the expense can only be justified in and around mature oil fields.\u00a0 \r\nMastering these technologies will not happen overnight.\u00a0 In the meantime, funding for research and testing of ways to make fossil fuels cleaner and cheaper must not take a back seat to funding for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.\u00a0 \r\nI will follow developments in chemical looping, CO2 ethanol conversion processes, and carbon capture methods, and I look forward to additional discoveries.\r\nTo paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of coal\u2019s death are greatly exaggerated.\u00a0 Technology breakthroughs will allow it to be burned more cleanly.\u00a0 The U.S. can either lead or follow.\u00a0\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=701", "Goodlatte: Clinton Advisor\u2019s Use of Laptop Made by a Chinese Company Raises National Security Concerns", "2016-10-21", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today raised concerns to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey about a top Clinton advisor\u2019s use of laptops made by a company with long-suspected Chinese government ties and intelligence concerns to store and sort former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s emails.  The latest round of documents provided by the FBI on the Clinton investigation reveals that Heather Samuelson, former White House Liaison to the State Department, used laptops manufactured by a Chinese company, Lenovo, to perform the sorting of emails to determine which of Secretary Clinton\u2019s emails were work-related or personal. Lenovo computers, and specifically the models used by Heather Samuelson for reviewing classified emails, have been shown by the Department of Homeland Security to contain software that permits remote hacking attacks.  And for a decade, the State Department has banned the use of Lenovo computers from the Department\u2019s networks that handle classified information. In the letter to Director Comey, Chairman Goodlatte calls on him to provide detailed information about Samuelson\u2019s use of Lenovo laptops, whether classified emails sent or received by Secretary Clinton were exploited by the Chinese government, and if anyone else with access to Secretary Clinton\u2019s private email server used Lenovo computers. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 21, 2016  \r\nThe Honorable James Comey  \r\nDirector  \r\nFederal Bureau of Investigation  \r\n935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW  \r\nWashington, DC 20535  \r\nDear Director Comey:As you know, the House Judiciary Committee is conducting a review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) investigation into former Secretary Clinton\u2019s use of a private email server to transmit classified information.  In response to Congressional requests, the FBI has released documents relating to the investigation, including transcribed interview notes, or \u201c302s.\u201d  Among other things, the FBI 302s contain extremely worrisome information that questions whether Secretary Clinton\u2019s emails were obtained by the Chinese government \u2013 before the State Department, FBI, or any other agency had redacted Top Secret and Special Access Program (SAP) information. This information is so highly classified that even Congressional oversight committees were not able to review the emails. Our latest concern stems from the use of laptops manufactured by a Chinese company, Lenovo, to perform the sorting of emails to determine which of Secretary Clinton\u2019s emails were work-related or personal.  The FBI 302s show that computers used by Heather Samuelson, former White House Liaison to the State Department, for sorting through Secretary Clinton\u2019s emails were Lenovo laptops.  Lenovo computers, and specifically the models used by Heather Samuelson for reviewing classified emails, have been shown by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to contain software, dating back to 2010, that permits remote hacking attacks.  The New York Times has reported on malware that was preinstalled in Lenovo Yoga laptops \u201cthat tracks its customers\u2019 every move online.\u201d  Moreover, going back to 2006, the State Department \u2013 Secretary Clinton\u2019s own agency, at which Ms. Samuelson was employed \u2013 agreed to ban the use of Lenovo computers from the Department\u2019s networks that handle classified information.With this new information now publicly revealed, please answer the following questions:1)\tDid the FBI consider the manufacturing origin of the Lenovo laptops when investigating whether any classified emails sent or received by Secretary Clinton were exploited by the Chinese government?2)\tIt has been reported that various U.S. and international intelligence agencies, including CIA, NSA, and the U.K.\u2019s MI6, have banned the use of Lenovo computers in their classified systems.  Does the FBI use or recommend the use of Lenovo computers for use with classified information?  \r\na.\tIf the FBI refuses to use Lenovo computers for its own business, does that mean you would not have recommended the use of Lenovo computers for sorting through emails that may have \u2013 and in actuality, did \u2013 contain classified information?3)\tIn the course of the FBI\u2019s investigation into Secretary Clinton\u2019s emails which were sent over unclassified servers, did you inquire into the use by the State Department, or anyone with access to Secretary Clinton\u2019s personal server, whether Lenovo computers were used for sending, receiving, storing, or back-end management of Secretary Clinton\u2019s or her associates\u2019 communications or other documents?  \r\na.\tIf so, did the FBI review whether any of these Lenovo computers were used to transmit emails that were eventually found to be classified?4)\tThe FBI 302s reveal that Ms. Samuelson used two separate Lenovo laptops to conduct the sorting and deletion of emails.    \r\na.\tDid the FBI review both Lenovo laptops during the course of its investigation?    \r\nb.\tDid you find classified information on emails that were sorted with Ms. Samuelson\u2019s Lenovo laptops?  \r\nc.\tWhile we understand that you agreed to destroy one of the laptops at the end of your investigation, pursuant to Ms. Samuelson\u2019s immunity agreement, do you still have in your possession either of Ms. Samuelson\u2019s Lenovo laptops?  \r\nI look forward to expeditiously receiving the answers to these significant questions, to permit the American people to better understand the FBI\u2019s decision regarding Secretary Clinton\u2019s conduct.  It seems clear that Secretary Clinton and her associates played fast and loose with our national security, and yet no one \u2013 not a single person involved in this harmful fiasco \u2013 has been held accountable.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398637", "Griffith Statement on H.R.2403", "2016-10-21", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, October 21, 2016 \u2013 Congressman Morgan Griffith\u2019s statement on the Coal Healthcare and Pension Protection Act of 2015, H.R.2403:\r\n\u201cProtecting the health benefits and pensions of coal miners is important.\u201d\r\n\u201cThe coal industry has been under attack by the Obama Administration, unlike any other industry.\u00a0 Because of these attacks, and the low price of natural gas, many coal companies have been forced either into bankruptcy or to reduce benefits including pensions. \u00a0Because of these bankruptcies, historic principles established to secure some coal miners\u2019 pensions, which date back as far as the Truman Administration, may no longer be sufficient. \u00a0\u00a0In order to keep our commitment to coal miners covered under such deals, I agreed to cosponsor the Coal Healthcare and Pension Protection Act of 2015, H.R.2403, in June 2015.\u00a0 Critics of this bill have appropriately pointed out that the funding for this bill comes from the interest on Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money, which comes from all coal mines, not just a select few.\u00a0 While I am in favor of the introduced\u00a0 bill, there are several amendments being discussed which may make the bill better.\u00a0 Both the House and the Senate bills are designed to be fair to our miners and amendments may be necessary in order to achieve this overall goal.\u00a0 I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Coal Caucus, led by Representative David McKinley (R-W.Va.), and I look forward to working with the Senate sponsor of this bill, \u00a0Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).\u201d\r\n\u201cIt is important to note that because this bill uses interest from the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money, it does not negatively impact efforts by myself, Representative Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), and others, to pass the RECLAIM Act.\u00a0 The RECLAIM Act uses some Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money in an effort to simulate economic development in the coalfields of Central Appalachia.\u201d\r\n\u201cWhile I will continue to fight unreasonable regulations that unfairly target the coal industry, I support the effort to ensure coal miners receive the benefits they earned.\u00a0 The reduction of unreasonable regulations, along with H.R.2403 and S.1714, will have the effect of bolstering our coal miners\u2019 pension and health benefit plans.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=270", "Rep. Brat Receives \"A\" Rating from Gun Owners of America", "2016-10-20", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after receiving an\u00a0\"A\" rating from Gun Owners of America:\"I am very proud to have earned an\u00a0'A' rating\u00a0from\u00a0Gun Owners of America.\u00a0I have always fought to defend\u00a0our God-given rights, including the right to bear arms -\u00a0not\u00a0just when it is convenient. The\u00a0second amendment is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution\u00a0because it provides the ultimate guarantee of sovereignty, and my commitment to protecting\u00a0this, and all rights,\u00a0is unwavering.\"Gun Owners of America Executive Director Erich Pratt thanked Congressman Brat for his support saying,\u201cAs the 114th Congress comes to a close, Rep. Dave Brat is clearly the most pro-gun congressman in Virginia.\u00a0 Brat has stood 100% in favor of gun owners\u2019 rights.\u00a0 It\u2019s refreshing to see a congressman staying true to his oath of office.\u201dTo see the scores for all of Virginia's representatives, click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=699", "Goodlatte Calls for Investigation into Politicization of Clinton Email Production", "2016-10-20", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today called for an independent investigation into how and why two lawyers previously employed by a law firm representing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were hired by the State Department and then allowed to control the production of Clinton\u2019s emails to the public and Congress. The latest round of documents provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the Clinton investigation raises many concerns about how and why Catherine Duval and Austin Evers \u2013 both of whom previously worked at Williams and Connolly, the law firm that has represented the Clintons for decades \u2013 were in charge of the document review and classification process for Secretary Clinton\u2019s records at the State Department. In the FBI\u2019s interview notes, it appears that both Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers had no experience working on Freedom of Information Act requests or classified records production prior to their employment at the State Department and did not follow the normal process as they worked on the production of Secretary Clinton\u2019s records. In a letter to Department of State Inspector General Steve Linick, Chairman Goodlatte raises several concerns regarding Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers\u2019 expertise and impartiality and calls for him to open an investigation into how and why they were hired by the State Department, how they held sensitive positions despite a lack of experience, whether they followed the appropriate processes for document declassification review, and whether they acted according to well-established procedures and policies governing State Department officials.Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 20, 2016  \r\nThe Honorable Steve A. Linick  \r\nInspector General  \r\nU.S. Department of State  \r\nRoom 8100, SA-3  \r\nWashington, DC 20520Inspector General Linick,I am deeply concerned with recent reports regarding attorneys Catherine Duval and Austin Evers, and the roles they played in reviewing documents on behalf of the State Department in relation to Secretary Clinton\u2019s use of a personal email server for transmitting classified information.  Given what we now know about these two lawyers from interviews conducted by the FBI, there are serious concerns regarding the expertise and impartiality of these lawyers, who had control over what documents were ultimately turned over to Congress and the public.Based on interviews conducted by the FBI and publicly-available information, it appears that neither Ms. Duval nor Mr. Evers should have been involved in the FOIA process for Secretary Clinton\u2019s records. Both Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers previously worked at Williams and Connolly, the firm with a long-standing and continuing relationship representing the Clintons going back to the Whitewater Investigation and continuing up to the present day--including representing Secretary Clinton in this very same investigation.  While there is no current evidence that either of them ever worked on Clinton matters at Williams and Connolly, it is unclear if that was ever considered before their hiring at the State Department. Was a conflict check done to make sure they had not handled Clinton matters at Williams and Connolly before being hired by the State Department, or before they were assigned to Clinton matters at the State Department? Were they recommended to the State Department by anyone at the firm who had worked on Clinton matters? The circumstances of both Ms. Duval\u2019s and Mr. Evers\u2019 hirings raise serious questions about how and why they were hired by the State Department and placed into powerful positions where they had access, control, and influence on making sure certain Clinton documents were or were not produced to Congress and the public. In addition to the fact that they both were employed at Williams and Connolly, the Clintons\u2019 law firm, it appears that neither Ms. Duval nor Mr. Evers had previous experience working on FOIA requests or classified records production. According to FBI interviews, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers \u201cstarted to learn about records production and the FOIA process\u201d only after they were hired by the Department of State in August of 2014.  It is simply unimaginable that new hires, with no experience doing what they were hired to do and a potential conflict of interest, were tasked with this massive responsibility.  At the very least, this suspect arrangement raises questions into the impartiality of the State Department hiring process.  At worst, it suggests willful obstruction by handpicked Clinton associates at the State Department on behalf of former Secretary Clinton, to ensure damaging or incriminating documents never saw the light of day.Ms. Duval\u2019s and Mr. Evers\u2019 roles as political operatives, rather than professional FOIA experts in these matters, seems even more evident when one considers how they handled document classification reviews \u2013 i.e., the process whereby other Federal agencies are permitted to review documents prior to release, to determine whether the documents contain classified information in their jurisdictions.  According to FBI interviews, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers refused to go through the normal channels in dealing with other agencies in the classification review process. For example, instead of going to the career FBI official who serves as the normal point of contact at the FBI for document classification determinations, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers skipped the FBI and went straight to the Department of Justice.  Additionally, instead of going to the typical contact at the National Security Council, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers went to the political appointee in the White House Counsel\u2019s Office.  At best, this indicates a significant misunderstanding of the usual process.  At worst, it indicates a desire to have biased political appointees, rather than career national security professionals, decide what was classified and what was not, presumably because those  individuals would be more susceptible to political pressure from Secretary Clinton and her staff.In light of these troubling circumstances, we ask that you open an investigation into how and why Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers were hired by the Department of State, how they came into the sensitive positions they held despite an apparent lack of any experience, whether they followed the appropriate processes for document declassification review, and in all other matters pertaining to this case, whether they acted according to well-established procedures and policies governing State Department officials.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=698", "Goodlatte Calls on Justice Department to Investigate Undersecretary Kennedy for Violating the Law", "2016-10-18", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today called on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate whether a senior State Department official violated federal public corruption laws by attempting to bribe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Recently disclosed FBI interview notes pertaining to the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reveal that Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy offered to support the FBI\u2019s efforts to place additional agents in overseas locations if the FBI would agree to declassify certain classified documents found on Secretary Clinton\u2019s private email server related to the Benghazi attacks. Undersecretary Kennedy further stated the declassification would allow him to archive the documents \u201cin the basement of [the State Department], never to be seen again.\u201d This revelation is the latest controversy to surface in the investigation into Clinton\u2019s private email server scandal. In a letter to Attorney General Lynch, Chairman Goodlatte calls on the Justice Department to investigate whether Undersecretary Kennedy violated federal laws and writes:  \r\n\r\n\u201cUndersecretary Kennedy\u2019s attempt to barter away American national security interests for plainly political purposes is appalling, and may rise to the level of a federal crime. Decisions about how or where FBI agents should be stationed in foreign countries to help combat terrorism cannot and should not be made on the basis of anything except national security concerns.\u201dBelow is the text of the Goodlatte letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 18, 2016Dear Attorney General Lynch:As part of the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department (DOJ)  has provided to the Committee the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s (FBI) interview notes (302\u2019s) of witnesses, suspects, and the subject of the investigation, Secretary Clinton.  I remain deeply troubled by many aspects of the investigation, and I am still waiting for responses on a number of letters and questions which I expect to receive immediately. However, I write to you today on another matter. The newly-released 302\u2019s raise serious questions about whether Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy violated federal laws including public corruption laws by offering a \u201cquid pro quo\u201d to the FBI.  Specifically, the 302\u2019s show that Undersecretary Kennedy offered to support the FBI\u2019s efforts to place additional agents in overseas locations,  including some of the most critical locations in the world for our fight against terrorism, if the FBI would agree to declassify certain classified documents found on Secretary Clinton\u2019s private email server related to the Benghazi attacks.  Undersecretary Kennedy further stated the declassification would allow him to archive the documents \u201cin the basement of DOS, never to be seen again.\u201dUndersecretary Kennedy\u2019s attempt to barter away American national security interests for plainly political purposes is appalling, and may rise to the level of a federal crime.  Decisions about how or where FBI agents should be stationed in foreign countries to help combat terrorism cannot and should not be made on the basis of anything except national security concerns.  I ask that the Department of Justice look into this matter. Given the sensitive nature of the participants involved, including former Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Clinton, a separate high ranking official at the State Department, and a high ranking FBI official in charge of America\u2019s counter-terrorism efforts, it is imperative that this matter be investigated and that the investigation be done in an apolitical way with agents who were not involved in the initial Clinton Investigation. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman  \r\nHouse Judiciary Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398636", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.17.16", "2016-10-17", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Limestone, Granite, and Coal, Oh Mine!Last week, I highlighted manufacturing in the Ninth District, one of the ways a nation builds wealth.\u00a0 Mining is another way to build wealth, and across the District there are a variety of mined commodities.\r\nThere is a long history of mining in our region, which has provided employment, economic growth, and a way of life. \u00a0In the Ninth District, in addition to coal, there are active mining permits for a variety of substances including stone such as granite, quartzite, lime, limestone, and sandstone, clay and shale, sand and gravel, salt, as well as natural gas, according to data provided by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME), as of April 2016.\u00a0\r\nVirginia has an interesting and unique geological history, particularly in Southwest Virginia.\u00a0 Over time, geological events have left opportunities for us to mine and develop these rocks into much needed resources.\r\nThe stone in Southwest Virginia, granite, quartzite, limestone, and sandstone, are critical for the construction industry.\u00a0 Often times crushed and mechanically broken into smaller pieces, it is critical for road construction and used as fill in concrete and asphalt.\u00a0 There is sand mined in Southwest Virginia, which is utilized by the construction industry as well.\u00a0 As you may expect, when the nation\u2019s construction is in recession or boom, demand for these substances increases and decreases accordingly.\u00a0\r\nThe limestone mined in Southwest Virginia is often used as dust which is applied to the roof, walls, and floor of active coal mines for safety purposes.\u00a0\u00a0 This prevents explosions and helps with visibility.\u00a0 The limestone is also used to make cement.\u00a0 Additionally, clay and shale, mined in several Ninth District counties, are utilized to make cement, or used in pipes and bricks.\u00a0\r\nLime has many uses in the chemical industry, serving as filler or a neutralizing component, based on its reliable quality and low cost.\u00a0 In Giles County, the Lhoist company lists lime uses in a variety of products such as leather, wine, paint, soap, citric acid, anti-freeze, biodiesel fuels and more.\r\nAnother mineral available for mining in Southwest Virginia is salt.\u00a0 In the city of Saltville, according to town records, salt has been produced continuously since the 1780s, and an active mine exists today.\r\nSouthwest Virginia also provides opportunities for mining natural gas, mostly coal bed methane, extracted from coal beds.\u00a0 Conventional gas, produced from shale, limestone, and sandstone can be mined as well.\u00a0 I am supportive of ongoing research and determination of the benefits and risks, safety requirements, and citizens\u2019 feedback of potential developments in their area.\r\nFor many families in Southwest Virginia, coal mining has been a way of life for generations.\u00a0 According to the Virginia DMME, in the mid-1700s the discovery of coal was first recorded in the region and it was reported that Montgomery and Pulaski County were home to small-scale mining locations as early as 1782.\r\nIn recent years, during President Obama\u2019s administration, regulations have crippled the coal industry, just as he promised.\u00a0 As we continue the fight to reduce and eliminate overreaching regulations, new techniques, technological advances, and safety improvements will help the coal industry recover.\u00a0 Coal remains the cheapest source of energy for Americans, and will continue to provide jobs in our region.\r\nAs the future of energy production and mining in the United States evolves, opportunities remain abundant in Southwest Virginia.\u00a0 The Ninth District is home to one of our nation\u2019s top mining and minerals engineering programs at Virginia Tech.\u00a0\r\nThere are two internationally recognized research centers - the\u00a0Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research\u00a0and the\u00a0Center for Advanced Separation Technologies, that are part of their program.\u00a0 According to Virginia Tech, research opportunities include GPS applications, tomography, real-time geologic mapping, environmental engineering, clean coal technologies and mineral processing.\u00a0 Furthermore, the program reports in the last four years, undergraduate enrollment has grown by over 40%, and the number of students pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. has increased by over 60%.\r\nAs we look towards the future, we must also acknowledge those who performed the thankless work of keeping our lights on, especially those facing health issues such as Black Lung, and those whose employers have gone through bankruptcy.\u00a0 This weekend, after touring a mine in Buchanan County, I took part in a roundtable to discuss the concerns of these individuals.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Protecting the jobs, health, and welfare of all miners in Southwest Virginia is a priority.\r\nThe mining industry is a cornerstone of Southwest Virginia, and an investment into our economic future.\u00a0\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398635", "Griffith Tour of Buchanan Mine and Black Lung Benefits Roundtable", "2016-10-15", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Saturday, October 15, 2016 \u2013 Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09) joined Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in Buchanan County, to tour the Buchanan Mine #1 on Friday, October 14, 2016.\u00a0 \r\nOn Saturday, October 15, 2016, Congressman Griffith, along with miners, medical professionals, and legal representatives, discussed reforms to the black lung benefits program at a roundtable in Wise, Virginia.\u00a0 \r\nGriffith said \u201cI always enjoy the opportunity to tour mines in Southwest Virginia, to hear concerns from the miners, as well as see the advances in mining techniques, new technology, and safety.\u201d\u00a0 \r\n\u201cAs we discussed at the roundtable, miners exposed to coal and other dust deserve the benefits they are entitled to under the Black Lung Benefits Act, for undertaking the hard, thankless job of providing the energy that keeps our lights on.\u00a0 Protecting the jobs, health, and welfare of all miners in Southwest Virginia is a priority.\u201d\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=267", "Rep. Brat: 'Lawless' Obama regulations hurting small businesses and American economy", "2016-10-14", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.,) a recipient of the\u00a0National Federation of Independent Business\u00a0(NFIB) guardian of small business award,\u00a0issued the following statement after participating in the \"Coalition to Save Local Business\" round-table discussion:\"Today I heard from local business owners on the imposing number of costly rules and regulations that the federal government has saddled on them, including the new 'overtime' rule and the joint-employer rule. As an economist, I understand that these bureaucrat-imposed regulations will only reduce hiring and hurt employment, while increasing costs at a time of stagnant economic growth. It's time for Congress to reassert its authority to write laws and push back against the executive branch and its thousands of regulations imposed by unelected Washington bureaucrats. We cannot allow \u00a0this lawless administration to create such negative consequences for the American economy.\"Congressman Brat is a cosponsor of H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act,\u00a0a bipartisan bill endorsed\u00a0by the Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial board. This bill would prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing their overtime rule and require them to fully consider the economic impact of any rule on small businesses, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and others who would be affected.\u201cSmall business owners in Virginia, and across the country, desperately need more time to comply with the new DOL Overtime Rule, or they could face severe penalties and costs,\u201d said NFIB/Virginia State Director Nicole Riley. \u201cIf Congress wants to ensure that as many employers are in compliance as possible, there should be no question whether to pass this legislation.\u00a0Small businesses in Virginia are very grateful that Rep. Brat has made this a high priority. The clock is ticking, and this bipartisan bill would protect thousands of small business owners within every single member of Congress\u2019 district.\u201d\u00a0Congressman Brat is a member of the House Education & the Workforce Committee where this legislation is currently being considered.\u00a0\u201cMany elected officials claim that they are champions of small business, but our Guardian Award shows our members and other small business owners who is really fighting for them,\u201d said\u00a0NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan.\u00a0 \u201cBased on his voting record, Rep. Brat is one of the most reliable advocates for small business in Washington.\u201dThe Guardian of Small Business is NFIB\u2019s most prestigious award and is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with small business owners on issues that matter most to them. House members and Senators who vote with NFIB members at least 70 percent of the time are eligible for the Guardian Award. Rep.\u00a0Brat received a 100 percent voting record during the 114th\u00a0Congress.  \r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n    \r\n        \r\n            ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398634", "Griffith Announces Federal Designation for Pulaski County and Wythe County to Help Combat Drug Trafficking", "2016-10-14", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Friday, October 14, 2016 - Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) announced that Pulaski County and Wythe County have been designated as part of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).\u00a0\u00a0 This designation will allow local agencies to benefit from initiatives to reduce drug use, and receive federal resources to further develop and coordinate drug control efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement officials.\r\nGriffith said, \u201cI am glad that Pulaski County and Wythe County have been designated as part of the HIDTA; however, it is unfortunate that illegal drugs are a pressing issue here in Southwest Virginia.\u00a0 The trafficking and abuse of drugs are a serious cause for concern.\u00a0 Due to this concern, I supported the petition for Pulaski and Wythe to receive this designation, so local law enforcement and others diligently fighting the drug crisis will be able to utilize the resources associated with the program.\u201d\u00a0 \r\n\u201cThese resources will help educate citizens about ways to get help and treatment.\u00a0 It is my hope that this will make an impact in helping to lower drug overdoses, and rid our region of these dangerous drugs.\u201d\r\nDirector of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli said, \u201cThe High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program is an important part of this Administration\u2019s work to expand community-based efforts to prevent drug use, pursue \u2018smart on crime\u2019 approaches to drug enforcement, work to reduce overdose deaths, increase access to treatment, and support millions of Americans in recovery.\u201d\r\nAccording to the ONDCP, the HIDTA program, which was created by Congress in 1988, serves as a catalyst for coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States. \u00a0Law enforcement organizations working within HIDTAs assess drug-trafficking issues and design specific initiatives to decrease the production, transportation, distribution, and chronic use of drugs and money laundering.\u00a0 There are currently 28 HIDTAs across the country, including the Appalachia HIDTA. \r\nPulaski and Wythe join nine other localities in Virginia as part of the Appalachia HIDTA.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-hidta-designation-frederick-county", "Rep. Comstock on HIDTA Designation for Frederick County", "2016-10-14", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.\u2014Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement on the decision from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to designate Frederick County, Virginia as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), making Frederick eligible to receive federal resources to assist the County\u2019s drug control efforts:\n\u201cThe community worked together hand-in-hand to get Frederick County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.\u00a0 Over the past 18 months, we have worked with our sheriffs and commonwealth attorneys, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, the Winchester Medical Center, and the recovery community on all of the aspects of the heroin problem.\u00a0 \u00a0Our community is directly experiencing the pain and suffering associated with this epidemic that resulted in 22 overdose deaths in the region this year and even more hospitalizations.\u00a0 Many, if not most, of my constituents can point to a friend or family member who is or has been struggling with substance abuse.\u00a0 This designation means that our region will receive additional federal resources to assist in improving coordination among law enforcement, public health officials, educators, and concerned citizens to help get treatment and services to those in need while enabling the community to turn the tide against this drug crisis.\u201d\u00a0\nBACKGROUND:\nOn October 13, the White House ONDCP announced a HIDTA designation for Frederick County, bringing it into the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA Region.\u00a0 ONDCP\u2019s press release, which also announces the designation of 17 other U.S. counties, can be found HERE.\nClick HERE to view the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA threat assessment for Frederick County, which contains additional data on the drug crisis in Northern Virginia and the region.\nClick HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock\u2019s press release on the formation of the Heroin Operations Team (HOT).\nClick HERE and HERE to view the letters of support Congresswoman Comstock sent to ONDCP in support of a HIDTA designation for Frederick County and other counties party to the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force.\nClick HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock\u2019s press release on the adoption of her amendment to increase funding for the HIDTA program during consideration of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017.\nClick HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock\u2019s press release on passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=696", "Goodlatte & Judiciary Republicans Call for Independent Investigation of Special Treatment Given to Key Clinton Insiders", "2016-10-11", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and all Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee today called for an independent investigation of the special treatment given to key witnesses during the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server to send and receive classified information.Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson, top advisors to Secretary Clinton during her tenure at the State Department, were witnesses in the Federal Bureau of Investigation\u2019s investigation of Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server and had previously been interviewed by the FBI. Although Secretary Clinton had legal representation from a prestigious law firm, the Justice Department and FBI allowed Mills and Samuelson to sit in on the Bureau\u2019s interview of Secretary Clinton, even though there was a clear conflict of interest and both received immunity deals.\u00a0In a letter to the Inspectors General for the Justice Department and State Department, Chairman Goodlatte and the Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee call for an independent investigation into the matter and write:\u201cMs. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were responsible for culling and shredding documents related to Secretary Clinton\u2019s tenure and, whether willfully or inadvertently, are responsible for the destruction of evidence and official records. As such, they were key witnesses who could not have ethically provided legal representation to Secretary Clinton after their departure from the State Department.\u00a0\u201cThe evidence plainly demonstrates that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson\u2019s claims of attorney-client privilege in the Clinton email investigation are wholly without merit. \u00a0It appears increasingly clear that political considerations hijacked the criminal process in this case, and routine, longstanding policies and procedures were ignored. \u00a0As such, we request that you open an investigation into this matter at your respective Departments.\u201d\u00a0The letter is signed by Chairman Bob Goodlatte, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), Steve King (R-Iowa), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Ted Poe (R-Texas), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), Mimi Walters (R-Calif.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), Dave Trott (R-Mich.), and Mike Bishop (R-Mich.).  \r\n\u00a0  \r\nBelow is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here.\u00a0October 11, 2016Dear Inspector General Horowitz and Inspector General Linick:In continuing the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server to send and receive classified information, we write to question the propriety, impartiality, and legality of circumstances surrounding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) interview of Secretary Clinton. \u00a0The FBI and DOJ appear to have acquiesced in allowing two former State Department employees, Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson, to act as legal counsel for Secretary Clinton in order to influence an investigation into facts for which the former employees were substantially and personally involved. \u00a0However, neither the FBI nor DOJ are in a position to investigate their own actions in connection with the Clinton interview, thus making this a tailor-made case for independent review. \u00a0\u00a0We are particularly concerned by the fact that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson, both of whom participated personally and substantially in matters that were the subject of the FBI\u2019s investigation, were permitted by both DOJ and the FBI to sit in on Secretary Clinton\u2019s interview. \u00a0Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were fact witnesses who had previously been interviewed by the FBI regarding the setup of Secretary Clinton\u2019s private server, theirs and Secretary Clinton\u2019s communications, and their own familiarity with classified information sent via unsecure means during Secretary Clinton\u2019s tenure. \u00a0Allowing them to sit in on Secretary Clinton\u2019s interview raises questions as to whether a serious interview of Secretary Clinton was ever even contemplated. \u00a0In fact, it offered Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson an opportunity to further corroborate their stories with the target of the FBI\u2019s investigation \u2013 Secretary Clinton \u2013 and have insight into questions being asked of Secretary Clinton regarding communications to which they may have been parties.We are also very concerned about the FBI and DOJ\u2019s acceptance of Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson\u2019s assertions that they were serving as Secretary Clinton\u2019s attorneys.\u00a0\u2022 Did the FBI ask for an engagement letter?\u00a0\u2022 Did the FBI probe into when the attorney-client privilege purportedly began?\u00a0\u2022 Does the FBI have any record of investigating or internally deliberating on the patently absurd claim of attorney-client privilege?\u00a0\u2022 Did the FBI ever ask whether either Mills or Samuelson had professional liability insurance?\u2022 Did the FBI consider whether 18 U.S.C. \u00a7 207 applies to the inappropriate representation of former Secretary Clinton by former State Department employees \u201cpersonally and substantially\u201d involved in matters pertaining to the Clinton investigation?\u2022 Did the FBI ever broach the subject of a conflict of interest with Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson, or contemplate the fact that their representation of Secretary Clinton as counsel in her interview was a clear violation of long-standing canons of professional ethics?  \r\nNot only did Secretary Clinton have able-bodied counsel from Williams & Connolly, a very prestigious law firm, but Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson are not practicing attorneys in any sense of the term. \u00a0Illustrative of the incongruous declarations of attorney-client privilege are current biographies of both Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson. \u00a0Ms. Mills\u2019 biography on the website for the BlackIvy Group, where she is currently CEO, states that she was Chief of Staff and Counselor during Secretary Clinton\u2019s tenure, neither of which are attorney positions. \u00a0In fact, the current Counselor of the Department, Ambassador Kenney, is not an attorney, and only one of the previous five Counselors of the State Department even possessed a law degree.\u00a0Similarly, Ms. Samuelson\u2019s public LinkedIn profile lists, after her time spent on the 2008 Clinton campaign, \u201cSenior Advisor/White House Liaison\u201d at the State Department for the period of January 2009 to March 2013, corresponding with Secretary Clinton\u2019s tenure. \u00a0This was also not an attorney position. \u00a0It seems clear that neither Ms. Mills nor Ms. Samuelson can credibly claim that they had an attorney-client relationship with Secretary Clinton while employed at the State Department. \u00a0Rather, it is the duty of the Department\u2019s Office of the Legal Adviser to \u201cfurnish[] advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department\u2019s work.\u201dMs. Mills\u2019 profile at her current company indicates that she now sits on the Board of the Clinton Foundation. \u00a0DOJ and the FBI have yet to confirm whether the Clinton Foundation is under investigation for pay-to-play allegations and inappropriate foreign donations, but if it is the case that the Clinton Foundation is an FBI target, Ms. Mills\u2019 presence in the interview with Secretary Clinton is even more disconcerting considering her role on the Clinton Foundation\u2019s Board. \u00a0Suffice it to say, neither Ms. Mills nor Ms. Samuelson are currently practicing law in their post-State Department jobs, except for the specious claim of representing Secretary Clinton in an FBI criminal probe for which they were key players and witnesses. \u00a0Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were responsible for culling and shredding documents related to Secretary Clinton\u2019s tenure and, whether willfully or inadvertently, are responsible for the destruction of evidence and official records. As such, they were key witnesses who could not have ethically provided legal representation to Secretary Clinton after their departure from the State Department.\u00a0The evidence plainly demonstrates that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson\u2019s claims of attorney-client privilege in the Clinton email investigation are wholly without merit. \u00a0It appears increasingly clear that political considerations hijacked the criminal process in this case, and routine, longstanding policies and procedures were ignored. \u00a0As such, we request that you open an investigation into this matter at your respective Departments. \u00a0Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte   \r\nJason Chaffetz  \r\nLouie Gohmert   \r\nLamar Smith  \r\nSteve Chabot   \r\nBlake Farenthold  \r\nMimi Walters   \r\nMike Bishop  \r\nJim Sensenbrenner   \r\nTrent Franks  \r\nSteve King   \r\nDarrell Issa  \r\nJim Jordan   \r\nRaul Labrador  \r\nDoug Collins   \r\nTrey Gowdy  \r\nJohn Ratcliffe   \r\nRon DeSantis  \r\nKen Buck   \r\nTom Marino  \r\nDave Trott   \r\nTed Poe  \r\nJ. Randy Forbes", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398633", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.10.16", "2016-10-10", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Manufacturing Economic Growth\r\nFriday, October 7 was National Manufacturing Day.\u00a0 Manufacturing is one of the ways a nation builds wealth.\u00a0\r\nThis year, as part of National Manufacturing Day, I visited Celanese in Giles County and Tadano Mantis in Richlands.\u00a0\u00a0 I was able to tour the new boiler area at Celanese, which provides power to produce cellulose acetate tow, used for cigarette tow.\u00a0 At Tadano Mantis, I was able to view the facilities where they design and construct large cranes.\u00a0\r\nThese, and other manufacturing companies, provide goods and jobs that contribute to the economic growth of the Ninth District, as well as the economic growth of our nation.\r\nNations can only build wealth in a few ways.\u00a0 Wealth can be built by manufacturing goods, by extracting minerals and energy from the Earth, by agriculture and raising it off the land, or by stealing it from other countries.\u00a0\r\nSince we don\u2019t have any intention of stealing wealth from other countries, we are left with three options \u2013 make it, mine it, grow it.\u00a0\r\nThis week, we will discuss manufacturing.\u00a0\r\nThe impact of manufacturing jobs should not be underestimated.\u00a0 According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, under the Department of Commerce, for every $1.00 of goods produced, manufacturing generates an additional $1.37 for the economy.\u00a0 Furthermore, they estimate each manufacturing job creates another 2.5 more jobs in local goods and services.\r\nIn addition to the facilities I visited on National Manufacturing Day, I have spent a lot of time visiting local manufacturing companies, to understand their challenges and concerns.\u00a0\u00a0 I have also worked to encourage manufacturing companies to expand or relocate to the Ninth, both high tech and traditional companies, as long as they create good paying jobs.\u00a0\r\nOne of the groups I am working with is the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc. (SVAM).\u00a0 SVAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of manufacturers in the region, as well as drawing in new manufacturers.\u00a0 Among other things, SVAM is working on a supply chain mapping system so manufacturers in Southwest Virginia will be aware of companies in our area who may be able to provide them with component parts.\u00a0 The organization\u2019s outreach, support, and promotion of manufacturers is important to the ongoing progress of building Southwest Virginia industry.\r\nI\u2019m hopeful that my recent legislative efforts will bring much needed economic development to our area.\u00a0 Specifically, I cosponsored the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act (H.R. 4456) and introduced an amendment that was passed in the House of Representatives as part of the Interior Appropriations bill (H.R. 5538), expanding on the POWER Plus program\u2019s initial funding to our region.\u00a0\r\nThe RECLAIM Act is intended to bring relief to struggling coal communities, and releases $1 billion of funding from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation (AML) Fund to be used for economic development on AML sites.\u00a0 If this bill becomes law, $200 million a year would be distributed to states, including Virginia, annually for five years.\u00a0 As I travel the Ninth, I see potential sites to bring manufacturers to the District, and this is one way to encourage companies to select our region.  \r\n\r\nTo bring additional funding for economic growth, I successfully pushed for an Interior Bill amendment that expands on the POWER Plus pilot program.\u00a0 The POWER Plus program acknowledges the damaging effects of this Administration\u2019s regulatory attack on coal-producing communities.\u00a0 My amendment provides an increase of $5 million in grant funding to Virginia, for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with community and economic development.\u00a0 This doubled the original amount allotted, bringing the funding to a total of $10 million.\u00a0 I fought and won this funding in the House, because it is vital to bring manufacturing, growth, and jobs to the Ninth District.\u00a0\r\nAdditionally, in 2015, I introduced the Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act\u00a0(H.R. 3434), along with other Virginia representatives, to facilitate permits to help economic development for Southside Virginia, including the Ninth District. \u00a0\r\nBecause of my efforts to promote manufacturing, as well as my consistent voting record for policies that enable the success of American manufacturers, I have been awarded the National Association of Manufacturers\u2019 Legislative Excellence Award for the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses.\u00a0\u00a0 I will continue to support sensible economic policies that encourage the development of new businesses, jobs, and goods, as well as keep current manufacturing jobs in America.\u00a0\r\nI will also continue fighting for the Ninth District, to advance economic development, increase manufacturing opportunities, and keep and grow jobs here in Southwest Virginia.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=694", "Goodlatte Presses DHS for Information about Man Charged in ISIS Plot to Murder a Military Member", "2016-10-06", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson for information about Nelash Mohamed Das, a resident alien recently arrested for planning the murder of a U.S. military member as part of a terrorist attack.On September 30, 2016, Das was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization by conspiring to murder a U.S. military member in Prince George\u2019s County, Maryland on behalf of ISIS. According to the Department of Justice, Das is a citizen of Bangladesh and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The FBI alleges that in late 2015 and early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIS, including support for the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.In Chairman Goodlatte\u2019s letter to Secretary Johnson, he calls on DHS to provide the House Judiciary Committee with information about Das, including his immigration and criminal history, to determine if there were indicators of his radicalization that the Department should have been aware of prior to his arrest. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 6, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary   \r\nDepartment of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:On September 30, 2016, Nelash Mohamed Das was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization by conspiring to murder a U.S. military member in Prince George\u2019s County, Maryland on behalf of ISIS.  According to the Department of Justice, Das is a citizen of Bangladesh and a lawful permanent resident of the United States.  The FBI alleges that in late 2015 and early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIS, including support for the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.It is important for the Committee to understand how Das became radicalized and to determine whether there were indicators of his radicalization that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should have been aware of prior to his arrest.  Therefore, please provide the following information no later than October 20, 2016:1.\tThe alien registration number for Nelash Mohamed Das, his complete, unredacted alien file (A-file), including the complete, unredacted alien files of his parents, to the extent that Das derived an immigration benefit through one or both parents, any temporary files, working files, or Service Center files, and all documents and items contained in them, all documents generated by DHS or in its possession about him, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, all Reports of Investigation (ROI), executive summaries, criminal history and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek his removal from the United States.2.\tPlease identify each and every date on which Das was encountered by a law enforcement agency in the United States, to include criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charge, the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred, the disposition of that charge, the date(s) on which he was released from the custody of that law enforcement agency, and the reason(s) for the release.  Please provide the arrest and disposition documentation for each encounter.3.\tHow and when did Das enter the United States? Was he ever served with a Notice to Appear?  Was it filed with an immigration court? Please explain.4.\tHas Das been removed previously?  If so, when?5.\tHas ICE issued a detainer or request for notification to any entity regarding Das?  Please explain.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to committees of Congress. If you cannot fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please identify the specific item requested to which you cannot fully respond and explain why you cannot respond.If you have any questions about this request, please contact Tracy Short, Counsel, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, at (202) 225-3926.  Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter.           Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=693", "Chairmen Question DOJ on Agreement to Limit Investigation of Secretary Clintons Private Server", "2016-10-05", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting information on the unusual restrictions placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its criminal investigation of Secretary Clinton\u2019s private email server. The restrictions were discovered in the course of the Committees\u2019 review of the immunity agreements for former Clinton staffers Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson. Key excerpts from the letter:\"We write to express our concerns about the process by which Congress was allowed to view the Wilkinson letters, that the letters inappropriately restrict the scope of the FBI\u2019s investigation, and that the FBI inexplicably agreed to destroy the laptops knowing that the contents were the subject of Congressional subpoenas and preservation letters.\u201cThese limitations would necessarily have excluded, for example, any emails from Cheryl Mills to Paul Combetta in late 2014 or early 2015 directing the destruction or concealment of federal records. Similarly, these limitations would have excluded any email sent or received by Secretary Clinton if it was not sent or received by one of the four email addresses listed, or the email address was altered.\u201cFurther, the Wilkinson letters memorialized the FBI\u2019s agreement to destroy the laptops. This is simply astonishing given the likelihood that evidence on the laptops would be of interest to congressional investigators.\u201cThe Wilkinson letters raise serious questions about why DOJ would consent to such substantial limitations on the scope of its investigation, and how Director Comey\u2019s statements on the scope of the investigation comport with the reality of what the FBI was permitted to investigate.\u201d View the letter here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=692", "Goodlatte: Constitutionally-Protected Activities Don\u2019t Warrant Heavy-Handed Surveillance", "2016-10-04", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah Salda\u00f1a on the agency\u2019s enlistment of local law enforcement to conduct surveillance on law abiding citizens at gun shows.A recent Wall Street Journal report indicates that ICE agents induced local law enforcement officers to scan license plates to collect data on individuals attending gun shows in California. ICE\u2019s invasive use of license plate readers is particularly troubling since there is no written policy to govern this practice.\u201cWhen attending a gun show, law abiding citizens are exercising their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble,\u201d writes Chairman Goodlatte. \u201cFurther, if they are purchasing or otherwise acquiring or possessing a firearm, they are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. These Constitutionally-protected activities should not subject gun show attendees to unwarranted and heavy-handed surveillance practices by their government.\u201dIn the letter, Chairman Goodlatte requests that Director Salda\u00f1a provide detailed information about ICE\u2019s questionable use of license plate readers, including the number of gun shows ICE surveilled and how many license plates were recorded. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 4, 2016The Honorable Sarah R. Salda\u00f1a, Director  \r\nU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement  \r\n500 12th St., SW  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20536Dear Director Salda\u00f1a,Recent media reports indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents induced local law enforcement officers to scan license plates to collect data on individuals attending gun shows in California. If true, this invasive investigative tactic poses many serious concerns for millions of law abiding Americans.  Also troubling is the report that ICE has no written policy governing the use of license plate readers.  While the use of license plate readers is a valid law enforcement tool when properly used, this does not appear to be the case in this situation.  When attending a gun show, law abiding citizens are exercising their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble.  Further, if they are purchasing or otherwise acquiring or possessing a firearm, they are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms.  These Constitutionally-protected activities should not subject gun show attendees to unwarranted and heavy-handed surveillance practices by their government.In order for this Committee to more fully understand why ICE would employ this technique under such questionable circumstances, please provide a written response to the below questions and make ICE staff available for a briefing on this matter no later than October 14, 2016.1.\tPlease provide a copy of all ICE polices governing the use of license plate readers.  If there are no policies, please explain why none have been developed.  \r\n2.\tAt how many gun shows did ICE record or make a request to another law enforcement agency to record the license plates of the gun show attendees?  Please indicate the dates and locations of the gun shows described above.  Please provide all documents, communications or other materials ICE prepared, sent or received pertaining to the gun show operations described above.  \r\n3.\tHow many license plates were recorded during these operations?  \r\n4.\tDoes ICE still maintain the records of the license plates recorded at gun shows?  If so, for what reason and how long does ICE intend to maintain that information?  If not, what became of them?  \r\n5.\tHow many arrests or investigative leads were obtained because of these operations?  \r\n6.\tWhich law enforcement agencies agreed to scan license plates at the request of ICE?  Did any law enforcement agencies refuse such a request?  If so, please identify the agencies that declined.  \r\n7.\tDoes ICE have any ongoing operations or planned operations at gun shows?  \r\nThank you for your prompt attention to this very important matter.  Should you have any questions concerning this request, please contact Jason Cervenak or Tracy Short on the House Judiciary Committee staff at 202.225.3951.  I look forward to your response.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=691", "Goodlatte Presses Justice Department on Secret Agreements with Top Clinton Advisors", "2016-10-03", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed Attorney General Loretta Lynch about a secret agreement to destroy the laptops of top advisors to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As part of the House Judiciary Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department provided a private review of certain immunity agreements entered into during the investigation. The immunity agreements mentioned secret side agreements between the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Beth Wilkinson, the lawyer representing Cheryl Mills, chief of staff and counselor to Secretary Clinton, and Heather Samuelson, senior advisor to Secretary Clinton. After reviewing the side agreements, the Committee has learned that the FBI agreed to destroy Mills and Samuelson\u2019s laptops after inspecting them.In his letter to Attorney General Lynch, Chairman Goodlatte calls on the Justice Department to provide information about the side agreements and answer the many questions they raise about the FBI\u2019s investigation. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 3, 2016Dear Attorney General Lynch:As part of the Judiciary Committee\u2019s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department (DOJ) provided in camera review of certain immunity agreements.  After a specific request from the Committee, based on references made in the immunity agreements to certain \u201cside agreements,\u201d DOJ subsequently provided in camera review of those \u201cside agreements\u201d between DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Beth Wilkinson, the lawyer representing both Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson.  Like many things about this case, these new materials raise more questions than answers. Please provide a written response to the below questions and make DOJ staff available for a briefing on this matter no later than October 10, 2016.1.\tWhy did the FBI agree to destroy both Cheryl Mills\u2019 and Heather Samuelson\u2019s laptops after concluding its search?2.\tDoesn\u2019t the willingness of Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson to have their laptops destroyed by the FBI contradict their claim that the laptops could have been withheld because they contained non-relevant, privileged information?  If so, doesn\u2019t that undermine the claim that the side agreements were necessary?3.\tHave these laptops, or the contents of the laptops, in fact been destroyed, thereby making follow up investigations by the FBI, or Congressional oversight, impossible? 4.\tFor both the Mills and Samuelson laptops please provide individual numbers on the following:  \r\na.\tHow many total documents were reviewed by the FBI filter review team from the Mills and Samuelson laptops?   \r\nb.\tHow many documents did the FBI filter review team deem to be privileged and withhold from the FBI investigative team?   \r\nc.\tHow many documents were ultimately turned over from the Mills and Samuelson laptops to the FBI investigative team?   \r\nd.\tHow many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team from each laptop for lack of relevancy?  \r\ne.\tHow many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team because they fell outside the date range agreed to between DOJ and Ms. Wilkinson in the side letters dated June 10, 2016?  \r\nf.\tPlease indicate how many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team because they were both not relevant AND outside the agreed upon date range.   \r\ng.\tHow many classified documents, broken down by national security classification level, were on each of the Mills and Samuelson laptops?5.\tPlease provide the privilege log for all documents withheld by the filter review team from the FBI investigative team for both the Mills and Samuelson laptops. If no such log was created, please create one in the same manner the Department requires private parties to satisfy their obligations under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26.6.\tPlease provide any opinion, memo, or other materials, whether formally endorsed or not, from the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel, or the FBI Office of the General Counsel related to the following:  \r\na.\tDOJ and FBI procedures on privilege review.   \r\nb.\tThe validity of Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson\u2019s claim of attorney client privilege with respect to Secretary Clinton.  \r\nc.\tThe ability of Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson to sit in on the investigative interview of Secretary Clinton. 7.\tPlease explain why DOJ agreed to limit their search of the Mills and Samuelson laptops to a date no later than January 31, 2015 and therefore give up any opportunity to find evidence related to the destruction of evidence or obstruction of justice related to Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.8.\tWhy was this time limit necessary when Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were granted immunity for any potential destruction of evidence charges?9.\tPlease confirm whether a grand jury was convened to investigate Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server. Disclosure is authorized under Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e)(3)(A)(i) and (e)(3)(D).  10.\tPlease confirm whether the immunity agreements listed on n. 2 and the \u201cside agreements\u201d between Beth Wilkinson and DOJ, dated June 10, 2016, are the entirety of the immunity agreements granted as part of the Department\u2019s investigation into Secretary Clinton\u2019s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman  \r\nHouse Judiciary Committee", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398632", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.3.16", "2016-10-03", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Shame on EPA Again!\r\nNotwithstanding a lack of legal authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently created new rules under the Clean Air Act.\u00a0 These rules attempt to regulate the trailers which are usually used with tractors. This rule is a part of their new regulations on motor vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions.\r\nThe law grants EPA the ability to regulate \u201cair pollutant from any class or classes of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines\u201d (42 USC 7521(a)).\u00a0 \r\nSo the question becomes does the law give them the right to regulate anything connected with the use of a motor vehicle?\u00a0 When determining the law, it is a settled legal principle that you first look to the plain meaning of the words in the statue.\u00a0 Under the Clean Air Act, the definition of motor vehicle would control.\u00a0 I don\u2019t think it takes a Harvard trained lawyer to understand the meaning of this section: \r\n42 USC 7550(2) \r\nThe term \u201cmotor vehicle\u201d means any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a street or highway.\r\nHowever, at a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, I questioned how the EPA could have considered a trailer to be a self-propelled vehicle.\u00a0 EPA Administrator Janet McCabe justified their authority by claiming trailers are eligible because \u201cwithout a trailer, a truck is not transporting goods.\u201d\r\nShe continued, \u201cAnd so we see the trailer as an integral part of the vehicle that is covered in the Clean Air Act.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nInteresting!\r\nSince currently the truck cannot drive itself, isn\u2019t the driver an integral part of the truck that is transporting goods as well?\u00a0 Under the EPA\u2019s theory, are they saying they believe they have authority to regulate the height, weight, and size of the driver?\r\nAs ridiculous as this sounds, drivers would qualify under the same theory that the EPA is currently using to claim it has the power to regulate the trailer portion of a tractor trailer. \u00a0Despite the lengthy legal memoranda the EPA produced to argue their position, it is clear that neither the trailer, nor the driver, under the definition above (42 USC 7550(2)), is a self-propelled motor vehicle. \r\nThe plain meaning of the code is clear.\u00a0 If the EPA wants to include trailers in their emission reducing requirements, they should request Congress amend the code section.\u00a0 \r\nThe EPA cannot independently reinterpret parts of a law that are inconvenient.\u00a0 The EPA is not elected to change or create new laws; this is the job of Congress.\u00a0 \r\nFurthermore, the manufacturers of the trailers are generally separate entities from the truck manufactures.\u00a0 Volvo Trucks of Dublin makes tractors, but they don\u2019t make trailers.\u00a0 Utility Trailers (Glade Spring and Atkins) don\u2019t make trucks, they only make trailers.\r\nI suspect the EPA knows their legal reasoning is not sound.\u00a0 The EPA passes a regulation, claiming they have authority when often they don\u2019t.\u00a0 This forces American manufactures to sue at the cost of lost productivity and millions of dollars.\u00a0 Manufacturers sometimes throw up their hands in frustration and capitulate, even though they know the EPA is overreaching.\r\nShame on you, EPA.\r\nShimon Peres\r\nOn Wednesday, September 28, at the age of 93, Shimon Peres passed away after a lifetime of service to his country.\u00a0 He was a founder of the State of Israel and regarded as a prominent leader in the development of Israel\u2019s strong defense.\u00a0 Peres was also the Ninth President of Israel, the Prime Minister, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and founder of the Peres Center for Peace.\u00a0 \r\nPeres was highly regarded around the world for his persistent efforts to improve relations between the Israelis and Palestinians.\u00a0 \r\nI was fortunate to meet with him during a visit to his peace institute in Israel several years ago.\u00a0 Among other initiatives, the center brings Palestinian and Israeli children together for activities such as soccer, to foster understanding of the opposing cultures.\u00a0 \r\nOften in life when people are able to actually interact with each other, although they may disagree, they no longer view the other as the enemy.\u00a0 Instead, they see one another as people.\u00a0 Peres was devoted to implementing this belief.\r\nThe current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, although a political rival, noted in a statement on his passing, \u201cShimon devoted his life to our nation and to the pursuit of peace.\u00a0 He set his gaze on the future.\u00a0 He did so much to protect our people.\u00a0 He worked to his last days for peace and a better future for all.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nI am sorry for Israel\u2019s loss of this great man. \r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-desecration-historical-african-american-school", "Rep. Comstock On Desecration of Historical African American School", "2016-10-01", "2016", "2016-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) made the following comments on the desecration of an historical African American school in Loudoun:\n\u201cThis ugly hate speech and crime have no place in our community. I know Sheriff Mike Chapman takes this reprehensible crime seriously and will have all the support from all officials and all throughout the community to bring whomever is responsible to justice. We will stand united in restoring and preserving this historic property.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/winchester-star-region-hit-overdose-blitz", "Winchester Star: Region Hit With Overdose Blitz", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WINCHESTER \u2014 Agents with the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force have responded to eight nonlethal overdoses in the city and Frederick County since Monday, according to a Thursday news release.\nIssued by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, the release states that, while lab results will ultimately determine the narcotics involved in each overdose, investigators believe five of the cases involve heroin. Three were likely synthetic drugs.\nTask force agents also say the drugs have made their way into the region from Baltimore.\nEight overdoses, coalition Executive Director Lauren Cummings said Thursday, is an unusual number to see in the area in a given week, particularly after none had been reported the week prior.\nThe region, comprising Winchester and Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah and Page counties, has likewise seen 21 overdose deaths so far in 2016, Cummings said. An additional 75 people have suffered nonfatal overdoses in that span, also called overdose injuries. In 2015, 30 people in the region died from overdoses; 55 suffered overdose injuries.\nCummings said there is no indication that the recent spate of overdoses are linked to heroin laced with an elephant tranquilizer known as carfentanil, which may be responsible for high volumes of overdoses in places such as Huntington, W.Va., where, on Aug. 12, the Associated Press reported that 26 such incidents occurred in a four-hour span and stretched emergency services and first responders to their limits.\nThe coalition is asking the public to take heed of the following behaviors in those around them, which may indicate issues with substance abuse, and seek help:\nChange in friends  \n\tDeclining grades  \n\tLack of motivation, no \"drive\"  \n\tDisciplinary issues at school  \n\tLoss of interest in activities  \n\tAbsences at school or work  \n\tSelling, pawning, stealing or missing valuables and cash  \n\tFrequent use of mints, gum, candy or chips to mask breath  \n\tHiding items in cars, wallets, hat rims or prescription bottles  \n\tAvoiding loved ones or providing irrational excuses for absences  \n\tIncreased sensitivity or becoming defensive or detached  \n\tAnxiety, depression or frequent mood swings  \n\tIrritability  \n\tIsolation, or spending long periods in the bathroom, shower or car  \n\tChanging sleep hours, or napping and falling asleep at odd times  \n\tDecline in physical appearance and self-care.  \n\tSudden onset of or increased cigarette use  \n\tIncrease in speeding tickets or minor accidents  \n\tWearing long-sleeve shirts during warm weather (possibly to cover track marks)  \n\tIf you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, a comprehensive listing of addiction resources in the Northern Shenandoah Valley can be found at www.roadtorecovery.info.\n\u2014 Contact Christopher Earley at cearley@winchesterstar.com\nRead the full story at The Winchester Star here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-united-airlines-dulles-airport-contract-renewal", "Rep. Comstock on United Airlines-Dulles Airport Contract Renewal", "2016-09-30", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), along with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter and United Airlines\u2019 Rodney Cox, released the following statement after United Airlines and MWAA finalized a seven-year extension of the Airport Use Agreement and Premises Lease at Dulles International Airport:\n\u201cI am thrilled that United Airlines and Dulles Airport have agreed to extend their lease for another seven years, through 2024.\u00a0 Dulles is an essential component of the lifeblood that sustains our regional economy.\u00a0 For much of the world, it is the gateway to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.\u00a0 The importance of maintaining the airport\u2019s vitality cannot be understated.\u00a0 I have worked with stakeholders in order to facilitate mutual cooperation in the interest of keeping Dulles strong.\u00a0 I also fought tooth and nail on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to block other members of Congress from weakening the Slot and Perimeter Rules\u2014such meddling has taken a serious toll on the wellbeing of Dulles as well as our regional airports.\u00a0 I thank United Airlines for their sustained commitment, and I look forward to continued collaboration with elected officials, the business community, and my constituents to ensure Dulles remains as the engine for our growing economy.\u201d\n\u201cFor the past 30 years, United\u2019s Washington Dulles hub has connected more than half a billion customers to destinations around the globe. Extending our lease at Dulles will ensure United continues to provide an exceptional experience for our customers and a great place to work for our employees,\" said Rodney Cox, managing director of the airline\u2019s Dulles hub. \u201cI want to thank Representative Comstock for her continued support of United and for helping Dulles stay competitive for years to come.\u201d\n\u201cThe Airports Authority is grateful for all the support it has received in completing the Use and Lease Agreement extension with United Airlines,\u201d said Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter. \u201cWe thank Congresswoman Comstock and the regional congressional delegation for their dedication to further strengthening the competitive position of Dulles International Airport.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1066", "Wittman Opposes CR, Pushes for Return to Regular Order", "2016-09-29", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wittman Opposes CR, Pushes for Return to Regular Order \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington,\r\n        September 29, 2016\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after House passage of legislation that provides temporary funding for government operations through December 9, 2016:\u201cI have consistently said that continuing resolutions are a lazy and irresponsible way to fund government operations. These short-term, stop-gap funding mechanisms create uncertainty for federal workers, perpetuate waste by prolonging inefficient and ineffective government programs, foster partisanship and favoritism, and undermine our military\u2019s ability to plan for the future. In short, continuing resolutions feed Washington\u2019s culture of complacency. It\u2019s time to introduce some accountability into this process. It\u2019s time to return to regular order.\u201dCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=274", "Congress Overrides President Obama\u2019s Veto", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "David Brat", "B001290", "brat.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after Congress voted to override the president\u2019s veto of S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.\u201cToday Congress acted in a bipartisan manner to support the families of 9/11 victims by overriding President Obama\u2019s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The families of America\u2019s deadliest terrorist attack deserve the truth and I am happy that we were able to support the cause of justice today. This action is long overdue and I am proud to have supported this legislation.\u201dThis legislation would allow Americans to sue a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages that occur inside the United States as a result of terrorism, committed by a foreign state or official.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=689", "New information, more questions, but few answers from the FBI", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Director James Comey testified before the House Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At the hearing, members of the House Judiciary Committee pressed Director Comey on his recommendation and the Department of Justice\u2019s decision to not prosecute Secretary Clinton for mishandling classified information through private email servers.Background:  \r\n\u2022\tOn July 5, 2016, Director Comey announced that the FBI does not recommend criminal charges against former State Department Secretary Hillary Clinton, even though federal law criminalizes mishandling classified information with \u201cgross negligence.\u201d Following his announcement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and over 200 members of Congress sent a letter to Director Comey pressing for more information regarding the many questions surrounding his recommendation.\u2022\tOn July 11, 2016, Chairman Goodlatte and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) requested that the Department of Justice open an investigation into whether Secretary Clinton committed perjury and made false statements when testifying under oath before Congress. Contrary to statements she made before the House Select Committee on Benghazi hearing in October 2015, Secretary Clinton sent and received emails that were marked classified at the time; her lawyers did not read each email in her personal account to identify all the work-related messages; she used several different servers and numerous devices to send and receive work-related emails; and she did not provide all of her work-related emails to the Department of Justice.Hearing Takeaways:  \r\n\u2022\tAt the hearing, Director Comey defended the FBI\u2019s conclusion of its investigation into Secretary Clinton, but new information casts serious doubts about whether the decision to not prosecute Hillary Clinton was made impartially.\u2022\tFor example, Cheryl Mills, chief of staff and counselor to Secretary Clinton at the State Department, was granted immunity for the production of her laptop and was able to be in the room with Secretary Clinton while she was interviewed by the FBI. In all of his years in law enforcement, Director Comey admitted that he had never heard of a potential witness representing a subject of an investigation during an interview with investigators. \u2022\tThe FBI never considered electronically recording Hillary Clinton\u2019s interview with the FBI despite the fact that the Deputy Attorney General issued a memo to all DOJ components encouraging them to do just that in such situations. Key Videos:House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) challenges the FBI\u2019s conclusions in the Clinton investigation and presses Director Comey on Congress\u2019 perjury referral and the immunity deals provided to key Clinton advisors:  \r\n\r\n\u201cHillary Clinton chose to send and receive Top Secret information over a personal, unsecure computer server housed in her various homes and once reportedly placed in a bathroom closet.  These actions, without a doubt, opened these communications to hostile interception by our enemies and those who wish America harm \u2026\u201cWe, as Congress and the American people, are troubled how such gross negligence is not punished, and why there seems to be a different standard for the well-connected.\u201dRepresentative Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), a former federal prosecutor, explains why Secretary Clinton should have been prosecuted:\u201cIntent is awfully hard to prove. Very rarely do defendants announce ahead of time \u2018I intend to commit this crime on this date\u2019 \u2026 So you have to prove it by circumstantial evidence.  Such as whether or not the person intended to set up an email system outside the State Department; such as whether or not the person knew or should have known that his or her job involved handling classified information; whether or not the person was truthful about using multiple devices\u2026.\u201cThe way to prove [intent] is whether or not someone took steps to conceal or destroy what they have done. That is the best evidence you have is that they knew it was wrong, that they lied about it.\u201d  \r\n  \r\nRepresentative John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) presses Director Comey about why Secretary Clinton was not charged with obstruction of justice:\u201cI want to make sure the record is clear about the evidence that you did not have [in the investigation]:The FBI did not have the Clintons\u2019 personal Apple server used for Hillary Clinton\u2019s work emails \u2026  \r\nAn Apple MacBook laptop and thumb drive that contained Hillary Clinton\u2019s email archives was lost \u2026  \r\nTwo blackberry devices provided didn\u2019t have SIM cards or SD data cards \u2026   \r\n13 Hillary Clinton personal mobile devices were lost, discarded, or destroyed with a hammer \u2026   \r\nVarious sever backups were deleted over time \u2026  \r\nAfter the State Department, and my colleague Mr. Gowdy here notified Ms. Clinton that her records would be sought by the Benghazi Committee, copies of her emails on laptops of both of her lawyers were wiped clean with BleachBit \u2026   \r\nAfter those emails were subpoenaed, Hillary Clinton\u2019s email archives were also permanently deleted from the Platt River Network with BleachBit \u2026  \r\nAnd also after the subpoena, backups of the Platt River server were manually deleted.  \u201cCollectively this list screams obstruction of justice.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-votes-override-president-obama-s-veto-justice-against-sponsors", "Comstock Votes To Override President Obamas Veto Of The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act", "2016-09-28", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House overrode President Obama\u2019s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA):\n\u201cPresident Obama\u2019s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) was soundly defeated today by both the House and Senate. Now, victims of terrorist attacks and their families will have the legal mechanism to sue foreign nations if an agent or that foreign government played a part in an act of international terrorism.\u00a0 With this override of President Obama\u2019s veto, it is simple justice that Congress stands with the victims of terrorism.\u201d \u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398629", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for October", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith\u2019s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of October.\r\nOctober 4, 2016\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nAmerican Legion Building  \r\n226 Central Avenue  \r\nTazewell, VA\r\nBuchanan County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nGrundy Town Hall  \r\n1185 Plaza Drive  \r\nGrundy, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 \u00a02:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nDublin Town Hall  \r\nRoute 100, 1 mile North of I-81  \r\nDublin, VA\r\nOctober 5, 2016\r\nSmyth County: \u00a0 \u00a0\u00a010:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm\r\nTown Council Chambers  \r\n138 West Main Street  \r\nMarion, VA\u00a0\r\nCovington:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCovington City Hall  \r\nCity Hall Conference Room  \r\n333 W. Locust Street  \r\nCovington, VA\r\nCraig County:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nCraig County Administration Building  \r\n108 Court Street  \r\nNew Castle, VA\r\nBristol:\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nBristol VA Public Library  \r\nUpstairs Conference Room  \r\n701 Goode Street  \r\nBristol, VA\r\nOctober 6, 2016\r\nLee County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nLee County Sheriff\u2019s Office  \r\nConference Room \u2013 Suite U101  \r\n33640 Main Street  \r\nJonesville, VA\r\nMartinsville: \u00a0 12:00 pm \u2013 2:00 pm  \r\nNCI  \r\nRoom 106 \u2013 Classroom Building  \r\n30 Franklin Street  \r\nMartinsville, VA\r\nNorton: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nNorton City Council Chambers  \r\n618 Virginia Avenue NW  \r\nNorton, VA\r\nOctober 11, 2016\r\nGiles County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nPearisburg Town Hall  \r\n112 Tazewell Street  \r\nPearisburg, VA\r\nDickenson County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research  \r\n818 Happy Valley Drive  \r\nClintwood, VA\r\nSalem: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nSalem Town Hall  \r\n114 N. Broad Street  \r\nSalem, VA\r\nWise County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Avenue E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA\r\nOctober 12, 2016\r\nRadford: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nRadford Public Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n30 West Main Street  \r\nRadford, VA\r\nPulaski County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nPulaski County Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n60 3rd Street NW  \r\nPulaski, VA\r\nOctober 13, 2016\r\nGrayson County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nGrayson County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room \u2013 Suite 206  \r\n129 Davis Street  \r\nIndependence, VA\r\nRussell County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center  \r\n141 Highland Drive  \r\nLebanon, VA\r\nTazewell County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm   \r\nBluefield Town Hall \u2013 Council Chambers  \r\n112 Huffard Drive  \r\nBluefield, VA\r\nGalax: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nGalax Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n111 E. Grayson Street  \r\nGalax, VA\r\nOctober 18, 2016\r\nCarroll County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCarroll County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n605 \u2013 1 Pine Street  \r\nHillsville, VA\r\nFloyd County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nFloyd Town Hall  \r\n134 Wilson Street  \r\nFloyd, VA\r\nOctober 19, 2016\r\nHenry County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nBassett Historical Society  \r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway  \r\nBassett, VA\r\nBland County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nBland County Courthouse  \r\nAdmin. Office Room 200  \r\n612 Main Street  \r\nBland, VA\r\nWythe County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nWythe County Sheriff\u2019s Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n245 South 4th Street  \r\nWytheville, VA\r\nPatrick County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nPatrick County Administration Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n106 Rucker Street  \r\nStuart, VA\r\nOctober 20, 2016\r\nAlleghany County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nClifton Forge Library  \r\nConference Room  \r\n535 Church Street  \r\nClifton Forge, VA\r\nScott County: \u00a0 10:00 am \u2013 12:00 pm  \r\nCommunity Services Building  \r\nCommunity Room  \r\n190 Beech Street  \r\nGate City, VA\r\nRoanoke County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nRoanoke Library Hollins Branch  \r\n6624 Peters Creek Road  \r\nRoanoke, VA\r\nWise County: \u00a0 2:00 pm \u2013 4:00 pm  \r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Avenue E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA\r\n\u00a0\r\n** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\r\n\u00a0\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398630", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 9.26.16", "2016-09-26", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Big Insurance BailoutDuring a recent Energy and Commerce hearing, I questioned Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), about CMS\u2019 memo regarding Risk Corridors.\u00a0 The Risk Corridors in Obamacare were protections for insurance companies who lost money in the exchanges.\u00a0 Insurance companies who participated in the exchanges paid certain fees.\u00a0 The theory was those insurance companies who lost money would be reimbursed out of those fees.\u00a0 Projections by the Obama Administration indicated those fees should have been sufficient to pay for any and all losses.\r\nBased on information from the CMS website, in 2014, $362,000,000 was paid in by insurers.\u00a0 However, insurance companies have requested $2,870,000,000 in payments.\u00a0 Therefore, CMS estimates insurers will be paid 12.6% of requested funds, with a shortfall of $2,508,000,000.\r\nNow some big insurance companies are suing to be made whole.\r\nBut Congress has required these payments be budget neutral, meaning CMS could only pay out what it took in from the fees.\u00a0 \r\nCMS\u2019 memo was essentially an invitation to insurers to sue and settle with the federal government for 2015 Risk Corridor payments.\u00a0 But where is the money coming from?\u00a0 \r\nIn my questioning, I asked Acting Administrator Slavitt if CMS takes the position that insurance plans are entitled to be made whole on Risk Corridor payments even though there is no appropriation \u2013 congressional approved money \u2013 to do so.\u00a0 After stumbling, Slavitt said, \u201cYes.\u00a0 It\u2019s an obligation of the federal government.\u201d\r\nMmm?\u00a0 Congress dictates how much government can spend, and both Republicans and Democrats said CMS can only spend as much as was put in.\u00a0 Thus, it is clear the Administration is once again attempting to thwart congressional intent.\r\nIn this case, to bailout big insurance companies.\r\nFurther, I asked if CMS intended to use the Judgement Fund to make Risk Corridor payments to these insurance plans.\u00a0 According to and managed by the U.S. Treasury, the Judgment Fund is a \u201cpermanent, indefinite appropriation\u2026available to pay compromise settlements entered into by the U.S. Department of Justice related to actual or imminent litigation\u2026\u201d\r\nSlavitt would not confirm, but did say that CMS is working with Justice.\r\nI, along with several of my colleagues from the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell asking for specifics on how they plan to pay for settlements and relay some of our concerns.\u00a0 In the letter, we stated, \u201cIt appears that any such settlements would come from the permanent appropriations for judgments (\u2018Judgment Fund\u2019)\u2026Further, the Administration\u2019s explicit offer to settle these lawsuits appears to be a direct circumvention of the clear Congressional intent to prohibit the expenditure of federal dollars on this program\u2026\u201d\u00a0\u00a0 \r\nIf Justice uses the Judgment Fund \u2013 the same fund the Administration used to pay Iran ransom payments \u2013 to settle these lawsuits, they would be ignoring congressional intent.\r\nThe Risk Corridors program has failed.\r\nThe Administration may bailout big insurance.\r\nWhat part of Obamacare unravels next?\r\n80 Percent Not Helped\r\nI have consistently acknowledged that Obamacare has helped some, but many have been saddled with higher out-of-pocket costs and less choice.\u00a0 Amongst the many negatively impacted, one woman I recently spoke with at the New River Valley Fair told me that Obamacare is killing her family.\u00a0 In order to afford any insurance after Obamacare, she had to agree to pay high co-pays and deductibles. \u00a0These high co-pays and deductibles caused her and her husband to have to sell assets.\u00a0 If the medical conditions continue, she fears being forced to sell her home.\r\nThis is not the bright new future Obama promised when promoting his health care plan.\r\nAccording to a Washington Post Opinion piece titled, If Trump Wins, Blame Obamacare, \u201cOnly 18 percent of Americans believe the Affordable Care Act has helped their families; 80 percent say it has hurt or had no effect.\u201d\u00a0 \r\nNot only was the launch of the website a disaster, but only 17 state-based exchanges were established and four of those have already failed.\u00a0 Additionally, many of the 23 original nonprofit co-ops have crumbled.\r\nThe promises of Obamacare \u2013 you can keep your doctor and your premiums will be lower \u2013 have proven false for many Americans.\r\nAnd now more bad news.\u00a0 Insurance providers are dropping like flies due to substantial losses under Obamacare, resulting in slim pickings of insurance plans for many Americans, particularly rural Americans.\r\nWhat part of Obamacare will unravel next?\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.\u00a0 You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.\u00a0 To reach my office via email, please visit my website at\u00a0www.morgangriffith.house.gov.\u00a0 Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=686", "Hearing Wrap Up: Oversight of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On Thursday, September 22, 2016, Director Sarah Salda\u00f1a testified before the House Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE is the federal agency that is charged with enforcing U.S. immigration laws. However, under the policies of the Obama Administration and under the direction of Director Salda\u00f1a, ICE\u2019s immigration enforcement efforts have withered away, which results in hundreds of thousands of unlawfully present and criminal aliens remaining in American communities.Background:\r\n  \r\n\u2022\tUnder the Obama Administration, political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security and its component agency, ICE, have made unilateral changes to the immigration system. The Administration\u2019s policies allow criminal aliens to evade the law, make our communities less safe, enable dangerous sanctuary city policies, and encourage more illegal immigration.\u2022\tIn the past three years alone, ICE released over 86,000 convicted criminal aliens, including those with homicide, sexual assault, and kidnapping convictions. Additionally, nearly 370,000 known criminal aliens with deportation orders or in removal proceedings remain at large. Hearing Takeaways:\r\n  \r\n\u2022\tOn top of the Obama Administration\u2019s lax immigration enforcement record, DHS Secretary Johnson recently directed a review to determine if private detention facilities used to detain the vast majority of unlawful and criminal aliens should continue to be used. In response to questioning from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Director Salda\u00f1a stated that if private detention facilities were closed, then the system would be turned upside down and ICE would not be able to meet its mandate of maintaining 34,000 detention beds.\u2022\tDirector Salda\u00f1a failed to explain how the number of convictions associated with criminal aliens ICE released in Fiscal Year 2014 jumped from 79,059 to 92,347\u2014an increase of over 13,000\u2014in just over four months.  She also did not know how many of those aliens had been re-arrested for crimes after their release, but she agreed to provide that data to the Committee.\u2022\tAs a result of a 2001 Supreme Court decision, thousands of criminal aliens ordered deported have not been removed, often because their home countries refuse to accept them back.   Yet, under current law, the U.S. State Department is able to cease issuing visas to nationals of countries that refuse to accept the return of their citizens who have been ordered removed from the United States. Several members of the House Judiciary Committee pressed Director Salda\u00f1a to explain what she and DHS officials have done to pressure the State Department to exercise this authority. She admitted that DHS has not yet formally notified the State Department to use its mandatory authority.  In addition, under current law, ICE has the authority to detain terrorist aliens who cannot be removed.  Yet, Director Salda\u00f1a admitted that ICE released at least one alien with a terrorism-related conviction rather than using this authority.  Key Videos:House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) outlines the conflict between ICE\u2019s mission and its so-called priorities:\u201cICE cannot combat illegal immigration by refusing to arrest those who have knowingly violated our immigration laws, or by releasing over 86,000 convicted criminal aliens over the last three years.  These are not policies that protect Americans and help secure our borders.\u201dImmigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) calls on Director Salda\u00f1a to crack down on sanctuary cities:  \r\n\r\n\u201cWhen I go back home, it is really hard for the people we represent to understand \u2013 particularly in light of what they perceive to be a federal government that is willing to get involved in certain state and local issues, not being as animated about jurisdictions that consider themselves as sanctuary cities. What tools do you need to be able to get local jurisdictions to cooperate?\u201dRepresentative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) presses Director Salda\u00f1a on why the Obama Administration hasn\u2019t punished countries that refuse to take back their citizens who commit crimes in the United States:\u201cWouldn\u2019t it be at a bare minimum appropriate to provide the Department of State the insistence on your behalf, through Secretary Johnson, that visas should be withheld from countries that refuse to take back the individuals who committed crimes?\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=687", "Goodlatte & Conyers Urge Americans to Work Together Following Shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), leaders of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group, today issued the following joint statement on the police-involved shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina, and subsequent protests:\u201cThe heartbreaking images from Tulsa and Charlotte remind us once again that our nation has much work to do on the issues of the use of force by police and the relationship between law enforcement and the community. There must be an end to these senseless acts of violence. While authorities investigate the two police-involved shootings, we call for peace and urge every American to work together to address the issues fueling tensions within their communities. \u201cAs leaders of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group, we will continue to work towards solutions at the federal level on this matter of national importance.\u201d   \r\n  \r\nBackground: In July 2016, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers (D-Mich.) announced a bipartisan working group to examine the use of excessive force by police, aggression towards law enforcement, and public safety concerns related to these issues. Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers are leading the working group.  Members of the working group are: Representatives Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Dave Reichert (R-Wash.), Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.).In July, the working group held a meeting with a pastor of an African American church and a scholar who specializes in police and community relations. In August, the working group traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to meet with local community leaders and law enforcement. Yesterday, the Policing Strategies Working Group held a private roundtable with law enforcement.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-government-efficiency-bill-passage", "Comstock On Government Efficiency Bill Passage", "2016-09-23", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the House amendment to S. 1550, the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015, by a vote of 404 to 11:\n\u201cI am pleased to join my colleagues in voting for this bill that will improve accountability practices within our government.\u00a0 This commonsense legislation will create greater efficiencies in our government agencies and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.\u00a0 By passing this bill, Congress will ensure that governmental agencies share best practices with each other through an interagency council.\u00a0 An effective, more efficient government can be achieved by improved time management, setting standards and metrics for performance and improving agency communications, and this bill aims to accomplish these goals.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=681", "ICE Document Highlights Security Gaps in Refugee, Asylum Systems", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, after obtaining an internal document from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson requesting information related to security vulnerabilities in the refugee and asylum systems.Excerpts from the letter are below:\u201cThe President's decision to increase overall refugee resettlement-and specifically that of Syrian refugees-ignores warnings from his own national security officials that Syrians cannot be adequately vetted to ensure terrorists are not admitted. Revelations about fraud, security gaps, and lack of oversight have demonstrated that the program is creating national security risks. \u201cThe Committees obtained an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document that confirms those serious concerns... The document confirms a key finding from the Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, that 'terrorists will utilize benefit fraud (to include asylum and refugee fraud) to legitimize their stay in the United States.\u201dThe deadline for DHS to respond is October 4, 2016.Full letter can be viewed here or below.Dear Mr. Secretary:The Immigration and Nationality Act requires the President to set the number of refugees to be admitted in a subsequent fiscal year after \"appropriate consultation\" with Congress. During each year in office, President Obama has set the refugee ceiling without consulting Congress in a meaningful way.  Instead, he has informed Congress of a decision that has already been made.      That was the President's approach, again, with respect to the refugee ceiling for fiscal year 2017.  On September 13, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry informed Congress that the Administration will set the refugee ceiling for FY 2017 at 110,000. He also noted that the number of Syrian refugees admitted during FY 2017 will increase to a number greater than the 13,000 that were admitted during FY 2016.  In setting the number, the Administration does not appear to consider how refugee resettlement will affect local communities.  The decision to resettle refugees in a community is ultimately left up to the State Department.  That sensitive decision should occur in consultation with local community leaders, but it often does not.  In fact, the Administration's communications with state and local officials is sometimes so perfunctory that residents are taken by surprise when refugees start arriving.   The President's decision to increase overall refugee resettlement-and specifically that of Syrian refugees-ignores warnings from his own national security officials that Syrians cannot be adequately vetted to ensure terrorists are not admitted. Revelations about fraud, security gaps, and lack of oversight have demonstrated that the program is creating national security risks. Our Committees obtained an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document that confirms those serious concerns.  That document is enclosed for your ready reference.  The document confirms a key finding from the Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, that \"terrorists will utilize benefit fraud (to include asylum and refugee fraud) to legitimize their stay in the United States.\" The document states:The Immigration System is a constant target for exploitation by individuals who seek to enter the United States and who are otherwise ineligible for entry based on security grounds.  The Refugee Program is one such avenue in which ineligible aliens seek to enter by fraud.* * *[The] Refugee Program is particularly vulnerable to fraud due to loose evidentiary requirements where at times the testimony of an applicant alone is sufficient for approval.  As a result, a range of bad actors, who use manufactured histories, biographies and other false statements, as well as produce and submit fictitious supporting documentation, have exploited this program.* * *In many instances, the applicant for a benefit (including both asylum and refugee status) receives a government issued document that contains the biographic information that the applicant supplied.  This document can be used for many things, such as obtaining a driver's license.* * *Identity fraud can be prevalent in the refugee process.  The uniform processing of refugees by the Dep (DHS) offices takes places in foreign refugee camps.  Typically, these camps have been established outside of war zones and many have open access, thereby allowing individuals to infiltrate and purchase the identities of those individuals already in the process.* * *Refugee fraud is easy to commit, yet not easy to investigate [because] [r]efugee laws purposefully contain relaxed evidentiary requirements . . . , Refugee applications do not require sponsorship of a third party, such as a relative or employer, [and] Refugee claims are typically made in areas of the world where it is difficult to investigate the veracity of the claim.To help our Committees understand how the Administration set the refugee ceiling for FY 2017, and whether national security concerns were adequately considered with respect to increasing the number of Syrian refugees, please provide answers to the following questions:1.     Was the information contained in the internal ICE document used to inform Secretary Kerry and the White House of potential vulnerabilities related to the refugee and asylum process?2.     Was this information considered during the Administration's decision-making process for increasing the refugee ceiling by 35,000 refugees and for increasing the number of Syrian refugees?3.     When was this document circulated within DHS, and when did you receive it?4.     Was this document, and the information contained in it, shared with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?5.     Was this document, and the information contained in it, shared with the U.S. Department of State?6.     How does DHS plan to address the challenges posed by the refugee program that are described in the document?  Will DHS work with State Department to address these challenges?7.     The document contains a list of potential solutions to address vulnerabilities within the refugee and the asylum process.  Which of these potential solutions has DHS implemented and which does the Department plan to implement?Provide this information as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 4, 2016.  Please also provide a briefing to both Committees on this topic.The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and may at \"any time\" investigate \"any matter\" as set forth in House Rule X.  The Committee on the Judiciary has specific jurisdiction over immigration matters.  When producing documents to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, please deliver production sets to the Majority Staff in Room 2157 of the Rayburn House Office Building and the Minority Staff in Room 2471 of the Rayburn House Office Building.  Documents provided to the Committee on the Judiciary should be delivered to Room 2138 of the Rayburn House Office Building.  The Committees prefer, if possible, to receive all documents in electronic format.  An attachment to this letter provides additional information about responding to the Committees' request.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=682", "Goodlatte & Gowdy Call on DHS to Revoke Citizenship for Those Who Should Have Been Deported", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to investigate and begin the process of revoking citizenship for people that obtained citizenship despite being ineligible and due to the Department\u2019s systemic failures.Earlier this month, the DHS Office of Inspector General (IG) issued a report finding that at least 858 individuals who were ordered deported were instead granted citizenship because they used another identity when applying for citizenship and were not caught by federal immigration authorities since their fingerprints were never digitized and uploaded to government databases. The IG report also found that about 148,000 fingerprint records have not been digitized for aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives.In their letter to Secretary Johnson, Goodlatte and Gowdy call on the Department of Homeland Security to initiate a plan to investigate and refer for criminal prosecution and denaturalization proceedings each person identified in the IG\u2019s report who has been granted citizenship based on fraudulent identity. They also call on DHS to provide information to the House Judiciary Committee about what it has done to remedy this systemic failure. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. September 22, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson  \r\nSecretary  \r\nU.S. Department of Homeland Security  \r\nWashington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson, We write regarding the September 8, 2016, U.S. Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Office of Inspector General (IG) report entitled, \u201cPotentially Ineligible Individuals Have Been Granted U.S. Citizenship Because of Incomplete Fingerprint Records.\u201d  The IG report stated that, \u201cUSCIS granted U.S. citizenship to at least 858 individuals ordered deported or removed under another identity when, during the naturalization process, their digital fingerprint records were not in the DHS digital fingerprint repository, IDENT.\u201d  In addition, the IG found that, \u201cU.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified about 148,000 older fingerprint records that have not been digitized of aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives.\u201d Thus, still more individuals could have been naturalized despite their ineligibility to do so.    Administration officials repeatedly tell those of us in Congress and the American people that the immigration benefits vetting process is robust and secure.  Concerns we raise about the process are continuously dismissed in favor of Administration actions to expand the scope of eligibility for immigration benefits.   Yet time and time again, those concerns are proven valid.  Whether it is with the improper grant of a fianc\u00e9e visa to an individual who goes on to commit a terrorist attack in California, or with the improper naturalization of hundreds of individuals whose fingerprints were never automated, there is no doubt that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services\u2019 (USCIS) adjudication is not the secure and robust process that we are asked to believe.  USCIS\u2019 first responsibility is to the American people, and that responsibility is to ensure that foreign nationals approved for immigration benefits are, in fact, who they claim to be.  Without such elementary knowledge of the individuals seeking immigration benefits, the U.S. immigration system and any claimed security protections therein  are rendered useless.              In addition, naturalization not only bestows rights and benefits to the individual naturalized, but also for their family members.  So through chain migration, one individual fraudulently naturalized can result in hundreds of additional naturalizations.  Such actions make a mockery of U.S. immigration law and policy.   As you also know, federal law allows USCIS to refer an individual to the Department of Justice for denaturalization proceedings in the case of an individual who USCIS believes to have \u201cillegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation,\u201d naturalization.  Federal law also allows such referrals for criminal prosecution.  Thus, we request that you initiate a plan to investigate and refer for criminal prosecution and denaturalization proceedings, each individual in the group described by the IG to have been naturalized based on a fraudulent identity and despite having fingerprints that were not previously entered into the system.       In addition, we request the following information:1)\tFor the 858 individuals who were found to have been naturalized despite being ordered deported or removed under a different identity:  \r\na)\tHow many have been investigated to determine whether they were truly eligible at the time of naturalization?  \r\nb)\tHow many aliens have been naturalized or received other immigration benefits based on the U.S. citizenship status of the fraudulently naturalized individual?  What, if any, action has been taken to denaturalize or revoke immigration benefits from such individuals?    \r\nc)\tHow many have been referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution?  \r\nd)\tHow many have been referred to DOJ for denaturalization proceedings?  \r\ne)\tOf the cases referred for criminal prosecution, how many cases has DOJ agreed to prosecute and how many have been prosecuted?  Please indicate the outcomes of any such prosecutions.  \r\nf)\tOf the cases referred for denaturalization proceedings, how many cases has DOJ agreed to take and how many proceedings have been initiated?  Please indicate the outcomes of those cases.    \r\ng)\tHow many have been determined, through investigation, to have been eligible for naturalization despite the fraud used to gain naturalization?  For each individual found to have been eligible, please indicate the reasons for such a finding.          \r\nh)\tPlease provide us monthly updated numbers on a) through g) above as the process continues.     2)\tFor the 148,000 fingerprint records that have not been digitized of aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives:  \r\na)\tWhat is your plan to investigate the number of those individuals who have been naturalized or have received other immigration benefits?    \r\nb)\tPlease provide monthly updated statistics regarding those of the 148,000 who were naturalized and the number who were naturalized under a new identity.      \r\nc)\tOf the number who have already been naturalized, how many have been referred to DOJ for criminal prosecution?  How many has DOJ agreed to prosecute?  \r\nd)\tOf the number who have already been naturalized, how many have been referred to DOJ for denaturalization proceedings?  Against how many has DOJ agreed to begin denaturalization proceedings?  Please respond to the above questions no later than October 5, 2016.  If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact Andrea Loving on the House Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 225-3926. We appreciate in advance, your prompt response.   Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairmanTrey Gowdy  \r\nSubcommittee Chairman", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=683", "Goodlatte, Grassley Seek Details on DOJs Role In Proposed Transfer of Internet Stewardship Authorities", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are calling on the Justice Department to explain its role in advising the Obama Administration in its plan to relinquish authority of key internet domain name functions.  In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the chairmen express concern about the proposal, given an abundance of unanswered questions regarding internet openness, control of government domains, the disposal of government property and antitrust considerations.\u201cWith so many outstanding questions remaining, especially in the areas in which DOJ would seem to have direct subject matter expertise, we believe it is important to understand what input and contributions the Attorney General and the DOJ made in blessing this transfer and in answering many of the specific questions that were raised by other agency participants during the process,\u201d the chairmen said in the letter.The chairmen raised specific concerns that the proposal relies upon a non-binding letter between the U.S. and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to safeguard Top Level Domains such as .gov and .mil.  They are also seeking details of any legal analysis of the constitutionality of relinquishing ownership of U.S. government property, such as the root zone file, without congressional approval.  Finally, the chairmen are seeking details on any analysis DOJ conducted regarding the antitrust implications of terminating the U.S. government\u2019s contract with ICANN.Text of the Grassley-Goodlatte letter follows:September 21, 2016The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch  \r\nAttorney General  \r\nU.S. Department of Justice  \r\n950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW   \r\nWashington, D.C. 20530Dear Attorney General Lynch:The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has indicated that it intends to transfer key Internet domain name functions, known as the Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) functions, to a global multi-stakeholder community at the end of Fiscal Year 2016. As you are aware, when announcing this proposed transition on March, 2014, the NTIA specified that such a proposal must have broad community support and maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), meet the needs of the multi-stakeholder community and enhance the multi-stakeholder model, and maintain the openness of the Internet.  Further, NTIA affirmed that it would \u201cnot accept a proposal that replaces the NTIA role with a government-led or an inter-governmental organization solution.\u201d[1]  We\u2019re sure you would agree that the openness, security, and stability of the Internet are of paramount importance to all Internet users, and yet a number of outstanding issues related to this proposed transition have yet to be answered, threatening these very values.  These include how the transfer will effect free speech and the openness of the Internet, if U.S. control of the .mil and .gov domains will be compromised, if the transfer will open the Internet to undue influence from foreign nations, if the transfer will lead to the improper conveyance of United States government property, or if the transfer affects any existing antitrust immunity and increases the likelihood of significant antitrust litigation.  Further, a recent Declaration by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers\u2019 (ICANN) Independent Review Panel calls into question the credibility of ICANN\u2019s ability to carry out basic duties of board self-governance.[2]  This document reveals that ICANN\u2019s Board Governance Committee has \u201cfailed several transparency obligations,\u201d[3] engaged in the \u201ccavalier treatment\u201d[4] of constituent requests, and failed to undertake an examination of whether ICANN staff or contractors complied with their obligations under the Articles and Bylaws of incorporation (finding that this failure is \u201citself a failure by the Board to comply with its obligations under the Articles and Bylaws.\u201d).[5] These failures raise serious concerns about the ability ICANN to exercise proper corporate oversight and call into question ICANN\u2019s organizational maturity.  Simply put, with so many unanswered questions and from what available evidence we do have, this transition is not in the best interest of a free, open, and secure Internet \u2013 nor is it in the best interest of the United States. Ending the United States contractual relationship with ICANN is dangerous and it is bad policy.According to NTIA, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has participated in a \u201cDNS Interagency Working Group\u201d of U.S. government agencies who have been tasked with developing a methodology to assess whether or not the NTIA\u2019s criteria are met. Specifically, the DNS Interagency Working Group has convened at least monthly to \u201ccoordinate and develop policies and positions related to DNS issues\u201d and engage on \u201cmatters related to the IANA Stewardship Transition, including proposal review and assessment.\u201d[6] NTIA recently announced that it expects the transition proposal will meet the agency criteria set forth in 2014, presumably with the support of the DNS Interagency Working Group, and plans to allow NTIA\u2019s contract with ICANN to lapse. As a key agency participant in the discussion surrounding the transfer of the IANA functions, we are interested in DOJ\u2019s substantive input concerning the decision to transfer the IANA functions and to allow the federal government\u2019s contract with ICANN to lapse.  With so many outstanding questions remaining, especially in areas in which DOJ would seem to have direct subject matter expertise, we believe it is important to understand what input and contributions the Attorney General and the DOJ made in blessing this transfer and in answering many of the specific questions that were raised by other agency participants during the process. We are deeply troubled that DOJ\u2019s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) has not provided a formal legal opinion concerning these issues, including the constitutional questions. As you know, OLC provides authoritative legal advice to the President and all Executive Branch agencies, including legal advice on all constitutional questions. It is quite frankly shocking that the Commerce Department would fail to seek such an opinion before proceeding down this path.NTIA has acknowledged widespread concerns related to the potential loss of control of U.S. governmentally administered domain names such as .mil and .gov.  In an attempt to allay these concerns, NTIA has stated that the operation of these Top Level Domains (TLDs) are not impacted by the transition and that \u201cper the policies, procedures, and practices in place, .mil and .gov cannot be transferred without explicit agreement from the current administrators of those domains \u2013 namely, the U.S. government.\u201d[7] Yet, the only mechanism NTIA has enacted to affirm that the United States is, and will remain, the administrator of .gov and .mil TLDs is through the exchange of non-binding letters with ICANN. As such, the only true assurance the United States has regarding the important .mil and .gov TLDs comes from a non-legally binding, two paragraph letter from ICANN CEO Goran Marby that calls on ICANN to honor and maintain its commitments with respect to the U.S. governmentally administered TLDs.  These assurances are certainly are not legally binding and could lead to the loss of the TLDs despite the declarations of NTIA and ICANN.  As you are likely aware, concerns continue to exist regarding whether or not the administration has the constitutional authority to conduct the IANA transition without the authorization of Congress because of the United States property interests in the root zone file \u2013 or other similar components of the Internet that were created and financed by the United States.  Under Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power \u201cto dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.\u201d Additionally, should NTIA end its contract with ICANN, any antitrust protections that ICANN currently enjoys as an organization operating under government control would end.  ICANN may then be vulnerable to a dramatic increase in antitrust suits and could be compelled to seek the protection of other governmental or quasi-governmental entities to limit this exposure.  Should ICANN seek a new antitrust shield in this manner, ICANN could be subject to limitations on political freedoms that come from groups such as the United Nations International Telecommunications Union.  With these issues in mind, please provide answers to the following questions:\u2022\tWith regard to the security of the .mil, .gov, and U.S. governmentally administered TLDs, does the Attorney General and the Justice Department believe that the mere exchange of letters between NTIA and ICANN is preferable to a binding legal agreement? If so why?  Please provide the Department\u2019s rationale?  \r\n\u2022\tDid the DOJ advise NTIA regarding this resolution of government administered TLDs?   \r\n\u2022\tShould ICANN delegate U.S. government administered TLDs, contrary to current assurances, what action will the DOJ take?   \r\n\u2022\tWith the lack of certainty over the disposition of government property in the IANA transfer, has NTIA ever referred this issue to DOJ for analysis or has DOJ ever conducted an analysis of this question on its own?  If so, what are its findings?    \r\n\u2022\tDoes the Attorney General believe that there is no possibility that NTIA\u2019s planned transition of the IANA functions may potentially relinquish ownership of United States property? What analysis did you conduct to come to this conclusion?  \r\n\u2022\tAs a member of the DNS Interagency Working Group or otherwise, has the DOJ conducted a review of the antitrust implications of NTIA\u2019s termination of its contract with ICANN?  If so, please provide a copy of this review.  If not, why not?This unalterable action poses serious ramifications for the security and openness of the Internet.  As a member of the DNS Interagency Working Group, we\u2019d like to know what role that you and the DOJ played in this transition. We appreciate your timely responses to these important questions no later than September 27, 2016.Sincerely,Charles E. Grassley  \r\nChairman    \r\nSenate Committee on the Judiciary                                      Bob Goodlatte  \r\nChairman  \r\nHouse Committee on the JudiciaryCC:  \r\nThe Honorable Shaun Donovan  \r\nDirector, Office of Management and Budget", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=684", "Goodlatte Votes to Condemn Ransom Payments to Iran", "2016-09-22", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "On January 17, 2016, an unmarked airplane transported $400 million in cash to Iran, coinciding with the release of five American hostages. According to the State Department, the sum was paid to Iran for undelivered military equipment from the 1970s. However, the payment was withheld from Iran until the American hostages were released. Since news of these actions went public last month, questions have arisen about the nature of this payment and whether it was in fact a ransom payment to Iran. Tonight, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement on passage in the House of Representatives of H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, by a vote of 254-163:\u201cWhile the State Department refuses to call this $400 million in cash paid to Iran a ransom payment, the timing of the payment is certainly no coincidence. Paying ransom has serious foreign policy implications and does more harm than good. It empowers, emboldens, and incentivizes our adversaries across the globe to capture and hold Americans hostage for ransom. Tonight, I supported the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act to prohibit all cash payments to Iran \u2013 period. H.R. 5931 also requires greater transparency to Congress on any future settlements with Iran. The Obama Administration has misled the American people, putting more American lives in harm\u2019s way. These actions will not stand. The United States must continue to stand our ground against deplorable actions of terrorists, not cave to them or those who seek to support them.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=678", "Goodlatte Names Roanoke Family 2016 Angels in Adoption", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) recognized Adam and Lynsey Stultz of Roanoke as the Sixth District of Virginia\u2019s 2016 \u201cAngels in Adoption.\u201d  The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute\u2019s Angels in Adoption Program celebrates individuals, couples, or organizations from across the nation making an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes. Members of Congress have the opportunity to honor one nominee from each congressional district per year. Congressman Goodlatte is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. A ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to honor these nominees. Congressman Goodlatte released the following statement:\u201cIt is my honor to recognize the Stultz family as the Sixth District\u2019s 2016 \u2018Angels in Adoption.\u2019 The story of the Stultz family is one of love and perseverance. For over three years, Adam and Lynsey waited to bring their two adopted daughters home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While political turmoil in that country prevented them from bringing their legally-adopted daughters to the United States, they did not give up. After multiple trips, countless Skype calls, advocacy for their daughters\u2019 release, and a community of prayer, Adam and Lynsey welcomed both girls home to Roanoke earlier this year. They are truly deserving of this recognition. Their perseverance and love have changed the lives of two little girls, and taken another step toward making the dream of a loving family a reality for every child.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=680", "Goodlatte Praises House Passage of Bill to Stop High Impact Regulations", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Goodlatte", "G000289", "goodlatte.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on today\u2019s approval by the House of Representatives of the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act of 2016 (H.R. 3438) by a vote of 244-180.Goodlatte: \u201cHigh-impact regulations are often litigated in the courts for years, and hardworking Americans too often must cover billions in compliance costs for these regulations even as they pursue successful litigation to challenge them. This costly and wasteful practice is another regulatory burden that can easily be taken off the backs of the American people.\u201cThe passage of the REVIEW Act is a better way to reduce wasteful government spending and ensure Americans can keep their hard-earned money. The bill frees up billions of precious dollars to be spent on the jobs and investment America currently needs.\u201dBackground: Introduced by Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee Chairman Marino and cosponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte, the REVIEW Act stops \u201chigh impact rules\u201d with costs of $1 billion dollars or more annually from taking effect until any timely-filed court challenges to the regulations in question are concluded.The REVIEW Act amends the Administrative Procedure Act to establish:\u2022\ta definition for \u201chigh-impact rules\u201d\u2014those costing $1 billion or more annually; and,  \r\n\u2022\tan automatic administrative stay of all \u201chigh-impact rules\u201d pending final judicial review if a legal challenge is filed within 60 days of the rules\u2019 issuance or the time otherwise prescribed to seek judicial review.Click here to learn more about the bill.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-s-inspire-women-act-passes-senate-committee", "Comstocks INSPIRE Women Act Passes Senate Committee", "2016-09-21", "2016", "2016-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Barbara Comstock", "C001105", "comstock.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10) issued the following statement after H.R. 4755, the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act passed the United States Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cI am pleased to see that the INSPIRE Women Act passed the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today and now is one step closer to becoming law.\u00a0\u00a0 The INSPIRE Women Act will help American businesses find skilled workers in the traditional STEM fields.\u00a0 The legislation calls on the NASA Administrator to develop a plan within NASA to have retired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators to engage and share their vast knowledge with K-12 female STEM students.\u00a0 NASA will use virtual mentoring programs using technology to pair NASA mentors with STEM students across the country. Given the broad based bipartisan support the bill has, the U.S. Senate should bring up this bill before it recesses.\u201d\u00a0\nThe INSPIRE Women Act authorizes the NASA Administrator to encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, known as the STEM fields, and to pursue careers that will further advance America\u2019s space science and exploration efforts through support of initiatives such as\u00a0NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS; Aspire-Inspire; and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 341, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "VA", "p2": "2016"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 341, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 341, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "VA", "label": "VA", "count": 341, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2016", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016", "results": [{"value": "2016", "label": "2016", "count": 341, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2016-09-21,https~3A~2F~2Fcomstock~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcomstock-s-inspire-women-act-passes-senate-committee", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2016&_next=2016-09-21%2Chttps~3A~2F~2Fcomstock~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fmedia-center~2Fpress-releases~2Fcomstock-s-inspire-women-act-passes-senate-committee&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 378.0178758315742, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}