{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"VA\" and year = 2019 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402217", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.24.19", "2019-12-24", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "I respect religious opinions that differ from my own, but as a Christian, I wish everyone the peace of this season, and for my Christian brothers and sisters, Merry Christmas.\r\nO little town of Bethlehem,\r\nHow still we see thee lie.\r\nAbove thy deep and dreamless sleep\r\nThe silent stars go by;\r\nYet in thy dark streets shineth\r\nThe everlasting Light.\r\nThe hopes and fears of all the years\r\nAre met in thee tonight.\r\nFor Christ is born of Mary,\r\nAnd, gathered all above\r\nWhile mortals sleep, the angels keep\r\nTheir watch of wond'ring love.\r\nO morning stars, together\r\nProclaim the holy birth,\r\nAnd praises sing to God the King,\r\nAnd peace to men on earth.\r\nHow silently, how silently\r\nThe wondrous gift is giv'n!\r\nSo God imparts to human hearts\r\nThe blessings of his heav'n.\r\nNo ear may hear his coming;\r\nBut in this world of sin,\r\nWhere meek souls will receive him, still\r\nThe dear Christ enters in.\r\nAs the words of O Little Town of Bethlehem make clear, Christians believe something special happened in the town of Bethlehem. In a manger in this small town some 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born. We celebrate this event each Christmas, and we remember Bethlehem's part in the story as well.\r\nBecause of its importance, Bethlehem has been a destination for pilgrims, the faithful, or just the curious over the centuries.\r\nSt. Helena was the mother of Constantine the Great, the first Christian emperor of Rome. She famously built a church where the manger, in fact a cave, was traditionally believed to have existed. The church was dedicated in 339. Although that original church was later destroyed some two hundred years later, it was rebuilt, and as the Church of the Nativity is the oldest Christian church in daily use today.\r\nAt this site in 1865, Phillips Brooks, the rector of Holy Trinity Church in Philadelphia, was inspired to write O Little Town of Bethlehem. He was on a pilgrimage to the Holy Land, riding on horseback the roughly six miles between Jerusalem and Bethlehem, and on Christmas Eve participated in a service at the Church of the Nativity.\r\nTraveling to Bethlehem has not been without its dangers, a sad reminder that humanity still needs the peace promised by the birth of Jesus.\r\nAccess to pilgrimage sites such as Bethlehem is often cited as a cause of the Crusades that began in 1095 and went on sporadically for hundreds of years. In the nineteenth century, it was also a cause of dispute in the lead-up to the Crimean War between the Ottoman Empire, France, and Britain on one side and Russia on the other.\r\nIn our time, Bethlehem has sometimes been a victim of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It stands in Palestinian territory today.\r\nI have visited the area twice.\r\nBeing in Jerusalem was a very moving experience. However, I was advised that it was a potential security risk for me to travel to Bethlehem as an American elected official.\r\nSo while my faith was greatly bolstered by visiting the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem, I have never visited the Church of the Nativity, although I looked into Bethlehem on one visit through the high-tech fence that separates Israeli territory from the West Bank.\r\nAs those of us who celebrate do so again this Christmas, our thoughts will turn once more to the little town of Bethlehem. It represents something far beyond its geographical location or its population, or even the historic church buildings that have been put up there. As the hymn says:\r\nThe hopes and fears of all the years\r\nAre met in thee tonight.\r\nFor all people, whether celebrating Christmas or not, I wish the peace of this season and best wishes for a happy New Year.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402218", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for January", "2019-12-23", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith's Ninth DistrictSTAFFwill be available at the following locations during the month ofJanuary. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk.If a County's or City's schools are closed, then its office hours will be closed as well. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to schedule an appointment time in the event of office hour closure.\r\nJanuary 8, 2020\r\nScott County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCommunity Services Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n190 Beech Street  \r\nGate City, VA 24251\r\nLee County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nLee County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n33640 Main Street  Suite U101  \r\nJonesville, VA 24263\r\nWise County: 3:15 pm  4:45 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Ave. E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nJanuary 9, 2020\r\nGiles County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nTown of Pearisburg Offices  \r\n112 Tazewell Street  \r\nPearisburg, VA 24134\r\nSmyth County: 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown Council Chambers  \r\n138 West Main Street  \r\nMarion, VA 24354\r\nRadford: 12:30 pm  2:00 pm\r\nRadford Public Library  \r\nPassport Office  \r\n30 West Main Street  \r\nRadford, VA 24141\r\nWythe County: 1:30 pm  3:00 pm\r\nWythe County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n245 South 4th Street  \r\nWytheville, VA 24382\r\nPulaski County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nPulaski County Library  \r\n60 3rd Street NW  \r\nPulaski, VA 24301\r\nJanuary 14, 2020\r\nCraig County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCraig County Administration Bldg.  \r\n108 Court Street  \r\nNew Castle, VA 24127\r\nCovington: 12:00 pm  1:30 pm\r\nCity of Covington Conference Room  \r\n333 W. Locust Street  \r\nCovington, VA 24426\r\nSalem: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nCity of Salem Offices  \r\n114 N. Broad Street  \r\nSalem, VA 24153\r\nJanuary 15, 2020\r\nCarroll County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCarroll County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n605  1 Pine Street  \r\nHillsville, VA 24343\r\nGalax: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nGalax Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n111 E. Grayson St.  \r\nGalax, VA 24333\r\nGrayson County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nGrayson County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\nSuite 206  \r\n129 Davis Street  \r\nIndependence, VA 24348\r\nJanuary 16, 2020\r\nTazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nAmerican Legion Building  \r\n226 Central Avenue  \r\nTazewell, VA 24651\r\nRussell County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center  \r\n141 Highland Drive  \r\nLebanon, VA 24266\r\nJanuary 21, 2020\r\nTazewell County (Richlands): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Richlands Offices  \r\n200 Washington Square  \r\nRichlands, VA 24641\r\nBuchanan County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nTown of Grundy Offices  \r\n1185 Plaza Drive  \r\nGrundy, VA 24614\r\nJanuary 22, 2020\r\nFloyd County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nTown of Floyd Offices  \r\n134 Wilson Street SE  \r\nFloyd, VA 24091\r\nPatrick County: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nPatrick County Administration Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n106 Rucker Street  \r\nStuart, VA 24171\r\nHenry County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nBassett Historical Center  \r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway  \r\nBassett, VA 24055\r\nJanuary 23, 2020\r\nTazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Bluefield  Council Chambers  \r\n112 Huffard Drive  \r\nBluefield, VA 24605\r\nBland County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nBland County Courthouse  \r\nAdmin. Office Room 200  \r\n612 Main Street  \r\nBland, VA 24315\r\nJanuary 28, 2020\r\nNorton: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCity Council Chambers  \r\n618 Virginia Avenue NW  \r\nNorton, VA 24273\r\nWise County: 11:00 am  12:30 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Avenue E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nDickenson County: 2:30 pm  4:30 pm\r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research  \r\n818 Happy Valley Drive  \r\nClintwood, VA 24228\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=402215", "Griffith Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces U.S. Service Academy Nominations \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Thursday,\r\n      December 19, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement announcing the names of his nominees to the United States Service Academies:\r\nEach year I have the honor to nominate a limited number of young men and women to United States Service Academies. These outstanding students represent the best of Southwest Virginia, and they deserve our thanks for their willingness to serve our country. I am proud to nominate them and wish them all the best in their future endeavors.\r\nNinth District Nominees:\r\nU.S. Air Force Academy\r\nCarianne Kinder  Bluefield  \r\nAndrew Wheatley  Wise  \r\nElijah Hadfield  Bent Mountain  \r\nGarrett Kuchan  Christiansburg  \r\nEthan Wilson  Christiansburg  \r\nLuke Horn  Whitewood\r\nU.S. Naval Academy\r\nCody Hodge  Floyd  \r\nLydia Peton  Christiansburg  \r\nEthan Wilson  Christiansburg  \r\nLuke Horn  Whitewood\r\nU.S. Military Academy\r\nFaith Myers  Marion  \r\nWilliam Baker  Mendota  \r\nEthan Wilson  Christiansburg\r\n*In order to receive an appointment, nominees must meet all entrance requirements of the specific Academy. Nominees will be notified by the individual Academies upon appointment.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402216", "Griffith Opposes Tax Breaks for Coastal Billionaires", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting no on H.R. 5377, which would end the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act's cap of $10,000 on state and local tax (SALT) deductions:\r\nWe included the SALT deduction cap in the 2017 tax reform to help offset tax cuts that helped the middle class and small businesses. Ending the SALT deduction cap primarily benefits the wealthy in high-tax states such as New York and California.\r\nTo cover this giveaway to the wealthy, Democrats included in H.R. 5377 tax provisions to help defray expenses for schoolteachers and first responders. I think they are worthy proposals, but their inclusion in this legislation is merely to distract from its main purpose of catering to coastal elites.\r\nInstead of encouraging those states to reduce their tax burden, Democrats want the people of Marion to help shoulder the tax burden in Manhattan and the people of Stuart to subsidize the tax burden of living in San Francisco. That is unfair to the people of the Ninth Congressional District and most of America.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2940", "Wittman Votes to Advance USMCA", "2019-12-19", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Wittman voted in favor of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement Implementation Act to advance the United States Mexico Canada Agreement (USMCA)  a replacement for the North American Free Trade Agreement. Ratifying the USMCA has been a major priority of both Congressional Republicans and President Trump in 2019. I was proud to finally cast my vote today to advance the USMCA. Ratifying this agreement is absolutely critical to the First District and entire Commonwealth; over 13,000 jobs in Virginia depend on manufacturing exports to Canada and Mexico, Wittman said. Accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports from Virginia, trade with our northern and southern partners is necessary for continued job creation and growth here at home. By increasing duty-free access of the world-class agricultural products we create in the Commonwealth and improving outdated policies, the USMCA improves the financial position of all Virginians. Passing the USMCA trade deal will be a major boost for our economy, and will provide more than 176,000 new jobs, which is a huge win for American workers. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, twelve million American jobs rely on trade with Mexico and Canada. Mexico and Canada together represent a $500 billion export market for the U.S. as they buy one-third of the goods America exports, plus tens of billions of dollars more in services. The USMCA will build upon the great economic success created by GOP tax reform and will act as a major victory for American workers, Wittman said. This vote was long overdue; House Republicans have beenurging Speaker Pelosi to bring this measure to the floor for months. Instead, the House Democrat majority wasted months on a purely partisan impeachment inquiry. Although delayed, I'm thrilled we were able to get this done for the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402212", "Griffith Calls for Sanctions in Response to FISA Abuses", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after U.S. Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) court Presiding Judge Rosemary M. Collyer condemned the misconduct regarding surveillance applications into the Trump campaign uncovered by Justice Department Inspector General Michael Horowitz:\r\nThe Justice Department's inspector general found numerous abuses of the FISA process when investigating one of President Trump's campaign advisers. The FISA court is right to be sharply critical of these abuses. But I believe these abuses call for stronger action.\r\nWe need to be clear. Lawyers who practice in a court are considered officers of the court.' Officers of the court,' including James Comey and others, misled the FISA court. During my career practicing law, I found that sanctions imposed by judges on officers of the court' engaged in misconduct to be the strongest remedies. Such sanctions send a distinct message that misconduct will not be tolerated.\r\nThe Supreme Court has ruled that federal judges have virtually full power in their courtrooms, so the FISA court has the power to sanction. Considering the serious and real abuses of power uncovered by the inspector general's report, sanctions on the officers of the court' who perpetrated them not only would be justified but are necessary in order to prevent future abuses.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402213", "Griffith Announces Ninth District Winners of Congressional App Challenge", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces Ninth District Winners of Congressional App Challenge \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      December 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement announcing the winners of the Congressional App Challenge in Virginia's Ninth Congressional District:\r\nThe Congressional App Competition allows high school students to display their creativity and technological skill by developing an original app.\r\nI am pleased to announce that the Ninth District winner of this year's competition is the team of Nathan Mullins, Destiny Collins, Anthony King, and Jaxson McCowan of Lebanon High School for their app, Tagged.'\r\nCole Jones of Auburn Middle School earned second place with Block Attack.'\r\nCongratulations to these young men and women on their accomplishment. I am proud of the ingenuity and talent displayed by the young people of the Ninth District in this year's challenge.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402214", "Griffith Votes No on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Votes No on Articles of Impeachment \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Wednesday,\r\n      December 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting no on the articles of impeachment against President Trump:\r\nHouse Democrats voted today to impeach the President. They impeached President Trump over disputes between the executive branch and the legislative branch that occur in many administrations. In my opinion, they did not actually have the evidence to find high Crimes and Misdemeanors,' as the Constitution demands.\r\nHouse Democrats today abused the power of impeachment. I am sorry they did so, for the millions of Americans who voted for President Trump and for the Constitution that has been damaged.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-remarks-during-floor-debate-articles-impeachment", "Rep. Cline Remarks During Floor Debate on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) made the following statement on the House Floor during today's debate on H. Res. 755  Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors: \nMadam Speaker, \nToday is a sad day for this body, for the voters who sent me here last November, and for our Nation. \nBenjamin Franklin cautioned when asked what he had given us, \"A Republic, if you can keep it.\" Today we take a step further toward losing the Republic that our Founding Fathers envisioned by engaging in activity that they specifically warned against - the misuse of the Constitutional power of impeachment for one party's political gain.\nOur Constitution is the very foundation of our Republic. Its assurance of self-determination has been the shining beacon by which our Nation has chartered its course over the last two centuries. From a new democratic experiment struggling to survive to the greatest Nation on Earth, America has been powered over the years - not by Government - but by the ingenuity, the bravery, and the faith of its people, confident in their place as one Nation, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all. \nAnd so it is \"We the People\" who determine our President, not \"We the Judiciary Committee,\" or \"We the Congress.\" The Constitution is clear - it is only when we see clear proof of the impeachable offenses outlined in Article II, Section 4 - treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors - that we are to challenge the decision of the voters, break the figurative glass, and pull the emergency rip-cord that is impeachment.We do not have that proof today.\nThomas Jefferson said, \"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.\" \nBut rather than educate, this majority has chosen today to obfuscate with hearsay, innuendo, and speculation. \nAnd when history looks back on this shameful period for this House, it will judge it for what it truly is - the ugly hijacking by the Majority of our Constitution and the powers it so solemnly entrusts to us to engage in a blatantly political process designed to finally achieve what they could not achieve at the ballot box: the removal of a duly elected president.\nCompelled by my sworn duty to uphold this Constitution and for the people, I vote no on impeachment today.\nI yield back.\nVideo of Congressman Cline's remarks can be found here. The video was taken from www.house.gov/watch-houselive and is available for reuse.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1022", "Rep. Cline Remarks During Floor Debate on Articles of Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) made the following statement on the House Floor during today's debate on H. Res. 755 \u2013 Impeaching Donald John Trump, President of the United States, for high crimes and misdemeanors:\n\n\"Madam Speaker,\n\nToday is a sad day for this body, for the voters who sent me here last November, and for our Nation.\n\nBenjamin Franklin cautioned when asked what he had given us, \"A Republic, if you can keep it.\" Today we take a step further toward losing the Republic that our Founding Fathers envisioned by engaging in activity that they specifically warned against - the misuse of the Constitutional power of impeachment for one party's political gain.\n\nOur Constitution is the very foundation of our Republic. Its assurance of self-determination has been the shining beacon by which our Nation has chartered its course over the last two centuries. From a new democratic experiment struggling to survive to the greatest Nation on Earth, America has been powered over the years - not by Government - but by the ingenuity, the bravery, and the faith of its people, confident in their place as one Nation, under God, Indivisible, with Liberty and Justice for all.\n\nAnd so it is \"We the People\" who determine our President, not \"We the Judiciary Committee,\" or \"We the Congress.\" The Constitution is clear - it is only when we see clear proof of the impeachable offenses outlined in Article II, Section 4 - treason, bribery, or other high crimes and misdemeanors - that we are to challenge the decision of the voters, break the figurative glass, and pull the emergency rip-cord that is impeachment. We do not have that proof today.\n\nThomas Jefferson said, \"I know of no safe depository of the ultimate powers of society but the people themselves; and if we think them not enlightened enough to exercise their control with a wholesome discretion, the remedy is not to take it from them, but to inform their discretion by education.\"\n\nBut rather than educate, this majority has chosen today to obfuscate with hearsay, innuendo, and speculation.\n\nAnd when history looks back on this shameful period for this House, it will judge it for what it truly is - the ugly hijacking by the Majority of our Constitution and the powers it so solemnly entrusts to us to engage in a blatantly political process designed to finally achieve what they could not achieve at the ballot box: the removal of a duly elected president.\n\nCompelled by my sworn duty to uphold this Constitution and for the people, I vote no on impeachment today.\n\nI yield back.\"\n\nVideo of Congressman Cline's remarks can be found here. The video was taken from www.house.gov/watch-houselive and is available for reuse.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-host-telephone-townhall", "Congressman Denver Riggleman to Host Telephone Townhall", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  As part of his commitment to transparency and accessibility, Congressman Denver Riggleman will host a telephone town hall on Wednesday, December 18, at 4:00p.m. This telephone town hall will give constituents of Virginia's 5th District an opportunity to ask questions of their congressman and hear updates on everything going on in Congress. This is the next ina series of town halls that Congressman Riggleman has hosted.\nConstituents from Virginia's 5th District are invited to dial-in to the townhall using the following information:\nPhone number: (877) 229-8493; ID code: 111346\nThe event will begin at 4:00 EST and last approximately one hour.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-votes-against-impeachment", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Votes Against Impeachment", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman voted against the articles of impeachment against President Trump Wednesday evening. Prior to the vote, he gave an address on the floor of the House of Representatives stating his opposition to impeachment and the reasoning behind it.\n\"I voted no on both articles of impeachment,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"I was not elected to take political votes that attempt to overturn the will of the American people. I ran for office to serve my constituents. Let's remember, that's why we are here.\"\nYou can watch Congressman Riggleman's addresshere, and a full transcriptof his remarks can be found below.\n  Thank you, Madam Speaker.  \n\tI oppose this impeachment effort and will vote no on the articles of impeachment.  \n\tI represent the Fifth District of Virginia, which is home to so many founding fathers whose vision shaped the great country we are living in today. Thomas Jefferson and James Madison are not around to see what their creation has become, but I don't think they would be pleased to see Congress subverting the will of democracy by holding an impeachment vote, because the majority party simply cannot accept the 2016 election. Instead of wasting the taxpayers' time and money on specious investigations, we could have passed legislation to address surprise medical billing, secure the border, address the opioid epidemic, reduce student debt, and solve a litany of other issues that Americans actually care about.  \n\tTomorrow, we might have a vote on the USMCA, which we should have passed months ago had it not been for the obstruction and delays from Democrats. Delays that have made farmers in my district and other districts suffer. Votes like the one we will take today. The decisions that have led up to today's vote. The nature an entire process of this proceeding wreaks of careerist bureaucrats and politicians that put politics over people. I was not elected to take political votes that attempt to overturn the will of the American people. I ran for office to serve my constituents. Let's remember, that's why we are here.  \n\tWeaponizing emotion is not the way to serve the United States of America, and to my colleagues who do just that, I offer a quote Thomas Paine wrote in a crisis, to argue with a person who has renounced the use of reason is like administering medicine to the dead.\nThank you, and I yield back the balance of my time.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2939", "Wittman Votes NO on Articles to Impeach President Trump", "2019-12-18", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released this statement after NO on Articles of Impeachment against President Donald Trump:\r\nFollowing the release of reports from the Oversight, Intelligence, Foreign Affairs, and Judiciary Committees, it is clear the hearings held by House Democrats over the last month have by no means proved President Trump committed an impeachable offense. Unhappy with the results of the election, House Democrats have been working to build a case for impeachment since the day President Trump took office. Speaker Pelosi said from the beginning that the impeachment must be compelling, overwhelming, and bipartisan;' and today, none of those are true. In actuality, there is one thing bipartisan about this impeachment: the opposition to it.\r\nThere is a reason why only three presidents have gone through this before  it is supposed to be an exceedingly rare occurrence. The founders warned against a single party impeachment because it would divide the country  and that is what we are seeing right now, we are seeing Democrats weaponize the impeachment process and I am worried for the precedent this will set for the future.\r\nThe majority has wasted the Fall by being solely focused on impeachment  leading us to pass two continuing resolutions, miss important deadlines for the NDAA, and leave funding to the last minute. I believe we need to be focused on solving problems and working on solutions for our constituents. The American people are sick of this partisan stalemate. I hope in the beginning of the next session we can get back to the real issues  finding a bipartisan solution to lowering the price of prescription drugs, creating an infrastructure package, reforming our broken budget process, and expanding access to broadband in rural areas.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-issues-statement-ahead-tomorrows-house-vote", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Issues Statement Ahead of Tomorrow's House Vote on Impeachment", "2019-12-17", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) issued the following statement aheadtomorrow's vote onimpeachment in the House of Representatives.\n\"Democrats have been trying to impeach President Trump since he was elected in 2016 and now, after a politicized and rushed process, are putting impeachment articles to a vote in the House,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"I strongly oppose this impeachment effort and will vote NO tomorrow. Let's stop wasting Americans time on this empty impeachment effort and get back to accomplishing things for the people who elected us\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402210", "Griffith-Cosponsored Broadband Legislation Passes House of Representatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives today passed two bills to expand broadband coverage:\r\nBroadband plays a vital role in the economy and culture of the 21st century, yet too many areas of the country, particularly rural communities, are left out. Further, it can be unclear to the government in some cases whether broadband service is available in a particular area or not.\r\nAs we build out broadband in rural areas, it is vital that we have accurate information about coverage. I cosponsored the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services Act and the Broadband DATA Act to help fix these problems. I am pleased that they have passed the House, and I hope that the Senate will follow suit.\r\nBackground\r\nH.R. 4229, theBroadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (Broadband DATA) Act, would require the Federal Communications Commission(FCC) to issue rules relating to the collection of data with respect to the availability of broadband services; and\r\nH.R.4227, theMapping Accuracy Promotes Services Act, would prohibit the submission to the FCC of broadband internet access service coverage information or data for the purposes of compiling an inaccurate broadband coverage map.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402211", "Griffith-Sponsored Bill to Set Furniture Safety Standards Passes House of Representatives", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith-Sponsored Bill to Set Furniture Safety Standards Passes House of Representatives \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Monday,\r\n      December 16, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 2647, the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act, which was introduced by Griffith and Congresswoman Doris Matsui (D-CA):\r\nSetting a federal standard for furniture flammability will provide clearer direction to the furniture industry and will lead to safer products in our homes. With its passage by the House of Representatives today, the Safer Occupancy Furniture Flammability Act is one step closer to law. I will continue to advocate for this beneficial legislation.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riggleman-sends-letter-secretary-agriculture-sonny-perdue-hemp", "Congressman Riggleman Sends Letter to Secretary of Agriculture, Sonny Perdue, on Hemp Production", "2019-12-16", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman sent a letter toSecretary of Agriculture,Sonny Perdue, to discuss potential changes to the implementation of the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program. The letter suggested improvements to benefit farmers and align the rules with the realities that hemp farmers face while growing.\nVirginia and the 5th District are uniquely positioned to lead in the arena of hemp production and I am grateful to the entire Virginia delegation for signing this letter regarding the U.S. Domestic Hemp Production Program, said Congressman Riggleman. Industrial hemp is a potential game changer for Southside Virginia. If we can improve the USDA hemp program to help Virginia farmers, we have the potential to bring hugeeconomic growthto the 5th District. This letter will provide clarity for farmers and help production.\nCongressman Riggleman's letter was cosigned by the Virginiadelegation in theHouse of Representatives. The changes it asked for would reduce regulation surrounding hemp farming as well as its post production and distribution.\nYou can read the full letter here.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401210", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.14.19", "2019-12-14", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "After a brief and biased inquiry, House Democrats have put forward two articles of impeachment against President Trump, the first charging him with abuse of power and the second alleging obstruction of Congress.\r\nNeither article holds up under scrutiny.\r\nArticle One\r\nThe abuse of power President Trump supposedly committed was an attempt to coerce Ukraine into opening an investigation to benefit himself. Hunter Biden, son of former Vice President and current presidential candidate Joe Biden, sat on the Ukrainian natural gas company Burisma's board despite his lack of qualifications.\r\nYou may recall that Joe Biden had previously bragged publicly about arranging for a Ukrainian prosecutor who had been investigating Burisma to be fired.\r\nEven if Joe Biden's actions as Vice President had nothing to do with his son's involvement in Burisma, he should have recognized they created an appearance of impropriety and a clear conflict of interest.\r\nIn a phone call with Ukrainian President Zelensky, President Trump said, Biden went around bragging that he stopped the prosecution so if you can look into it . . . It sounds horrible to me.\r\nNote that President Trump did not ask President Zelensky to find the Bidens guilty of anything, but to find the truth of the situation.\r\nIf the Obama Administration can prevent an investigation by forcing out a prosecutor, the Trump Administration should be able to give the green light to reopen an investigation.\r\nI do not think the President's request constituted an impeachable offense. In any event, does the simple fact that Joe Biden is a presidential candidate give him or his family immunity from investigations? That would give anyone running for president or their families a get out of jail free card.\r\nFurther, Democrats claim President Trump tied investigations to military aid to Ukraine, but this aid was not actually halted even though Ukraine has not opened an investigation. President Zelensky has also said he felt no pressure to open the investigation.\r\nCongress instructed the President to ensure Ukraine was solving its corruption problems before releasing the money. President Trump had the right to do so.\r\nFurther, it should be remembered that Ukraine meddled in the 2016 election, even if not to the extent of the Russians. To verify, one only needs to read the op-ed in The Hill by the Ukrainian ambassador to the United States in August 2016. That ambassador was not recalled from Ukraine until July 2019. Clearly, Ukraine's corruption issues are still lingering well into 2019.\r\nPeople may not agree with how President Trump has interacted with Ukraine, but they should express their disagreement through the policy process in Congress or the ballot box. No evidence of abuse of power has been produced to justify the penalty of impeachment and removal from office, which no president has suffered in our history.\r\nArticle Two\r\nNor do the Democrats have grounds to impeach President Trump on obstruction of Congress.\r\nAs a Member of Congress, I want to maintain our prerogatives. That is what the Framers counted on when they designed the Constitution. They knew that the people in each of the three branches of government would be jealous of their own powers and ready to check the others if they stepped out of their bounds.\r\nPresident Trump and the current Democratic House are engaged in the same contest as George Washington when he claimed executive privilege over documents the House wanted to see. That back and forth has continued. The difference this time is that Democrats in the House want to jump to impeachment over various less severe remedies.\r\nWhen President Obama's administration failed to produce documents we asked for, House Republicans held then-Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress and went to court to enforce subpoenas. We did not move to impeach President Obama.\r\nDemocrats have short-circuited the process by racing to impeach. Subpoenas from other investigations are still being sorted out in the courts. In fact, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg recently temporarily blocked a subpoena of President Trump's financial records.\r\nIn the impeachment investigation, the Democrats are not waiting to determine if their subpoenas are lawful. I believe their speed is due to political considerations, not constitutional questions.\r\nLowering the threshold on what is impeachable may come back to haunt Democrats. I still believe the standard tug of war between branches should be resolved through the courts, legislation, and other commonplace tools, but if this Congress brings impeachment out of the toolshed for historically predictable disagreements, then a future Congress may be reluctant to return it.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.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"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-vote-advance-articles-impeachment-full-house", "Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Advance Articles of Impeachment to the Full House", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement on the House Judiciary Committee voting today to advance Articles of Impeachment to the full House of Representatives.\nIt is a sad day in America, as Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have failed the American people by voting out two unproven Articles of Impeachment against the President after only 3 days of hearings and no fact witnesses. No matter how hard they try, they cannot show that the President committed high crimes or misdemeanors as required by Article 2 Section 4 of the Constitution. Instead, the evidence shows four facts that will never change: both President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky have said there was no pressure on the July 25 call, there was no conditionality of aid in the call summary, the Ukrainians were not aware that aid was withheld when the presidents spoke, and Ukraine still received aid and a meeting with President Trump without taking any action. The claim that the President abused his power has not been proven. In fact, the only abuse of power I have seen is by Speaker Pelosi and her caucus as they try to remove the duly elected President from office and overturn the will of 60 million Americans.\nThe Articles also argue that the President has obstructed Congress. The Majority suggests that because President Trump has sought judicial review regardinghis claims of executive privilege involving the possible testimony of his closest advisors, he has circumvented the law and Congress. We live in a country where the Rule of Law still exists, and to claim that availing himself of the courts is the equivalent of obstruction of Congress is ridiculous.\nThis partisan impeachment circus has been flawed from the very beginning. At every turn, both Congressional Republicans and President Trump have been denied fairness and due process.While transcripts of the testimony in the Intelligence Committee were eventually made public, most Judiciary Committee members were not able to watch the hidden proceedings, question witnesses, or ensure the accuracy of the transcripts we were provided. We learned that Chairman Schiff at times ordered witnesses not to answer Republican questions, lied about his contact with the whistleblower, and surreptitiously obtained phone records of Members of Congress and the press.Hearsay, speculation, and inferences are not enough to remove a sitting President, and for all of these reasons, I could not support these partisan Articles of Impeachment.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1020", "Rep. Cline Statement on Vote to Advance Articles of Impeachment to the Full House", "2019-12-13", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement on the House Judiciary Committee voting today to advance Articles of Impeachment to the full House of Representatives.\n\n\"It is a sad day in America, as Democrats on the House Judiciary Committee have failed the American people by voting out two unproven Articles of Impeachment against the President after only 3 days of hearings and no fact witnesses. No matter how hard they try, they cannot show that the President committed high crimes or misdemeanors as required by Article 2 Section 4 of the Constitution. Instead, the evidence shows four facts that will never change: both President Trump and Ukrainian President Zelensky have said there was no pressure on the July 25 call, there was no conditionality of aid in the call summary, the Ukrainians were not aware that aid was withheld when the presidents spoke, and Ukraine still received aid and a meeting with President Trump without taking any action. The claim that the President abused his power has not been proven. In fact, the only abuse of power I have seen is by Speaker Pelosi and her caucus as they try to remove the duly elected President from office and overturn the will of 60 million Americans.\"\n\n\"The Articles also argue that the President has obstructed Congress. The Majority suggests that because President Trump has sought judicial review regarding his claims of executive privilege involving the possible testimony of his closest advisors, he has circumvented the law and Congress. We live in a country where the Rule of Law still exists, and to claim that availing himself of the courts is the equivalent of obstruction of Congress is ridiculous.\"\n\n\"This partisan impeachment circus has been flawed from the very beginning. At every turn, both Congressional Republicans and President Trump have been denied fairness and due process. While transcripts of the testimony in the Intelligence Committee were eventually made public, most Judiciary Committee members were not able to watch the hidden proceedings, question witnesses, or ensure the accuracy of the transcripts we were provided. We learned that Chairman Schiff at times ordered witnesses not to answer Republican questions, lied about his contact with the whistleblower, and surreptitiously obtained phone records of Members of Congress and the press. Hearsay, speculation, and inferences are not enough to remove a sitting President, and for all of these reasons, I could not support these partisan Articles of Impeachment.\"\n\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-speaks-support-usmca", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Speaks in Support of the USMCA", "2019-12-12", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) gave a video address this morningfollowing Speaker Nancy Pelosi's announcement on the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA).\n\"The USMCA will create upwards of 176,000 jobs, expand America's trading partnership with Mexico and Canada, and also help producers specifically in the 5th District,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"It will rebalance trade to support local dairy, cattle, and tobacco farmers and give them greater access to markets in Canada and Mexico, who aretwo of Virginia's largest trading partners, making up almost 25% of total exports. It could also help timber producers in my district compete against global competition and expand in the 5th District. The USMCA is a big win for the 5th District and the country.\"\nPassing the USMCAwill be a victory for the 5th District farmers, producers, and businesses. Almost a quarter of Virginia's exports go to Mexico and Canada: approximately $4.3 Billion worth per year.\nYou can watch Congressman Riggleman's address here. A full transcript can be found below.\nHello 5th District.\nThis morning it was announced that the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement will be brought to the floor for a vote. This is great news for the 5th, but it is long overdue. President Trump signed the USMCA over a year ago, and its been sitting on Nancy Pelosi's desk ever since. Farmers and businesses in my District have been losing out on the enormous benefits of the USMCA every day while Nancy Pelosi focuses on impeachment.\nIt didn't have to take this long, but you all know I'm ready to vote YES on the USMCA.\nThe USMCA will create upwards of 176,000 jobs, expand America's trading partnership with Mexico and Canada, and also help producers specifically in the 5th District. It will rebalance trade to support local dairy, cattle, and tobacco farmers and give them greater access to markets in Canada and Mexico, who are 2 of Virginia's largest trading partners, making up almost 25% of total exports. It could also help timber producers in my District compete against global competition and expand in the 5th District.\nThis is a big win for the 5th District and the country. Thank you, President Trump, for securing this deal.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/national-defense-authorization-act-including-sections-sponsored-congressman", "National Defense Authorization Act including sections sponsored by Congressman Denver Riggleman Passes the House of Representatives", "2019-12-11", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -The House of Representatives passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) conference reportthis evening. Included in this years NDAA are three sections authored by Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) whichwill strengthenAmerica'sArmed Forces. The Fiscal Year 2020 National Defense Authorization Act fulfills one of Congress' most important constitutional duties: to provide for the common defense. This bipartisan, bicameral agreement puts our troops and America's security first by continuing to rebuild our military, positioning our Armed Forces to meet the next wave of threats outlined in the National Defense Strategy, reforming the business side of the Pentagon, and most importantly, caring for our service members and their families.\nPassing the National Defense Authorization Act is one of Congress' most important constitutional duties. It is imperative that Congress pass a bill to support the brave men and women of our Armed Forces and provide them with the resources they need, said Congressman Riggleman. I am especially pleased that three sections I authored were included in the final version of the bill. Those sections will equip our armed forces with the skills they need and deter our enemies' threats.\nCongressman Riggleman's Sections:\nSec. 357. Pilot Program to Train Skilled Technicians in Critical Shipbuilding Skills:\nThis program will help theDepartment of the Navy close the gap in our nation's workforce that threatens our global competitiveness and military capabilities. It will help America modernize its workforce and create a pipeline of new employees who support our security apparatus.\nSec. 1226. Expansion of Availability of Financial Assets of Iran to Victims of Terrorism\nThis bill to help terrorist victims and their families collect financial compensation from the perpetrators of the horrific 1983 terrorist attack at the Marine Barracks in Beirut, Lebanon. 241 American lives were lost.\nSec. 7133. Report and Briefings on Financial Networks and Financial Methods of the Government of North Korea:\nThis section will require congressional oversite on the financial transactions taken by the government of North Korea. By understanding the economic threats we face from North Korea we can prepare to defend ourselves and our allies.\nYou can read the full Conference Report on the National Defense Authorization Act here.\nClick here for a summary of the FY20 NDAA Conference Report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2914", "House Passes Two Wittman Bills: H.R. 1747 and H.R. 3596", "2019-12-10", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) had two pieces of legislation pass the House of Representatives as part of H.R. 729 - a larger package of ten bipartisan bills. The National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act and the Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act work to increase conservation of fish habitat and wetlands, as well as preserve our working waterfronts. Congressman Wittman is committed to getting real results for the First District. This is one of the many ways Congressman Wittman is working across the aisle and preserving our environment for future generations.\r\nHR 1747, the National Fish Habitat Conservation Through Partnerships Act, codifies National Fish Habitat Partnerships, an initiative that aims to achieve measurable habitat conservation results through strategic partnerships that lead to better fish habitat conditions and increased fishing opportunities. Congressman Wittman authored and is the lead sponsor of this legislation.\r\nHealthy waterways and fish populations are absolutely critical to providing clean water and sustainable fisheries, Wittman said. My legislation, HR 1747, included in the package today, will increase transparency, put power back in the hands of stakeholders, and require accountability to ensure taxpayer dollars go further to conserve fish habitat. Modeled after successful programs like the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, this program would utilize locally-driven partnerships  which have proven successful in implementing much needed habitat improvement projects. I want to thank my colleagues for their support of my legislation and hope for its consideration in the Senate soon.\r\nHR 3596, the Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act, would establish a Working Waterfront Grant Program that would provide matching, competitive grants to coastal states. The grants would go toward preserving and expanding access to coastal waters for commercial fishing, recreational guiding, aquaculture, boat building, and other water-dependent businesses. Congressman Wittman is an original cosponsor.\r\n\"Deteriorating waterfronts don't just hurt our economy, they hurt our communities, Wittman said. These waterfronts support businesses, provide access to water, vitalize the economy, and improve quality of life for folks all over the country. Unfortunately, pressure from population growth and development threaten to displace Virginia's many water-dependent industries and the families that have deep cultural ties to the area. The Keep America's Waterfronts Working Act will protect communities along our coasts by supporting maritime industry, protecting vital jobs, and preserving our natural resources. I want to thank Congresswoman Pingree for her partnership on this legislation, I am thrilled to see it pass the House and hope to see it signed into law.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401208", "Griffith Statement on $500,000 in Federal Funding for Trails in Haysi", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Statement on $500,000 in Federal Funding for Trails in Haysi \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Monday,\r\n      December 9, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $500,000 to the Town of Haysi for the Haysi Trails Center Development Project:\r\nOutdoor recreation has the potential to turn Southwest Virginia's great natural splendor into an asset for economic development as well. The grant of $500,000 from the Appalachian Regional Commission for the Haysi Trails Development Project will encourage tourism in Dickenson County and support area businesses. These funds will help draw more visitors to discover all our region has to offer.\r\nBackground\r\nARC's grant funds the Phase 1 renovation of 4,415 square feet of the old Haysi Theater Building into the Haysi Trails Center. The project is expected to attract 500 daytime visitors annually, create three new businesses, and create three new jobs.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401209", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.9.19", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "House Democrats are spending most of their time on the impeachment of President Trump. They soon plan to take a break from that activity, however, to push Speaker Pelosi's unconstitutional and anti-cures drug pricing bill.\r\nReducing prescription drug prices should be a priority for the House of Representatives. It has been for Republicans on the Energy and Commerce Committee, including myself. \r\nWe have worked repeatedly with the Democrats on the committee on legislation that will help with the unacceptably high costs many people pay for their prescriptions. Earlier this year, several bipartisan bills on the issue were advanced out of the committee unanimously. \r\nBefore those bills came to the House floor for a vote, Speaker Pelosi used a backroom maneuver to combine them with highly partisan bills that killed any chance of them becoming law, because the Senate will not pass them. Her actions constituted a roadblock to progress on an issue important to many Americans.\r\nNow Speaker Pelosi is at it again with her drug pricing bill, H.R. 3.\r\nRepublicans in the House have repeatedly shown our interest and ability to work with Democrats in tackling this problem, and President Trump has been a strong advocate for action as well. \r\nBut instead of including us in the process and giving the bill a realistic chance of becoming law, it appears Speaker Pelosi wrote H.R. 3 chiefly to please the far left of the House Democrat caucus.\r\nThe centerpiece of her bill is the imposition of prices by government bureaucrats. Supposedly, the Federal Government will negotiate a maximum drug price. In reality, if a drug manufacturer does not comply with the bureaucrat's price, the government takes by tax up to 95 percent of the manufacturer's gross revenue  in other words, all money made by the sale of those drugs, not just the money made after including the expense of making them.\r\nThat is not negotiation, but coercion.\r\nEarlier this year, I raised the objection in committee on the record that such a provision would violate the Constitution. \r\nThe nonpartisan experts at the Congressional Research Service agree. Having analyzed the bill, they warn that H.R. 3 would violate the Fifth Amendment's takings clause and Eighth Amendment's prohibition of excessive fines. Speaker Pelosi nevertheless has failed to correct this glaring problem.\r\nThe imposition of price controls on drugs will lead to the development of fewer new cures. Democrats have accepted that outcome, but I will not.\r\nBecause we are committed to meaningful, practical reform in drug pricing, House Republicans are introducing H.R. 19, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.\r\nOur bill contains numerous provisions with widespread support that would deliver lower costs without sacrificing new cures. \r\nFor example, it would cap the cost of insulin for seniors in Medicare Part D at $50 a month. \r\nWhen insulin can cost patients thousands of dollars today, it is worth remembering that the discoverer of this life-saving product sold the patent for $1 almost a century ago to make sure it was readily available. The American Diabetes Association has found that more than 25 percent of Americans aged 65 or older have diabetes, so this protection against high insulin prices will bring real relief.\r\nThe Lower Costs, More Cures Act would give more authority to the Food and Drug Administration to approve more products, increasing competition and creating pressure to lower prices.\r\nTransparency in drug pricing is a key piece of drug pricing reform, and the Lower Costs, More Cures Act would bring more transparency into the system. It would implement changes I have long advocated regarding pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), bringing more of their activities into the sunlight.\r\nThe House of Representatives now must consider what it wants out of a drug pricing reform bill. \r\nH.R. 3 may excite the far left, but it has no chance of becoming law, nor should it. Its provisions, even if they withstand judicial scrutiny, would only prevent or delay the delivery of more innovation in the medical sector.\r\nIn contrast, the Lower Costs, More Cures Act contains a list of policies that would benefit the health and economic well-being of Americans using prescription drugs. These policies would correct problems without undermining the strengths our health care system does possess. Most enjoy broad support across the political spectrum and have been introduced as bipartisan bills in the past.\r\nThe choice is clear. The House should reject H.R. 3 and take up the Lower Costs, More Cures Act.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.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"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-citizen-efforts", "Rep. Cline Statement on Citizen Efforts in Defense of the Second Amendment", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement regarding the grassroots efforts of citizens urging elected officials at all levels of government to defend their Second Amendment rights.\n\"I am thrilled to see the groundswell of support across our Commonwealth in support of our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. When Virginia debated whether or not to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788, our representatives insisted that the right to keep and bear arms was one of several essential liberties given to them by their Creator, and through their efforts the Second Amendment was eventually enshrinedin the Constitution aspart of the Bill of Rights. It would be a tragedy if our elected representatives in Richmond were to now seek gun control laws that dismantled the very protections established by their predecessors.\nBoth in Richmond as a Delegate and now in Washington as a Congressman, I have made it a significant priority to stand in defense of our Second Amendment rights. I was proud to chair the Committee on Militia Police and Public Safety in Richmond, where we were undefeated in our efforts to stop gun control measures. As a Member of the House Judiciary Committee in Congress, I stood up against the Democrats' gun control bill earlier this year, successfully adding language that reduced the chances of it passing in the Senate.\nOur God-given liberties cannot be taken away by the actions of men; they can only be suppressed.When Virginians speak loudly and with one voice, the incoming General Assembly in Richmond will hear them. By expressing their First Amendment rights to their local city councils and boards of supervisors, Virginians better ensure their Second Amendment rights will be protected in Richmond next month. I stand with the people of Virginia's Sixth District and I stand with all those who defend our beloved Constitution.\"\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1019", "Rep. Cline Statement on Citizen Efforts in Defense of the Second Amendment", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement regarding the grassroots efforts of citizens urging elected officials at all levels of government to defend their Second Amendment rights.\n\n\"I am thrilled to see the groundswell of support across our Commonwealth in support of our Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. When Virginia debated whether or not to ratify the United States Constitution in 1788, our representatives insisted that the right to keep and bear arms was one of several essential liberties given to them by their Creator, and through their efforts the Second Amendment was eventually enshrined in the Constitution as part of the Bill of Rights. It would be a tragedy if our elected representatives in Richmond were to now seek gun control laws that dismantled the very protections established by their predecessors.\"\n\n\"Both in Richmond as a Delegate and now in Washington as a Congressman, I have made it a significant priority to stand in defense of our Second Amendment rights. I was proud to chair the Committee on Militia Police and Public Safety in Richmond, where we were undefeated in our efforts to stop gun control measures. As a Member of the House Judiciary Committee in Congress, I stood up against the Democrats' gun control bill earlier this year, successfully adding language that reduced the chances of it passing in the Senate.\"\n\n\"Our God-given liberties cannot be taken away by the actions of men; they can only be suppressed. When Virginians speak loudly and with one voice, the incoming General Assembly in Richmond will hear them. By expressing their First Amendment rights to their local city councils and boards of supervisors, Virginians better ensure their Second Amendment rights will be protected in Richmond next month. I stand with the people of Virginia's Sixth District and I stand with all those who defend our beloved Constitution.\"\n\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:45:33Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-and-159-republicans-send-letter-urging-speaker", "Congressman Denver Riggleman and 159 Republicans Send Letter Urging Speaker Pelosi to Hold Vote on USMCA", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman joined a group of 159 Republican lawmakersto send a letter to Speaker Pelosi urging immediate consideration of the United States- Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA).\n\"It is past time to pass the USMCA. Almost a quarter of Virginia's exports go to Mexico and Canada: approximately $4.3 Billion worth per year. The USMCA is vitally important for Virginia and the 5th District. That is why I signed this letter asking Speaker Pelosi to bring it to a vote and pass the USMCA now.\"\nYou can read the letterhere, and a full copy can be found below.\n\n  Dear Speaker Pelosi: The undersigned Republican Members strongly urge you to ensure that the House of Representatives takes up and passes the U.S.-Mexico-Canada (USMCA) trade agreement this year. With just two weeks remaining, the House has so far squandered the first session of the 116th Congress. Rather than working together to pass bipartisan measures that could be signed into law, House Democrats have instead obsessed over a partisan impeachment process of which the sole purpose is to overturn the decision of voters in the 2016 election. The little remaining time has largely been consumed by passing partisan messaging bills that have no chance of enactment, even in the case where common ground could easily have been found. Thankfully, it is not too late for House Democrats to do the right thing. For starters, the House should finally stop dithering on USMCA and pass this critically important trade agreement. Nearly every agriculture group in America has called on Congress to pass USMCA, which significantly improves trade relations with our two largest trading partners that together purchase about one-third of all U.S. agricultural exports. Under USMCA, U.S. agricultural exports alone are expected to increase by more than $2 billion annually, helping to build on the 325,000 American jobs that are already reliant on our nation's exports to Mexico and Canada. Significant new market access for U.S. dairy, chicken, eggs, and turkey producers is expected under the agreement while strides are also made in favor of our wheat farmers. These and other improvements will greatly benefit U.S. farmers and ranchers who are struggling under the weight of a recession that began in late 2014. Expanding U.S. agriculture exports through truly free and fair trade agreements will help put American agriculture back on its feet. Mexico is already our corn growers' number one customer, while Canada and Mexico buy close to half of our pork products. And beef sales to our immediate neighbors are estimated to add about $70 per head to the bottom line of U.S. cattlemen. Under USMCA, the United States has a real opportunity to expand on these successes at a time when U.S. farmers and ranchers and rural America need help the most. USMCA already contains the strongest labor provisions of any trade agreement considered by the U.S. to date, and the Trump Administration has worked diligently and in good faith to address these issues because the President is absolutely focused on ensuring a level playing field for all U.S. workers. Passing USMCA is a chance for the House to chalk up one critically important victory for the American people, and we urge you to seize this opportunity.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-sends-video-message-nelson-county-ahead-board", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Sends Video Message to Nelson County Ahead of Board of Supervisors Meeting", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For Immediate Release:December 9, 2019  Contact:Joe Chelak,joe.chelak@mail.house.gov\nCongressman Denver Riggleman Sends Video Message to Nelson County Ahead of Board of Supervisors Meeting\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tWashington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered a videoaddress this afternoon ahead of the Nelson County Board of Supervisors' vote on its status as a 'Second Amendment Sanctuary' county.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe Nelson County Board of Supervisors will be voting on Tuesday on a resolution declaring that Nelson County support the Constitution and stand against infringements on the Second Amendment.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\"I urge the Board of Supervisors to support this resolution- the Second Amendment is a Constitutional Right for all Americans that should not be infringed,\" said Congressman Riggleman.\"I stand with all those who are exercising their First Amendment right to free speech on this important issue.\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCongressman Riggleman is a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and supports the Second Amendment Sanctuary movement.At this timeclose to half, of the counties in the 5thDistrict have passed resolutions protecting the Second Amendment.Nelson County's Board of Supervisorswill vote tomorrow, December 10th, on the resolution.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tCongressman Riggleman is a resident of Nelson County.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tYou can watch the Congressman's messagehere, anda full transcript of Congressman Riggleman's message can be found below.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \nHello, 5th District.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tToday I have a special message for my home county, Nelson County. The Board of Supervisors will consider a resolution declaring that Nelson County support the Constitution and stand against infringements on the Second Amendment, a so-called Second Amendment Sanctuary Resolution.\nThis movement has spread across the 5th district, where almost half of the counties already have passed such a resolution.\nVirginia has a long history of standing up for the Constitution and protecting our Constitutional rights. By speaking out as concerned citizens, Virginians can make their voices heard again and ensure their second amendment rights will be protected. James Madison, who was the first representative in Congress for this district, knew the importance of the Second amendment.\nI urge the Board of Supervisors to support this resolution- the Second Amendment is a Constitutional Right for all Americans that should not be infringed, and I stand with all those who are exercising their First Amendment right to free speech on this important issue.\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t  \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2913", "Wittman Signs FY20 NDAA Conference Report", "2019-12-09", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01), Ranking Member of the House Armed Services Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee and conferee on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2020 (FY20 NDAA), released this statement on the conference report.\r\nAfter months of negotiation, I am proud to sign a bipartisan conference report today. A bill that started with unreasonable, partisan riders, is now a piece of legislation that I believe does right by our men and women in uniform and provides sound, strong defense policy for the next year. As a conferee, I am extremely happy with the product we signed today as it will give our armed forces the tools and resources they need to deter our adversaries, support our allies, and respond to threats around the globe.\r\nAs the Ranking Member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, I am proud to see several provisions our subcommittee championed in the final report. It includes a national requirement that the United States maintain 11 aircraft carriers, provides funding for the midlife refueling of the USS Harry S. Truman (CVN 75), reauthorizes the Maritime Security Fleet, and supports the Navy's revised plan to procure 10 Virginia-class attack submarines. The FY20 NDAA further commits to rebuilding our fleet to 355 ships by authorizing the construction of three Arleigh Burke-class destroyers, one new frigate, two additional amphibious ships, two fleet oilers, one large unmanned surface vessel, and two medium unmanned service vessels. The conference report also fully funds the critical B-21 Raider bomber program as well as the Columbia-class ballistic missile submarine program. Finally, it includes the creation and authorization of the Cable Ship Security Program - which will allow the United States to pay an annual stipend to U.S. flagged ships to provide immediate assistance should the cables that physically and digitally connect us to the rest of the world be damaged, destroyed, or tampered with by those who wish to do us harm.\r\nOutside the seapower portfolio, the conference report includes several other provisions I support such as a 3.1% pay raise for our servicemembers, the requirement of 12 weeks of paid parental leave for all federal employees, the repeal of the Widows' Tax, and the establishment of the U.S. Space Force in Title 10 as a separate armed service. The report contains important improvements from the House-passed FY20 NDAA; specifically, it provides a topline of $743 billion, a funding level much closer to the DoD's budget request, allows the DoD to deploy low-yield nuclear weapons to close potential deterrence gap, and does not impede border wall construction.\r\nFor 58 years, this piece of bipartisan legislation has been signed into law as it is what is necessary to support our troops and set the defense policy for our nation. I'm glad to see that tradition is continuing and I look forward to voting in favor of the report this week.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401207", "Griffith to Host MOVA Technologies of Pulaski at Event Highlighting Energy and Environmental Innovation", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) will host MOVA Technologies of Pulaski at the Energy and Environment Innovation Showcase in Washington, D.C., on Monday, December 9. The showcase, sponsored by the Republicans of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, will highlight ongoing research and technological development intended to reduce emissions and power economic growth into the future.\r\nInnovation will unlock a cleaner, more prosperous future. I am excited by the possibilities, especially those that may come from Virginia's Ninth Congressional District. MOVA Technologies of Pulaski is testing filtration equipment that could be used by an array of industries to remove pollutants from flue gas streams and recycle them for other uses. This type of creative thinking and design will help us solve the environmental and economic challenges we face, said Congressman Griffith.\r\nWe are excited to introduce the next generation of pollution capture technology that shifts away from simply capturing and storing pollutants. The technology will actually allow the recycling of pollutants which, when separated, are valuable resources that industry and society need, said President and CEO of MOVA Technologies, Steve Critchfield.\r\nBackground\r\nMOVA Technologies, Inc. is testing a multi-emissions filtration system which uses solid sorbents to filter gaseous contaminants and particulate matter such as fly ash and carbon dioxide from flue gas streams, adaptable to any industry and application by selecting the appropriate adsorbent. The technology can be applied to a number of industries including energy generation, cargo ships, manufacturing processes, livestock farm air control systems, or direct carbon capture.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-gives-address-decrying-partisan-impeachment", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Gives Address Decrying Partisan Impeachment Inquiry", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman gave a video address this morning condemning Nancy Pelosi's partisan impeachment inquiry. Congressman Riggleman's address comes after Speaker Pelosi announced this morning that she would instruct the House JudiciaryCommittee to begin drafting articlesof impeachment.\n\"Democrats have been trying to impeach the President since he was first elected in 2016 and will use any means to do so,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"The Democrats delivered their verdict regardless of due process or the facts, and now they are rushing a vote for political expedience.\"\nThe Congressmanhas continued to work for the people of the 5th District, lobbying to pass the United States -Mexico -Canada Agreement. You can watch the Congressman's address here, and a full transcript can be found below.\n\nGood morning, 5th District!\nIn this week's video update, I wanted to tell you we were going to pass the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade agreement that will create 176,000 American jobs and expand Virginia's trade partnerships with Mexico and Canada, but Democrats in Congress are stonewalling the USMCA and dragging the country through a partisan impeachment inquiry.\nAnd breaking this morning: Nancy Pelosi has announced the house will draft articles of impeachment after JUST 1 day of hearings in the Judiciary committee.  The fact Democrats are taking this step after just 1 hearing shows you how partisan this is and how unserious this is. That they have done this after 1 day in judiciary tells me everything I need to know: Democrats are worried about losing their poll-driven political narrative and have realized the American people want no part of their empty impeachment effort. Democrats have been trying to impeach the President since he was first elected in 2016 and will use any means to do so.\nThe Democrats delivered their verdict regardless of due process or the facts, and now they are rushing a vote for political expedience. This does not even meet the 3 criteria for impeachment that Nancy Pelosi herself laid out: The evidence is not compelling, is not overwhelming, and the votes are anything but bipartisan. In my 11 months in Congress, its become apparent to me that Democrats believe the sole purpose of Congress is to investigate a duly-elected American President. It doesn't have to be that way; let's stop with the political theatre and start making common sense laws that will help the American people.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-gives-speech-defending-2nd-amendment", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Gives Speech Defending the 2nd Amendment", "2019-12-05", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman gave a speech on the floor of the House of Representatives this afternoon defending the 2nd Amendment and the citizens coming to its defense.\n\"I am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and I am proud to stand with the people that are speaking up for all of us,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"I support this movement with my whole heart.\"\nCongressman Riggleman's speech comes as counties across the Commonwealth of Virginia become Second Amendment Sanctuaries following proposed legislation fromthe Virginia State Assembly that would limit the ability of Virginians to keep firearms.\nYou can watch Congressman Riggleman'sspeech here, and a full transcript can be found below.\n\n  \n  \n\tThank you Madam Speaker,\n40 Virginia localities have declared themselves Second Amendment Sanctuaries, resolving to support the Constitution and stand against infringements on the Second Amendment.\nAcross my district, thousands of citizens are rallying outside the meetings of their local government to show their strong support for the rights of gun owners.\nVirginia has always been a cradle of constitutional rights. There is no divide between our rural and urban populations, all of us want to defend our rights as citizens of the United States of America.\nI represent the same district that James Madison represented in the 1st Congress. He understood American's rights to bear arms when he wrote it into our Constitution.\nI am a strong supporter of the Second Amendment and I am proud to stand with the people that are speaking up for their constitutional rights and for the commonwealth of Virginia. James Madison would be proud, I know I am.\nThank you and I yield back the balance of my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401206", "Griffith Supports Legislation to Crack Down on Robocalls", "2019-12-04", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Supports Legislation to Crack Down on Robocalls \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Wednesday,\r\n      December 4, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting in support of the TRACED Act:\r\nRobocalls are a great annoyance. Worse, robocalls can swindle people out of their personal information and savings and tie up phone lines needed for legitimate purposes.\r\nThe TRACED Act will help reduce this scourge. It will require phone companies to implement authentication and blocking measures at no cost to consumers while improving enforcement against bad actors. I voted for the TRACED Act so Americans can have control of their phones again.\r\nBackground\r\nThe House of Representatives in July passed the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act, which emerged from the Energy and Commerce Committee on which Griffith serves. The TRACED Act is the product of an agreement to merge the Stopping Bad Robocalls Act and Senate legislation on robocalls.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-gives-speech-house-floor-outlining-efforts-stop", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Gives Speech on House Floor Outlining Efforts to Stop Cartel Violence", "2019-12-04", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman outlined his efforts to stop cartel violence in southern Virginia in a speech this afternoon on the floor of the House of Representatives. Reacting to a recentarticle in the Louisville Courier Journal titled 'Right under your nose': A Mexican cartel turned this rural area into a hidden cocaine hub, Rigglemanspoke about the problem of drug trafficking and how it affects the 5th District. He also listed steps he has taken to address the issue.\n\"I've spoken on this floor about the dangers our rural communities face from illicit drug trafficking and now, in my district,\" said Rep. Riggleman.\"Mexican cartels famous for their extreme violence are tearing local communities to shreds.\"\nCongressman Riggleman has made stopping the surge of cartel violence and drug trafficking, as well as the impact of the opioid epidemic, a top priority of his time inCongress. Congressman Riggleman voted to provide funding to Customs and Border Patrol that will help stop the influx of drugs over our southern border. Heis working to secure a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HITDA) designation for parts of the 5th District that are affected by this crisis. This designation would increase funding for locallaw enforcement andcreate a regional task force to address drugtrafficking and violence. Congressman Riggleman has also done extensive work combatting the opioid crisis in the 5th District as a member of the Freshman Working Group on Addiction.\nYou can watch the Congressman's remarks here, and a full transcript can be found below.\nThank you, Madame or Mr. Speaker:\nRight under your nose: A Mexican cartel turned this rural area into a hidden cocaine hub, reads the headline from over the weekend from our newspaper in southern Virginia. The article goes on to explain how a drug cartel has smuggled super-pure meth, cocaine, heroin, fentanyl, and other drugs through the southern Virginia countryside.I've spoken on this floor about the dangers our rural communities face from illicit drug trafficking and now, in my district, Mexican cartels famous for their extreme violence are tearing local communities to shreds.\nI've taken action:  \n\tI voted to provide funding that will help CBP agents stop drugs at the border. Securing our border cuts the head off the snake of these violent cartels. I've aided local law enforcement and pushed for drug trafficking designations in my district.\nAnd I've worked to fund treatment programs that help those battling addiction. We need to fight back against drug trafficking and take back the communities we call home.\nI yield back my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-questions-federal-reserve-about-fednow-payments", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Questions Federal Reserve about FedNow Payments System", "2019-12-04", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -In a House Financial Services Committee hearing this morning Congressman Denver Riggleman questioned Federal Reserve Vice Chairman Randal Quarles on the veracity of the Federal ReservesFedNow Payments system. Rep. Riggleman asked Chairman Quarles about the need for the new system as compared to private-sector alternatives.\n\"Some of my colleagues have introduced legislation that would dramatically expedite that service, despite the current operational and functional existence of a private market platform,\"asked Congressman Riggleman. \"If Congress arbitrarily, without understanding, required the Fed to move ahead of its own timeline, what would be the effects specifically on consumers and markets?\"\nCongressman Riggleman has been a leader on theFinancial Services Committee as it reviews the Federal Reserves' proposal to create the FedNow faster payments system. Congressman Riggleman published an Op-Ed in American banker which asked the Fed to provide further detail on their system before proceeding.\nYou can watch Congressman Riggleman's questions here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2902", "MEDIA ADVISORY: Wittman to Host Briefing on VA Facilities Coming to FXBG", "2019-12-03", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FREDERICKSBURG  On December 13, 2019, Congressman Rob Wittman will host a Veterans Administration (VA) Fredericksburg Medical Facilities Briefing at VFW Post 3103 in Fredericksburg to provide clarification and a timeline for any and all clinics/facilities coming to the area.\r\nThe VA has announced it is accepting lease proposals for a VA facility to be built in the Fredericksburg area. In FY2017, the Republican-led Congress authorized the largest lease procurement the VA has ever undertaken  this clinic is one of the 29 authorized projects. The lease prospectus issued by the VA calls for a building with a maximum 426,722 square feet of space. The facility will be a replacement for the two area community-based outpatient clinics, which offer primary care services to local veterans.\r\nCongressman Wittman has been extremely engaged in ensuring this project has continued to move forward, however he feels there must be more transparency and public information for area veterans. Therefore, he is holding this briefing to allow local residents and officials to learn more about the VA's plan to provide medical care for area veterans.\r\nParticipants will include Congressman Wittman, Mid-Atlantic Healthcare Network (VISN 6) Director DeAnne Seekins, and several other representatives from the VA. Following the briefing, the floor will open up for questions from attendees and press. The entire event is on the record and will be streamed live on Congressman Wittman's Facebook Page. Press planning to attend should RSVP to Kathleen Gayle at Kathleen.Gayle@mail.house.gov.\r\nWHAT: Veterans Administration (VA) Fredericksburg Medical Facilities Briefing\r\nWHEN: Friday, December 13, 2019 at 10AM \r\nWHERE: VFW Post 3103, Fredericksburg, VA \r\nPRESS RSVP: Kathleen Gayle at Kathleen.Gayle@mail.house.gov", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401204", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.2.19", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. It has to be fought for and defended by each generation.\"\r\nThese words of President Ronald Reagan come to mind when I observe events in Hong Kong today. The people of that territory in East Asia, which came under the sovereignty of China less than a generation ago, are now fighting to keep alive the freedom they have known.\r\nHong Kong possesses a unique status in China, rooted in its history. \r\nIn 1842, the British Empire formally took control of the island of Hong Kong. Parts of the surrounding territory came into its possession as well through the nineteenth century. Some of these areas, the New Territories, were leased from China for a 99-year period under an agreement ratified in 1898.\r\nDuring the period of British rule, Hong Kong blossomed as an important port and financial center. Further, it was governed by Western-style institutions and practices, giving it an identity distinct from mainland China. \r\nRefugees often flocked to the area, especially residents of China fleeing Japanese invaders in the 1930s and the Chinese civil war between Nationalists and Communists following World War II.\r\nIn the 1980s, nearing the end of the 99-year lease for the New Territories, the British and Chinese governments negotiated the cession of Hong Kong in its entirety back to China. The Joint Declaration they signed in 1984 established the model of one country, two systems. \r\nWhile China would exercise sovereignty over the territory beginning in 1997, Hong Kong would retain considerable autonomy over its laws as well as its free market system. It would have its own judiciary and legal system. \r\nEssentially, Hong Kong would be able to keep the things that had made it thrive.\r\nMany hoped that the incorporation of a prosperous, free area into China and letting it keep its rules would provide an example for that country. The Communist mainland could see the benefits that Hong Kong enjoyed thanks to its government and market economy.\r\nMargaret Thatcher, the British prime minister who had negotiated the Joint Declaration, expressed this view as her country prepared to turn over Hong Kong to China: \r\nChinese people will come to Hong Kong, they'll see and they'll say why is it different, and what is the difference? It is the same people, the same talents, but here there is a rule of law founded on the belief that each and every person matters in personal lives.\r\nUnfortunately, in the years since China assumed control over Hong Kong, that hope has not been realized. \r\nInstead, China's Communist oligarchic rulers have sought to bring the territory more thoroughly under their thumb.\r\nEarlier this year, a bill was introduced in Hong Kong's legislative body to permit extradition to mainland China. It would encroach on Hong Kong's independence, potentially allowing China to target political dissidents and deprive residents of the rights they enjoy. \r\nThousands of people took to the streets in protest. The object of their movement grew beyond the specifics of the extradition bill. They were standing up for their rights.\r\nChina responded by cracking down on the protestors, with police using tear gas and rubber bullets, and even live ammunition on a few occasions. It threatens to acquire the political domination over Hong Kong it wants by force.\r\nThe history of Communist rule in China suggests this is no idle threat. \r\nThe Communist oligarchs invaded Tibet in 1950 and brutally put down an uprising there in 1959. Their suppression of the pro-democracy protests in TiananmenSquare in 1989 shocked the world; the number of people they killed has never been established for sure. In our time, they detain individuals of the Uighur ethnic minority in concentration camps.\r\nThe people of Hong Kong deserve America's support as they stand up for democracy. When the U.S. House of Representatives recently passed the Hong Kong Human Rights and Democracy Act of 2019, which would hold China accountable for its actions, I voted for it. President Trump signed the bill into law on November 27.\r\nFrom our own experience, we know the value of the timeless principles of liberty. Hong Kong knows this, too, and we should stand with them in their contest for freedom.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401205", "Griffith Announces $2,282,418 in Federal Grants for Head Start and Early Head Start", "2019-12-02", "2019", "2019-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $2,282,418 in Federal Grants for Head Start and Early Head Start \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Monday,\r\n      December 2, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement announcing that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has awarded $2,282,418 to People Incorporated of Virginia, based in Abingdon, for the Head Start and Early Head Start Program:\r\nEarly childhood well-being is important to the development of children. The $2,282,418 in grant money allocated to People Incorporated of Virginia for Head Start and Early Head Start will provide more resources to families and children. These funds will greatly advance the ability of Head Start to help families and children in Southwest Virginia flourish.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-gives-update-purple-star-families-bill-impeachment", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Gives Update on Purple Star Families Bill, Impeachment", "2019-11-26", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman gave a video updatelast week to communicate with his constituents and provided updates on legislation. Congressman Riggleman discussed the Purple Star Families Act, the impeachment inquiry, and the continuing resolution on government funding.\n\"I introduced a very exciting and important bill that designates a week in September as, 'Purple Star Families Week'. This bill recognizes the families of veterans who have succumbed to the invisible wounds of war and have taken their own life,\" said Rep. Riggleman. \"This designation will reconnect these veterans families' to the military community and uplift the bravery of their veteran, who is deserving of this honor. This issue is one that is close to my heart- my family has been affected by this.\"\nYou can watch the video addresshere, and a full transcript can be found below.\nHello 5th district,\nThis week has been a very busy week on Capitol Hill. Just today, I introduced a very exciting and important bill that designates a week in September as, Purple Star Families Week. This bill recognizes the families of veterans who have succumbed to the invisible wounds of war and have taken their own life. This designation will reconnect these veterans families' to the military community and uplift the bravery of their veteran, who is deserving of this honor. This issue is one that is close to my heart- my family has been affected by this.\nThe House Intelligence Committee held a series of hearings on potentially impeaching President Trump. I am not on the intelligence committee, so could not ask questions in the hearings but have been monitoring them closely. What is clear to me is that Democrats have delivered their verdict before allowing a fair trial. They are pursuing a focus-group recommended bribery inquiry designed to appeal to voters in swing districts, not justice or the rule of law. If that isn't blatantly political, I don't know what is. I will continue to monitor the hearings, but I do not believe President Trump to have committed an impeachable offense.\nThe House also voted on a Continuing Resolution to fund the government for the next 4 weeks. I voted against this measure, which does nothing to address our growing national debt and kicks the can down the road towards another government funding fight. It's time to stop wasting time and money on the impeachment efforts and instead focus on delivering results for the American people.\nThank you very much, and have a great weekend.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riggleman-introduces-bill-honor-veteran-families-bring-attention", "Congressman Riggleman Introduces Bill to Honor Veteran Families, Bring Attention to Veteran Suicide", "2019-11-26", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.Today, Congressman Denver Riggleman (VA-05) introduced the bipartisan H.Res.734,which designates the week of September 20-26, 2020 as Purple Star Families Week. Purple Star families have lost a family member to veteran suicide.This resolution honors those families andreunites themwith the veteran community.\nThis bill recognizes the families of veterans who have losta loved oneto the tragedy of veteran suicide, said Rep. Riggleman.This designation will reconnect these veterans' families to the military community and uplift the bravery of their veteran who is deserving of honor.\nThe Purple Star Families Week will be part of the National Suicide Prevention Month, which occurs every September. This bipartisan resolution has over 40 cosponsors including Minority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA).\nEvery loss of a veteran or service member to suicide is a tragedy, for our nation and for every family who suffers in the aftermath,\" said Whip Scalise.\"We must recognize the rate of veteran and service member suicide for what it is: an epidemic. And we must, above all, support our Purple Star Families through the pain of their loss, help maintain their ties to the military community, and honor their sacrifice. I am proud to be an original cosponsor of the Purple Star Families Week Act, and urge my colleagues to act upon this legislation immediately.\nThe battles veterans face while deployed do not always end when they return home. We need to do more to support our heroes struggling with mental health issues,\" saidRep. Steil.\"Congress must continue bringing attention to veteran suicide and the sacrifices military families make. Purple Star families are an important part of the veteran community. I am proud to support them.\nIt's important we recognize and address the issues our bereaved families face from the loss of a military loved one,\" said Rep. Baird.\"This resolution will make a difference in supporting those impacted by these tragedies.\nJust as we've long honored the families of service members killed in action, we should similarly honor the families of those who succumbed to the weight of war after they've returned from the battlefield,\" said Rep.Dan Crenshaw. \"Veteran suicide is an issue we cannot ignore. By recognizing and honoring the families of veterans lost by suicide, we can empower them to share their stories and reassure them that they are not alone  that America will never forget what they and their veteran loved one have sacrificed.\nOriginal Cosponsors of the resolution are:\n \nRep. Steve Scalise (R-LA)\n\tRep. Rob Wittman (R-VA)\n\tRep. Mark Meadows (R-NC)\n\tRep. Greg Walden (R-OR)\n\tRep. Brian Mast (R-FL)\n\tRep. Morgan Griffith (R-VA)\n\tRep. Bill Flores (R-TX)\n\tRep. Greg Murphy (R-NC)\n\tRep. Harold Rodgers (KY)\n\tRep. Steve Chabot (R-OH)\n\tRep. Robert Latta (R-OH)\n\tRep. Billy Long (R-MO)\n\tRep. Anthony Gonzalez (R-OH)\n\tRep. Jody Arrington (R-TX)\n\tRep. Ben Cline (R-VA)\n\tRep. Tim Burchett (R-TN)\n\tRep. Trent Kelly (R-MS)\n\tRep. David P. Joyce (R-OH)\n\tRep. David Trone (D-MD)\n\tRep. Daniel Webster (R-FL)\n\tRep. Troy Balderson (R-OH)\n\tRep. Michael Cloud (R-TX)\n\tRep. Andy Biggs (R-AZ)\n\tRep. John Joyce, M.D. (R-PA)\n\tRep. Dan Newhouse (R-WA)\n\tRep. Bryan Steil (R-WI)\n\tRep. Van Taylor (R-TX)\n\tRep. Max Rose (D-NY)\n\tRep. Jim Banks (R-IN)\n\tRep. Rodger Williams (R-TX)\n\tRep. Brian Fitzpatrick (R-PA)\n\tRep. Mark Walker (R-NC)\n\tRep. Stephanie Murphy (D-FL)\n\tRep. Randy K. Weber (R-TX)\n\tRep. Michael Waltz (R-FL)\n\tRep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI)\n\tRep. Greg Pence (R-IN)\n\tRep. Dan Crenshaw (R-TX)\n\tRep. Jackie Walorski (R-IN)\n\tRep. Greg Steube (R-FL)\n\tRep. Susie Lee (D-NV)\n\tRep. James Baird (R-IN)\n\tRep. Elaine Luria (D-VA)\n\tRep. David Kustoff (R-TN)\n\tRep. Kevin Hern (R-OK)\n\tRep. Abigail Spanburger (D-VA)\n\tRep. Thomas Massie (R-KY)\n\tRep. Bill Johnson (R-OH)\n\tRep. Guy Reshenthaler (R-PA)", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401203", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.25.19", "2019-11-25", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The year 2019 has been one of commemoration in Virginia. It marks 400 years since several events that unmistakably shaped the future of our Commonwealth and our country: the arrival of women, slavery, and representative government.\r\nSome were accomplishments in which we should take great pride, such as the institution of the Virginia House of Burgesses and thus representative government in the New World; others inflicted sorrow and pain, such as the introduction of slavery.\r\nAs families gather to celebrate Thanksgiving in 2019, as we do on the fourth Thursday of each November, it may be appropriate to ponder another Virginia milestone: 400 years since the first American Thanksgiving.\r\nMost Americans recall the story of the Pilgrims who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower in 1620 and arrived in what is now Massachusetts  although their original destination was Virginia. After a difficult year establishing Plymouth Colony, they held a Thanksgiving feast with the Native Americans who had been indispensable to the colony's survival.\r\nWithout doubt, the Thanksgiving in Plymouth was an important event in American history. It simply wasn't the first Thanksgiving.\r\nA year before the Pilgrims departed for North America, a group of 35 settlers and their leader, Captain John Woodlief, set sail from England for the New World aboard a ship named the Margaret. They were bound for land in Virginia along the James River. This settlement would be known as Berkeley Hundred.\r\nThe Margaret departed Bristol, England, on September 16, 1619. The 35-foot long ship took more than two months to cross the Atlantic, but its navigators, unlike the Mayflower's, were accurate and arrived at the desired destination. It finally arrived in Chesapeake Bay on November 28. After lingering in that area for a few days, weathering a fierce storm, the Margaret arrived at Berkeley Hundred on December 4.\r\nWhen the settlers disembarked, they knelt and Captain Woodlief prayed, offering words that had actually been provided by the Berkeley Company which funded the settlement: We ordaine that this day of our ships arrival, at the place assigned for plantacon, in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of Thanksgiving to Almighty God.\r\nUnlike the Thanksgiving at Plymouth in 1621, there was no feast that year. Thanksgiving was celebrated the next year with the original and additional settlers. The idea that we should set aside time for an expression of gratitude for our blessings became an American ritual.\r\nThe Berkeley settlement only lasted a few years, not surviving a conflict with local Native Americans, and so its first Thanksgiving disappeared from the history books.\r\nIn 1931, William & Mary's former president (and son of John Tyler, the ninth president of the United States under the Constitution) Dr. Leon Tyler uncovered records of the first Thanksgiving. It entered our historical memory, but still lingers in the shadow of Plymouth.\r\nAfter President John F. Kennedy issued his Thanksgiving proclamation in 1962 and said Plymouth was the site of the first, a former Virginia state senator named John J. Wicker Jr. (D-Richmond) contacted the White House to complain. Sure enough, in the next year's proclamation, President Kennedy included Virginia as well as Massachusetts, his home state.\r\nMuch has changed since that first gathering at Berkeley Hundred. Those settlers offered thanks for crossing an ocean and arriving in a wilderness far from home. Today, most of us enjoy Thanksgiving surrounded by family in our home or that of a relative. The feast has become a centerpiece when Berkeley Hundred's Thanksgiving was primarily a religious observance.\r\nNevertheless, in our yearly observance, we are still connected to that first Thanksgiving. Among the things we can be thankful for is the spirit that filled the early settlers in Virginia and in Massachusetts  their daring in leaving their homes, their persistence in enduring the hardships of life in the early settlements, and their foresight in establishing the institutions and customs that would build our great country.\r\nSo as we have done in Virginia for 400 years, on this Thanksgiving, let us take stock of our blessings and together offer our gratitude for them to God.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-joins-congressman-michael-waltz-and-bipartisan", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Joins Congressman Michael Waltz and a Bipartisan Group of Veterans to Clean Korean Veterans War Memorial", "2019-11-25", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -On Thursdaymorning, Congressman Denver Riggleman joined Rep. Michael Waltz and a bipartisan group of U.S. Representatives and veterans to clean and preservethe Korean War VeteransMemorial as a show of respect for fallen Korean War soldiers and veterans.The otherlawmakers who attended today's cleaning were:Rep. Jimmy Panetta (D-CA), Rep. Van Taylor (R-TX),Rep. Connor Lamb (D-PA), Rep. Ralph Abraham (R-LA), Rep. Michael Bost (R-IL), and Rep. Michael Waltz (R-FL).\nWe are in debt to the brave men and women who served our country in the Korean War and I am grateful for the opportunity to join my colleagues in this act of servant leadership, said Rep. Riggleman. As an Air Force Veteran, I honor the service of those who served in Korea.Let us never forget their sacrifice.  \nThe Korean War Memorial is made up of 19 stainless steel statues representing a cross section of Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines, a mural wall, a United Nations Wall, and a pool of remembrance. The statues stand in patches of juniper bushes crossed with slabs of granite to symbolize the rice paddies of Korea.They honor the more than 54,000 American soldiers wholost their lives during the Korean War.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401202", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for December", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith's Ninth DistrictSTAFFwill be available at the following locations during the month ofDecember. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk.If a County's or City's schools are closed, then its office hours will be closed as well. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to schedule an appointment time in the event of office hour closure.\r\nDecember 10, 2019\r\nCraig County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCraig County Administration Bldg.  \r\n108 Court Street  \r\nNew Castle, VA 24127\r\nAlleghany County: 12:00 pm  1:30 pm\r\nClifton Forge Library  \r\nConference Room  \r\n535 Church Street  \r\nClifton Forge, VA 24422\r\nRoanoke County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nHollins Public Library  \r\n6624 Peters Creek Road  \r\nRoanoke, VA 24019\r\nDecember 11, 2019\r\nScott County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCommunity Services Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n190 Beech Street  \r\nGate City, VA 24251\r\nLee County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nLee County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n33640 Main Street  Suite U101  \r\nJonesville, VA 24263\r\nWise County: 3:15 pm  4:45 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Ave. E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nDecember 12, 2019\r\nGiles County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nTown of Pearisburg Offices  \r\n112 Tazewell Street  \r\nPearisburg, VA 24134\r\nSmyth County: 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown Council Chambers  \r\n138 West Main Street  \r\nMarion, VA 24354\r\nRadford: 12:30 pm  2:00 pm\r\nRadford Public Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n30 West Main Street  \r\nRadford, VA 24141\r\nWythe County: 1:30 pm  3:00 pm\r\nWythe County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n245 South 4th Street  \r\nWytheville, VA 24382\r\nPulaski County (Dublin): 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nTown of Dublin Office  \r\n101 Dublin Park Road  \r\nDublin, VA 24084\r\nDecember 13, 2019\r\nFloyd County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nTown of Floyd Offices  \r\n134 Wilson St SE  \r\nFloyd, VA 24091\r\nPatrick County: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nPatrick County Administration Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n106 Rucker Street  \r\nStuart, VA 24171\r\nMartinsville: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nCity of Martinsville Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room #32, Lower Level  \r\n55 W. Church Street  \r\nMartinsville, VA 24112\r\nDecember 16, 2019\r\nNorton: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCity Council Chambers  \r\n618 Virginia Ave NW  \r\nNorton, VA 24273\r\nWise County: 11:00 am  12:30 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Ave. E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nDickenson County: 2:30 pm  4:30 pm\r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research  \r\n818 Happy Valley Drive  \r\nClintwood, VA 24228\r\nDecember 17, 2019\r\nTazewell County (Richlands): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Richlands Offices  \r\n200 Washington Square  \r\nRichlands, VA 24641\r\nBuchanan County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nTown of Grundy Offices  \r\n1185 Plaza Dr.  \r\nGrundy, VA 24614\r\nDecember 18, 2019\r\nCarroll County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCarroll County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n605  1 Pine Street  \r\nHillsville, VA 24343\r\nGalax: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nGalax Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n111 E. Grayson St.  \r\nGalax, VA 24333\r\nGrayson County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nGrayson County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\nSuite 206  \r\n129 Davis Street  \r\nIndependence, VA 24348\r\nDecember 19, 2019\r\nTazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nAmerican Legion Building  \r\n226 Central Avenue  \r\nTazewell, VA 24651\r\nRussell County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center  \r\n141 Highland Drive  \r\nLebanon, VA 24266\r\nDecember 20, 2019\r\nTazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Bluefield  Council Chambers  \r\n112 Huffard Drive  \r\nBluefield, VA 24605\r\nBland County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nBland County Courthouse  \r\nAdmin. Office Room 200  \r\n612 Main Street  \r\nBland, VA 24315\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"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-joins-bipartisan-call-major-league-baseball-mlb", "Congressman Denver Riggleman joins bipartisan Call for Major League Baseball (MLB) to Abandon Harmful Reorganization Effort Affecting the Danville Braves", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman joined a bipartisan effort with 105 other members of Congress to send a letterto Major League Baseball (MLB) asking them to reevaluate their decision to end contracts with Minor League Baseball teams in cities around the country including Danville, Virginia.\n\"I have signed on to the letter asking MLB to reconsider their proposal to cut minor league teams including in Danville,\" said Congressman Riggleman.\"I supportof the positive impact the Danville Braves have had in the community and will continue to stand up for Danville.\"\nRecently, The New York Times reported that Major League Baseball was considering a restructuring of Professional Baseball Agreement (PBA) which is set to expire in 2020. This restructuring would mean the elimination of 42 Minor League Baseball Teams (MiLB) including the Danville Braves.\nYou can read the letter that Congressman Riggleman signedhere.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-signs-letter-protect-americans-personal", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Signs Letter to Protect Americans' Personal Information from Disclosure in Democrats' Impeachment Probe", "2019-11-22", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Denver Riggleman andthe House Financial Services Committee sent aletterto Chairwoman Maxine Waters (D-CA) expressing concern with the process by which documents,containing private American citizens' personal financial information,may be transmitted to the House Judiciary Committee as part of the ongoing impeachment investigation. These documents were obtained through subpoenas issued by Chairwoman Waters for President Trump's financial records to advance her long-standing interest in impeaching the President. However, none of the documents received to date are related to the President or his financial records.\nThe Chair issued these subpoenas under the pretext of an investigation into financial industry compliance with banking statutes and regulations. However, Republicans remind the Chair that the committee advanced and, in October, the House passed the first major reform of the Bank Secrecy Act and anti-money laundering regulations since 2001 without asingle mentionof the records obtained by the Chair.\nThese broad subpoenas issued to Deutsche Bank and Capital One, among others, covered records related to the President and his family, including records of financial transactions related to the President's 13-year-old son and ten grandchildren, the youngest of whom is three months old.\nIn addition to these invasive subpoenas, the Chair has obtained highly sensitive records from the Financial Crimes Enforcement Network (FinCEN). However, some of these records were requested and provided based on mistaken identities, meaning,the Committee now has in its possession private American citizens' personal financial records simply because they happen to share a surname with members of the President's family.\nAs one of the six investigating committees instructed to transfer records to the Judiciary Committee by Democrats' H. Res. 660, Congressman Riggleman is alarmed by the prospect that these private citizens' sensitive information could now be furnished to the Judiciary Committee and subsequently released.That is why hesigned the letter to the Chairwomanraising concerns and urging her to consult the Republican members of the committee before turning over these documents and potentially endangering American citizens' most personal and highly sensitive information.\nYou can read the full letter signed by Congressman Riggleman and the Republican members of the House Financial Services Committee here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401201", "Griffith Supports Efforts to Improve Maternal Health, Expand Broadband as They Advance Out of Energy and Commerce Committee", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the House Energy and Commerce Committee passed bills to support maternal health care and expand broadband coverage:\r\nThis week, the Energy and Commerce Committee advanced several bills that have the potential to make a positive impact on residents of Virginia's Ninth Congressional District. They seek to address some of the unique challenges faced by rural and isolated areas, including poorer health outcomes for new mothers and lack of access to broadband. I was pleased to work on a bipartisan basis with my colleagues to move forward on these priorities, and I will continue to advocate for them to become law.\r\nBackground\r\nThe bills advanced by the Energy and Commerce Committee include:\r\nH.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, combines two bipartisan bills. The Rural MOMS Act provides funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish rural obstetric networks to improve outcomes in birth and maternal mortality. The Excellence in Maternal Health Act authorizes grants to develop and promote best practices, support training, and operate evidence-based programs in the delivery of health care services to pregnant and postpartum women;\r\nH.R. 4996, the Helping MOMS Act, would improve coverage for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP) by giving states the option of covering these women for a year instead of 60 days;\r\nH.R.4227, the Mapping Accuracy Promotes Services Act, would prohibit the submission to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) of broadband internet access service coverage information or data for the purposes of compiling an inaccurate broadband coverage map; and\r\nH.R. 4229, the Broadband Deployment Accuracy and Technological Availability Act (Broadband DATA) Act, would require the FCC to issue rules relating to the collection of data with respect to the availability of broadband services.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2892", "Wittman, Thompson Bill to Extend North American Wetlands Conservation Act Passes the House", "2019-11-21", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Yesterday, Rep. Rob Wittman (VA-01) and Rep. Mike Thompson (CA-05) announced that their bill H.R. 925, the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act (NAWCA) has passed the House and is ready for consideration in the Senate. This bipartisan bill authorizes $60 million each year for habitat restoration and conservation projects nation-wide.\r\nI am thrilled to see the North American Wetlands Conservation Extension Act pass the House. Washington should be doing more to identify those federal programs, like NAWCA, that have proven to be successful, said Wittman. The North American Wetlands Conservation Act works to reduce wetlands disappearance and conserve migratory bird habitat; protecting, restoring, and managing wetland habitats is important, and it is critical that we invest efficiently to conserve these areas for the use and enjoyment of future generations.\r\nAcross our nation, wetlands are home to some of our most beautiful open spaces and an incredible variety of species and it's critical to preserve these habitats. That's why today I was proud to see the House pass my bill to reauthorize the North American Wetlands Conservation Act, a bill to conserve our wetlands, which will in turn safeguard our water supplies and protect against flooding, said Thompson. We know that NAWCA investments work  over the past 30 years, $1.6 billion in Federal funding has been matched three to one. This investment has conserved nearly 30 million acres, which is a tremendous ecological and economic benefit for everyone. I will continue fighting to ensure this bill passes the Senate and becomes law.\r\nThe North American Wetlands Conservation Act works to reduce wetlands disappearance by leveraging federal investment to raise contributions from private organizations, landowners, businesses, and state and local governments that support conservation grants. Lands protected under NAWCA offer hunting, fishing, farming and other economic and recreational opportunities in which over 100 million Americans participated and spent over $150 billion in 2016 alone. You can click here to learn more about the bill and click here to watch Thompson's remarks before House passage of the bill.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401200", "Griffith Announces $154,600 Federal Grant for Telemedicine", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded $154,600 to the Appalachian Agency for Senior Citizens, Inc., of Cedar Bluff for telemedicine services:\r\nTelemedicine bridges the gap between health care providers and patients, a valuable service in remote areas and for individuals with difficulty traveling. USDA Rural Development's $154,600 grant for telemedicine services for low-income elderly and disabled individuals will help provide more care to these patients and improve their quality of life.\r\nBackground\r\nThis grant through Rural Development's Distance Learning and Telemedicine Grants program will benefit 25,000 residents across Dickenson, Buchanan, Russell, and Tazewell Counties. \r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-delivers-speech-defending-capitalism", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Delivers Speech Defending Capitalism", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered a speechon the floor of the House of Representatives todaydefending capitalism and standing up for small business owners. The speech followed a House Financial Services Committee hearing in which members discussed the role of private equity and its impact on the American economy.\n\"As a small business owner who benefitted from private equity when growing my business,\" said Congressman Riggleman.\"I know the value of these type of organizations that provide support, and really give a way forward for companies trying to grow.\"\nRiggleman referenced H.R. 3848, a bill introduced by Rep. Mark Pocan (D-WI) as a companion piece to Sen. Elizabeth Warren's bill. The bill would add regulatory cost to business owners.\nAreportpublished by the U.S. Chamber of Commercefound that in a modest-case scenario,H.R.3848 would cost the U.S. approximately 6 million jobs and lead to $109 billion per year in lower tax revenue.\nYou can watch Congressman Riggleman's speechhere, and a full transcript can be found below.\nThank you madam speaker,\nI rise today to speak in favor of the American Dream. In favor of the bedrock of what has made America: capitalism.\nYesterday while every cable news channel was transfixed by the intelligence committee, the financial services committee was discussing a bill that strikes at the heart of American capitalism. H.R.3848, the companion legislation to Elizabeth Warren's Stop Wall Street Looting Act, would add regulatory costs and harm job creators.\nIt has a pithy title that is unfortunately misleading in purpose. I prefer to call it the Stop Entrepreneurship act. This bill would curb private investments in main street companies which would kill jobs, stifle innovation, harm consumers, and strike a major blow to the hallmark of capitalism. According to the US Chamber of Commerce, even a modest scenario would result in a loss of 6.2 million to 22.3 million jobs across the country.\nAs a small business owner who benefitted from private equity when growing my business, I know the value of these type of organizations that provide support, and really give a way forward for companies trying to grow. I yield back my time.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2890", "Wittman, Luria Intro Resolution for Coastal Resiliency", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Yesterday, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) introduced, along with Virginia colleague Rep. Elaine Luria (VA-02), a resolution designating the National Center of Excellence for research in coastal flooding and recurrent flooding, a partnership among Old Dominion University and William & Mary, including the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the Virginia Coastal Policy Center at William & Mary Law School. This designation allows these institutions to be viewed as sources for expert advice and guidance for Federal agencies engaged in coastal flooding research and education issues and projects.\r\nHampton Roads and Coastal Virginia currently face challenges associated with rising sea levels and a sinking coastal plain  leading to costly and impactful repetitive flooding, said Wittman. As Virginia is the east coast epicenter of military activity, I want to make sure our Department of Defense and Virginia installations have the tools they need to complete their mission in the face of coastal flooding. Designating these research institutions as Centers of Excellence will allow for ongoing studies and collaborations to model recurrent flooding and sea level rise and to examine options for enhancing mission resiliency at impacted military installations and protecting coastal communities.\r\nIn Hampton Roads, rising sea levels and recurrent flooding are a direct threat to military readiness, our environment, and infrastructure, said Luria. I am pleased to join Congressman Wittman on a bipartisan effort that would better equip local universities with the tools needed to analyze coastal flooding. Efforts like these will allow us to plan for the future and adapt to the challenges that recurrent flooding brings to our community.\r\n\"William & Mary is grateful to Representatives Wittman and Luria for their support in tackling such an urgent issue for our region, the Commonwealth and our national defense, said W&M President Katherine A. Rowe. We are proud to be part of such a strong regional collaboration and we are eager to expand our work with researchers at Old Dominion University to ensure flood-prone areas continue to thrive.\"\r\nThis resolution recognizes the essential role Old Dominion and our partners at William & Maryand VIMS play in driving forward practical application of our coastal resilience research, education, and engagement around coastal flooding making our community and military stronger said JohnR.Broderick, President of Old Dominion University. We appreciate the hard work of Representatives Wittman and Luria to showcaseour joint efforts inbuildinggreater resiliencefor allour communities.\r\nAs a condition of designation as a National Center of Excellence, the public college or university must agree to collaborate on Federal flood-related issues with federal agencies such as the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), and the Department of Agriculture (USDA) on best practices on regional, state, and locally specific flooding and flood related issues. The Administrator of NOAA will submit an annual report to Congress and the President detailing the findings and applicable information from the National Centers of Excellence, and make the report available to the public in an easily accessible electronic format on the NOAA website.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2891", "Wittman to Chair Suburban Caucus Task Force on Transportation", "2019-11-20", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Wittman (VA-01) joined U.S. Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), French Hill (R-AR), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), and Steve Stivers (R-OH), fellow members of the House Suburban Caucus, to announce the Suburban Caucus's Task Force Chairs.Congressman Wittman will chair the Task Force on Better Transportation for our Future. The Suburban Caucus will be rolling out a member-driven agenda that will improve quality of life in suburban areas across America.\r\nSuburban areas across the country are expanding and it is critical that Congress respond to their unique issues, Wittman said. My Task Force on Better Infrastructure for our Future will be addressing some of the issues that are most important to suburban Americans: less congestion on major commuter roads, reliable passenger rail, and safer, more efficient transportation solutions; as well ensuring all have access to quality high speed internet. We will be laser focused on forward-thinking policy solutions that solve the day-to-day challenges facing America's suburban families.\r\nA full recording of the press conference can be found here. The Members also came together to pen an editorial on the Suburban Caucus that is available here.\r\nRep. Ann Wagner, Chair, Suburban Caucus  This is a historic opportunity to bring together members with a common desire to fight for suburban families. My colleagues and I have come together to help our next generation thrive and solve the issues that hold American ingenuity back and prevent prosperity from taking root.There are unique challenges facing suburban Americans and the Suburban Caucus will provide conservative solutions to kitchen table issues like child and dependent care, protecting patients with preexisting conditions, and making it easier to save for retirement. We are dedicated to passing a Suburban Agenda that helps our children and grandchildren experience an America that will help them succeed, innovate, and become leaders in their own right.\r\nRep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, Chair, Task Force on Work-Life Balance  In the city of Spokane, we have a lot to celebrate. In the past five years, Spokane's median household income has grown by $14,700. Between 2017-2018, median household income grew by 16%. This is positive news, and our mission on the Suburban Caucus is to make sure our suburbs aren't left behind in this story. With more peoplefrom all walks of lifemoving to suburban communities, we will be advancing policies aimed at improving their lives. As the Left lurches toward socialism with policies that will raise costs on middle-income families, this caucus will be a critical platform for our members to share a strong policy contrast to win the hearts and minds of more Americans.\r\nRep. French Hill, Chair, Task Force on Preparing our Families for the Future  When you empower families, you empower their communities and the larger society as a whole. That is why I am honored to serve as the Chair of the House Suburban Caucus Task Force on Preparing Our Families for the Future. This Task Force will focus on enabling suburban families to attain and sustain a higher quality of life through greater financial independence and security through the increased engagement and application of lifelong learning.\r\nRep. Jackie Walorski, Chair, Task Force on Safety and Stability  The Suburban Caucus will focus on diverse issues that impact the daily lives of everyday Americans, like keeping our children safe, combating the opioid epidemic, and staying in the workforce. I want to thank Congresswoman Ann Wagner for her leadership and my fellow task force chairs for their hard work to bring this initiative to life. As I lead the Task Force on Safety and Stability, I will remain committed to using data and evidence to find innovative solutions that will really work in communities across the country.\r\nRep. Steve Stivers, Chair, Task Force on Promises Made, Commitments Earned  Our fundamental role in Congress is to support the families in our districts to the best of our abilities. The Suburban Caucus will do just that: work to continually foster the thriving business environment that has led to the boom of suburban neighborhoods in Central Ohio, and across the country, all while offering conservative solutions to the problems facing all Americans, including rising health care costs, a student debt crisis, and crumbling infrastructure. I am proud to lead the task force on veterans and health care, to ensure veterans receive the care they have earned and all Americans prosper from real health care solutions.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-stands-free-market-principles-and-rights-small", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Stands Up for Free Market Principles and the Rights of Small Business Owners", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. - Congressman Denver Rigglemanspoke in defense of free market capitalismina House Financial Services Committeehearing this morning. The hearing, entitled \"America for Sale? An Examination of the Practices of Private Funds\", provided members of the committee with an opportunity to discuss the role of private equity in markets and its impact on the American economy.\nCapitalism is an essential part of what makes America a great place to live and American capitalism is a cornerstone of the American dream, said Congressman Riggleman. I would not be where I am today without investments from private equity and I hope this committee will use this hearing to make American capital markets more competitive rather than hamper the free market with added costs and crushing regulations.\nDemocrats attached several pieces of legislation to the hearing for consideration including the House companion to Senator Elizabeth Warren's bill,H.R. 3848.One study found that in a modest-case scenario,the bill would cost the U.S. approximately 6 million jobs and lead to $109 billion per year in lower tax revenue.\nCongressman Riggleman went on to question the panel about the impacts of the proposed legislation. Riggleman used his own experience as a small business owner to guide his questioning.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2888", "Wittman Rejects Short-Term CR", "2019-11-19", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) voted \"no\" House Amendment to the Senate amendment to H.R. 3055 - Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2020, and Further Health Extenders Act of 2019.\r\nYet again, Congress has kicked the can down the road, Wittman said. Our men and women in uniform are facing certain threats abroad, while the support for their training, equipment, and operations remains uncertain at home. Our highest priority should be keeping the Department of Defense fully funded. I have talked to countless members of our military and every single warfighter has detailed the absolutely detrimental impacts of Continuing Resolutions (CR). Under a CR, they are unable to properly budget - leading to insufficient training, unmaintained equipment, and decreased readiness. This can't continue  we hurt our armed forces by this constant dysfunction. We ask more and more of our men and women in uniform and we in Congress must do our part to ensure they have the tools they need to be successful. I will continue to fight to fix our broken budgeting and appropriations process in Washington.\r\nCongressman Wittman is the leading voice for increasing Congressional accountability. For years Congressman Wittman has introduced the No Budget No Pay Act that says if Congress doesn't pass a budget on time Members don't get a paycheck, the Stay on Schedule Resolution that says if Congress doesn't pass all appropriations bills by July 31, the House should stay in session and continue its work instead of adjourning for August recess, and the Inaction Has Consequences Act that says if Members of Congress do not complete appropriations bills by the end of the fiscal year, they will not receive a paycheck. He believes that we must work for a permanent solution that will provide a path to fiscal certainty for our federal agencies.\r\nThe bill funds government operations through December 20, 2019.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401199", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.18.19", "2019-11-18", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Help for New Mothers\r\nMore mothers are dying during childbirth. This trend is even more pronounced in rural areas.\r\nOn November 13, the House Energy and Commerce Committee's Health Subcommittee passed legislation focused on improving maternal health.\r\nSince the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began national monitoring of pregnancy-related deaths, it has observed a tragic trend. These deaths increased from 7.2 per 100,000 live births in 1987 to 16.9 deaths per 100,000 live births in 2016. Improving outcomes for expectant and new mothers should be a health policy priority. \r\nAt the committee level, maternal deaths have been an object of bipartisan concern and the subject of bipartisan legislation.\r\nA bill I cosponsored that emerged from the Energy and Commerce Committee last year, the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act of 2018, was signed into law by President Trump. Our work in the recent Health Subcommittee markup built on that accomplishment.\r\nH.R. 4995, the Maternal Health Quality Improvement Act, combines two bipartisan bills in order to enhance the maternal health care provided by public health programs. \r\nOne of these bills, the Rural MOMS Act, is targeted to boost maternal health in rural areas specifically. It provides funding for the Health Resources and Services Administration to establish rural obstetric networks to improve outcomes in birth and maternal mortality.\r\nThe other, the Excellence in Maternal Health Act, authorizes grants to develop and promote best practices, support training, and operate evidence-based programs in the delivery of health care services to pregnant and postpartum women.\r\nA separate bill, H.R. 4996, the Helping MOMS Act, would improve coverage for pregnant and postpartum women enrolled in Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP). It does so by giving states the option of covering these women for a year instead of 60 days.\r\nThese bills are not yet law, but I hope that they will continue to advance with strong support. As I write this column, the full committee is expected to approve these maternal health measures at an upcoming markup. I believe they would make a positive difference in health outcomes for new and expectant mothers.\r\nRight to Self-Defense\r\nLike individual people, nations have the right to self-defense. It is an essential task of their governments. Events taking place in Israel and closer to home remind us of how essential it is.\r\nIsrael has undergone a barrage of rocket strikes from the Gaza Strip largely from the militant group Islamic Jihad in recent days. Almost 400 rockets were launched, forcing Israelis to head for cover as they sought to go about their daily lives. This assault highlights how Israel, one of our strongest allies, faces constant threats from entities that deny its reason even to exist.\r\nResidents of the United States are fortunate not to constantly face rocket attacks, but there are still perils along some of our borders. Dangerous cartels smuggling drugs and human beings across the border from Mexico pose a danger to American citizens.\r\nJust in the month of October, cartel gunmen forced the Mexican military to release the son of notorious cartel leader Joaqun El Chapo Guzmn, and nine dual American-Mexican citizens who had lived in Mexico for years, all women and children, were brutally killed in northern Mexico by drug traffickers.\r\nThese events occurred in Mexico, but violence in the past has spilled across the border from Mexico to the United States, even prompting presidents such as Woodrow Wilson to take military action. President Trump's solution, to build a wall along the border, would help prevent that outcome and also slow the flow of illegal immigration and illicit substances into our country. \r\nYet Democrats in Congress have fiercely resisted giving him any funding for the wall, even holding up spending bills rather than provide these necessary resources to secure the border. I believe their stubbornness is short-sighted. In trying to prevent President Trump from earning a political win, they are blocking measures that would diminish very real threats to our safety and security.\r\nI support our ally Israel standing up to defend itself, and I want our country to do so as well, especially where our borders are threatened. There can be very real consequences if we do not.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-denounces-corrupt-practices-chinese-business-and", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Denounces Corrupt Practices by Chinese Business and Stands Up For American Consumers", "2019-11-15", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered an address on the House floor this morning that sent astrong messageof disapproval to China and one of support to American consumers.Congressman Riggleman offereda motion to recommit onH.R. 4863,the United States Export Finance Agency Act of 2019.H.R.4863 is a reauthorization of the Export Finance Agency,the officialexportcredit agency of theUnited States. Theagency helpsfacilitate international trade for United States companies.The bill in its current form does nothing to address Chinese threats and allows Chinese state-owned businesses to benefit from American financing, putting our national security at risk.\n\"The question is do we, as Americans, as members of Congress that have sworn an oath to protect this country, allowEXIM to finance Chinese government-controlled entities that are building military installations in the South China Sea?\" asked Congressman Riggleman. \"Installations which one day may threaten the lives of U.S. servicemembers. Do we allow EXIM to support Chinese companies that support Beijing's brutal repression of religious minorities in western China, or the surveillance of freedom-loving protesters in Hong Kong?\"\nThe motion to recommit would have sent the bill back to the House Financial Services Committee instead of allowing a House of Representativesvote. You can watch the Congressman's speechhere, and a transcript of the speech canbe found below.\n  I offer this MTR for a very simple reason, China is a problem, China is major human rights violator, China is responsible for unprecedented amounts of personal data and intellectual property theft, and China's military seeks to extend its reach throughout the world. [Staff1] Based on my experience in DoD and the intelligence communities, I can personally attest to the multitude of threats China poses! If my colleagues across the aisle believe that part of a healthy Ex-Im Bank is ignoring the issues China presents, then go ahead and vote against this MTR and guarantee uncertainty for a long term Ex-Im reauthorization. But, if like me, you understand and care about what happens to freedom and democracy around the world, and if you care about human rights around the world, and you want to see the Bank reauthorized with a purpose, then please join me in in supporting this MTR that imposes necessary and just requirements for entities wishing to do business with Chinese State Owned Enterprises. I want to share a quote from our Speaker of the House on China. When speaking to a group of survivors at the 30 year anniversary of Tiananmen Square Speaker Pelosi said, and I quote, We cannot allow economic interests with China to blind us to the moral injustices committed by China. Well said Madame Speaker, I couldn't agree more. I would also like to add, that missing from that quote, is that we should not allow economic interests with China to blind us to threats of national security. In that same vein, earlier this week the Financial Services Committee held a hearing focused on Multilateral Development Banks. My colleague Mr. Sherman, who is the Chair of the Asia Subcommittee on the House Foreign Affairs Committee, attended that hearing and spoke eloquently and forcefully, arguing and I quote, As long as China benefits one penny from this institution, it is an attack on the national security of the United States. Well, if Mr. Sherman is alarmed by World Bank loans benefitting small-scale farmers in China, surely he and his colleagues don't want Ex-Im assistance supporting China's largest semiconductor manufacturer, China's major technology providers such as Huawei, or China's Export-Import Banks, or their state-owned shipping group that is taking over ports in Europe, South America, and other parts of the world as we speak. The questions we face today are not partisan. The question is do we, as Americans, as members of Congress that have sworn an oath to protect this country, allow Ex-Im to finance Chinese government-controlled entities that are building military installations in the South China Sea? Installations which one day may threaten the lives of U.S. servicemembers. Do we allow Ex-Im to support Chinese companies that support Beijing's brutal repression of religious minorities in western China, or the surveillance of freedom-loving protesters in Hong Kong? I use these examples to make the point that we are united in this body, and we should be. Its easy, its simple, and its good for America and American businesses and good for the millions of oppressed people in China that we pass this MTR. To make this amendment even easier to implement, it does not mandate any particular bureaucratic procedures for Ex-Im. My amendment achieves the same objective of the original bipartisan Waters McHenry agreement but provides more flexibility so that Ex-Im can remain nimble. In closing I would say to all my colleagues who claim to be interested in helping American workers and American businesses, Pass the USMCA! Pass an Ex -Im reauthorization that is tough on China and also good for American workers, these things are not mutually exclusive! To borrow the phrase so many of my colleagues like to use, We can walk and chew gum at the same time. And we can do it easily, today, with bipartisan support. And if the People's House does the People's business then the Senate will take those measures up, and the President will sign them into law, and your constituents will thank you for it! I urge all of my colleagues to join me, thank you and I yield back my time.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401198", "Griffith Announces $40,000 in Federal Funding for Police Vehicle in Town of Pound", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $40,000 in Federal Funding for Police Vehicle in Town of Pound \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Washington,\r\n      November 14, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) awarded $40,000 in federal funding to the Town of Pound for a new police vehicle:\r\nPublic services are important to a community's quality of life, but rural communities often face challenges in funding these services. USDA's investment of $40,000 for a new police vehicle in the Town of Pound will aid in the maintenance of public safety and help law enforcement officials carry out their essential tasks.\r\nBackground\r\nThe funding consists of a $25,000 grant and $15,000 loan. It was awarded through the USDA's Community Facilities Direct Loan Program.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-co-sponsors-gigabit-opportunity-act-expand", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Co-Sponsors Gigabit Opportunity Act to Expand Broadband Access", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) co-sponsored a bill to encourage broadband deployment in low-income and rural communities.\nThe Gigabit Opportunity (GO) Act (H.R. 5082) was introduced today by Rep. Doug Collins (R-GA) and it will incentivize private investment in areas that lack high-speed internet access by creating \"Gigabit Opportunity Zones\". Gigabit Opportunity Zones will allow governors to nominate geographic areas targeted to produce the greatest returns on investment and economic development.\n\"I am excited by the potential of the GO Act and proud to be an original co-sponsor, said Congressman Riggleman. Expanding access to high-speed internet has been a priority of my time in Congress, and the GO Act will open the door for rural and low-income communities that desperately need access to broadband.\nThe GO Act encourages broadband deployment in rural communities by allowing governors to designate \"Gigabit Opportunity Zones, provide tax incentives for companies willing to invest in broadband expansion and encourage states to adopt a uniform broadband deployment plan to expedite gigabit-capable rollouts across the country.\nRep. Doug Collins (R-GA) is the lead sponsor of the bill and Reps. Will Hurd (R-TX), Henry Cuellar (D-TX), Barry Loudermilk (R-GA), Scott Tipton (R-CO) and Greg Pence (R-IN) are also original cosponsors of the Gigabit Opportunity Act.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-delivers-speech-memory-decorated-veteran-jay", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Delivers Speech In Memory of Decorated Veteran Jay Kistler", "2019-11-14", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered a speechon the floor of the House of Representatives today in memory of decorated veteran and hero, Jay Kistler.\n\"Jay's forward-looking vision allowed him to project capabilities and actions decades into the future. He was respected by his peers, his subordinates and his superiors,\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"He was our adversary's worst nightmare.\"Mr. Kistler was decorated Naval Officerwho served as the Department of Defense's Director of Electronic Warfare & Countermeasures.\nHe leaves behind his wife and three adult children. You can watch Congressman Riggleman's speechhere, and a full transcript can be found below.\nMr. Speaker:\nI rise today to honor the memory of a dear friend, Jay Kistler. Jay passed away on October 14 of this year after a life of heroism and bravery. He was 71 years old. He had been married to his wonderful wife, Sheila, for almost 50 years and was the father of Brooke, Kerri and Jay Kistler III.\nJay retired as a Navy Captain and retired as the government lead for the Electronic Warfare and Countermeasures Office. Jay's forward-looking vision allowed him to project capabilities and actions decades into the future. He was respected by his peers, his subordinates and his superiors. He was our adversary's worst nightmare. I will miss him as a Naval Flight Officer, a commander, a decorated veteran, a family man and my mentor. You changed everyone's life for the better, Jay.\nFair Winds and Following Seas, Captain", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-calls-out-hyper-partisanship-elite-washington", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Calls out Hyper-Partisanship in elite Washington Institutions", "2019-11-13", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. -Congressman Denver Rigglemancalled for increased transparencyfrom foreign institutionsduring a National Security, International Development and Monetary Policy Subcommittee hearing in the House Financial Services Committee. The hearing entitled \"How America Leads Abroad: An Examination of Multilateral Development Institutions\"provided an opportunity to question witnesses on two bills to authorize capital increases for international financial institutions.\nCongressman Riggleman questioned the committee witnesses on their critique of career public servant David Malpass.\n\"One senior fellow said, 'David Malpass' disdain for the World Bank's mission of fighting global poverty rivals John Bolton's respect for the United Nations. There is no case for Malpass on merit,'\" said Congressman Riggleman. \"This kind of partisanship from the Center is extremely disappointing because Republicans and Democrats have benefitted from its testimony and research in past years.\"\nCongressman Riggleman's remarks can be viewed here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401197", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.8.19", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One hundred and one years ago, on November 11, 1918, the guns of World War I fell silent.\r\nOne hundred years ago, November 11, 1919, was a day for remembering.\r\nPresident Woodrow Wilson issued a proclamation commemorating November 11 as Armistice Day. He wrote: To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory.\r\nAcross the country, parades and public meetings were convened, and business was suspended for two minutes at 11am, the time the armistice had gone into effect the previous year.\r\nIn Richmond, churches held services of thanksgiving in the morning. That afternoon, Corporal Joseph Allen, a Virginia soldier who had earned the Distinguished Service Medal and the French Croix de Guerre, presented a memorial flag to Governor Westmoreland Davis in the hall of the House of Delegates. A representative of the French ambassador also presented his country's flag to Governor Davis as a symbol of the alliance between our nations. A parade of war workers was postponed, however, due to rain.\r\nIn Roanoke, a crowd of 20,000 to 30,000 came out despite the rain to celebrate the armistice, according to the World News. Veterans of the World War marched by, as did representatives of the Red Cross, YMCA, Salvation Army, and Boy Scouts. Automobiles carried veterans of the Civil War.\r\nFollowing the parade, a program featuring an address by Colonel Robert E. Lee, Jr., a former member of the Virginia House of Delegates and grandson of the Confederate general, songs, flag presentations, and 30 seconds of silence took place.\r\nThe World News also reported that the day passed quietly in Bristol, with banks closed all day and other businesses shuttered between 11am and noon. A service was held at the YMCA, and students were dismissed from school after a morning memorial.\r\nMartinsville's Armistice Day experience was similar, and some people reportedly traveled to Roanoke and Richmond to celebrate the day. \r\nAt Big Stone Gap High School, students gathered in the chapel at 11am to commemorate the armistice. The Big Stone Gap Post reported on the service, The program which the State YMCA issued was carried out very successfully. Rev. C. W. Dean gave a splendid talk.\r\nThe Clinch Valley News noted the occasion, a day and an event we could not forget if we would, and would not if we could. It also reported the word out of Pounding Mill: Today passed by quietly, many praising God for the peace anniversary. \r\nAlthough we know November 11 now as Veterans Day, we should approach it in the same spirit as that first Armistice Day 100 years ago  as a day for gratitude to all who served our country in uniform. \r\nThe last American veteran of World War I died in 2011, and the ranks of World War II veterans are thinning rapidly. It was my honor to be with some of them this year in Normandy for the 75th anniversary of D-Day and to pay tribute to them at the site of their great deeds.\r\nBut one does not have to go to Europe to honor our veterans, from those remaining who served in World War II to the men and women who fought in Afghanistan and Iraq. \r\nMany communities have their services to mark the day, often gathered around a town's monument to veterans. I have been able to participate in numerous such tributes throughout the Ninth District during my time in office. Attending one of them is a simple but meaningful way to show our gratitude for those who served.\r\nOn that first Armistice Day in 1919, Americans set aside time to honor our country's warriors, whether enthusiastically taking in a parade as in Roanoke, attending a service as in Bristol, or praising God quietly as in Pounding Mill. On Veterans Day 2019, let us do the same.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-fulfilling-pledge-hold-19-town-halls", "Rep. Cline Statement on Fulfilling Pledge to Hold 19 Town Halls", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement after holding his nineteenth town hall meeting.\nWhile running for Congress, Cline assured voters that he would hold a town hall in each of the Sixth District's nineteen counties and independent cities prior to the end of his first year in office.\nAfter holding his first town hall in Roanoke City, Cline regularly held such forums throughout the District, and fulfilled his promise this week in Waynesboro, Virginia.\nBeing accessible to the citizens of the Sixth District is one of my most important responsibilities as Congressman, Cline said. I always appreciate the opportunity to hear from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. Whether it's about jobs and the economy, trade and foreign affairs, or transportation and I-81, I want to do the best job I can representing the views of the residents of the Sixth District. I look forward to holding additional town halls in the future and continuing to meet with the hard-working people of Virginia's Sixth Congressional District.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1016", "Rep. Cline Statement on Fulfilling Pledge to Hold 19 Town Halls", "2019-11-08", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement after holding his nineteenth town hall meeting.\n\nWhile running for Congress, Cline assured voters that he would hold a town hall in each of the Sixth District's nineteen counties and independent cities prior to the end of his first year in office.\n\nAfter holding his first town hall in Roanoke City, Cline regularly held such forums throughout the District, and fulfilled his promise this week in Waynesboro, Virginia.\n\n\"Being accessible to the citizens of the Sixth District is one of my most important responsibilities as Congressman,\" Cline said. \"I always appreciate the opportunity to hear from constituents about the issues that matter most to them. Whether it's about jobs and the economy, trade and foreign affairs, or transportation and I-81, I want to do the best job I can representing the views of the residents of the Sixth District. I look forward to holding additional town halls in the future and continuing to meet with the hard-working people of Virginia's Sixth Congressional District.\"\n\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T23:43:09Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401194", "Griffith Announces $60,000 Grant for Economic Development in Floyd County", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $60,000 Grant for Economic Development in Floyd County \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Wednesday,\r\n      November 6, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded a $60,000 grant to Floyd County Economic Development Authority to recapitalize a revolving loan fund supporting small and emerging businesses:\r\nFor small and growing businesses, access to credit is a necessity. USDA Rural Development's $60,000 grant to Floyd County Economic Development Authority will help enterprises in Floyd County invest and expand, promoting job growth and economic opportunity.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401195", "Griffith Announces $175,000 Grant for Farmers Market in Independence", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $175,000 Grant for Farmers' Market in Independence \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 Morgan Griffith issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded a $175,000 grant for construction of a farmers' market in the Town of Independence:\r\nFarmers' markets bring a variety of fresh, locally-grown products to consumers and support the agricultural producers in our communities. USDA Rural Development's $175,000 grant for a farmers' market in Independence will support a great asset for Grayson County's economy and quality of life.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401196", "Griffith Announces $33,500 Grant for Farmers Market in Chilhowie", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $33,500 Grant for Farmers' Market in Chilhowie \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 Morgan Griffith issued the following statement after the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development awarded a $33,500 grant for construction of a farmers' market in the Town of Chilhowie:\r\nFarmers' markets bring a variety of fresh, locally-grown products to consumers and support the agricultural producers in our communities. USDA Rural Development's $33,500 grant for a farmers' market in Chilhowie will support a great asset for Smyth County's and the region's economy and quality of life.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-recognizes-harrisonburg-business-being-awarded-dol-s-hire-vets", "Rep. Cline Recognizes Harrisonburg Business for Being Awarded DOL\u2019s HIRE Vets Medallion", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) is proud to announce Harrisonburg business, Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc., has been awarded the U.S. Department of Labor's HIRE (Honoring Investments in Recruiting and Employing) Vets Medallion, which recognizes the meaningful and verifiable efforts undertaken by job creators to hire and retain veterans.\nTactical & Survival Specialties, Inc.(TSSi) was founded by retired U.S. Navy Senior Chief Petty Officer Bill Strang in 1980, and the business is one of the oldest tactical equipment suppliers in the United States. TTSi is committed to providing state of the art equipment to military, law enforcement, and disaster response professionals all over the world.\nI am proud to announce that Tactical & Survival Specialties, Inc. of Harrisonburg has been awarded the Department of Labor's HIRE Vets Medallion for their dedication to recruit, employ, and retain veterans,\" Cline said. \"I congratulate them on this achievement, and I commend all those employers who give back to those who have given so much to our country. \nThe HIRE Vets Act is the only program within the federal government that recognizes employers who have demonstrated efforts to reach out and support our veterans searching for employment.\nApplications for the 2020 HIRE Vets Medallion Program will open to employers on January 31, 2020. For more about the HIRE Vets Medallion Program and Award, please visitwww.HireVets.gov.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-announces-mobile-office-hours-november-12", "Congressman Denver Riggleman   Announces Mobile Office Hours for November 12", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON-CongressmanDenverRiggleman(VA-05) announced today his staff will be hostingmobileofficehourson Tuesday,November 12, 2019. Constituents are invited to meet with a representative of theofficein Buckingham County, Fluvanna County, Franklin County, Greene County, and Henry County.\nTheseofficehoursoffer constituents the opportunity to meet with theCongressman's staff in their communities and receive assistance with issues involving federal agencies. Staff will be available to assist and answer questions regarding Social Security benefits, Medicare, immigration, veterans benefits and more. All are encouraged to attend.\nConstituents who are unable to attendmobileofficehoursare encouraged to call their local districtofficeDanville (434) 791-2596 or Charlottesville (434) 973-9631 or visit the services section ofCongressmanRiggleman's website athttps://riggleman.house.gov.  \n\t\n  \nBuckingham County:\n\tTime:2:30-3:30p.m.\n\tLocation:\n\tBuckingham AdministrativeBldg.- Conference Room\n\t13380 W James AndersonHwy.\n\tBuckingham, VA 23921\n\tContact:Esther Page, (434) 973-9631\nFluvanna County:  \n\tTime:12:30-1:30p.m.  \n\tLocation:  \n\tFluvanna Public Library - Conference Room  \n\t214 Commons Blvd.  \n\tPalmyra, VA 22963  \n\tContact:Esther Page, (434) 973-9631\nFranklin County:  \n\tTime:10:00-11:30a.m.  \n\tLocation:  \n\tFranklin Government Center - B75 Training Room  \n\t1255 Franklin Street  \n\tRocky Mount, VA 24151  \n\tContact:Denise Van Valkenburg, (434) 791-2596\nGreene County:  \n\tTime:10:00-11:30a.m.  \n\tLocation:  \n\tGreene Administration Building  \n\tBoard Conference Room  \n\t40 Celt Road  \n\tStanardsville, VA 22973  \n\tContact:Esther Page, (434) 973-9631\nHenry County:  \n\tTime:12:30-1:30p.m.  \n\tLocation:  \n\tBlue Ridge Regional Library Ridgeway Branch - Meeting Room  \n\t900 Vista View Lane  \n\tRidgeway, VA 24148  \n\tContact:Denise Van Valkenburg (434) 791-2596", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-riggleman-announces-175-million-affordable-housing-development", "Congressman Riggleman Announces $1.75 million Affordable Housing Development for Virginia's 5th District", "2019-11-06", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. Congressman Denver Riggleman (R-VA) announced today that Virginiawill benefit from $1.75 million in affordable housing funding from the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta (FHLBank Atlanta), one of the 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Community developers inthe 5th Districtwill partner with local FHLBank Atlanta member financial institutions to build 249 housing unites in Charlottesville, Ruckersville, and South Boston. Some of that funding will directly support housing opportunities in the 5th District. We are excited to partner with FHLBank Atlanta to create more affordable housing opportunities for our state, and specifically the 5th District, said Rep.Riggleman. Affordable Housing is a critical need for every state in FHLBank Atlanta's district, said Arthur L. Fleming, Senior Vice President and Director of Community Investment Services for FHLBank Atlanta. We are grateful to Representative Riggleman for his attention to this important issue, and we are proud our AHP funds will be used by our member financial institutions to assist the development, rental, or purchase of much-needed safe and affordable housing in Virginia.\" \nThe four projects that will receive the funds are: \nCrescent Halls \nCharlottesville,VA \nGrant: $500,00 for 105 rental units \nPoplar Creek Homes \nSouth Boston, VA \nGrant: $250,00 for 32 rental units \nSouth First Street Phase One \nCharlottesville, VA \nGrant: $500,000 for 62 rental units \nHawk's Landing \nRuckersville, VA \nGrant: $500,000 for 50 rental units \nAbout the Federal Home Loan Bank of Atlanta: FHLBank Atlanta offers competitively-priced financing, community development grants, and other banking services to help member financial institutions make affordable home mortgages and provide economic development credit to neighborhoods and communities. The Bank's membersits shareholders and customersare commercial banks, credit unions, savings institutions, community development financial institutions, and insurance companies located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. FHLBank Atlanta is one of 11 district banks in the Federal Home Loan Bank System. Since 1990, the FHLBanks have awarded approximately $6.2 billion in Affordable Housing Program funds, assisting more than 911,000 households.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401192", "Bipartisan Legislation Introduced to Protect Access to Medical Ventilators", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Representatives Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Peter Welch (D-VT), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), John Larson (D-CT), and Darren Soto (D-FL) have introduced the Safeguarding Medicare Access to Respiratory Therapy (SMART) Act of 2019. This legislation will delay the inclusion of medical ventilators from competitive acquisition programs under Medicare for a period of five years.\r\nMedical ventilators are life-sustaining devices. Patients depending on them can often remain in their homes, but only if providers are able to travel to them. This becomes more difficult in rural or isolated areas, such as parts of Virginia's Ninth Congressional District, and introducing competitive bidding would likely be an unsustainable burden to providers in these areas. The SMART Act would prevent such difficulties. I am pleased to stand with my colleagues from both sides of the aisle in support of our constituents who rely on ventilators, said Representative Griffith.\r\nNon-invasive ventilators improve patient outcomes and allow patients to be at home surrounded by family, said Representative Welch.Recent decisions by CMS threaten to make it harder for patients in rural and underserved areas to access this critical equipment. This bill would make sure that all patients can benefit from this technology, no matter where they live.\r\nThis legislation is about making sure that bureaucratic changes don't jeopardize the health of medically fragile patients who rely on ventilators, such as many living with ALS. We want to be sure that these patients, who are already grappling with complex medical issues, don't experience delays accessing care, as lapses could prove fatal. I will continue to fight to ensure all Medicare patients receive access to the life-saving care they need, said Representative Bilirakis.\r\nThis legislation is vital to ensuring patients, especially those with ALS, have access to ventilators and are able to maintain their quality of life. I'm proud to introduce this legislation with Congressman Griffith, said Representative Larson.\r\nVentilators are a lifeline for those unable to breathe on their own, said Representative Soto. The CMS proposal fails to meet the needs of vulnerable patients while compromising cost and quality of care. I'm proud to support the bipartisan SMART Act of 2019 that delays these proposed changes and guarantees another five years of prolonged health.\r\nIncluding ventilators in a competitive bidding process for Medicare would likely place certain users of the equipment and providers at a disadvantage. Patients relying on ventilators often need intensive clinical support. Providers serving patients in rural, isolated, or otherwise difficult to serve areas would be likely be unable to offer the most competitive bid to the Centers for Medicare or Medicaid Services (CMS). Patients in those areas would then be unable to receive care in their homes, requiring them to travel to medical establishments for care. This would diminish their quality of life without saving taxpayer dollars.\r\nCMS has previously delayed including ventilators to competitive bidding. The SMART Act would establish in law a delay for five years.\r\nThe SMART Act has been endorsed by 24 organizations consisting of patient advocates, clinicians, and health care providers. You can view their letter of support here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401193", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.4.19", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Trick or treat? is the question on everyone's lips each Halloween. House Democrats this year opted for tricks.\r\nOn Halloween, of all days, they voted for a resolution supposed to lay out the next phase in their impeachment of President Trump.\r\nBut the next phase looks similar to the past several weeks. There will be more closed hearings, limited input by the Republican minority, and due process for the President only at the discretion of the majority.\r\nIntelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff (D-CA) remains in the driver's seat, notwithstanding his proven inability to conduct an impartial investigation or the fact that impeachment proceedings have traditionally been led by the Judiciary Committee.\r\nThis process falls far short of the standards set by previous impeachments. Impeachment proceedings against President Nixon were begun by a Democratic House, and those against President Clinton by a Republican House. Yet in both cases, the majority guaranteed more rights for the president and gave the minority more ability to participate.\r\nAlthough I do not serve on the House Committee on Rules, I attended its hearing to markup H. Res. 660, the impeachment resolution, and watched as amendment after amendment  seventeen in all  designed to bring fairness and transparency to the process were shot down by the Democrat majority.\r\nFor example, Congresswoman Debbie Lesko (R-AZ) offered an amendment requiring any exculpatory evidence regarding the President to be provided to the Judiciary Committee. Exculpatory evidence is a legal term of art which means any evidence that could tend or lead to a showing of innocence. In other words, facts found during the investigation by Chairman Schiff that would support the President's innocence need to be in front of the Judiciary Committee and the American people.\r\nBut the Democrats on the Rules Committee rejected it.\r\nShe offered another amendment to require, rather than simply allow, release of the transcripts of testimony that has been heard behind closed doors.\r\nIt, too, was rejected.\r\nCongressman Rob Woodall (R-GA) put forward an amendment simply changing the requirement that Chairman Schiff have an open hearing to open hearings, so that he could not get by with one hearing and claim transparency.\r\nThe majority said no.\r\nIt was in this spirit that the majority moved its sham resolution on impeachment to the floor.\r\nI voted no.\r\nAfter the resolution passed, Speaker Pelosi declared, Without objection, a motion to reconsider is laid on the table. I objected. Notwithstanding my properly-timed objection, Pelosi nevertheless proceeded with business without recognizing the objection.\r\nThis impeachment inquiry had been irreparably tainted before the Democrats put their hastily-written resolution onto the floor. H. Res. 660 was a failed attempt to add legitimacy to an arbitrary, politicized process, not an honest effort to formalize the inquiry.\r\nTo be clear, I have not seen anything in President Trump's interactions with Ukraine to warrant impeachment. The transcript indicates that he wanted Ukrainian President Zelensky to investigate corruption. He did not tell President Zelensky to reach a certain outcome regarding the company with which former Vice President Biden's son was associated.\r\nIf asking Ukraine to conduct an investigation is impeachable, then so is demanding that Ukraine fire a prosecutor. Joe Biden openly bragged that he demanded the prosecutor be fired, even though the prosecutor was investigating his son's company.\r\nThree Democratic senators  Richard Durbin, Robert Menendez, and Patrick Leahy  sent a letter to Ukraine noting the extensive aid the United States had provided to it. They then told Ukraine to cooperate with the Mueller investigation and to report on certain activities of the Trump Administration.\r\nIf Democrats believe President Trump committed an offense in his phone call, then these offenses would be similar in nature and deserving of condemnation and censure.\r\nI have not heard any uproar from the Democrats regarding Vice President Biden or the three senators, however, which leads me to believe that their impeachment proceedings against President Trump are focused on political ends, not justice.\r\nThe resolution they rushed through the House only reinforces this belief in my mind.\r\nIf they had confidence that President Trump's conduct constituted one of the high Crimes and Misdemeanors that demand impeachment, they would not deny the same rights to President Trump that his predecessors had or cut the minority so thoroughly out of the process.\r\nSpeaker Pelosi's impeachment resolution changed nothing. It confirmed instead what we knew: that the House majority is engaged in a partisan, unfair pursuit of the President.\r\nClearly, this Halloween was no treat.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.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"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-celebrates-expansion-broadband-southside-virginia", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Celebrates Expansion of Broadband in Southside Virginia and the $3.7 million USDA Investment", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C.-CongressmanDenver Riggleman joined USDA Deputy Under Secretary of Rural Development Donald \"DJ\" LaVoy at a ceremony in Lawrenceville today awarding $3.7 million to expand broadband in rural Virginia.\n\"Our rural communities need access to broadband to keep up with the demands of the modern economy,\" said Congressmen Riggleman. \"Broadband will help communities close the digital divide which is critical to enhancing economic opportunity, job creation, access to healthcare, and education in rural America. This investment will go a long way in closing that divide.\"\nThis award comes through the USDA's ReConnect Program. Congressman Riggleman hosted a ReConnect training seminarin March of this year to help localgovernments andcompanies learnhow to apply for the ReConnectprogram. The ReConnect Program offers loans, grants, and loan/grant combinations to facilitate broadband deployment in areas of rural America without sufficient access to broadband.\nMecklenburg Electric Cooperative will use the $3.7 million funding to deploy a fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) broadband network capable of simultaneous transmission rates of 100 megabits per second (Mbps) or greater. The funded service areas include 1,254 households, two volunteer fire departments, and four educational facilities. The project will facilitate more access to services and information for local residents, and it will improve the overall quality of life for people in the community. To read the USDA's full press release, click here.\nCongressman Riggleman spoke at the ceremony awarding the funds this morning. You can read the Congressman's prepared remarks below.\n  Thank you to Deputy Under Secretary LaVoy, Chairman Lee, and everyone here today for this fantastic announcement. I have made increasing access to broadband internet a focus of my time in Congress and on days like today, I celebrate that those efforts are starting to pay off. Our rural communities need access to broadband to keep up with the demands of the modern economy. Broadband will help communities close the digital divide which is critical to enhancing economic opportunity, job creation, access to healthcare, and education in rural America. I have been a backer of the USDA's Reconnect Program for RuralBroadbandand organized a training event to provide guidance on this program earlier this year. That is why this announcement brings me such joy. I want each and every community in the 5th district to have the internet access they need to achieve success in this modern economy. In too many communities across the 5th District, I hear stories of students using public library wi-fi because they couldn't get it at home. Or students denied the opportunity to get internet at all and consequently falling behind their peers in other areas with greater access. That we are here this morning to announce and celebrate this important investment in high-speed broadband infrastructure is a great thing for Brunswick, Mecklenburg, and the 5th District of Virginia. I will continue to work to expand access to broadband here in the 5th, and that work won't be done with just a quick snap of my fingers- it will take hard work and time. But we have already made great strides. In my first 10 months in Congress, I have worked across the aisleto pass an amendment that increasesfederal spending for ruralbroadbandby $55 million dollars. I established a RuralBroadbandTask Forcein the district to find solutions to the issues that face our constituents.I am a Member of the RuralBroadbandCaucus, a bipartisan group of lawmakers working to address internet connectivity issues in rural America. I am Working with the FCC, including in today's event,to improve itsbroadbanddata collection methods so we can better understand where more investment is needed to ensure rural America has access tobroadbandservices and infrastructure. I will continue to work for more broadband access, but also will celebrate days like today when this work has paid off. I want to thank again all the stakeholders here today who have worked so hard on making this project possible. Thank you again to the USDA for their work on this, thank you to everyone from the Mecklenburg Electric Co-op, and thank you all for your warm welcome today!", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2868", "Breakfast With Rob: Fredericksburg", "2019-11-04", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FREDERICKSBURG - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) had the latest stop of his Breakfast With Rob series at the Paradise Diner in Fredericksburg, Virginia. He kicked off the series in June in Tappahannock and in the months following, he stopped in Kilmarnock, Ashland, and Dumfries. He will continue stopping into local favorite breakfast spots across the First District to talk with folks about the issues that matter most to them.\r\nThis morning I had a great time talking with folks at the Paradise Diner, said Wittman. I'm working hard on the issues that matter most to Virginians: expanding access to rural broadband, fixing our broken infrastructure, protecting the benefits of our veterans, lowering health care costs, and advocating for our men and women in uniform. I believe the best ideas don't come from Washington, but from my constituents. This is just another way for me to connect with constituents and hear their thoughts and ideas on how to make Washington work better for them.\r\nAt today's stop-in, Congressman Wittman talked to constituents about his latest Veteran's forum, his work to expand access to high speed internet, and ways he is navigating the current partisan environment in Washington. Constituents can stay up to date for when Congressman Wittman will be in their area by signing up for his email list at www.wittman.house.gov.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2867", "Wittman Advocates for USMCA at VP Pence Rountable", "2019-11-02", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "LOUISA, VA  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman participated in a roundtable at the America First Policies event 'USMCA - A Better Deal for American Workers' featuring Vice President of the United States, Mike Pence. The panel discussed the importance of ratifying the US Mexico Canada (USMCA) Agreement signed by President Trump on November 30, 2018 and the effect it could have on the Commonwealth and the nation. Other panelists included Rep. Denver Riggleman (VA-05) and Former Governor George Allen.\r\nRatifying the USMCA is especially critical to the First District and entire Commonwealth; over 13,000 jobs in Virginia depend on manufacturing exports to Canada and Mexico, Wittman said. Accounting for nearly a quarter of all exports from Virginia, trade with our northern and southern partners is necessary for continued job creation and growth here at home. By increasing duty-free access of the world-class agricultural products we create in the Commonwealth and improving outdated policies, the USMCA improves the financial position of all Virginians.\r\nAccording to the US Chamber of Commerce, twelve million American jobs rely on trade with Mexico and Canada. Mexico and Canada together represent a $500 billion export market for the U.S. as they buy one-third of the goods America exports, plus tens of billions of dollars more in services. The U.S. trade representative reported that the USMCA's automotive provisions would yield more than $30 billion in new investments over five years and billions more in purchases of U.S. auto parts every year. All in all, the International Trade Commission predicts the USMCA would create around $68 billion in wealth and 176,000 jobs for America.\r\nThrough the USMCA, we will see investment come back to American shores, Wittman said. Auto companies are planning an estimated $34 billion in new automotive manufacturing investment and $23 billion in new automotive purchases in the first five years; food and agriculture exports are expected to increase by $2.2 billion. Mexico has already ratified the agreement and Canada is waiting for the United States to act. The time for Congress to pass the USMCA is now, and I will continue to urge Democratic Leadership in Washington to bring this measure to a vote so we can do what is right for the American people.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401191", "Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for November", "2019-11-01", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Griffith's Ninth DistrictSTAFFwill be available at the following locations during the month ofNovember. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.\r\nNovember 12, 2019\r\nSalem: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCity of Salem Offices  \r\n114 N. Broad Street  \r\nSalem, VA 24153\r\nCraig County: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nCraig County Administration Bldg.  \r\n108 Court Street  \r\nNew Castle, VA 24127\r\nCovington: 2:30pm  4:00 pm\r\nCity of Covington Conference Room  \r\n333 W. Locust Street  \r\nCovington, VA 24426\r\nNovember 13, 2019\r\nScott County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCommunity Services Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n190 Beech Street  \r\nGate City, VA 24251\r\nLee County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nLee County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n33640 Main Street  Suite U101  \r\nJonesville, VA 24263\r\nWise County: 3:15 pm  4:45 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Ave. E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nNovember 14, 2019\r\nGiles County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nTown of Pearisburg Offices  \r\n112 Tazewell Street  \r\nPearisburg, VA 24134\r\nSmyth County: 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown Council Chambers  \r\n138 West Main Street  \r\nMarion, VA 24354\r\nRadford: 12:30pm  2:00 pm\r\nRadford Public Library  \r\nMeeting Room  \r\n30 West Main Street  \r\nRadford, VA 24141\r\nWythe County: 1:30 pm  3:00 pm\r\nWythe County Sheriff's Office  \r\nConference Room  \r\n245 South 4th Street  \r\nWytheville, VA 24382\r\nPulaski County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nPulaski County Library  \r\n60 3rd Street NW  \r\nPulaski, VA 24301\r\nNovember 19, 2019\r\nTazewell County (Richlands): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Richlands Offices  \r\n200 Washington Square  \r\nRichlands, VA 24641\r\nBuchanan County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nTown of Grundy Offices  \r\n1185 Plaza Dr.  \r\nGrundy, VA 24614\r\nNovember 20, 2019\r\nCarroll County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCarroll County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\n605  1 Pine Street  \r\nHillsville, VA 24343\r\nGalax: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nGalax Municipal Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n111 E. Grayson St.  \r\nGalax, VA 24333\r\nGrayson County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nGrayson County Administration Building  \r\nBoard of Supervisors Room  \r\nSuite 206  \r\n129 Davis Street  \r\nIndependence, VA 24348\r\nNovember 21, 2019\r\nTazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nAmerican Legion Building  \r\n226 Central Avenue  \r\nTazewell, VA 24651\r\nRussell County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nSouthwest Virginia Technology Development Center  \r\n141 Highland Drive  \r\nLebanon, VA 24266\r\nNovember 22, 2019\r\nPatrick County: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nPatrick County Administration Building  \r\nConference Room  \r\n106 Rucker Street  \r\nStuart, VA 24171\r\nTazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am  11:30 am\r\nTown of Bluefield  Council Chambers  \r\n112 Huffard Drive  \r\nBluefield, VA 24605\r\nHenry County: 11:30 am  1:00 pm\r\nBassett Historical Center  \r\n3964 Fairystone Parkway  \r\nBassett, VA 24055\r\nBland County: 1:00 pm  2:30 pm\r\nBland County Courthouse  \r\nAdmin. Office Room 200  \r\n612 Main Street  \r\nBland, VA 24315\r\nFloyd County: 2:30 pm  4:00 pm\r\nTown of Floyd Offices  \r\n134 Wilson St SE  \r\nFloyd, VA 24091\r\nNovember 26, 2019\r\nNorton: 9:00 am  10:30 am\r\nCity Council Chambers  \r\n618 Virginia Ave NW  \r\nNorton, VA 24273\r\nWise County: 11:00 am  12:30 pm\r\nBig Stone Gap Federal Courthouse  \r\n3rd Floor Room 303  \r\n322 Wood Ave. E  \r\nBig Stone Gap, VA 24219\r\nDickenson County: 2:30 pm  4:30 pm\r\nDickenson Center for Education & Research  \r\n818 Happy Valley Drive  \r\nClintwood, VA 24228\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"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-college-affordability-act", "Rep. Cline Statement on College Affordability Act", "2019-11-01", "2019", "2019-11", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement on the House Committee on Education and Labor's passing of H.R. 4674  the College Affordability Act (CAA).\nVirginia's Sixth Congressional District is home to more colleges and universities than almost any area in the country, Cline said. To ensure that these institutions continue to thrive, we must address the skyrocketing cost to parents, the crushing debt to students, and the burdensome regulations to administrators. Unfortunately, this legislation passed out of the Education and Labor Committeedoes not accomplish these goals. At an estimated cost to the taxpayers of over $400 billion and1,200 pages long, the misnamed College Affordability Act (CAA) does not produce solutions to make higher education work better for Americans, but instead, the Democrats have doubled down on provisions that only look to exacerbate the problems people face today in the education space.  \nWith over $1.5 trillion in student loan debt, this is a crisis that negatively seeps into many facets of life which shows the dire need for dramatic reform in the higher education space. One of the amendments I offered would have provided necessary reforms by returning much of the administrative oversight power to the states, increased accountability and transparency, and pushed down the rising cost of tuition. Unfortunately, committee Democrats voted my amendment down, which I believe was the best alternative to their proposal and instead favored interventionist methods that will stifle innovation at institutions and stunt intellectual growth on campuses.\nThe cost of these provisions from the Democrat's College Affordability Act burdens not only taxpayers, but also the parents and students who we serve. \nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-statement-impeachment-resolution", "Rep. Cline Statement on Impeachment Resolution", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the following statement on H. Res. 660 - Directing certain committees to continue their ongoing investigations as part of the existing House of Representatives inquiry into whether sufficient grounds exist for the House of Representatives to exercise its Constitutional power to impeach Donald John Trump, President of the United States of America, and for other purposes.\nThe passage of this partisan impeachment resolution today over the objections of Members from both political parties marks a sad day in the House of Representatives, Cline said. As a proud member of the Judiciary Committee, I strongly opposed and voted against this sham resolution, which ignores the bipartisan Rodino rules adopted for the Nixon and Clinton impeachment investigations, removes the process from Judiciary's jurisdiction, and attempts to legitimize the ridiculous circus we have witnessed over the past several weeks. Since moving this investigationbehind closed doors, the Majority has hindered due process, ignored precedent, and disregarded fundamental fairness. An impeachment process based on incomplete testimony heard in secret by only a privileged few is reminiscent of the phony trials of the Soviet era, and I will continue to fight for full transparency and for the rights of my constituents to have the full representation that is guaranteed to them by the U.S. Constitution.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-hold-coffee-your-congressman-discussion-henry", "Congressman Denver Riggleman to hold a \"Coffee with Your Congressman\" discussion in Henry County on Friday", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman will hold a \"Coffee with your Congressman\" discussionin Henry County on Friday. This event will give residents of the5th Districtan opportunity to ask questions and present concerns to Congressman Rigglemanin an informalsetting. \nLocation: Mt. Olivet Ruritan Club, 400 Ward Road, Martinsville, VA \nDate: Friday, November 1, 2019 \nTime: 11am-12pm", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2863", "Wittman Statement on Impeachment Inquiry Resolution", "2019-10-31", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON - Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) released this statement after voting against the House Democrat impeachment inquiry resolution attempting to formalize an already tainted process:\r\nSpeaker Pelosi holding this vote today is further proof that House Democrats acknowledge they have been conducting these impeachment proceedings in a partisan way that has lacked transparency.Members from both sides of the aisle voted against this resolution.\r\nThis vote should have been done from the very beginning, as is precedent. At this point, it is too little too late and this resolution does little to correct this partisan process or extend due process protections, ensure fairness or enhance transparency. Republicans only receive subpoena authority if the Democrats agree and the president's counsel can only participate in Judiciary hearings  even though six committees are conducting this unfair inquiry. Testimony filtered exclusively through the majority does not provide due process.\r\nWith only eight legislative days remaining before the continuing resolution (CR) expires, we should be focusing on finishing the 12 appropriations bills. We must also authorize funding for our nation's military as well as act on bipartisan solutions to lower the price of prescription drugs and fix this nation's crumbling roads and bridges. The American people want Congress to get things done.\r\nCongressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he serves as the ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401189", "Griffith Statement on Senator Warners Call for Better House Impeachment Process", "2019-10-30", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement regarding H. Res. 660, the Democrat impeachment resolution, and comments from Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) calling for a better impeachment process:\r\nThe Democrat impeachment resolution is an attempt to ratify their ongoing faulty process. It is not a serious document, and it will not provide the transparency and fairness required of an impeachment inquiry.\r\nUnder this resolution, Intelligence Committee Chairman Adam Schiff retains the power to drive impeachment long after his actions have tainted any appearance of being unbiased. Republicans only receive subpoena authority if the Democrats agree.\r\nIn Judiciary Committee proceedings, President Trump's counsel is only allowed to participate if he meets the terms set by that committee. Chairman Jerry Nadler is the arbiter of what is or is not lawful.\r\nDue process at the pleasure of the majority is not due process at all. Due process requires that the accused be able to aggressively question evidence, and that the public be able to observe that process.\r\nAccordingly, we still need to be able to hear publicly from witnesses.\r\nLast week on WFIR Radio, I heard Senator Mark Warner say, If the next step is taken, I believe that it will be incumbent upon the House to have many of these same witnesses come out and make public testimony as well because at the end of the day, I'm going to have to make a decision. I want to see these facts as well.'\r\nI agree with Senator Warner. Impeaching a president based on testimony only a select few have heard is unacceptable. To do the process right, key witnesses have to be called in for public testimony, even if it means testifying a second time.\r\nThe House Democrats are clearly running an unfair process. Even in his attempt to defend what the Democrats in the House are doing, Senator Warner admits that the current process is not one discerning lawmakers and fact judges can adequately rely on.\r\nBackground\r\nThe text of the resolution is here.\r\nSenator Warner's comments on WFIR Radio can be heard here.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401187", "Griffith Statement on Passing of Former Governor Gerald Baliles", "2019-10-29", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Statement on Passing of Former Governor Gerald Baliles \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Tuesday,\r\n      October 29, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement upon the death of former Virginia Governor Gerald Baliles:\r\nI am saddened to learn that former Governor Gerald Baliles has passed away. He served our Commonwealth faithfully as a member of the House of Delegates, Attorney General, and Governor. A native son of Patrick County, he remained devoted to promoting the interests of rural Virginians. My thoughts are with his family in this difficult time.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-delivers-video-message-death-abu-bakr-al-baghdadi", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Delivers Video Message on the Death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi", "2019-10-29", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. -Congressman Denver Riggleman delivered avideo message this evening on the death of ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. Congressman Riggleman praised the work of U.S. Special Forces and the work thatthey did to neutralize one of the largest threats to American interests around the globe.\n\"The message this operation sends to ISIS and terrorists around the world is that America will never stop in our quest to rid the world of vile terrorists,\" said Congressman Denver Riggleman. \"al-Baghdadi was an evil madman who was one of the most brutal leaders of ISIS, whose actions included enslaving women, carrying out gruesome executions, and exporting terroraround the world.\"\nYou can watch the Congressman's addresshere, and thefull transcript can be found below.\n  \nGood afternoon, 5th District.\nToday I would like to reflect on an event of momentous importance that occurred over the weekend and a tremendous victory for the United States of America.\nAs announced by President Trump on Sunday morning, ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was killed during a military raid carried out by special operations forces in northern Syria.\nI thank God for the success of the mission and that all Americans involved in the operation have returned home. As a veteran who has served in combat zones and on active duty, I have tremendous appreciation for the sacrifices made by our troops and thank God for their safety.\nThe message this operation sends to ISIS and terrorists around the world is that America will never stop in our quest to rid the world of vile terrorists. Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was an evil madman who was one of the most brutal leaders of ISIS, whose actions included enslaving women, carrying out gruesome executions, and exporting terroraround the world.\nHis death is a victory for America and our Allies and I commend the special operations and intelligence forces who helped carry out this mission. We will not stop or waver in destroying terrorist leaders wherever they hide.\nGod bless our Special Forces,\nGod Bless our Military,\nand God Bless the United States of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2862", "Wittman Applauds Passage of Veteran Treatment Court Legislation", "2019-10-28", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) was thrilled at the House passage of HR 886, the Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act of 2019  of which he is a proud co-sponsor. Modeled after several other successful specialty courts, this bill directs the Department of Justice to establish a Veteran Treatment Court Program to provide grants and technical assistance for state, local, and tribal governments to develop and maintain veteran treatment courts.\r\nIt is absolutely critical that we take care of our nation's heroes, Wittman said. After serving our country, too many veterans are experiencing mental health issues, substance abuse, and homelessness, which can often land them in the criminal justice system. This bill would give non-violent offenders a chance for rehabilitation through a special program tailored to the needs of veterans. There are currently over 200,000 veterans incarcerated in American prisons, over 40,000 are homeless and 21 commit suicide every single day. A single veteran in any of these categories is unacceptable and we owe them a second chance. It is my job in Congress to ensure our veterans receive the benefits and treatment they have earned and I hope to see this legislation move forward in the Senate.\r\nThe Veteran Treatment Court Coordination Act would enhance state and local veteran treatment court programs that provide the counseling, care, and support veterans need to address the unique challenges they face in the criminal justice system and help them more successfully transition to civilian life. HR 886 passed the House by voice vote.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401186", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.25.19", "2019-10-25", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Democrats in the House of Representatives are moving forward with their so-called impeachment inquiry into President Trump, but others of us in the House know that important work remains to be done on behalf of the American people.\r\nOn the morning of October 23rd, frustrated Republicans rightfully demanded access to impeachment information. Several actually entered the room where, behind guarded doors, testimony was to be heard. While this was taking place, I was participating in a subcommittee hearing where important matters, including rural health care, were being discussed with the Administrator of the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services.\r\nWhile the House majority has thrown all its effort into the supposed inquiry, it has neglected other vital matters. One of these was the Debbie Smith Reauthorization Act, legislation I had cosponsored.\r\nThe Debbie Smith Act, first passed in 2004, provides grants to state and local jurisdictions to analyze DNA samples, helping to reduce the backlog of unprocessed rape kits. As the Government Accountability Office found a backlog of 169,000 DNA samples from crime scenes awaiting analysis in 2017, reauthorizing the program should have been a priority. Based on previous strong bipartisan support for the program, it would have been a priority easily accomplished. \r\nNevertheless, authorization for the funding expired at the beginning of the month. While the Senate had unanimously passed the reauthorization months ago, House leadership only put it up for a vote on October 23rd. When the bill came to the floor, only one Member of Congress voted in opposition. \r\nThe Democrat fixation on impeachment needlessly delayed action on this important resource for combating sexual assault.\r\nReauthorizing the Debbie Smith Act was a step in the right direction, but there are more legislative solutions on the table to support sexual assault victims.\r\nIn the wake of a sexual assault, a victim should be able to receive treatment from a trained professional. An untrained provider might unintentionally worsen the trauma inflicted by the assault. \r\nFurther, it is essential to preserve evidence as soon as possible in these cases. Forensic tests are constantly improving, but timeliness is still necessary. \r\nA shortage of proper resources and trained professionals can fail sexual assault victims and increase the difficulty of finding their assailants. Unfortunately, such a shortage exists in Virginia.\r\nThe Richmond Times-Dispatch recently reported on a study finding that victims of sexual assault in the Commonwealth frequently have to search out hospitals, sometimes traveling for hours, to access sexual assault forensic evidence (SAFE) kits, commonly referred to as rape kits, that are administered by specially-trained sexual assault nurse examiners (SANEs). Lack of access to SAFE kits and SANEs leads to a severe underreporting of sexual assaults  according to the study, fewer than half of victims in Virginia report them.\r\nIn the last Congress, the Energy and Commerce Committee held a hearing on shortages of these resources and personnel. The information I heard led me to cosponsor legislation on the subject led by then-Congressman Ted Poe (R-TX). Congressman Poe retired from the House at the end of the last term, so when I read about the Virginia study, I was moved to reintroduce the legislation in this Congress myself.\r\nThis bill, the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act, would establish a task force to identify barriers that currently block access to assistance for sexual assault victims. It also would help states improve their ability to collect evidence and require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to publicize resources and best practices for responding to sexual assault.\r\nI also wrote a letter to every member of the House explaining the bill and to ask them to join me in sponsoring it.\r\nI hope that the House will act on the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act. It is a commonsense bill that would help bring to justice perpetrators of sexual assault and alleviate some of the trauma caused by that crime.\r\nWhile impeachment distracts the House majority, we must not lose sight of the many real difficulties felt in the lives of Americans.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/media/press-releases/rep-cline-bill-protect-small-creators-passes-house", "Rep. Cline Bill to Protect Small Creators Passes the House", "2019-10-23", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON A bipartisan bill co-sponsored by Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06), H.R. 2426, theCopyright Alternative in Small-Claims Enforcement (CASE) Act passed the House last night with near unanimous support.\nThis legislation, which was introduced by Cline and Representatives Hakeem Jeffries, Doug Collins, and Jerrold Nadler would create a Copyright Claims Board within the Copyright Office to provide for an efficient and less expensive forum for small creators to better enforce their rights.\nThe CASE Act is a much-needed solution for copyright claims that are small in nature but nevertheless important for the copyright holders it intends to help, Cline said. The passage of this bill is a win for copyright and small business owners as it establishes a low-cost method for such owners to settle claims and protect their works from infringement.\nFederal courts have exclusive jurisdiction over copyright. However, because of the high cost of federal litigation, small creators, such as graphic artists, authors, songwriters, photographers, and others across the country, often have difficulty enforcing their rights and protecting their works from infringement. Due to the comparatively low value of their work compared to the high cost of federal litigation, most attorneys do not even consider taking these small cases. This leaves small creators with little remedy to protect their works and their livelihoods. The CASE Act, largely based on a Copyright Office study from 2013, provides these creators with an alternative option to protect their rights.\nCongressman Ben Cline was sworn in as the new Congressman for the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia in January of 2019. He was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates prior to his election last November. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401185", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.21.19", "2019-10-21", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Pelosi Drug Bill\r\nOn October 17, the House Energy and Commerce Committee marked up H.R. 3, Speaker Pelosi's prescription drug bill.\r\nRepublicans and Democrats in the committee have been working together all year on solutions to lower prescription drug costs. We had previously passed legislation out of committee addressing the issue and were discussing further action to advance this goal.\r\nSpeaker Pelosi, in contrast, wrote a prescription drug bill primarily to satisfy the farthest left wing of her party and then proceeded to rush it through the various committees with jurisdiction, including Energy and Commerce. The legislation and the process alike are regrettable.\r\nOne of my most serious concerns about the bill is on its constitutionality. I believe part of the Pelosi drug bill constitutes a bill of attainder, a practice deemed so objectionable by our Founding Fathers that they prohibited Congress and the states from passing such legislation in the original text of the Constitution, even before the Bill of Rights.\r\nBills of attainder had been levied in England to seize individuals' property, if not sentence them to death, and deny their heirs the right of inheritance. They were often wielded arbitrarily against opponents of the monarch. Colonists who settled in North America and their families had been victimized by the practice in England. Even after independence, some states continued the practice.\r\nJames Madison described bills of attainder and similar laws as contrary to the first principles of the social compact, and to every principle of sound legislation.\" They are at odds with the values of property rights and rule of law that define our constitutional system, but not, evidently, Speaker Pelosi's drug pricing bill.\r\nWhen courts have considered whether a law could be classified as an unconstitutional bill of attainder, they have traditionally asked three questions:\r\n1. Does the law target individuals or groups?\r\n2. Does the law punish them?\r\n3. Does the law impose its penalties without a trial?\r\nI believe that Speaker Pelosi's bill, which imposes up to a 95 percent tax of gross revenue on drug manufacturers who do not reach an agreement with the Federal Government on pricing, violates all three of these tests.\r\nFurther, a tax of 95 percent of gross revenue when a company must spend more money to bring a product to market means that a company could actually lose money on trying to bring a new drug to market. \r\nI believe that would be a taking of the intellectual property of the company and a violation of the Fifth Amendment, part of the original Bill of Rights.\r\nTo make matters worse, this seizure of up to 95 percent of the gross revenues can go back in time five years.\r\nWhen I raised these points in the markup, Democrats dismissed them, with one of their arguments being, Let's put this constitutional argument aside.\r\nWhen drafting laws, however, the Constitution cannot be set aside. Speaker Pelosi is bound to uphold it, as are all of us in the House of Representatives. The way forward for the Democrat majority is not to brush off concerns about constitutionality, but to come back to the table and work on legislation that doesn't violate the law of the land and will actually help reduce drug prices.\r\nSecretary of Energy Rick Perry\r\nU.S. Secretary of Energy Rick Perry recently announced his plan to step down from his position later this year. I am sorry to see him depart the Trump Administration, although his return to private life is well-deserved. He has been an excellent Cabinet Secretary and a strong advocate for policies that guarantee American energy dominance.\r\nUnder his leadership, the Department of Energy has funded important and exciting research. He knew that we needed to draw upon all forms of energy at our disposal, and that studying their various uses was the best way to secure a plentiful and affordable energy supply.\r\nI always appreciated his testimony before the House Subcommittee on Energy, on which I serve. I would like to extend my best wishes to him as he moves on to the next chapter of his life.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401184", "Griffith Introduces Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act", "2019-10-18", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Introduces Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Friday,\r\n      October 18, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after introducing the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act:\r\nWe have to do better for sexual assault victims. The bill I have introduced, the Sexual Assault Victims Protection Act, will help. It would establish a task force to identify barriers that now block access to professional assistance, help states improve their ability to gather evidence, and require the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to publicize resources and best practices for responding to sexual assault. By improving the ability to respond to these heinous crimes, we can better support those who suffer from sexual assault.\r\nBackground\r\nThe Virginia General Assembly Joint Commission on Health Care recently found a shortage of qualified nurses and hospitals that provide sexual assault exams in the Commonwealth, sometimes requiring victims to travel for hours for proper care.\r\nGriffith sponsored similar legislation last year.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2847", "Wittman Cosponsors Legislation to Impose Sanctions Against Turkey", "2019-10-16", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Wittman Cosponsors Legislation to Impose Sanctions Against Turkey \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 16, 2019\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  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) joined 90 of his colleagues to introduce legislation that seeks to impose sanctions against Turkey in response to its military offensive actions against Kurdish forces in Syria.\r\nCongress must act to limit the potential catastrophic impact of this aggression, Wittman said. This bloodshed must stop  if Turkey decides to continue on with these violent actions, then they must face the consequences associated with their aggression. The United States should remain an important presence in the region to maintain stability; we simply cannot allow our gains in suppressing terror to be undone.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401183", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.11.19", "2019-10-11", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Broadband's New World\r\nIn August 1492, the Italian explorer Christopher Columbus set sail in the name of the Spanish monarchs Ferdinand and Isabella in search of a sea route to the riches of Asia. On October 12, 1492, he landed instead in the Americas and thus opened the New World for Western exploration and settlement.\r\nWe all know this story, and so we observe Columbus Day every second Monday of October.\r\nColumbus undertook his momentous voyage in three small ships across a vast ocean to seek new economic opportunities. Today, we can pursue that same goal without leaving our homes or businesses. The instrument of exploration in our time is reliable Internet access.\r\nJust as Columbus had to rove among the monarchies of Europe to obtain financial support for his expedition, however, the funding for broadband can be hard to come by. Rural areas in particular often lag in broadband investment.\r\nRecent federal funding announcements will help Southwest Virginia close the gap. \r\nU.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development announced two on October 7. Scott County Telephone Cooperative received $3 million to upgrade current broadband infrastructure in the Dungannon area, and Grundy-based iGo Technology received $3 million to enhance broadband services to an additional 820 homes and businesses.\r\nRural Development's support can be critical for rural broadband improvements. That is why I wrote letters of support for both projects, and why I hosted a workshop with the agency on October 9 in Abingdon to help economic development officials navigate the process of applying for funding.\r\nOther agencies also contribute to broadband in our area. On October 10, the Federal Communications Commission authorized $23,979,453 over ten years to Sunset Digital Communications for building out gigabit-speed broadband to 6,998 locations in Southwest Virginia.\r\nNearly $40 million in one week will go a long way, but more needs to be done.\r\nColumbus may have been guided in his first voyage by a map of the world that included Asia, Africa, and Europe, but not the Americas which lay in his path, contributing to his lifelong insistence that he had reached the Indies in 1492. \r\nWe also have problems with inaccurate maps; namely, those which fail to show the true state of broadband coverage. Some areas are considered to have broadband service if only one house in its census block is served. This leaves many gaps. \r\nAccurate mapping is required to get the most out of investment in broadband. RAY BAUM'S Act, legislation written in the House Energy and Commerce Committee I serve on and signed into law last year, included provisions to improve data collection. Going forward, the Federal Government must ensure that its provisions are being implemented effectively.\r\nBroadband expansion may never be honored with a national holiday like Columbus Day, but it will open a new world of economic opportunity that lies out there.\r\nHealth Care\r\nHealth care is a concern that touches everyone, but for professionals in the sector, it is a true livelihood.\r\nTo better represent my constituents and fulfill my duties on the House Subcommittee on Health, I often visit health care facilities in Virginia's Ninth Congressional District and hear from the people who work there. I made three such stops during the October district work period.\r\nOne is a new facility. Ballad Health has opened an urgent care center in Pennington Gap. It was an important step for Lee County, which has not had a hospital open since 2013. As I told those gathered at the ribbon cutting, you have to crawl before you can sprint. I am optimistic Lee County will be sprinting soon with a new hospital next year.\r\nI also stopped by the Wythe County Community Hospital and met with the heads of the various departments. During our hour-long discussion, I learned a lot from them, and I reviewed health policy discussions ongoing in Washington, D.C.\r\nMy third health care stop was at Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, where I talked with the staff and saw interesting medical equipment they had on site.\r\nThe information and perspectives I gained from these stops will be invaluable as I continue to work on health policy in the House. \r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-co-sponsors-turkey-sanctions-bill", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Co-Sponsors Turkey Sanctions Bill", "2019-10-11", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. - Congressman Denver Riggleman will join Congresswoman Liz Cheney (R-WY) in introducing legislation to impose sanctions against Turkey in response to their military offensive against U.S. -allied Kurdish forces in Northern Syria. Congressman Riggleman will be an original co-sponsor of the legislation.\n\"I am appalled by the latest news coming from Syria. The actions by President Erdoan and the Turkish forces has brought increased violence and instability to a vitally important region,\"said Congressman Riggleman. \"I give my strongest support to this bill to increase sanctions on Turkey in response to their invasion of Syria. \"\nOriginal co-sponsors of this legislation will include the following House GOP members:  \n\t\n \nRepublican Leader Rep. Kevin McCarthy (CA-23)\n\tRepublican Whip Rep. Steve Scalise (LA-01)\n\tHASC Ranking Member Rep. Mac Thornberry (TX-13)\n\tRep.Jodey Arrington (TX-19)\n\tRep. Don Bacon (NE-02)\n\tRep. Jim Banks (IN-03)\n\tRep. Jack Bergman(MI-01)\n\tRep. Rick Crawford (AR-01)\n\tRep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02)\n\tRep. Mike Gallagher (WI-08)\n\tRep. French Hill (AR-02)\n\tRep. Will Hurd (TX-23)\n\tRep. Richard Hudson (NC-08)\n\tRep. Mike Johnson (LA-04)\n\tRep. Adam Kinzinger (IL-16)\n\tRep. Paul Mitchell (MI-10)\n\tRep. John Ratcliffe (TX-04)\n\tRep. Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14)\n\tRep. Martha Roby (AL-02)\n\tRep. Mike Rogers (AL-03)\n\tRep. Denver Riggleman (VA-05)\n\tRep. Elise Stefanik (NY-21)\n\tRep. Mike Turner (OH-10)\n\tRep. Mark Walker (NC-06)\n\tRep. Michael Waltz (FL-06)\n\tRep. Brad Wenstrup (OH-02)\n\tRep. Joe Wilson (SC-02)\n\tRep. Steve Womack (AR-03)\n \n\nCongresswoman Cheney said: President Erdoan and his regime must face serious consequences for mercilessly attacking our Kurdish allies in northern Syria, who incurred thousands of casualties in the fight against ISIS and helped us protect the homeland.These sanctions are not only a response to the Erdogan regime's violent attacks in northern Syria. Congress has long had concerns about the regime's cooperation with U.S. adversaries, such as Russia. If Turkey wants to be treated like an ally, it must begin behaving like one. They must be sanctioned for their attacks on our Kurdish allies.\nThe house billfollows similar efforts led by Sens. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) in the Senate.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401182", "Griffith Applauds Nearly $24 Million FCC Authorization for Rural Broadband", "2019-10-10", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) authorized $23,979,453 to Sunset Digital Communications over the next ten years to expand rural broadband in Southwest Virginia at gigabit speed:\r\nFast and reliable broadband access promises to open up major new opportunities for the economy, education, health care, and numerous other aspects of our lives. The Federal Communication Commission's landmark $24 million investment in gigabit-speed broadband for Southwest Virginia has the potential to reshape our future. This support will help close the digital divide. I appreciate the partnership of the FCC and Sunset Digital in bringing this important asset to our region.\r\nBackground\r\nThe authorization will serve 6,998 locations in Virginia. According to the FCC, these locations in Virginia broken down by jurisdiction are:\r\nBuchanan: 626  \r\nDickenson: 1,671  \r\nLee: 1,018  \r\nRussell: 2,556  \r\nTazewell: 714  \r\nWashington: 9  \r\nWise: 404\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401179", "Griffith Announces $2,188,012 in Grants from Appalachian Regional Commission for Economic Development", "2019-10-08", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Morgan Griffith issued the following statement after the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $2,188,012 in grants through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative for projects in Virginia's Ninth Congressional District:\r\nThe Appalachian Regional Commission's POWER Initiative provides important support for coal-impacted communities. This award of $2,188,012 in total grants for the Ninth District will assist a broad array of projects related to economic development and job growth, including workforce development and infrastructure upgrades. These investments have the potential to make a huge impact in our communities.\r\nNinth District projects include:\r\n$1,500,000 to the Southwest Virginia Workforce Development Board, based in Lebanon and serving the coalfields region, for the Recovery Opportunities and Pathways to Employment Success (ROPES) project, combining substance abuse disorder recovery and workforce development;\r\n$588,072 to Southwest Virginia Community College for the SWCC Automotive Service Excellence Center, creating a curriculum to train students for automobile technician positions;\r\n$50,000 to LENOWISCO Planning District Commission for the Technology Innovation Ecosystem for Rural Water Systems project, developing technologies to monitor rural public water systems for leaks; and\r\n$49,940 to Appalachian Voices for the Taking a Proven Energy Model to Scale project developing solar energy.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401181", "Griffith Announces $622,280 Federal Grant for Appalachian Beekeeping Collective Diversification and Expansion Project", "2019-10-08", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) awarded $622,280 through its Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce and Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative for the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective Diversification and Expansion Project.\r\nBees are some of nature's essential creatures, and the Appalachian Beekeeping Collective cultivates them while providing new job opportunities for our region. I am pleased that the Appalachian Regional Commission awarded $622,280 to fund this worthy and beneficial project, said Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA).\r\n\"The Appalachian Beekeeping Collective is a powerful social and economic engine. It is giving people throughout Central Appalachia options, but better yet, it's giving people hope for the future, said Terri J. Giles, of nonprofit Appalachian Headwaters.\r\nBackground\r\nAppalachian Headwaters, based in Lewisburg, West Virginia, received this grant to expand on previous ARC funding. The money awarded in this round of funding will impact Alleghany, Craig, Giles, Montgomery, and Pulaski Counties in Virginia as well as seventeen counties in West Virginia.\r\nGriffith wrote a letter of support on behalf of this project to ARC.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401176", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.7.19", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Impeachment: A Partisan Distraction\r\nI enjoy using this column to discuss important but less well-known issues that affect the lives of Southwest Virginians. As your representative in Washington, I work on policy matters that make a difference in our communities, such as economic development, health care, and rural broadband. These topics may not grab headlines, but they are vital, and I do my best to keep you up to date on developments.\r\nWhile traveling the Ninth District during the October district work period, I took part in events that offer valuable opportunities for our communities.\r\nOver the past several years, I have worked to secure federal funding for Virginia through the Abandoned Mine Land (AML) Pilot Program, and on October 2 I helped announce two more projects to restore land for economic development purposes. \r\nThe Dante Community Redevelopment Project in Russell County received $269,000 for developing trail networks and closing mine portals. The Dickenson County Public Service Authority received $356,500 for extending waterline to serve a campground. Both grants will increase the region's appeal for tourism and promote job growth.\r\nOn October 3, I visited Virginia Tech and learned more about the important research being done there. Some of it has the potential to reshape economic opportunities in rural areas, such as the ongoing development of space technology, which includes building satellites similar to those companies such as Amazon are developing to bring broadband to rural areas.\r\nLater that evening, I spoke at the New River Valley Rail 2020 Legislative Reception, an event to support the extension of passenger rail service further into Southwest Virginia.\r\nProgress in all of these areas could tangibly benefit citizens of the Ninth District in their lives and deserve our attention and effort. \r\nWe have important work to do. But unfortunately, the House Democrat decision to begin an impeachment inquiry of President Trump threatens to absorb our attention and block progress on the things that matter.\r\nWhen I talk to constituents, I frequently hear their frustration about Democrats pursuing investigation after investigation after investigation into President Trump. \r\nTo be clear, I support legitimate oversight of every administration. It is a fundamental congressional responsibility. \r\nThe Democrat approach to President Trump, however, has been to launch inquisitions that start by presuming the President guilty at the outset and rooting around for possible evidence of guilt afterward.\r\nThis impeachment inquiry is no different. Speaker Pelosi announced it on September 24, the day before the transcript of President Trump's supposedly-incriminating phone conversation with the President of Ukraine was made public.\r\nI read that transcript and the whistleblower complaint from a member of the intelligence community that was later released. They did not contain anything which would justify the impeachment of the President of the United States, an action taken by the House of Representatives only twice in our history, or his removal, never done by the Senate.\r\nI might not have used the words President Trump used in his conversation with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, but I did not find the substance inappropriate. \r\nIf it was inappropriate, as most Democrats in the House think, then the question is: was it appropriate for former Vice President Joe Biden to brag about telling Ukrainian officials, I'm leaving in six hours. If the prosecutor is not fired, you're not getting the money, referring to $1 billion in American loan guarantees? Remember, that prosecutor was looking into the company his son worked with.\r\nThree Democratic senators also would have a lot to answer for if President Trump's call with President Zelensky crossed a legal line. In May 2018, Senators Robert Menendez (D-NJ), Richard Durbin (D-IL), and Patrick Leahy (D-VT) wrote to Ukraine's Prosecutor General. They begin their letter noting how the United States has aided Ukraine, then shift to demanding that country cooperate with an investigation of President Trump, their political rival. Mmmm?\r\nJustice demands that if the President be held to a particular standard, these Democrat officials should be as well. \r\nJustice is not the aim of this impeachment inquiry, in my opinion.\r\nFor the next several months, the attention of the House and of the nation will be focused on a political campaign against President Trump. This is not healthy for our Republic. \r\nIt is still not too late for Democrats to drop the theatrics and start working on the real issues facing the American people. I hope they do.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.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\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401177", "Griffith Announces $3 Million in Federal Grants for Broadband in Buchanan County", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $3 Million in Federal Grants for Broadband in Buchanan County \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Monday,\r\n      October 7, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement announcing that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded $3 million for broadband in Buchanan County:\r\nBroadband is a vital tool for economic development and expanding opportunity. This funding for iGo Technology will provide a tremendous boost, connecting hundreds of homes and businesses to reliable Internet access and aiding our region's economy.\r\nBackground\r\niGo Technology, Inc, of Grundy will receive $3 million to extend a previous Community Connect grant, enhancing broadband opportunities to an additional 820 homes and businesses.\r\nGriffith wrote a letter of support on behalf of the grant application.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401178", "Griffith Announces $3 Million in Federal Grants for Broadband in Scott County", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Griffith Announces $3 Million in Federal Grants for Broadband in Scott County \r\n    \r\n     \r\n\r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      Abingdon,\r\n      October 7, 2019\r\n    \r\n     | \r\n    Kevin Baird\r\n    (202-225-3861)\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 Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement announcing that U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Rural Development has awarded $3 million for broadband in Scott County:\r\nBroadband is a vital tool for economic development and expanding opportunity. This funding for Scott County Telephone Cooperative will provide a tremendous boost, connecting hundreds of homes and businesses to reliable Internet access and aiding our region's economy.\r\nBackground\r\nScott County Telephone Cooperative received $3 million through Rural Development's Community Connect grants to construct a Fiber-to-the-Premises over-lash to upgrade current broadband infrastructure in the Dungannon area. The project will benefit 592 customers.\r\nGriffith wrote a letter of support on behalf of the grant application.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://riggleman.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-denver-riggleman-applauds-expansion-broadband-mecklenburg-county", "Congressman Denver Riggleman Applauds Expansion of Broadband in Mecklenburg County", "2019-10-07", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Denver Riggleman", "R000611", "riggleman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington D.C. - Congressman Denver Riggleman applaudeda recent announcement thatthe United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) is investing $152 million in 19 projects to provide or improve rural broadband service in 14 states. Included in this investment was a $9,703,000 loan to the Buggs Island Telephone Cooperative in Mecklenburg County to provide high speed internet.\n\"Iam happy to seethe USDA's investment in improving broadband services and am excited to see the inclusion of Buggs Island in Mecklenburg,\"said Congressman Riggleman.\"Expanding broadband access in rural areas has been a priority of my time in Congress and this expansion will help grow the economy and improve the quality of life for my constituents.\"\nThe full USDA press release including all projects can be found here. Providing increased access to rural broadband has been and will continue to be one of Congressman Riggleman's top priorities in Congress. Thisinvestmentwill be used toconstruct the infrastructure necessary to bring high-speed internet to homes and communities in ruralareas. Working towards securing these grants and loans through private-public partnerships has been acornerstone of his strategy in bringing high-speed connectivity to southside Virginia", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2840", "Breakfast With Rob: Dumfries", "2019-10-04", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "DUMFRIES  Yesterday, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) had the latest stop of his Breakfast With Rob series at the Montclair Family Restaurant in Dumfries, Virginia. He kicked off the series in June in Tappahannock, with his second stop in Kilmarnock in July, and his third stop in Ashland last month. He will continue stopping into local favorite breakfast spots across the First District to talk with folks about the issues that matter most to them.\r\nThis morning I had a great time talking with folks at the Montclair Family Restaurant, said Wittman. I'm working hard on the issues that matter most to Virginians: expanding access to rural broadband, fixing our broken infrastructure, protecting the benefits of our veterans, lowering health care costs, and advocating for our men and women in uniform. I believe the best ideas don't come from Washington, but from my constituents. This is just another way for me to connect with constituents and hear their thoughts and ideas on how to make Washington work better for them.\r\nAt today's stop-in, Congressman Wittman talked to constituents about issues local veterans are having with their benefits, his work to expand access to broadband in rural areas, and ways he is navigating the current partisan environment in Washington. Constituents can stay up to date for when Congressman Wittman will be in their area by signing up for his email list at www.wittman.house.gov.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=2827", "Wittman Hosts 3rd Community Broadband Field Seminar in Stafford", "2019-10-03", "2019", "2019-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Robert Wittman", "W000804", "wittman.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "STAFFORD  Today, Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-01) hosted his third Community Broadband Field Seminar in Stafford County as an opportunity for underserved and unserved communities and neighborhoods within the area to learn more about the funding and resources available at the state and federal levels to help bring broadband to their citizens. He has served as a leader in both Virginia and in Congress to close the digital divide and bring broadband to the unserved populations of America. Whether through his leadership as a Co-Chair of the House Rural Broadband Caucus or on the First District Rural Broadband Task Force, Congressman Wittman has made broadband expansion a top priority.\r\nFor me, the issue of rural broadband dates back more than 20 years to my time on Westmoreland County Board of Supervisors, said Wittman. Demand for high speed broadband has never been greater; closing the digital divide is the key to lifting up countless communities and populations in unserved areas. While Congress has made great strides in tackling this issue, more can and should be done. I am hosting these seminars to provide an important opportunity for localities to learn the resources available to them and to make broadband access a reality for these communities.\r\nAs part of his continued efforts on this issue, Congressman Wittman brought in representatives from the Governor's Chief Broadband Advisor's office to the area to provide a briefing on the state broadband grant program, the Virginia Telecommunications Initiative, and other state and federal agency broadband funding programs. The briefing served as an opportunity for representatives from the Governor's Chief Broadband Advisor's office to discuss their broadband digital toolkit, which serves as an all-encompassing resource to better inform communities about the resources available on applying for broadband expansion funding and best steps to take to better position themselves for state and federal funding. Attendees also heard from a County Telecommunications Commission representative.\r\nAttendees included Evan Feinman, Governor's Chief Broadband Advisor; Courtney Dozier, Governor's Deputy Chief Broadband Advisor; Cindy Shelton, Aquia District Supervisor, who helped organize the event; Jack Cavalier, Griffis-Widewater District Supervisor; and local residents.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401175", "Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 9.30.19", "2019-09-30", "2019", "2019-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Morgan Griffith", "G000568", "morgangriffith.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rural areas like ours face unique challenges in health care. Providers struggle to stay open and to attract new doctors, nurses, and other personnel.\r\nI am looking forward to being in Lee County on October 8 for the ribbon-cutting of an urgent care center. This facility is the first step toward opening a new Lee County hospital next year. This is an important step forward since Lee County's old hospital closed in 2013, and getting to this point has been no easy task. It required the tireless and sustained advocacy of people in the community and their local elected members of the General Assembly.\r\nLater in the process, my office and the offices of our two senators stand ready to advocate for the new hospital's inclusion in Federal programs.\r\nFurther, in Washington, D.C., I have advocated for rural health care, as well as better care for all Americans. Unfortunately, the House Democrat majority recently decided instead to prioritize health care for illegal immigrants.\r\nOn September 26, they passed H.R. 3525. This bill requires the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which has the mission of keeping our country safe from threats both natural and manmade, to perform new medical assignments without providing more funding to undertake these added burdens unconnected with DHS' mission.\r\nDHS is required to set up an interoperable electronic health records (EHR) system within 90 days to house the medical records of illegal immigrants.\r\nBy comparison, Veterans Administration (VA) facilities in Virginia will not have an EHR system until 2024 and the transition for VA facilities nationwide will not be completed until 2027.\r\nThe Department of Defense will not have an EHR system for active-duty service members for five years.\r\nIn fact, the Coast Guard, which is a DHS agency, still uses paper medical records because the system it spent seven years building does not work.\r\nYet somehow the Democrats think it makes sense to pass a bill requiring DHS to establish an EHR database for illegal aliens in 90 days.\r\nAnother mandate imposed but unfunded by H.R. 3525 is for DHS to research innovative ways to conduct medical screenings on illegal immigrants. As House Homeland Security Committee Ranking Member Mike Rogers (R-AL) noted during floor debate, DHS conducts thousands of medical screenings on migrants on a daily basis. Finding new ways to deliver health screenings more efficiently could save time and money, but researching innovations in health care delivery is NOT the mission of DHS.\r\nWe should treat illegal immigrants taken into custody humanely and provide for their immediate medical needs, but H.R. 3525 and similar Democrat legislation puts their interests in improving health care before those of American citizens.\r\nHouse Republicans offered language simply changing the bill so that DHS would not have to implement the EHR system before the VA has completely deployed its system. I think most people would agree that the men and women who serve and sacrifice for us deserve this commitment from their government.\r\nNevertheless, Democrats rejected this simple amendment.\r\nAt the same time, they are handicapping the Trump Administration's lawful attempts to secure the border and reduce the number of illegal border crossings.\r\nA day after passing H.R. 3525, the House again passed a resolution terminating the national emergency President Trump declared at the southern border, which allowed him to deploy more resources to counter the crisis. The law providing for national emergencies may give too much authority to the executive branch, but it is difficult to argue that President Trump is misusing this flexibility given him by Congress.\r\nPresident Trump will certainly veto the legislation ending the national emergency, just as he did six months ago, but people in Central America contemplating the long and dangerous trek to the border are nevertheless receiving a strong message from House Democrats: It's okay, come to the U.S. illegally.\r\nAdded to that, many Democrat candidates for president have indicated they would, if elected, give government-provided health care to all illegal immigrants.\r\nPerhaps Southwest Virginia will receive more attention if we decide to secede from the Union. Perhaps we can form the independent nation of Franklin, just as the State of Franklin was contemplated in the era of the Revolution, and then cross the border back into the United States. Then Washington Democrats may pay attention to the rural health care needs of American citizens.\r\nOf course, my proposal is not serious. But then, neither is the legislation Speaker Pelosi and her colleagues in the House majority have been advancing.\r\nIf you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405, my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671, or my Washington office at 202-225-3861.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"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 392, "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": "2019"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 392, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 392, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "VA", "label": "VA", "count": 392, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2019", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019", "results": [{"value": "2019", "label": "2019", "count": 392, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2019-09-30,http~3A~2F~2Fmorgangriffith~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D401175", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2019&_next=2019-09-30%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fmorgangriffith~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D401175&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 265.77515504322946, "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"}