{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"VA\" and year = 2022 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1120", "Rep. Ben Cline Votes Against Democrats $1.7 Trillion Spending Spree", "2022-12-23", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) released the below statement following his vote against the over $1.7 TRILLION, 4,155-page omnibus spending package, which will skyrocket America\u2019s national debt and worsen the inflation crisis that Virginians are suffering from.\n\n\u201cDemocrats\u2019 bloated omnibus spending spree represents what\u2019s wrong with Washington: a 4,000+ page, over $1.7 trillion government funding deal we are forced to vote on at the last minute,\u201d Cline said. \u201cThis makes it impossible to know the total cost that will fall on the backs of American taxpayers - and worsens inflation that\u2019s devastating working families. Americans have to live within their means, while Congress spends and spends with money we don\u2019t have. It\u2019s pure Washington dysfunction in action, and it must be stopped. That\u2019s why I voted against this bill - because the American people who elected us deserve a Congress that spends responsibly, not more than we can afford.\u201d\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1119", "Rep. Cline Votes Against Continuing Resolution", "2022-12-15", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) voted against the Continuing Resolution passed by the U.S. House of Representatives, which extends the government funding deadline from the original date of December 16th to December 23rd. Passage of this spending bill will enable the Democrat Majority to buy additional time for a massive lame-duck spending bill in which House Republicans have had no seat at the negotiating table.\n\n\u201cThe one-week continuing resolution is the Democrats\u2019 last-ditch effort to jam a monstrous $1.7 TRILLION lame-duck omnibus before Christmas, and push more of their radical agenda and fiscal failures before their one-party control runs out,\u201d Cline said. \u201cThis bill is a green light to keep the inflation-bomb deficit spending going that has hurt families and businesses. We should be passing a continuing resolution into next year, instead of buying more time to rush through a massive spending package that will skyrocket our Nation\u2019s debt even more. Republicans should not give the Biden Administration one more vote to take another penny from hardworking taxpayers, and continue the reckless Pelosi-Schumer spending spree.\u201d\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1118", "Rep. Cline Statement on Virginia Delegate Ronnie Campbells Passing", "2022-12-13", "2022", "2022-12", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) issued the following statement upon hearing the news of Virginia Delegate Ronnie Campbell\u2019s passing.\n\n\u201cElizabeth and I are deeply saddened to hear of the passing of my friend and our Delegate, Ronnie Campbell,\u201d Rep. Cline said. \u201cRonnie served our community and Commonwealth with dedication and distinction. He made a career in law enforcement with the Virginia State Police, serving both in northern Virginia and in Rockbridge County. He pursued higher education and spent time as a contractor, giving him added insights into the impact government regulations can have on small businesses. Ronnie was driven to serve both his Rockbridge community and his home county of Augusta. He represented constituents as a member of the Rockbridge County School Board and as a member of the Rockbridge County Board of Supervisors. His repeated successful runs for local office led to his election to the Virginia House of Delegates representing the 24th House District. Ronnie spent countless hours devoted to public service. We shared the privilege of representing the 24th House District, and he will long be remembered by the people of the District. Elizabeth and I are praying for the Campbell family during this difficult time.\u201d\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:32:05Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1108", "Rep. Ben Cline Hosts Fall Farm Tour Across the Southern Half of Virginias Sixth Congressional District", "2022-10-26", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "FINCASTLE, VA \u2013 Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) hosted his fall Farm Tour across the southern half of Virginia\u2019s Sixth Congressional District. The tour began with a roundtable breakfast with leaders in the agriculture industry in Raphine, and then visits to Huffman Livestock Margaret Ann Smith Farm in Lexington, C&F Farms (Cox & Frye Farms) in Roanoke, and Bryant Orchards in Fincastle.\n\nIn April 2022, Congressman Cline toured several farms in the northern Sixth District and met with Valley farmers to hear their needs and concerns on how decisions in Washington impact their industry.\n\nCongressman Cline is proud that the Sixth District is home to more than 8,000 farms, leading the Commonwealth, and that agriculture is Virginia\u2019s top industry, accounting for 9.5 percent of Virginia\u2019s total gross domestic product, providing 334,000 jobs, with an economic impact of $70 billion annually.\n\n\u201cWhether it be hosting farm tours, pursuing legislation to cut bureaucratic red tape and invest in broadband for rural areas, or fighting for favorable trade deals to export agricultural products, I am committed to engaging with federal agencies on behalf of the agricultural interests of Virginia's Sixth District,\u201d Cline said. \u201cAs Congress debates the 2023 Farm Bill next year, it is vital I hear from VA-06 farmers firsthand, and ensure the Federal government assists rather than obstructs our farmers and all those in the agriculture industry across the Nation.\u201d\n\nCongressman Cline speaks with leaders in the agriculture industry at a roundtable breakfast in Raphine, VA, where they discussed the successes of the #1 Agriculture District in Virginia and areas Congress can offer improvement \u2014 on supply chain challenges, rising prices, and the upcoming 2023 Farm Bill.\n\nCongressman Cline tours Huffman Livestock Margaret Ann Smith Farm in Lexington, VA, a leader in cattle procurement for over seventy years, specializing in the purchase and sale of feeder cattle. Today, Huffman Livestock provides beef in more than half of the states across the U.S.\n\nCongressman Cline tours C&F Farms in Roanoke, VA, a third-generation family farm in Roanoke that produces food for their community. Started in 1948, C&F has always been quick to adapt, now focusing on sustainable and non-GMO cattle rearing.\n\nCongressman Cline tours Bryant Orchards in Fincastle, VA, which specializes in apple growing, high tunnel produce production as well as cattle farming and hay growing. Since its beginning in 1978, the Bryant family farm has expanded and now has 250 acres of land.\n\nFor a comprehensive list of Congressman Cline\u2019s work in Congress and in the District on behalf of the agriculture industry, click here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1107", "Rep. Ben Cline Hosts Roundtable with Higher Education Leaders on College Affordability at Blue Ridge Community College", "2022-10-25", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "WEYERS CAVE, VA \u2013 Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) hosted a higher education roundtable at the Blue Ridge Community College\u2019s Weyers Cave Campus with Blue Ridge Community College President Dr. John Downey on ways to make higher education more affordable and accessible, which was attended by representatives from eight schools throughout the Sixth District.\n\n\u201cVirginia\u2019s Sixth District is home to more institutions of higher education than nearly any other district in the country,\u201d Cline said. \u201cWith more than 20 colleges and universities within our borders, students from across the United States flock to the Sixth District to pursue their education. The challenge that remains is the high cost of tuition and what can be done to make higher education more affordable. Today, I heard from academic leaders and one thing was clear: we can find solutions to make college more affordable without passing student loan debt onto American taxpayers.\u201d\n\n\u201cCollege Presidents in the Shenandoah Valley are appreciative of the support of the federal government throughout the challenging times of the pandemic,\u201d President of Blue Ridge Community College Dr. John Downey said. \u201cCongressman Cline\u2019s annual meeting with College Presidents provides the opportunity to exchange ideas about how both public and private higher education institutions can continue to work together in support of federal and state goals for workforce development and economic growth.\u201d\n\nIn the 116th Congress, Congressman Cline served on the House Education and Labor Committee\u2019s Subcommittee on Higher Education, and cosponsored the Higher Education Reform and Opportunity Act of 2019 (H.R. 4098), which revises requirements governing the financing and accreditation of postsecondary education. Congressman Cline also cosponsored the Education Savings Accounts for Military Families Act of 2019 (H.R. 1605), which directs the Department of Education (ED) to establish a tax-exempt Military Education Savings Account to provide children with parents on active duty in the uniformed services with funds to pay educational expenses.\n\nIn the 117th Congress, Congressman Cline recently cosponsored the Responsible Education Assistance through Loan (REAL) Reforms Act (H.R. 8655), which offers commonsense, fiscally responsible reforms that protects students, borrowers, and taxpayers. To read a one-pager on the bill, click here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T18:34:28Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1104", "Reps. Ben Cline, Chris Pappas to National Park Service: Reform Park Lottery System to Prioritize Americas Military, Veterans", "2022-10-07", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA-06) and Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH-01) led a bipartisan letter to National Park Service (NPS) Director Charles Sams requesting that NPS institutes a policy that reserves spots for active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans to enter lottery systems at national parks.\n\nCurrently, the NPS has a lottery system for several attractions at park units across the United States. A lottery system may only let in a set number of individuals to a portion of a national park, with slots often going quickly. The NPS already gives active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans free access to national parks, but there are no spots reserved in these lottery systems for them, often resulting in them not being selected.\n\nThe bipartisan letter was co-signed by Representatives Ken Buck (R-CO-04), Ted Budd (R-NC-13), Jim Costa (D-CA-16), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-04), Byron Donalds (R-FL-19), Louie Gohmert (R-TX-01), Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-05), David Joyce (R-OH-14), Fred Keller (R-PA-12), Trent Kelly (R-MS-01), Derek Kilmer (D-WA-06), Young Kim (R-CA-39), Doug LaMalfa (R-CA-01), Conor Lamb (D-PA-17), Susie Lee (D-NV-03), David McKinley (R-WV-01), Daniel Meuser (R-PA-09), Mary Miller (R-IL-15), Richard Neal (D-MA-01), Paul Tonko (D-NY-21), David Trone (D-MD-06),and Robert Wittman (R-VA-01).\n\nRead more in the letter here or below.\n\nDear Director Sams,\n\nWe are reaching out concerning your lottery system for several attractions at park units across the United States.\n\nWe acknowledge that often times these lottery systems were established due to concerns around overcrowding, damage to park resources, or other reasons. There isn\u2019t a specific law that articulates National Park Services\u2019 (NPS) authority to institute lottery systems, rather, the agency relies on its general authority under the Organic Act of 1916 to administer lands and resources under their jurisdiction. Specifically, the Organic Act directs NPS \"....to conserve the scenery and the natural and historic objects and the wildlife therein and to provide for the enjoyment of the same in such manner and by such means as will leave them unimpaired for the enjoyment of future generations\" (Act of Aug. 25, 1916, ch. 408, \u00a71, 39 Stat. 535.). We understand that each park administers their own lottery system with varying requirements from unit to unit. We would like to bring to your attention on how these lottery systems affect our active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans.\n\nLast year, Congress passed legislation providing free annual America the Beautiful passes for active-duty personnel and free lifetime passes for Gold Star Families and Veterans in the Alexander Lofgren Veterans in Parks (VIP) Act (see Public Law 117-81; National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022). Even though these groups already have free access to National Parks, there are not spots reserved in these lottery systems for them, often resulting in them not being selected.\n\nWe seek answers to the following questions:\n\nHow many national park units institute a lottery system restricting access to certain portions of the park?\n\nHow many national park units require pre-registration and/or a fee to enter the lottery system?\n\nHow many active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans annually attend any of the national park units?\n\nWe request that the National Park Service institute a policy for lottery systems that would set aside a portion of the lottery selections to be reserved for active-duty military (personnel and dependents), Gold Star families, and Veterans.\n\nThese women and men who serve our country stand as heroes for all Americans. This is a small change but would have a positive impact on all active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans. We appreciate your attention to this matter and request a response no later than October 24th, 2022. We look forward to your response.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1102", "Rep. Ben Cline Demands Answers from Secretary Buttigieg, Federal Highway Admin on Preventing Use of Infrastructure Funds for Highway Expansion", "2022-10-04", "2022", "2022-10", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA-06) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg and Acting Administrator of the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Stephanie Pollack demanding a complete breakdown of how funding under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) has been used, following reports that FHWA issued guidance that would put projects designated to expand highway capacity at the back of the line for approval.\n\nThe letter was co-signed by Congressman Jim Banks (R-IN-03), who is Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Congressman Cliff Bentz (R-OR-02), Congressman Van Taylor (R-TX-03), Congressman Dan Crenshaw (R-TX-02), Congressman Brian Mast (R-FL-18), and Congressman Randy Weber (R-TX-14).\n\n\u201cDuring a time of 40-year high inflation, a crippling supply chain, and higher prices of goods and services, the Biden administration is prioritizing infrastructure funds for Green New Deal projects over highway expansion,\u201d said Congressman Cline. \u201cAmericans need transparency from this administration to ensure their tax dollars are being properly used.\u201d\n\n\u201cThe American people deserve to know if President Biden is using taxpayer dollars to secretly implement liberal green new deal policies. I am glad to partner with Congressman Cline to protect taxpayers and demand transparency from this radical administration,\u201d said Congressman Jim Banks, Republican Study Committee Chairman.\n\n\u201cWith families across the country continuing to deal with a supply chain crisis that has kept everything from baby formula to appliances off the shelves, the Biden Administration needs to get their priorities straight by focusing on what matters to the American people instead of wasting more dollars on a radical, far-left agenda,\u201d said Congressman Brian Mast.\n\n\u201cNot only is the Infrastructure Investment & Jobs Act ridden with Green New Deal priorities, but it does so at the expense of critical, traditional infrastructure such as highway capacity projects. As a result, rural communities dependent on surface transportation bear the brunt. The Biden Administration must be held accountable for this blatant effort to further the left\u2019s climate agenda,\u201d said Congressman Cliff Bentz.\n\nRead the full letter here or below.\n\nDear Secretary Buttigieg and Acting Administrator Pollack,\n\nWe write today to request an immediate update regarding the impacts of Federal Highway Administration\u2019s (FHWA) December 2021 guidance on the use of Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) funding.\n\nThe American public already knows that much of the IIJA\u2019s $1 trillion are reserved for projects designed to advance a Green New Deal agenda instead of actual infrastructure, such as the $66 billion in taxpayer giveaways to bloated and incompetent public transit systems, $65 billion to add expensive green energy to the grid, $50 billion for loosely defined \u201cclimate resilience\u201d, $21.5 billion for demonstration projects related to intermittent and expensive energy sources, and $7.5 billion for stations to charge expensive electric vehicles, among hundreds of billions in other wasteful spending. What they may not know is, according to the guidance, the Biden administration also intends to hamstring funding that is designated for traditional infrastructure, such as roads and highways, in the name of those liberal goals.\n\nSpecifically, the guidance states the FHWA \u201cwhere permitted by law, [will] require\u2026recipients of Federal highway funding to select projects that improve the condition and safety of existing transportation infrastructure within the right-of-way before advancing projects that add new general purpose travel lanes serving single occupancy vehicles.\u201d1 This policy puts projects that would expand highway capacity at the back of the line for approval and discriminates against communities that rely on surface transportation\u2014rural communities in particular. Further, while the guidance exempts projects favored by green special interests such as bicycle lanes from any further NEPA approvals, it singles out highway capacity projects for \u201c\u2026more scrutiny under NEPA.\u201d\n\nPerhaps most troubling is the fact the Biden administration is intentionally preventing the use of highway funds to expand highway capacity and promote economic growth when it has just driven our nation into a recession and caused record inflation.\n\nWe request that the FHWA provide a comprehensive breakdown of funding awarded to date under the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Specifically, please provide the total awarded funding for projects that do not add general purpose travel lanes compared with total funding for projects that add general purpose travel lanes. Further, we request a comprehensive list detailing the status of project applications that would add new purpose travel lanes that have yet to be approved by the Federal Highway Administration. Please provide this information by October 20, 2022.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:20:33Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1101", "Rep. Ben Clines Statement on Passage of Democrats Continuing Resolution", "2022-09-30", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) released the following statement regarding his vote against the continuing resolution H.R. 6833.\n\n\u201cVirginians are facing an inflation crisis, a fentanyl crisis resulting from an open border, an energy crisis, and a crime crisis \u2013 all created by President Biden and Democrats\u2019 radical agenda,\u201d Cline said. \u201cInstead of confronting these crises, Democrats are kicking the can down the road until after the election so they can have an opportunity to retain control. I voted against this legislation because Americans cannot afford two more years of Democrats\u2019 taxpayer-funded, out-of-touch, inflationary policies.\u201d\n\nWatch Congressman Cline\u2019s speech on the House floor regarding the continuing resolution HERE or below.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1099", "Rep. Ben Cline Introduces Legislation to Help Reduce Burdensome Regulations on Small Businesses", "2022-09-22", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) introduced the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act (H.R. 8933), legislation that would require federal regulators to assess the full economic effects of proposed regulations on small businesses and consider alternative measures to reduce burdens before they act. The bill is co-sponsored by Representative Young Kim (CA-39).\n\n\u201cToo often, Washington bureaucrats impose new regulations that only make it harder for America\u2019s small business owners to thrive,\u201d Cline said. \u201cThe Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act is a commonsense solution to the rulemaking process by requiring federal agencies to no longer ignore the economic impacts that proposed regulations might have on small businesses. This legislation will help protect small businesses from the burdensome costs and uncertainty of unnecessary regulations.\u201d\n\nAccording to the National Federation of Independent Business\u2019 Small Business Problems and Priorities, \u201cunreasonable government regulations\u201d ranks as the second largest problem for small businesses. Because of limited resources, small businesses often face disproportionate challenges when complying with new federal regulations. In addition, according to the American Action Forum, a 10 percent increase in cumulative regulatory costs can result in a five to six percent fall in the number of businesses with fewer than 20 workers.\n\nSmall Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act\n\nThis bill would require agencies to adequately analyze proposed rules for their potential impacts on small businesses and closes loopholes used by agencies to avoid compliance with the Regulatory Flexibility Act of 1980 (RFA) and the Small Business Regulatory Enforcement Fairness Act of 1996 (SBREFA).\n\nThe bill also amends the Small Business Act to authorize the Chief Counsel for Advocacy of the Small Business Administration (SBA) to make small business size-standard determinations for all purposes other than for the purposes of such Act or the Small Business Investment Act of 1958.\n\nRead a one-pager on the bill here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1097", "Rep. Cline Announces Launch of 2022 Congressional App Challenge", "2022-09-12", "2022", "2022-09", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) announced the start of this year\u2019s Congressional App Challenge (CAC), a competition designed to encourage student participation in computer science, STEM, and coding.\n\n\u201cImproving computer science, coding, and STEM skills is essential for boosting innovation and economic prosperity,\u201d Cline said. \u201cMy office is excited to participate in the 2022 Congressional App Challenge. Sixth District middle and high school students who choose to participate with my office will test their creativity and strengthen their programming skills.\u201d\n\nStudents are encouraged to register online and submit their app by November 1st. For more information, you can visit https://www.congressionalappchallenge.us/ or email questions directly to StudentSupport@CongressionalAppChallenge.us. Students can begin coding their apps for 2022 by following the link here. The CAC winners receive official recognition from their Member of Congress, and their app will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T03:08:33Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1095", "Rep. Cline on Passage of Democrats Reckless Tax-and-Spend Package", "2022-08-12", "2022", "2022-08", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) issued the following statement slamming the House Democrats\u2019 partisan passage of the \u201cInflation Acceleration Act\u201d that spends billions to supersize the IRS, raises taxes on American families, manufacturers, and energy producers, and will do nothing to reduce the record-high inflation hurting Americans.\n\n\u201cToday, House Democrats approved a $740 billion spending bill at a time of 40-year high inflation, an ongoing recession, and over $30 trillion in national debt. The bill includes $16.7 billion in increased taxes for those making less than $200,000 a year; $38 billion in new taxes on American oil and gas producers; $480 billion in tax hikes that will hit workers through increased prices and slashed wages; and $369 billion \u2014 half of the spending \u2014 in government handouts to socialist \u2018Green New Deal\u2019 priorities, making us more dependent on China for minerals. Further, the package provides $80 billion to double the size of the IRS, adding an army of 87,000 new enforcement agents to spy into Americans\u2019 private financial accounts and harass taxpayers and small businesses. This will make the IRS workforce larger than the Pentagon, FBI, State Department, and Customs and Border Patrol, combined.\n\nHard-working Americans in Virginia and across the Nation are desperate for relief from Democrats\u2019 mismanagement of our economy. Unfortunately, this bill\u2019s passage is a loss for all those whose paychecks and savings are being eaten up by 40-year high inflation. I will keep fighting every day against Speaker Pelosi and the Democrats\u2019 reckless tax-and-spend agenda that is destroying the American dream.\u201d\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:59:24Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1092", "Rep. Cline Announces 2022 Congressional Art Competition", "2022-03-18", "2022", "2022-03", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) announced his office's participation in the 2022 Congressional Art Competition. The Congressional Art Competition is sponsored by the Members of the U.S. House of Representatives and is an opportunity to recognize and encourage artistic talent in the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia.\n\nThe Congressional Art Competition is open to all high school students in the District. The winning artwork will be displayed for one year in the U.S. Capitol alongside other pieces from across the country and will also be featured on House.gov's Congressional Art Competition page.\n\n\"All students from Virginia's Sixth Congressional District are encouraged to participate in this year's art competition,\" Cline said. \"This is a wonderful opportunity for students to showcase their artistic ability and for the selected winner to have his or her artwork on display at the Capitol for the next year.\"\n\nArtwork must be two-dimensional. Each framed artwork can be no larger than 26 inches high, 26 inches wide, and 4 inches deep. If your artwork is selected as the winning piece, it must arrive in Washington, DC, framed. Even when framed, it must still measure no larger than the above maximum dimensions. No framed piece should weigh more than 15 pounds.\n\nAccepted mediums for the two-dimensional artwork are as follows:\n\n\u2022 Paintings: oil, acrylics, watercolor, etc.\n\n\u2022 Drawings: colored pencil, pencil, ink, marker, pastels, charcoal (It is recommended that charcoal and pastel drawings be fixed.)\n\n\u2022 Collages: must be two dimensional\n\n\u2022 Prints: lithographs, silkscreen, block prints\n\n\u2022 Mixed Media: use of more than two mediums such as pencil, ink, watercolor, etc.\n\n\u2022 Computer-generated art\n\n\u2022 Photographs\n\nEach entry must be original in concept, design, and execution and may not violate U.S. copyright laws. Any entry that has been copied from an existing photo or image (including a painting, graphic, or advertisement) that was created by someone other than the student is a violation of the competition rules and will not be accepted. For more information on copyright laws, we recommend you visit the Scholastic website. Work entered must be in the original medium (that is, not a scanned reproduction of a painting or drawing). Artwork will hang in the Cannon Tunnel for the duration of the exhibition. Students should only submit artwork they will not need for other purposes\n\nStudents should submit photographs of their entry and the Student Release Form to ArtCompetitionVA06@mail.house.gov.\n\nThe Student Release Form can be found here.\n\nEntries are due by May 6, 2022. For more information, contact District Director Debbie Garrett at (540) 885-3861 or Staff Assistant Drew LeMay at (202) 225-5431.\n\nMadison Helmick from Staunton High School was the Sixth District's 2021 winner, and her painting In the Works featured here, currently hangs in the U.S. Capitol.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T02:06:17Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1091", "Rep. Cline Demands Accountability from ICE Regarding the Biden Administrations Failed Catch and Release Program", "2022-02-03", "2022", "2022-02", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Congressman Ben Cline (VA-06) was joined by 80 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) demanding answers related to President Biden's failed Catch and Release program.\n\nThis letter comes in response to reports that 47,705 illegal aliens who were conditionally released from ICE custody with a Notice to Report failed to check-in with authorities between March and August of 2021.\n\n\"Catch and Release was a failure during the Obama Administration and is once again failing under President Biden,\" Cline said. \"Those who cross our border illegally should be detained and deported, not released into the interior of our country on an unenforceable promise to reappear. It is nothing short of reckless for the Biden Administration to lose track of nearly 48,000 illegal aliens. Catch and Release makes Americans less safe, and the program must be halted immediately.\"\n\nText of the letter be found here.\n\nCongressman Cline was joined in sending this letter by Representatives Rob Wittman (VA-01), Elise M. Stefanik (NY-21), Dan Meuser (PA-09), Doug Lamborn (CO-05), Jeff Fortenberry (NE-01), Rodney Davis (IL-13), Mariannette Miller-Meeks, M.D. (IA-02), Bob Good (VA-05), Louie Gohmert (TX-01), John H. Rutherford (FL-04), Randy K. Weber (TX-14), Fred Keller (PA-12), John R. Moolenaar (MI-04), Mary E. Miller (IL-15), Dan Bishop (CA-09), Ted Budd (NC-13), David McKinley (WV-01), Bob Gibbs (OH-07), Tom Emmer (MN-06), Jody Hice (GA-10), Bill Posey (FL-08), Jim Hagedorn (MN-01), Kat Cammack (FL-03), Barry Loudermilk (GA-11), William Timmons (SC-04), Jerry Carl (AL-01), Ronny L. Jackson (TX-13), Carlos Gimenez (FL-26), Michael Waltz (FL-06), Pat Fallon (TX-04), Chuck Fleischmann (TN-03), Troy Nehls (TX-02), Nicole Malliotakis (NY-11), Lauren Boebert (CO-03), Madison Cawthorn (NC-11), Victoria Spartz (IN-05), Jack Bergman (MI-01), August Pfluger (TX-11), Ralph Norman (SC-05), Virginia Foxx (NC-05), Gus M. Bilirakis (FL-12), Scott Fitzgerald (WI-05), John Joyce, M.D. (PA-13), Matthew Rosendale, Sr. (MT-01), Garret Graves (LA-06), David Rouzer (NC-07), Brian Babin, D.D.S. (TX-36), Andy Biggs (AZ-05), Guy Reschenthaler (PA-14), Warren Davidson (OH-08), Mike Garcia (CA-25), Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05), Troy Balderson (OH-12), Earl L. \"Buddy\" Carter (GA-01), Tom McClintock (CA-04), Vicky Hartzler (MO-04), Chip Roy (TX-21), Darrell Issa (CA-50), Matt Gaetz (FL-01), Tim Burchett (TN-02), Pete Sessions (TX-17), Richard Hudson (NC-08), Tim Walberg (MI-07), Clay Higgins (LA-03), Byron Donalds (FL-19), Brian Mast (FL- 18), Gregory F. Murphy, M.D. (NC- 03), Glenn \"GT\" Thompson (PA-15), Rick Crawford (AR-01), Roger Williams (TX-25), Sam Graves (MO-06), Mike Kelly (PA-16), Tony Gonzales (TX-23), Scott Perry (PA-10), Markwayne Mullin (OK-02), Lance Gooden (TX-05), Joe Wilson (SC-02), Pete Stauber (MN-08), Michael Cloud (TX-27), and Mike Carey (OH-15).\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1090", "Rep. Cline Introduces Bill to Protect Americans from Discrimination by Organ Transplant Centers", "2022-02-02", "2022", "2022-02", "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) was joined by Representatives Morgan Griffith (VA-09), Bob Good (VA-05), Rob Wittman (VA-01), Jeff Duncan (SC-03), Rodney Davis (IL-13), and Chip Roy (TX-21) in introducing H.R. 6534, the Stop Arduous Vaccine Enforcement (SAVE) Act, which would prohibit organ transplant centers from denying an individual from receiving or donating an organ solely based on whether he or she is vaccinated against COVID-19.\n\nThis legislation comes in response to several reports from across the United States of individuals being removed from the organ transplant list or moved to \"inactive\" status as a result of being unvaccinated.\n\nCongressman Cline said, \"It is unimaginable that organ transplant centers would deny American citizens life-saving medical procedures solely for being unvaccinated against COVID-19. The SAVE Act ensures that no one is denied an organ transplant or donation based on their vaccination status. Getting vaccinated is a personal choice and should not be mandated. This legislation is not anti-vaccine, it's about making sure individuals get the treatment they need.\"\n\nDr. Jane Orient, Executive Director of the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons said, \"The need for the SAVE Act shows that in the US patients have no right to the medical care they need or desire but only a privilege to receive what the authorities will allow.\"\n\nThis legislation has been endorsed by FreedomWorks, Citizens for Renewing America, and the Association of American Physicians and Surgeons.\n\nText of the SAVE Act Can be found here.\n\nNews About the Bill:\n\nGOP Rep. Cline introduces bill to bar organ transplant centers from denying service to the unvaccinated\n\nBackground:\n\nNorth Carolina man would rather 'die free' than get vaccine needed for life-saving transplant\n\nBoston patient removed from heart-transplant list because he's not vaccinated against COVID: report\n\nVirginia hospital denies unvaccinated patient spot on 'active' kidney transplant list\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:57:46Z"], ["https://cline.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1089", "Rep. Cline Urges Federal Agencies Return to Timely Constituent Services", "2022-01-28", "2022", "2022-01", "Republican", "House", "VA", "Ben Cline", "C001118", "cline.house.gov", "cline", "https://cline.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx?DocumentTypeID=27", "scraper", "Today, Representative Ben Cline (VA-06) was joined by 38 Members of Congress in sending a letter to President Biden demanding employees at Federal agencies return to in-person work to ensure timely constituent services.\n\nDespite federal personnel having early access to the COVID-19 vaccine and accommodations being made to ensure social distancing in the workplace, there are still several reports of agencies that handle direct constituent requests operating at a subpar level, primarily due to telework.\n\n\"At the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, agencies turning to remote work was a necessary precaution,\" Cline said. \"However, as we've learned more about the virus and vaccines have become widely available, it's time for federal employees to return to the office. The months-long backlog constituents are facing to get a tax return from the IRS, a passport from the State Department, or benefits from the Department of Veterans Affairs - to name just a few examples - is unacceptable. I call on President Biden to resolve this situation immediately.\"\n\nIn the letter, Congressman Cline and his colleagues ask for information related to agency staffing and for a plan as to how the Administration intends to address the concerns mentioned. The full letter can be found here.\n\nCongressman Ben Cline represents the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia. He previously was an attorney in private practice and served both as an assistant prosecutor and Member of the Virginia House of Delegates. Cline and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two children.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-08T01:50:39Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 15, "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": "2022"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 15, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=VA&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 15, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2022&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "VA", "label": "VA", "count": 15, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2022", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA&year=2022", "results": [{"value": "2022", "label": "2022", "count": 15, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=VA", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": null, "next_url": null, "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 374.1183737292886, "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"}