url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398658,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.26.16,2016-12-26,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Celebrating All Twelve Days of Christmas “The Twelve Days of Christmas” is one of the most popular carols for this time of the year. Its alliteration like “swans a swimming,” outlandish gifts like “twelve lords a leaping,” and repetition make it an enjoyable song to sing and hear. Artists from Perry Como to John Denver and the Muppets have recorded their own versions that are played during the Christmas season. The exact origins of the lyrics have been lost to time. Some theories suggest the song originated in France, while others point to the north of England. But we should not let the unusual nature of the song’s gifts or uncertainty about the origins of the carol to take away from the point that there are twelve days of Christmas. When decorations appear in stores and promotions for holiday shopping start in October, it may seem that everything is building towards Christmas Day on December 25th alone. But the days after Christmas have their own meanings, too. Take Boxing Day. On December 26th, Britain and many countries with strong cultural ties to it celebrate Boxing Day, although it is not a tradition that made it to the British colonies that became the United States. Professor Mark Connelly of the University of Kent notes, “While Christmas Day was about being at home with your family, Boxing Day was a time to get outside, to get away from the home.”1 Fox hunting and horse racing are pastimes often associated with the day. It is also a popular day for soccer, just as many Americans look forward to watching football on our Thanksgiving. Perhaps the name of the holiday came from the boxed gifts given by aristocrats to their servants for the Christmas season. Or perhaps the name came from the church boxes which contained donations for the poor and were opened the day after Christmas. This suggestion seems appropriate, for December 26th is also St. Stephen’s Day. The day’s link to charity is immortalized in the first lines of the traditional Christmas carol, “Good King Wenceslas:” Good King Wenceslas looked out On the Feast of Stephen When the snow lay 'round about Deep and crisp and even As the song goes, when the king looked out on St. Stephen’s Day, he saw a poor man gathering fuel. Wenceslas called for his page to gather food and drink to take to the poor man’s house. As the pair went forth to their task on the freezing day, the page found warmth by following in the footsteps of the good king. Another tradition involving good kings comes at the end of the Twelve Days, on January 6th, which is Epiphany. The kings celebrated on this day are known variously as the Three Kings, the Three Wise Men, or the Magi. We are familiar with them through the Book of Matthew and carols such as “We Three Kings.” Epiphany celebrates the visit of the Three Kings to Jesus in Bethlehem bringing gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh. In Spain and Latin America, the day is also known as “Three Kings’ Day.” Just as children here write letters to Santa, in cultures that celebrate this day, they write to the Three Kings asking for gifts. On January 5th, the kings arrive in a parade atop live camels and accompanied by floats and pages tossing candy into the crowd. That night, children put out bread and water for the camels and awake the next morning to find their shoes filled with presents from the kings.2 Like the lyrics of “The Twelve Days of Christmas,” many of these holiday celebrations originated in past ages, when the world looked much different, and for reasons we might not even know with certainty. I believe it is a testament to the magic of the Christmas season that these celebrations remain vital and beloved in many places around the modern world. Whether they are spent outdoors, as Boxing Day is often done, or performing acts of charity, as the carol of “Good King Wenceslas” celebrates, I hope you can treasure all the days of Christmas. By the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas, we will have begun the 115th Congress and will hopefully do great things for America during this session. On the eighteenth day of this Congress, Donald Trump will be inaugurated, and then we will have real change and hope. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. 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. 1http://www.historyextra.com/feature/brief-history-boxing-day 2http://www.spain.info/en_US/reportajes/la_magica_espera_de_los_reyes_magos.html ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398657,Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for January,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of January. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk.  Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to confirm that traveling hours are still in effect. January 3, 2017 Richlands: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Richlands Town Hall 200 Washington Square Richlands, VA 24641 Buchanan County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grundy Town Hall 1185 Plaza Dr. Grundy, VA 24614 Pulaski County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Dublin Town Hall Route 100, 1 mile North of I-81 Dublin, VA  24084 January 4, 2017 Smyth County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA 24354 Covington: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Covington City Hall City Hall Conference Room 333 W. Locust Street Covington, VA 24426 Craig County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craig County Administration Bldg. 108 Court Street New Castle, VA 24127 Bristol: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA 24201 January 5, 2017 Lee County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Lee County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room 33640 Main Street – Suite U101 Jonesville, VA 24263  Martinsville: 12:00 noon – 2:00 pm New College Institute Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA 24112 Norton: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Ave NW Norton, VA 24273 January 10, 2017 Giles County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Pearisburg Town Hall 112 Tazewell Street Pearisburg, VA 24134 Dickenson County: 10:00 am. – 12:00 pm Dickenson Center for Education & Research 818 Happy Valley Drive Clintwood, VA 24228 Salem: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Salem Town Hall 114 N. Broad Street Salem, VA 24153 Wise County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Ave. E Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 January 11, 2017 Radford: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA 24141 Roanoke County: 2:00 pm– 4:00 pm Roanoke Library Hollins Branch 6624 Peters Creek Rd Roanoke, VA 24019 January 12, 2017 Grayson County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA 24348  Russell County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA  24266 Tazewell County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm  Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA 24605 Galax: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Main Street Galax, VA 24333 January 17, 2017 Carroll County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Carroll County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room 605 – 1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA 24343 Floyd County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Floyd Town Hall 134 Wilson St SE Floyd, VA 24091 January 18, 2017 Henry County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bassett Historical Society         3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA 24055 Bland County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 200 612 Main Street Bland, VA 24315 Wythe County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Wythe County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room 245 South 4th Street Wytheville, VA 24382 Patrick County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room 106 Rucker Street Stuart, VA 24171 January 19, 2017 Alleghany County: 10:00 am – 12:00 pm Clifton Forge Library Conference Room 535 Church Street Clifton Forge, VA 24422 Scott County: 10:00 am. – 12:00 pm Community Services Building Community Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA 24251 Wise County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Ave. E Big Stone Gap, VA 24219 Pulaski County: 2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pulaski Library 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA 24301** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1088,Wittman Praises Navy’s Plan for USS Fort Lauderdale,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Wittman Praises Navy’s Plan for USS Fort Lauderdale f t # e Washington, December 20, 2016 WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) praised the U.S. Navy's decision today to move forward with its plans for USS Fort Lauderdale (LPD-28) by officially putting the ship under contract. As Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, Wittman has been committed to funding the LPD-28 to ensure the Marine Corps receives its next amphibious transport ship:“Today marks a major milestone for our Navy and for our Marine Corps as they look to add more capacity and capability for the amphibious fleet,” Wittman said. “The USS Fort Lauderdale contract comes at a critical time. After our 15 years valiantly serving on the ground in Iraq and Afghanistan, our U.S. Marine Corps has begun to refocus on its core, amphibious, fighting function using warships like USS Fort Lauderdale. In action, USS Fort Lauderdale will transport Marines, their vehicles, and their equipment to distant operating areas allowing them to conduct expeditionary operations ashore. Our Marines must be ready to ‘fight tonight,’ and ships like the USS Fort Lauderdale will get them where they need to go.”Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee. f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=310,Rep. Brat Invited as Keynote Speaker at Jerusalem Leaders Summit,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"JERUSALEM - Rep. Brat (R-Va.) was invited as the keynote speaker at the second annual Jerusalem Leaders Summit, an event that brings together members of Parliament from Europe and other legislative bodies from India and around the world to discuss the 21st centurys global threats and security challenges, the weakening of the rule of law, and obstacles to economic freedom and free trade.The event provides a strategic platform to affirm the foundational principles of the rule of law protecting life, liberty and private property.Speakers focused on key policy areas, including foreign policy, global security, economic growth solutions, technology and the significance of strengthening Israels security and sovereignty. The panel also highlighted the benefits of economic freedom and the contributions citizens have made to the world economy through innovation and technology.""I am delighted to have been invited as the keynote speaker at yesterday's event in Jerusalem,"" said Rep. Dave Brat. ""Three pillars made our country the greatest on earth: the Judeo-Christian tradition, the rule of law, and the free market system. These pillars are crucial to our success, fundamentally connected, and can be adopted by any nation in the world to emulate American success.""The Jerusalem Leaders Summit is co-hosted by the International Leaders Summit, the Alliance for Direct Democracy in Europe (ADDE) and the Heritage Foundation.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=732,Goodlatte Shepherds Important Cultural Exchange & Preservation Bills Into Law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, released the following statement upon the signing of both the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act (H.R. 6477) and the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery (HEAR) Act (H.R. 6130) into law: “Our museums and art galleries are some of the best outlets for Americans young and old to experience not only our own culture, but the cultures of others from around the world. Many of the world’s greatest works of art and artifacts are preserved in museums around the globe, and this legislation makes these pieces more accessible to American museums and galleries. “These two bipartisan bills signed into law will not only allow for a greater exchange of culture with partners around the world, but will help preserve world cultures.“Additionally, both of these bills contain vital provisions which will help return artwork and other cultural property that was stolen by the Nazis during the Holocaust. The return of these important pieces to their rightful owners is a simple measure we can take to preserve the culture of Europe, which the Nazis attempted to destroy during the atrocities of the Holocaust.”Background: Congressman Goodlatte introduced H.R. 6130, the Holocaust Expropriated Art Recovery Act of 2016, which allows civil actions to recover certain artwork or other property that was lost because of Nazi persecution without regard to State statutes of limitations. H.R. 6477, the Foreign Cultural Exchange Jurisdictional Immunity Clarification Act, provides sovereign immunity for a foreign state for works of art that are imported into the United States from the foreign state for temporary exhibition or display.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398655,Griffith Statement on Release of Final Stream Protection Rule,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, the U.S. Department of the Interior’s Office of Surface Mining Reclamation and Enforcement (OSM) unfortunately released the final version of its Stream Protection Rule (SPR).  The Department first revealed the proposed rule in July 2015. With today’s release, the rule will be published in the Federal Register tomorrow and would therefore take effect thirty days after publication on January 19th, 2017. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) said, “I will continue to fight this rule with every tool available, including, but not limited to, filing a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution. This rule is so unpopular that there will probably be many in Congress who will wish to lead this CRA resolution and I will either join with other Members to file a resolution or I will file it myself.” “We must prevent the costly and job-killing Stream Protection Rule from going into effect. I am disappointed that OSM decided to go forward with a regulation they know kills jobs, is unpopular, and will take effect a mere day before the new President is sworn in.” “And the Democrats have the gall to accuse the incoming Republican majorities and the new President of using the lawful process to undo those Obama Administration regulations that are job-killing, unpopular, unlawful, and/or unconstitutional. They have chosen to take this action knowing that the war on jobs and coal was rejected by the voters in November.” SPR Background According to the National Mining Association, as many as 78,000 coal mining jobs will be lost if SPR is implemented, on top of thousands of jobs already lost during the Obama Administration.  If jobs in fields related to coal mining are included, up to 281,000 people could be put out of work, with an estimated 190,000 lost jobs in the Appalachian region alone. CRA Background: The Congressional Review Act is a law that allows Congress to overturn rules issued by federal agencies. Once a rule is finalized, Congress has a limited period of time to pass a joint resolution of disapproval preventing it from taking effect. The CRA was last utilized successfully in 2001, when President George W. Bush signed a joint resolution of disapproval overturning a regulation finalized in the last days of the Clinton Administration. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398656,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.19.16,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"A Christmas MessageThe Christmas season is a time to gather to celebrate. The Nativity story is familiar to most, whether Christian or not: Mary and Joseph with Jesus in a manger, where shepherds and kings came to honor him. For over two thousand years, we have celebrated this event and pondered its meaning. The Christmas story celebrates the promise of redemption for our world. While I respect those of all faiths, as a believer, Christmas is most important to me and to many in the Ninth Congressional District. Also, the Christmas season has a way of bringing out the best in people, even during horrific times. It is hard to imagine a bleaker place than the Western Front in World War I. For four years, the armies of Germany and the Allied Powers engaged in trench warfare. Soldiers lived in muddy trenches crawling with vermin. They were under bombardment and sniper fire constantly. When they attacked the enemy, they charged into “No Man’s Land” between the trenches, where they were unprotected from machine gun fire. Over a million died. But in many places along the Western Front on Christmas Eve 1914, the misery was put on hold. According to “The Story of the WWI Christmas Truce” by Mike Dash of Smithsonian.com, German soldiers sang “Silent Night” and the British responded with “The First Noel.” A few from both sides left their lines and met in No Man’s Land. Then, a few became hundreds. Men who had shot at each other hours before now shook hands, swapped gifts, and even played soccer. The truce lasted through Christmas Day, and then the men returned to fighting each other. World War I lasted nearly four more years. As casualties mounted and new horrors such as poison gas were introduced, people looked back on the Christmas Truce with astonishment. Decades later, the folk musician John McCutcheon wrote a song about this episode called “Christmas in the Trenches.” He sings it from the perspective of a fictional Liverpool soldier named Francis Tolliver who experiences the Christmas Truce. When McCutcheon performed the song in Denmark in 1988, he met a group of four old men who had traveled from Berlin to hear him. The men had taken part in the truce, but when they told younger generations their story, no one believed them.* McCutcheon’s song captured a moment that seemed too incredible to be true. Amid the hatred and violence of World War I, men could join in goodwill for at least one night to share in the celebration of Christmas. Another event during a terrible war hits closer to home. According to historian Robert Thompson writing for the Civil War Trust, Union and Confederate armies at Murfreesboro, Tennessee, were awaiting the next day’s battle one December night during the War Between the States. A Union band played “Yankee Doodle” and “Hail Columbia.” Soldiers in the Confederate camps heard the songs, and one of their bands responded with “Dixie.” This friendly musical battle continued until a Union band started playing “Home, Sweet Home.” The song, written by John Howard Payne, was a popular tune for men on both sides who missed home and their families, especially around Christmastime. Soon Union and Confederate bands were playing the song together. In the words of one soldier, “after our bands had ceased playing, we could hear the sweet refrain as it died away on the cool frosty air.” In the film history publication Classic Images, Frances Ingram writes about a direct descendant and namesake of the songwriter John Howard Payne. This John Payne grew up in southwest Virginia and attended Salem High School on Broad Street. He worked hard to bring a Christmas tale of childhood faith to the silver screen, and then starred in it as a lawyer who proved that Santa Claus is real. The film is Miracle on 34th Street. As it was true for the soldiers in the trenches in Flanders and in the encampments at Murfreesboro, the message of Christmas is true for you, too. No matter what your circumstances are this year, I pray you will remember what the angel of the Lord told the shepherds on that field over two thousand years ago: “Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born . . . a Savior . . .” (Luke 2:10-11). Merry Christmas! Peace and good will to all. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. *https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cIxqJlnH2m8",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/provisions-congresswoman-comstock-s-research-and-development-efficiency,Provisions of Congresswoman Comstocks Research and Development Efficiency Act to Become Law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) issued the following statement after the House cleared on Friday the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act, included in which are provisions from Congresswoman Comstock’s Research and Development Efficiency Act.  It is expected the president will sign the legislation in the coming days: “Northern Virginia is home to many professionals who are conducting significant research in a variety of fields leading to innovative breakthroughs. Reports indicate that researchers spend on average 42 percent of their time on administrative requirements instead of conducting vital research.  The provisions of my Research and Development Efficiency Act that are included in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act will ensure that more federal research dollars will be spent directly on the important research we are funding.  By limiting redundant regulations and focusing our research dollars more efficiently, the included provisions from my legislation clear the way for researchers to do their job without being bogged down under a mountain of paperwork.” Provisions from the Research and Development Efficiency Act that are in the American Innovation and Competitiveness Act require that the Director of the Office of Management and Budget, in coordination with the Office of Science and Technology Policy, shall establish an interagency working group for the purpose of reducing administrative burdens on federally funded researchers while protecting the public interest through the transparency of and accountability for federally funded activities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=731,Goodlatte Applauds Congressman Mulvaney’s Selection as OMB Director,2016-12-17,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement applauding President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Congressman Mick Mulvaney (R-S.C.) to serve as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB): “Congressman Mick Mulvaney is the right choice to help bring fiscal sanity to Washington. As Director of the Office of Management and Budget, Congressman Mulvaney will have the opportunity to provide much-needed oversight of federal regulations, change the culture of rampant spending and deficits, and take hold of the massive federal debt that weighs down our economy and will be passed down to the next generation. I look forward to working with him to bring more balance to the federal budget.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1086,Wittman Response to Navy FSA,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today on the Secretary of the Navy’s announcement of the 2016 Force Structure Assessment:“The Force Structure Assessment released today confirms what I, and many of my colleagues in Congress, have known for a while: our Navy's current size and structure doesn't fully meet America's national security needs. “In an increased threat environment where China and Russia are rapidly expanding their naval capabilities, increasing the size of the Navy's fleet must be the top priority. The FSA clearly defines the need for 18 more Virginia-class attack submarines and 12 aircraft carriers to provide increased U.S. global presence. “This vision is a critical first step, but there's a long road ahead. It's time for us to rebuild our Navy to ensure dominance of the seas deep into the 21st Century. I am committed to working with the incoming administration and my colleagues in Congress next year to shape the size and scope of the Navy to meet future threats, grow our industrial base and advance U.S. national security.” Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/rep-comstock-finding-and-funding-cures,Loudoun Times: Rep. Comstock: Finding and funding cures,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Dec. 8, I joined with a bipartisan group of House and Senate members and the Speaker of the House, as the speaker signed the 21st Century Cures Act. It was a joyful occasion as we concluded this year’s session with what I believe is one of the most important and game changing pieces of legislation passed this year.  Read the rest of my op-ed in the Loudoun Times-Mirror here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398653,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.12.16,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Clearing the Air at the EPA President-elect Donald Trump’s appointment of Scott Pruitt to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is welcome news. As Oklahoma’s attorney general, Pruitt has strongly pushed back against many rules and regulations coming from Washington, DC. In particular, he has led states in suing to block the EPA’s overreaching policies. Many in the media report this news with shock. They wonder how someone “CURRENTLY SUING” the EPA could possibly be fit to lead it. I wish those stunned by this appointment would listen to or read the testimony I have heard from EPA officials in Energy and Commerce Committee hearings. What I find stunning is the logic offered by agency officials to justify actions at odds with the plain text of laws passed by Congress. Take the Clean Power Plan. I have written often in this column about the EPA’s claim that it can use the Clean Air Act to force states to create and implement a plan to reduce their carbon emissions. It is bad for coal miners and all consumers of electricity, but it is also bad for the rule of law. Under the Clean Power Plan, the EPA claims it can regulate existing power plants under Section 111(d) of the Clean Air Act, but the EPA already regulates them under Section 112. The problem is that the language of the Clean Air Act prohibits this type of dual regulation, a point that the EPA itself has conceded in the past (before changing its tune). When famed liberal legal scholar Laurence Tribe, who taught America’s first environmental law class and mentored President Obama, testified before the Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power, he stated: “EPA is attempting an unconstitutional trifecta: usurping the prerogatives of the States, Congress, and the Federal Courts – all at once.  Much is up for grabs in this complex area. But burning the Constitution of the United States – about which I care deeply – cannot be part of our national energy policy…” The EPA cited the Clean Air Act in another power grab, this time to regulate truck trailers. The law authorizes the EPA to regulate emissions from motor vehicles, defined in the US code as follows: 42 USC 7550(2) The term “motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a street or highway. When I asked EPA official Janet McCabe how a trailer could be considered a self-propelled vehicle, she claimed that trailers are covered because, “without a trailer, a truck is not transporting goods.” Based on this logic, because trucks don’t currently drive themselves, the EPA could regulate the size of the driver, too! On a number of occasions during the current administration, the courts have found that federal agencies exceeded their authority in making rules. The fact that this has happened repeatedly tells me that many of the lawyers employed by the federal government are not doing their jobs. Lawyers employed by the federal government should not evaluate proposed regulations by their goal or their supervisors’ wishes, but rather by their compliance with the Constitution and the law. I believe that the lawyers for the EPA and other agencies have acted with malfeasance in this regard. When the federal government’s lawyers improperly sign off on ridiculous arguments, Scott Pruitt and other state attorneys general have a duty to stand up for the powers the Constitution reserves to the states, just as congressmen have the duty to stand up for the powers delegated to the legislative branch. As EPA administrator, Scott Pruitt’s first task should be to clean house in the EPA’s Office of General Counsel, which provides legal advice to the agency. Under its present leadership, the EPA apparently believes that it’s better for a thousand people to lose their jobs than for a single tree to be axed or one chunk of coal to be burned. We need the EPA to balance protecting our environment without destroying our economy. As the Supreme Court ruled in Michigan v. Environmental Protection Agency, it should not pursue an environmental agenda at all costs. The EPA must also recognize that it should carry out the laws passed by Congress, not rewrite them or create new ones. Scott Pruitt has shown that he understands the proper role of the EPA. He is an excellent choice to lead the EPA and I urge the Senate to confirm him promptly. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. 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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398654,Griffith Congratulates Virginia Tech on Transportation Grant Award,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) congratulates Virginia Tech Transportation Institute for being named a national safety center by the U.S. Department of Transportation, winning almost $28 million over five years to study benefits of connected and automated vehicles. The grant supports the Safety Through Disruption (SafeD): Goal Zero Center, with an overall aim to increase safety through technology on U.S. roads. Congressman Griffith said, “Virginia Tech is home to some of the strongest research and engineering programs in the United States and I congratulate them on earning this grant. I supported their efforts to secure the award and I am pleased that Virginia Tech will have the ability to contribute significantly to the research priorities set forth by the FAST Act. (H.R.22 - Fixing America’s Surface Transportation Act)” Congressman Griffith is an original co-sponsor of the FAST Act. “In Southwest Virginia, we are proud of the research and development that takes place at Virginia Tech. I look forward to the potential advances made possible with this funding. It is my hope that the vehicle automation and connectivity studies and other testing will result in new breakthroughs, create opportunities for students, and expand workforce development in our area, in addition to safety advances that can benefit those across the country.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=727,Goodlatte & Conyers Release First Policy Proposal of Copyright Review,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) released the first policy proposal to come out of the Committee’s review of U.S. Copyright law. This first proposal identifies important reforms to help ensure the Copyright Office keeps pace in the digital age. With the release of this document, the Committee requests written comments from interested stakeholders by January 31, 2017. These comments will be shared with members of the House Judiciary Committee as they come in and the Committee intends to make comments publicly available after the comment period closes. Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers released the following statement via video:“We would like to take a few minutes to share with you our plan for the next stage of the House Judiciary Committee’s review of our nation’s copyright laws. For years now, we have deliberately listened – through hearings, listening sessions, and site visits – to the views and concerns of stakeholders from all sides of the copyright debate. “Now, it is time to move forward into the next stage. We intend to periodically release policy proposals on select, individual issue areas within the larger copyright system that are in need of reform where there is a potential for consensus. These policy proposals are not meant to be the final word on reform in these individual issue areas, but rather a starting point for further discussion by all stakeholders, with the goal of producing legislative text within each issue area.“Today, we are releasing our first policy proposal, which identifies reforms to modernize the Copyright Office so that it can meet the challenges of the 21st Century. Among the reforms in this document are granting the Copyright Office autonomy with respect to the Library of Congress, requiring the Copyright Office to maintain an up-to-date digital, searchable database of all copyrighted works and associated copyright ownership information, and many others reforms. “Nothing should be read into the fact that we are only releasing a policy proposal on one topic today. This is just the beginning of this stage of the copyright review, and we intend to release policy proposals on music licensing issues and other individual issue areas in time. “But this is not a one way street. We need your help to turn these policy proposals into legislation. It is only through the input of all interested parties that agreements can be successfully achieved. “Thank you to everyone who has participated in the copyright review, and we look forward to continuing to work with you to improve our nation’s copyright system.”Background: Chairman Goodlatte first announced the House Judiciary Committee’s intention to undertake a comprehensive review of U.S. copyright law on April 24, 2013, in a speech before the World Intellectual Property Day celebration at the Library of Congress. As part of the copyright review, the House Judiciary Committee has held 20 hearings which included testimony from 100 witnesses. Following these hearings, Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers invited all prior witnesses of the Committee’s copyright review hearings and other interested stakeholders to meet with Committee staff and provide additional input on copyright policy issues. In addition, the House Judiciary Committee conducted a listening tour with stops in Nashville, Silicon Valley, and Los Angeles where they heard from a wide range of creators, innovators, technology professionals, and users of copyrighted works. More information on the House Judiciary Committee’s comprehensive copyright review can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=728,Goodlatte Applauds Passage of Bill to Protect Children with Autism & Those with Alzheimer’s from Wandering,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House of Representatives today approved Kevin and Avonte’s Law (H.R. 4919) by a vote of 346-66 to help protect children with autism and individuals with Alzheimer’s from wandering.Kevin and Avonte’s Law is named in honor of two boys with autism, Kevin Curtis and Avonte Oquendo, who both wandered away from supervision and tragically drowned. The bill reauthorizes an existing Department of Justice grant program, the “Missing Alzheimer’s Disease Patient Alert Program,” and extends the program to cover children with autism, who may be susceptible to the same type of wandering behavior as those with Alzheimer’s. It is estimated that 60 percent of the 5.3 million individuals with Alzheimer’s, and 49 percent of the 1 in 68 children with autism, have wandered.H.R. 4919 authorizes the Justice Department to make grants to law enforcement agencies, public safety agencies, and nonprofit organizations, to provide proactive, educational, voluntary wandering-prevention programming to families and caretakers of individuals who wander, as well as training to first responders and school personnel in order to recognize and respond to endangered missing individuals and facilitate their rescue and recovery. The bill contains important grant accountability and transparency requirements to ensure taxpayer dollars are used efficiently.Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, praised today’s approval of the bill:“It’s a family’s worst nightmare when a loved one goes missing, especially if their child has autism or their parent has Alzheimer’s. Children with autism and people with Alzheimer’s are prone to wandering and the results can be devastating if they are not found immediately. “Kevin and Avonte’s Law reauthorizes a critical grant program to help prevent folks with Alzheimer’s from wandering and also extends it to children with autism. Police searches are expensive and this voluntary preventative grant program can help avoid costly searches and also spare the heartache that families and caretakers feel when a loved one goes missing. It’s also important that first responders and teachers are equipped to recognize and respond to missing individuals so that they can be brought home safely. I thank Representative Chris Smith for his tireless work on this pressing issue and call on the Senate to pass his bill.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1077,Wittman Opposes Continuing Resolution,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 2028, a short-term continuing resolution that would extend government operations through April 28, 2017:“I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: continuing resolutions are a bad way for Washington to do business. This bill is the result of broken process and a lack of accountability. Our job is to do the people’s work and to do it on time. These last-minute, stop-gap measures create economic uncertainty and job insecurity. In the context of national security, they prevent planning, keep critical programs from moving forward, and deplete our forces. Congress needs time for measured debate. We should be making decisions about spending far in advance of December, and I promise to keep fighting for regular order in Washington.” Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-announces-millbrook-high-school-s-logan-apple-winner,Comstock Announces Millbrook High Schools Logan Apple As Winner Of Congressional App Challenge,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement announcing that Millbrook High School’s Logan Apple is this year’s winner of the Congressional App Challenge: “Students from Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District put in countless hours of hard work to develop innovative apps for the Congressional App Challenge.  I would like to congratulate Logan Apple from Millbrook High School on his victory in the 2016 Congressional App Challenge.  Logan’s app, iSight, is designed to help people utilize their cell phone cameras to translate sign language in real time, helping break down speech barriers.  His app can translate more than 150 signs around the world. Coding is becoming an increasingly valuable skill in today’s 21st Century economy and, after viewing these apps, I am confident the next generation in Virginia’s Tenth Congressional District will lead the charge as entrepreneurs and innovators. “Thank you to our judges who volunteered their time for the challenge: Dr. Scott Martin of the Computer Game Design Program, Troy Murphy of the Northern Virginia Technology Council, and Sandra Chin of Hyperdoc Link.” To view Logan’s app in action, click here. The Congressional App Challenge will invite winners from across the country to showcase their apps to the Members of Congress and members of the tech community at #HouseOfCode, a DC-based reception to be held in April of 2017. Their work will be featured for one year on the permanent display in the U.S. Capitol Building, and on the House.gov website. Winning students will also be awarded a portion of $50,000 in credits, generously donated by Amazon Web Services.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=725,Goodlatte & Grassley Call on Obama Administration to Declassify Secret Refugee Deal,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) today called on the Obama Administration to declassify its plan to admit into the United States potentially over 2,400 refugees who Australia has refused to admit. Last month, Chairmen Goodlatte and Grassley expressed concern that the Obama Administration’s secret negotiations with Australia left Americans in the dark about the full scope of its resettlement plans and requested a briefing to review the classified agreement. It is unprecedented to classify an agreement to usher in refugees to the United States and the Chairmen’s review of the agreement further confirms that it should never have been classified in the first place.In their letter to Department of Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson and Secretary of State John Kerry, Goodlatte and Grassley call for the declassification of the agreement so the American people can review it. Full text of the Goodlatte-Grassley letter to Kerry and Johnson follows:December 6, 2016 VIA ELECTRONIC TRANSMISSIONThe Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528The Honorable John Kerry Secretary Department of State Washington, D.C. 20520Dear Secretaries Johnson and Kerry:We write to follow up on our November 22, 2016 letter regarding the agreement between the United States and Australia for the United States to consider for admission as refugees, potentially over 2,400 migrants currently detained in Papua New Guinea and Nauru, whom Australia has refused to admit. These migrants are nationals of countries like Somalia, Syria, Pakistan, Iran, and Sudan, as well as others. As you know, your agencies have deemed the agreement classified. This is despite the fact that classification of an agreement regarding individuals to be considered for admission by the U.S. Refugee Admissions Program is unprecedented. We appreciate your making staff available to provide us with the document in a classified setting and to brief us regarding the circumstances surrounding the agreement. It is now absolutely apparent to us that there was no reason for the agreement to be classified from the outset, and that it should not continue to be classified. To that end, we request that you declassify the document outlining the agreement so that the American people can read it. The American people have a right to be fully aware of the actions of their government regarding foreign nationals who may be admitted to the United States. American taxpayers not only foot the bill for the majority of the refugee resettlement in the United States, but they bear any consequences regarding the security implications of those admitted to the U.S. Please respond by December 13, 2016, with your decision as to whether or not you will declassify the U.S.-Australia refugee agreement document. If your decision is not to seek declassification, please include your justification for such decision in your response.Thank you in advance for your prompt response. Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman  Committee on the JudiciaryCharles E. Grassley Chairman Committee on the Judiciary",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=726,"Goodlatte, Gowdy, Jackson Lee Introduce Bill to Help Child Pornography Trafficking Victims",2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Representative Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and Crime, Terrorism, Homeland Security, and Investigations Subcommittee Ranking Member Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) today introduced Justice for Child Victims Act of 2016 (H.R. 6440) to ensure child trafficking victims are able to seek and obtain the restitution that they need and deserve. Under current law, federal courts are required to award any child depicted in sexually explicit material restitution in “the full amount of the victim’s losses,” which can include medical services, physical or occupational therapy, and attorneys’ fees. However, the Supreme Court ruled in United States v. Paroline that an individual defendant who may have received, distributed, or possessed child pornography may not be held liable for a victim’s aggregate damages incurred by potentially thousands of others who have viewed her images, and that defendants may be made liable only for the harm caused by their own conduct, not the conduct of others. Because of the nature of the crime, child pornography trafficking victims are involved in countless cases across multiple jurisdictions and time. This means that in order to obtain restitution, a victim’s request must be presented in multiple cases across the country. Since the process is so lengthy and overwhelming, only about 20 out of the thousands of child pornography trafficking victims have sought restitution. The Justice for Child Victims Act remedies this problem by creating a compensation fund that is paid for by child pornography defendants as an alternative avenue for victims to obtain financial support for their losses. This simple, one-step alternative allows child pornography trafficking victims to quickly access financial support for their own recovery. Chairman Goodlatte, Representative Gowdy, and Crime Subcommittee Ranking Member Jackson Lee issued the statements below on the introduction of Justice for Child Victims Act. Chairman Goodlatte: “The trafficking of child pornography is a serious crime and those who cause the most vulnerable among us pain and suffering deserve to be held accountable to the fullest extent of the law. Although no amount of money can ever take away the trauma these children have experienced, we must ensure that victims of child exploitation receive the full amount of their losses from the production and ongoing trafficking of their images. “The Justice for Child Victims Act creates a straight-forward and easily accessible compensation fund that provides child pornography victims the financial support they need and deserve. Protecting our nation’s children is a top priority for the House Judiciary Committee and we plan to move this bill in the new Congress.” Rep. Gowdy: “Enforcing the rule of law and protecting human dignity through a fair justice system are among the chief responsibilities of Congress. Victims of child pornography endure severe trauma mentally, physically and emotionally. Ensuring they are able to obtain full restitution is the very least we can do to help them with the recovery process. “The Justice for Child Victims Act will ensure child pornography trafficking victims are fully compensated for their losses as they begin to recover. I thank Chairman Goodlatte and Representative Jackson Lee for their leadership on this legislation and their steadfast commitment to a fair and equal justice system.”Rep. Jackson Lee: “I’m pleased to cosponsor this important bill that will ensure the effective implementation of restitution to the victims of child pornography. We must do all we can to make sure that offenders pay restitution to their victims and that we mitigate the suffering of the victims, whose victimization continues so long as the images continue to be shown. This bipartisan bill adopts important suggestions by the Department of Justice and is based on their experience in enforcing the law. Adoption of this legislation should be a top priority in the new Congress.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398652,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 12.5.16,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"A Date Which Will Live in Infamy? Seventy-five years ago, on the morning of December 7, 1941, the United States of America was “suddenly and deliberately attacked.” At the American naval base at Pearl Harbor, Oahu, Hawaii, hundreds of Japanese fighter planes destroyed eight massive battleships and more than 300 airplanes and killed 2,000 Americans. One ship, the USS Oklahoma, was hit with torpedoes and capsized with 400 men trapped inside.  In a horrifying scenario, the men trapped under the water slowly ran out of air. Rescuers heard taps from inside the ship but could only save a handful of men, and after a few days the tapping stopped. The day after the attack, President Franklin Delano Roosevelt delivered a moving speech to a joint session of Congress in which he declared that December 7, 1941 was “a date which will live in infamy.” In the speech, he also asked Congress to declare war on Japan, stating, “No matter how long it may take us to overcome this premeditated invasion... I believe I interpret the will of the Congress and of the people when I assert that we will not only defend ourselves to the uttermost, but will make very certain that this form of treachery shall never endanger us again.”  As families were receiving word of lost loved ones, Americans were reeling with the news of this horrific attack on our soil, and men on the USS Oklahoma were still trapped gasping for air, one member of Congress voted against declaring war on Japan. Jeannette Rankin was the only member of Congress to vote against declaring war on Japan and entering World War II. She had been one of a handful of members who earlier in her life had voted against entering World War I as well.  While some may present an argument for the vote against WWI, there is no justifying voting against defending ourselves from the Japanese. This attack occurred seventy-five years ago this week. So imagine my surprise when, this April, the House voted to name a federal science and technology program after Congresswoman Rankin (H.R.4570).  I voted against this bill but was only joined by five of my colleagues. I will note the bill was on suspension and perhaps some of my colleagues did not pay attention to who they were voting to honor.  Perhaps some of my colleagues wouldn’t vote against honoring Rankin because it wouldn’t be politically correct to vote against the first female elected to Congress. But political correctness does not excuse Rankin’s vote against self-defense. When voting no, Rankin said, “As a woman I can’t go to war, and I refuse to send anyone else.” However, women had been among the forty-nine civilian casualties on Oahu, and thousands of women across the nation had husbands, fathers, and brothers among the dead and wounded. During the war, nearly 350,000 brave women enlisted in the Women’s Auxiliary Army Corps, Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service (WAVES), and the Women’s Airforce Service Pilots. Rankin’s sex did not justify voting against the declaration of war then, and it does not justify honoring her now.It is my opinion that despite other achievements of Congresswoman Rankin, it is more important to remember Pearl Harbor and honor the lives lost than to honor someone who voted against defending the United States while our ships were still on fire, while our troops in the Philippines were under attack, and while men inside the Oklahoma were tapping desperately hoping someone would come to their rescue. When I talk to my children about WWII, they react as though it was ancient history, but I am teaching them that December 7, 1941, is “a date which will live in infamy.” Although the world is much changed since those times, it was not so long ago.  In my life, I have been honored to know brave soldiers, sailors, and airmen who fought for our nation in that gruesome war.  For the WWII veterans that are alive today, and all those who served, we must remember and honor their sacrifices. On this year’s seventy-fifth anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor, it is particularly important to remember the lives lost in the devastating attack and in the war that followed. In this seventy-fifth anniversary year, voting to honor Jeannette Rankin showed that many in Congress no longer regard December 7 as “a date which will live in infamy.” If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=720,Goodlatte Elected Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the House Republican Conference voted to confirm the GOP Steering Committee’s recommendation that he continue to serve as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee in the 115th Congress.Chairman Goodlatte: “I am honored to have been chosen to continue my service as Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee. The Judiciary Committee has jurisdiction over some of the most important issues facing our country, including constitutional freedoms and civil liberties, legal and regulatory reform, competition and antitrust laws, terrorism and crime, immigration enforcement and reform, and intellectual property protections. “As Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee I have worked with my committee members on both sides of the aisle to tackle a broad portfolio of issues and compile a strong record of bipartisan accomplishments. From banning bulk data collection and protecting Americans’ privacy in the digital age to banning Internet access taxes, the House Judiciary Committee has solved some of our nation’s most difficult issues. In the 115th Congress, we intend to build on these successes and will continue to advance an agenda focused on making America stronger and more competitive.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=721,Judiciary Committee Uncovers that USCIS Fails to Conduct Background Checks on Immigration Applicants,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today pressed Secretary Jeh Johnson on the Department of Homeland Security’s (DHS) failure to ensure immigration benefits applicants have received full background checks prior to approval of their applications.The House Judiciary Committee received from a confidential source an email that the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) Associate Director for the Field Operations Directorate sent to agency staff on November 29, 2016. In the email, he states that an issue had been identified with the key background system used to vet immigration benefits applicants and that proper background checks have not been run on certain applications. He further states that the agency is uncertain about the scope of the problem.In his letter to Secretary Johnson, Chairman Goodlatte demands answers from USCIS and DHS about the problems with the background check system, potential security risks, and what is being done to immediately resolve the problem.Below is Chairman Goodlatte’s letter. The signed letter can be found here.December 2, 2016Dear Secretary Johnson, I write regarding background checks for foreign nationals seeking immigration benefits and the seeming lack of ability of U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) to ensure the completion of such background checks prior to approval of immigration benefits applications. Specifically, on the morning of November 29, 2016, the Associate Director for the Field Operations Directorate at USCIS, sent an email to USCIS regional and district officials as well as USCIS leadership and senior officials, stating “Effective immediately offices are instructed not to approve or oath any naturalization cases in ELIS. We have identified an issue with FBI Name Checks initiated through ELIS. At this point we are not confident that proper FBI Name Checks have been run on certain ELIS cases. At this point we are uncertain of the scope of the problem….” The email went on to require that any scheduled naturalization ceremonies be cancelled and that no naturalization applications be approved. As you know, the FBI Name Check process is an integral and absolutely necessary part of the immigration benefits adjudication process. No applicant should be approved prior to such a check being completed in and with a result showing no concerns. And no immigration benefit application should be approved without ensuring that the Electronic Immigration System (ELIS) is working properly. I am troubled by the fact that as the Chairman of the Committee of jurisdiction over USCIS, I was not informed about this epic USCIS failure to ensure that immigration benefits applicants were properly vetted as required by law. Your agency made no effort to notify me of this problem. Instead, I was only made aware of it by a confidential source. As such, I request a briefing from USCIS and DHS officials as to the current and any prior concerns with ELIS regarding background checks. In addition, please answer the following questions:1. Since ELIS’ implementation, how many times has it not run the requisite background checks? For which immigration benefits categories did this occur? How many applications were affected? How was the situation resolved? Were the checks ultimately run? 2. How many naturalization cases were affected by the most recent failure of ELIS to run the requisite Name Checks, as discussed in the November 29, 2016, email?3. On what date and at what time did USCIS become aware of the ELIS failure to run FBI Name Checks on naturalization cases? 4. How many naturalization applications were approved after USCIS became aware of the ELIS failure? Of those cases, how many of the individuals for which the naturalization application was approved, have been naturalized? 5. What action will USCIS take to ensure that individuals already naturalized have had the proper background checks run? 6. What action will USCIS take to ensure the initiation of denaturalization proceedings for those individuals who are found to have been improperly naturalized? 7. How many individuals have been naturalized to date this fiscal year and how many were naturalized in each of the fiscal years since ELIS implementation? 8. What is the total cost of ELIS implementation to date? 9. What other problems have occurred with regard to ELIS implementation?10. What plan does USCIS have to fix ELIS? Please respond to this request by December 9, 2016. If you have any questions about this request, please contact Andrea Loving, Counsel for the House Judiciary Committee, at (202) 225-3926. Thank you for your attention to this matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-defense-bill-comstock-heller-service-member-job-training,House Passes Defense Bill with ComstockHeller Service Member Job Training Amendment,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) and Senator Dean Heller (R-NV) released the below statement after the House passed a conference report to accompany S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 by a bipartisan vote of 375-34.  The legislation included two of the Congresswoman’s amendments including one that she worked on with Senator Heller. “This bipartisan NDAA includes an amendment that I worked on with Nevada Senator Dean Heller to support service members who are transitioning out of the military by providing better access to job training programs.  These initiatives foster a smoother transition for outgoing members of our military as they look to build a new career,” said Congresswoman Barbara Comstock.  “Our men and women in uniform have sacrificed much for us, and this is just one of the ways we can repay them for their service to our country.  I look forward to seeing this provision go to work for our veterans.  I have numerous businesses and groups in my district, including the Northern Virginia Technology Council’s Veteran Employment Initiative and this provision can assist them.”  “As a member of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee, I remain focused on ensuring our nation’s members of the military returning from duty receive the access to resources they need to transition smoothly into civilian life. This means allowing service members to participate in civilian job and employment training, including apprenticeships and internships. These important opportunities can be seized before members leave the military so they are able to be fully-trained and equipped with skillsets employers are seeking,” said Senator Dean Heller. Congresswoman Comstock went on to say: “Our troops make sacrifices daily so that we may remain safe, and this legislation gives them more certainty with the largest boost in pay in six years at 2.1 percent.  For over 50 years, Congress has worked across the aisle to annually reauthorize this important legislation, ensuring a strong national security apparatus is ready to protect the homeland.  A strong national defense is essential to preserving the freedoms that are the bedrock of our nation and this legislation actually goes above the administration’s request by $9 billion to provide critical funding to support those in our military as they fight for us and our freedoms.  “This important legislation also included another amendment I worked on that seeks to enhance protections for our children from increasingly easy to access opioids.  This is a valuable tool in our ongoing battle against the opioid epidemic that is sweeping our nation and the numerous overdoses that have resulted from this scourge.  The language directs the Department of Defense to analyze the feasibility of new prescription bottle lock mechanisms for opioid medications.  Addiction often starts early in life with an adolescent taking a pill from medicine that was not prescribed for them, and this is designed to limit illicit access to prescribed medications.”   Background on NDAA: Boosts base funding by $9 billion over the administration’s request to close the readiness gap, rebuild our military, and ensure our troops have the tools necessary to carry out their missions. Provides our troops with the largest pay raise they’ve seen in six years at 2.1 percent. Reforms our acquisition process to spend taxpayer dollars more wisely and get our troops cutting-edge technology quickly and efficiently. Maintains longstanding provisions to prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil. Helps combat sexual assault in the military by building upon past efforts with an improved reporting process and mandatory sentences for certain offenses.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398651,Griffith Statement on Roe Chairmanship,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: “Today, my friend and colleague, Congressman Phil Roe, who represents the 1st Congressional District of Tennessee, was recommended by the House Republican Steering Committee to serve as the new Chairman of the Veterans' Affairs Committee.” “Congressman Roe and I share a large portion of the Virginia-Tennessee border, and it has always been a pleasure working with him on so many issues.  I look forward to supporting Congressman Roe on this critical post at tomorrow’s Conference meeting and subsequently working with him in his new role as Chairman on important Veterans’ Affairs issues.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=299,Rep. Brat on Passage of 21st Century Cures Act,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. - Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the passage of the 21st Century Cures Act H.R. 34, which funds the National Institutes of Health (NIH) initiatives and the fight against opioid abuse: “I represent all my constituents and their interests in Washington, and I am particularly sensitive to their needs when I am called to vote. While this bill helps fund cures for thousands of diseases including cancer and Alzheimer’s, and provides funds to fight the opioid epidemic, it leaves members with a Faustian bargain. This 996 page bill is a cynical ploy engineered by D.C. lobbyists to pit very serious diseases and concerns, some of which do have legitimate need for Federal funds, against fiscal responsibility and sanity. Over the past several months, I have met with many parents who have lost their children to the ravages of vicious diseases and to the nightmare of the heroin epidemic. I have heroic sheriffs in my district who are creating  programs to rehabilitate addicts in their prisons virtually out of thin air and lack the Federal help they need. All my constituents deserve their interests heard in Washington, and there is no question that funds are needed  for the fight. At the same time, those funds should have flowed through the regular order process. Despite my persistent advocacy, we did not pass a budget this year, and failed to pass all the spending bills. Last year when this legislation was brought up for a floor vote, it was set on auto-pilot spending. I introduced an amendment to move funding for this legislation back into the budget and subject to appropriations , according to regular order. This bill does that; but it authorizes $6 billion in discretionary spending that will not be subject to scoring by the Congressional Budget Office. The Cures Act also creates a spending account for the FDA and NIH that is not subject to the budgetary caps. Its spending is structured in a convoluted and disingenuous way, relying on bogus savings that do not exist. For instance, the bill claims to be paid for with slush funds created by Obamacare, even though we’ve promised to repeal that bill in its entirety next year. Equally problematic, each of the individual bills which were wrapped up into this one are so enormous that the connections between the benefits of the bill and how each individual bill is paid for are are almost impossible to follow. The draft of this bill was put out the day after Thanksgiving and less than a week later, we are voting on it. We are not taking the time to make the tough decisions on which areas the Federal government has a role to play, and which problems should be sent back to the states. Thus we are left in the position that epidemics like opioid addiction do not receive the attention they need. This bill was bundled together in a week by approximately 1500 lobbyists – 3 lobbyists for every 1 member of Congress. I could not be more upset with the process used to create this. While members may be criticized for their votes on this, I believe that the true blame lies with lobbyists and leadership who are pitting funding for the neediest of our constituents against fiscal responsibility.”###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398650,Griffith Statement on 21st Century Cures Act,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today the House of Representatives voted on the revised 21st Century Cures Act (House Amendment to Senate Amendment to H.R. 34 ), which passed 392-26.  Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) is a co-sponsor of the original bill (H.R. 6) that passed the House in July, 2015. Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: “The 21st Century Cures Act facilitates the discovery of new treatments for patients with rare diseases that currently have no cure.  Further, the bill cuts out bureaucratic red tape in order to help speed up the approval of these medical breakthroughs, new discoveries, and biological treatments.” “In addition, the bill has several aspects that are important to patients and families in the Ninth District, including grants to the states to help combat the opioid epidemic and reforms to improve our mental health system.” “I am pleased with provisions that allow the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to streamline the approval of regenerative therapeutic products and encourage the FDA to identify opportunities for accelerated approval without lowering the current standards of evidence.  Regenerative medicine involves cutting-edge technology that has the ability to repair tissues and organs, or regenerate cells. If a drug shows potential to treat or cure a serious or life-threatening disease, the bill facilitates a program for expedited review.” “The bill requires new federal spending, but Congress has identified ways to fund the research.  Although this means the money can’t be spent in other ways, research to cure rare diseases that currently have no cure, I believe, is an appropriate use of federal funding.” “While the private sector does undertake their own medical research and development, they focus on treatments and cures that can be sold on a large scale.  The federal government must spearhead the research for treatments for rare conditions or cures for diseases that may only affect a few thousand people.” Background: 21st Century Cures brings our health care infrastructure into the 21st century, delivering much needed hope for patients and their loved ones. It accelerates the cycle of discovering, developing, and delivering new cures and treatments and ensures that America remains the global leader in biomedical innovation. The bill provides a once-in-a-generation opportunity to help researchers change the way we fight disease. The Energy and Commerce Committee, on which Congressman Griffith serves, has worked on this initiative since May of 2014, and held hearings in Washington, D.C. and roundtable discussions throughout the nation at which medical experts and patient advocates shared their perspective on how to best accelerate the pace of cures to help patients.  On October 22, 2014, Congressman Griffith held one such roundtable in Blacksburg with Congressman Phil Roe M.D. (R-TN) and a number of the region’s medical experts.  Ideas from these hearings and roundtables were used to craft the 21st Century Cures Act, which went on to pass the Energy and Commerce Committee on May 21, 2015 in a bipartisan vote of 51-0.  Further, Congressman Griffith and Congressman Roe held a roundtable about opioid abuse, and funding to help combat the epidemic is included in the revised Cures bill. Since the time that the Cures bill passed the House in 2015, the Senate passed a number of corresponding bills, and the two chambers have worked to craft a final bill to pass a vote in both houses.  If passed in the Senate, it will head to President Obama who supports the passage and has indicated he will sign it into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/landmark-21st-century-cures-act-passes-house,Landmark 21st Century Cures Act Passes House,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after voting in favor of the House-Senate negotiated 21st Century Cures Act, which passed the House by a vote of 392 to 26.  The legislation will now go to the Senate for final approval before being sent to the president for signature: “The 21st Century Cures Act is a game changer in medical innovation in the fight for cures of chronic diseases.  This legislation will help the United States lead the way in medical research and brings hope to patients with cancer, Alzheimer’s, diabetes, heart disease, and other conditions as we fight to find new cures.  The 21st Century Cures Act brings together both public and private investment toward medical research, while streamlining the testing and approval process that will lead to new lifesaving treatments getting to patients faster.  We must unleash medical innovation across the country to save lives, and this bill does just that.  Northern Virginia is home to the Inova Schar Cancer Institute which is ranked in the nation’s top ten percent of cancer centers and the world class research being done there will be helped by the passage of this legislation. “Childhood cancer has devastated families throughout the country and the 21st Century Cures Act includes $1.8 billion for cancer research, $1 billion of which will support the Cancer Moonshot over the next three years.  Two families I know in the Tenth District have been personally touched by childhood cancer, having lost children to cancer.  The Miller family, who lost their daughter Gabriella, and the Giordano family, who lost their son Mathias, have made it their mission to bring awareness and research dollars to the types of cancers that took their own children and this legislation is a big step forward for more resources to stamp out childhood cancers.    “Another issue that our community sees the effects of daily is opioid abuse. $1 billion in the 21st Century Cures Act will be used to fight this disease that has taken so many victims and was recently declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia.  Fighting addiction requires an all-of-the-above approach and we have talked to medical professionals, healthcare providers, and law enforcement, among others in our region, to better target our response to opioid abuse.  This legislation is another powerful tool in this ongoing battle. “Also incorporated into the 21st Century Cures legislation is the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act, important reforms that will pave the way for greater resources to improve the lives of many in our communities.  Years of valuable input from a wide array of stakeholders has been taken into account and, most importantly, there has been input from families, caregivers, and those personally affected by mental health conditions and a wide spectrum of other illnesses and disorders. This bill is a critical step toward providing integrated resources for those in need.” Background 21st Century Cures: 21st Century Cures is designed to help accelerate the discovery, development, and delivery of promising new treatments and cures for patients and maintain our nation’s standing as the biomedical innovation capital of the world. There are 10,000 known diseases, but we only have cures and treatments for 500 of them. The bill would help patients suffering from those diseases by: Streamlining and improving the FDA’s review of life-saving drugs for patients Modernizing clinical trials and removing regulatory uncertainty for the development of new medical apps Supporting and investing in the next generation of Scientists The bill provides $4.8 billion over 10 years to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) for: The Precision Medicine Initiative The Brain Research Through Advancing Innovative Neurotechnologies Initiative Cancer research Regenerative medicine using adult stem cells Additionally, the bill provides: $500 million to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) over 10 years to move drugs and medical devices to patients more quickly $1 billion over 2 years for grants to states to supplement opioid abuse prevention and treatment activities, such as improving prescription drug monitoring programs and implementing prevention",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=718,Goodlatte Applauds House Passage of Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Crime Victims’ Rights,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"The House of Representatives today approved by voice vote an amended version of the Justice for All Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S. 2577) to strengthen crime victims’ rights. The bipartisan, bicameral bill – authored by Representative Ted Poe (R-Texas) and Senator John Cornyn (R-Texas) – builds on the Justice for All Act of 2004 to improve the criminal justice system and ensure public confidence in it. It strengthens crime victims’ rights and programs by increasing access to restitution for federal crime victims. The Justice for All Reauthorization Act also further reduces the rape kit backlog and provides resources for forensic labs, while protecting the innocent by improving access to post-conviction DNA testing. It also improves these programs by increasing accountability for federal funds to protect taxpayer dollars. Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, praised today’s approval of the bill:“For over a decade, the Justice for All Act has done a tremendous amount of good to improve our nation’s criminal justice system and strengthen crime victims’ rights. I am pleased the House has reauthorized and improved the Justice for All Act to further this good work, such as reducing the rape kit backlog so that victims are able to reclaim and rebuild their lives, and providing law enforcement resources to identify the guilty and free the innocent. I thank Representative Poe for his tireless work on these important issues and call on the Senate to swiftly pass the amended bill and send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law.” Watch Congressman Goodlatte’s floor speech in support of this legislation by clicking here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=719,Goodlatte Presses DHS for Information on Two Men Convicted of Plotting with ISIS,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson for information on two men convicted in the United States for conspiring with ISIS. In June 2016, Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were convicted of conspiring to provide material support for ISIS, along with other terrorism-related and fraud charges, and recently sentenced to imprisonment for 30 years. Both men used social media to discuss terrorist attacks and expressed a desire to die as martyrs. Some media reports indicate that Elhuzayel is a citizen of Israel and a naturalized citizen of the United States, while others reflect that he was born in the United States. According to reports, Badawi is a citizen of Sudan. Both were residents of Anaheim, California at the time of their arrests.In his letter to Secretary Johnson, Chairman Goodlatte calls on DHS to provide Elhuzayel and Badawi’s immigration and criminal histories to the House Judiciary Committee in order to understand how they became radicalized and whether there were indicators of their radicalization that DHS should have been aware of prior to their arrest. Chairman Goodlatte’s letter to Secretary Johnson is below.November 29, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were convicted of conspiring to provide material support for ISIS, along with other terrorism-related and fraud charges June 21, 2016. Both men were sentenced to imprisonment for 30 years on September 26 and October 19, respectively. Their plot involved facilitating Elhuzayel’s travel abroad to join ISIS fighters. Both used social media to discuss terrorist attacks and expressed a desire to die as martyrs.Some media reports indicate that Elhuzayel is a citizen of Israel and a naturalized citizen of the United States, while others reflect that he was born in the United States. According to reports, Badawi is a citizen of Sudan. Both were residents of Anaheim, California at the time of their arrests.It is important for the Committee to understand how Elhuzayel and Badawi became radicalized and to determine whether there were indicators of their radicalization that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should have been aware of prior to their arrest. Therefore, please provide a briefing to Committee staff on this case on or before December 13, 2016. Additionally, please provide the following information no later than December 15, 2016:1. The alien registration numbers for Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi, if any, their complete, unredacted alien files (A-file), including any temporary files, working files, or Service Center files, and all documents and items contained in them, all documents generated by DHS or in its possession about them, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, all Reports of Investigation (ROI), executive summaries, criminal histories and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek their removal from the United States.2. Please identify each and every date on which Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi were encountered by a law enforcement agency in the United States, to include criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charge, the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred, the disposition of each charge, the date(s) on which they were released from the custody of that law enforcement agency, and the reason(s) for the release. Please provide the arrest and disposition documentation for each encounter.3. How and when did Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi enter the United States? Were they ever served with a Notice to Appear? Was it filed with an immigration court? Please explain.4. Have Nader Elhuzayel and Muhanad Badawi been removed previously? If so, when?5. Has ICE issued a detainer or request for notification to any entity regarding Nader Elhuzayel or Muhanad Badawi? Please explain.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to committees of Congress. Upon receipt of this letter, if it appears that you will not fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please immediately contact Tracy Short, Counsel, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, at (202) 225-3926, and identify the specific item(s) requested to which you will not fully respond and explain why you will not respond. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-death-fidel-castro,Rep. Comstock Statement On The Death Of Fidel Castro,2016-11-26,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the death of Cuban dictator Fidel Castro:“Upon the death of one of the most brutal dictators of our time, may the oppression and the disregard of human rights that defined Fidel Castro’s regime, die with him.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=298,"Rep. Brat on Ruling to Block ""Overtime Rule""",2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after a federal judge granted a nationwide preliminary injunction against the Department of Labor’s unlawful new Overtime Rule:""I applaud the court's decision to block the implementation of this disastrous job-killing regulation. Businesses here in the 7th District and around the nation will now have time while we work towards repealing the rule entirely. This onerous regulation would more than double the salary threshold for an employee to be entitled to overtime pay, forcing small businesses to substantially increase their employment costs. This overreaching and reckless regulation would have had major consequences for job flexibility and job creation - hurting the people it was purportedly trying to help.""""As a proud cosponsor of the bi-partisan Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act, I took the lead on efforts to help protect small businesses from executive overreach. With the strong support of the House Freedom Caucus we were able to fight successfully for the delay of the rule's implementation until its true costs and legality can be fully understood. With this great news, small businesses will stay alive and have a chance to thrive in an economy that offers more opportunities for struggling American families.""###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=717,RFS Reform Leaders Respond to Ethanol Mandate Hike,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reps. Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Jim Costa (D-Calif.), Steve Womack (R-Ark.), and Peter Welch (D-Vt.) released the following statement in response the Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) release today of final annual mandatory blending volumes for biofuels under the Renewable Fuel Standard (RFS): “Forcing more ethanol into the market – while hurting consumers, food producers, and small engines across the nation – is not the solution. While well-intentioned, it has been clear for some time now that the RFS is a broken policy. The EPA’s action today ignores basic economic and scientific facts, and sets the industry on a path that will be disastrous for families, small businesses and retailers, the agriculture community, food aid organizations, and the environment. Announcing higher fuel volumes for 2017 only emphasizes the unfairness of this mandate, and the need for Congress to step in and stop the harmful impacts. There are several good solutions on the table in the House to help lessen the effects of the ethanol mandate, including the RFS Reform Act, which we have introduced. Reforming the RFS remains a priority, and we will continue working to see a legislative fix move forward in Congress.”The RFS Reform Act (H.R. 704) eliminates corn-based ethanol requirements, caps the amount of ethanol that can be blended into conventional gasoline at 10 percent, and requires the EPA to set cellulosic biofuels levels at production levels. Today’s announcement by the EPA sets ethanol levels above the blend wall, the point at which many small engines can safely use ethanol blended gasoline.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398649,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.23.16,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Words of Thanksgiving At Thanksgiving, it is good to remember our history for which we give thanks.  Throughout American history, Presidents have spoken on America’s good fortune and given thanks to our Creator.  In 1789, President George Washington proclaimed Thursday, November 26, as a day of “public thanksgiving and prayer” dedicated to “the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent Author of all the good that was, that is, and that will be.” Later, President Lincoln designated the final Thursday in November as a national “day of Thanksgiving and praise.”  The year was 1863, and despite the war that raged he proclaimed America would “set apart and observe the last Thursday of November next, as a day of Thanksgiving and Praise to our beneficent Father who dwelleth in the Heavens.”  Lincoln also asked “the Almighty Hand to heal the wounds of the nation and to restore it as soon as may be consistent with the Divine purposes to the full enjoyment of peace, harmony, tranquility, and Union.” One hundred years after President Lincoln’s words, President John F. Kennedy reflected on the words of Washington and Lincoln, and issued moving words of his own, saying: “Today we give our thanks, most of all, for the ideals of honor and faith we inherit from our forefathers--for the decency of purpose, steadfastness of resolve and strength of will, for the courage and the humility, which they possessed and which we must seek every day to emulate. As we express our gratitude, we must never forget that the highest appreciation is not to utter words but to live by them.”    His proclamation also recognized Virginia, noting “over three centuries ago, our forefathers in Virginia and Massachusetts, far from home, in a lonely wilderness set aside a time of Thanksgiving. They gave thanks for their safety, the health of their children, the fertility of their fields, for the love which bound them together and for the faith which united them with their God.”  The reason he mentioned Virginia is that the first Thanksgiving took place in 1619 at the Berkeley Plantation in Virginia.  Led by Captain John Woodlief, they prayed “We ordain that this day of our ship's arrival … in the land of Virginia, shall be yearly and perpetually kept holy as a day of thanksgiving to Almighty God.” The pilgrims did not arrive at Plymouth until 1620, and did not hold their Thanksgiving until November 1621. In a recent historical moment, President George W. Bush (Bush 2) made a secret, unplanned visit to Iraq for Thanksgiving Day 2003 in the midst of a war.  It is reported neither his wife nor parents were aware of his plans.  His appearance shocked the soldiers as he thanked them, “You are defeating the terrorists here in Iraq, so we don't have to face them in our own country… We thank you for your service, we're proud of you, and America stands solidly behind you.” Throughout history, Thanksgiving has given Americans an opportunity to express thanks and gratitude, and here in the United States we have much to be thankful for.  Among other things, I am thankful for my family, friends, and the freedoms we enjoy.  I am also thankful for those who have been dedicated to protecting these freedoms.  I am proud of the rich history of both Virginia and our Nation of celebrating thanks to the Almighty.  We Gather Together Also at this time of year, I reflect on a favorite hymn of thanks, “We Gather Together.”  I am especially moved by the lyrics ‘Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.’  This hymn, while recognized as a popular American song, has Dutch origins.  When written, the Dutch were at war to liberate their nation from the powerful Habsburg Dynasty which controlled both the Spanish and Austrian Empires.  The Dutch were forbidden from gathering to worship as they wished because they were predominantly Protestants, while the Habsburgs were Catholic.  Later, pilgrims coming from both the Netherlands (Dutch) and England to the new world brought the hymn to America.  The words and theme fit perfectly with the American Thanksgiving tradition, and have become a well-known song at churches during this holiday. No matter your faith, I hope you and your loved ones have a safe and happy Thanksgiving.  If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-emergency-injunction-against-department-labor-s,Rep. Comstock Statement On The Emergency Injunction Against The Department Of Labors Overtime Rule,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals granted an emergency injunction against the Labor Department’s overtime rule:“The emergency injunction in this lawsuit sends a strong message to the Administration that it cannot rush rules like this that will hurt our workers and jobs.  We regularly talk with business owners and employees throughout the 10th District and they raise concerns about the misguided regulations this Administration has imposed without any input from Congress and that have unintended  consequences and cause uncertainty. Workers will now have more certainty in their jobs as they put in the work necessary to build a career, and, in many cases, companies of their own.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=715,"Goodlatte, Grassley Seek Immigration & Criminal History of Individual Charged in Roadside Rape",2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairmen Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are requesting the immigration and criminal histories of a man charged in the brutal roadside rape near Fredericksburg, Va., in October.Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian was arrested November 17, and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery after he allegedly struck the vehicle of a woman with his car, dragged the driver into a ditch, and raped her for two hours. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement reportedly issued an immigration detainer for Sibrian, which seeks cooperation with local authorities to prevent Sibrian from being released back into the public.In a letter today to Homeland Security Secretary Jeh Johnson, Grassley and Goodlatte are requesting Sibrian’s full immigration and criminal background, including when and how he entered the United States, whether he has been previously deported, and whether he applied for or received any immigration benefits. The chairmen are also asking for details on Sibrian’s previous encounters with law enforcement and immigration authorities, arrest history, and any gang affiliations. Finally, the chairmen are asking whether Sibrian would have been considered an enforcement priority under the Obama Administration’s Priority Enforcement Program prior to the rape charges, what steps federal officials will take if local law enforcement refuses to honor the federal detainer, and whether federal officials have contacted the victims of the alleged crimes committed by Sibrian.The Chairmen’s letter to Johnson follows:November 22, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:We write to request case information on Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, reportedly an alien illegally present in the United States, who allegedly brutally raped a woman near Fredericksburg, Virginia on October 31. According to reports, Sibrian allegedly dragged a woman from her car into a ditch and raped her for two hours after striking her car with his vehicle. Sibrian was arrested on November 17 in Sanford, North Carolina and charged with rape and aggravated sexual battery. His bond was set at $100,000. News sources also report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement issued an immigration detainer for Sibrian.To better understand Sibrian’s immigration and criminal history, please provide both Committees on the Judiciary with the following information as soon as possible, but not later than December 5, 2016: 1. The alien registration number for Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, his complete alien file (A-file), including any temporary files or working files, and all documents and items contained in them that were generated by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) or in its possession about him, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, the Enforcement and Removal Operations (ERO) Executive Summary, criminal history and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek his removal from the United States.2. How and when did Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian enter the United States? 3. Had Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian ever been removed previously? If so, when?4. If a law enforcement agency declines to honor a detainer or notify ICE regarding Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian, what action will DHS take to ensure that he is not released from custody and allowed to reoffend?5. Please identify each and every date on which Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian was arrested by a law enforcement agency in the United States, including criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charges, the jurisdictions where the arrests occurred, the dispositions of the charges, the dates on which he was released from the custody of the law enforcement agencies, and the reasons for the release.6. Did Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian ever apply for any immigration benefit? If so, was any application approved? Please provide copies of any applications that Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian may have submitted, whether or not adjudicated.7. Was Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian a member of, or associated with any criminal gang? Please explain.8. If Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian had been encountered by DHS enforcement officials prior to his recent arrest for rape, would he have met the requirements to be considered a priority for removal under the Administration’s Priority Enforcement Program? If so, please provide the exact reason for such consideration. If not, why not?9. Has any victim(s) associated with the alleged crime(s) committed by Roberto Carlos Flores Sibrian been contacted by officials at ICE? Please provide details.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to Committees of Congress. Upon receipt of this letter, if you cannot fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please immediately contact the staff members of the respective Committees below and identify the specific item requested to which you cannot fully respond and explain why you cannot respond.Should you have any questions, please contact Kathy Nuebel Kovarik at (202) 224-5225 or Tracy Short at (202) 225-3926. Thank you for your cooperation.Sincerely,Charles E. Grassley Chairman Senate Committee on the JudiciaryBob Goodlatte Chairman  House Committee on the Judiciary",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398648,Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for December,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of December. December 1, 2016 Lee County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Lee County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room – Suite U101 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA Martinsville:   12:00 pm – 2:00 pm NCI Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA Norton:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Norton City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA December 6, 2016 Tazewell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm American Legion Building 226 Central Avenue Tazewell, VA Buchanan County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grundy Town Hall 1185 Plaza Drive Grundy, VA Pulaski County:    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Dublin Town Hall Route 100, 1 mile North of I-81 Dublin, VA   December 7, 2016 Smyth County:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA  Covington:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Covington City Hall City Hall Conference Room 333 W. Locust Street Covington, VA Craig County:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craig County Administration Building 108 Court Street New Castle, VA Bristol:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA December 8, 2016 Grayson County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room – Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA Russell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA Tazewell County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA Galax:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Grayson Street Galax, VA December 13, 2016 Giles County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Pearisburg Town Hall 112 Tazewell Street Pearisburg, VA Dickenson County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Dickenson Center for Education & Research 818 Happy Valley Drive Clintwood, VA Salem:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Salem Town Hall 114 N. Broad Street Salem, VA Wise County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue E Big Stone Gap, VA December 14, 2016 Radford:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA Pulaski County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pulaski County Library Meeting Room 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA December 15, 2016 Alleghany County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Clifton Forge Library Conference Room 535 Church Street Clifton Forge, VA Scott County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Community Services Building Community Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA Roanoke County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Roanoke Library Hollins Branch 6624 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, VA Wise County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue E Big Stone Gap, VA December 20, 2016 Carroll County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Carroll County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room 605 – 1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA Floyd County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Floyd Town Hall 134 Wilson Street Floyd, VA December 21, 2016 Henry County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bassett Historical Society 3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA Bland County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 200 612 Main Street Bland, VA Wythe County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Wythe County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room 245 South 4th Street Wytheville, VA Patrick County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room 106 Rucker Street Stuart, VA ** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=714,Goodlatte Statement on President-Elect Trump’s Attorney General Selection,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, made the following statement on President-elect Donald Trump’s selection of Senator Jeff Sessions to be U.S. Attorney General: “I congratulate Senator Sessions on his nomination by President-elect Trump to be the next Attorney General. Our nation’s top law enforcement officer has a solemn duty to ensure the rule of law and protect the American people by executing our laws impartially and fully. These core principles have come under attack the past eight years and must be restored at the Justice Department.“Upon confirmation by the Senate, I look forward to working with Mr. Sessions to enforce the rule of law, administer justice fairly without giving special treatment to the politically well-connected, and find solutions to the problems facing our nation’s criminal justice system.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-statement-opioid-addiction-being-declared-public-health,Rep. Comstock Statement on Opioid Addiction Being Declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after opioid addiction was declared a Public Health Emergency in Virginia by the state Health Commissioner: “Whether it is a friend, a neighbor, or a loved one, addiction does not discriminate against who it harms and we must work as a community to take the opioid crisis head-on.  This epidemic reaches across all socioeconomic backgrounds and age groups.  With the state Health Commissioner declaring opioid addiction a Public Health Emergency for the Commonwealth today, an even greater spotlight will be put on this crisis in the months ahead.  Both as a Delegate and now in Congress I have been working with our community and for legislative responses to battle the scourge of addiction. As a member of the Bipartisan Task Force to Combat the Heroin Epidemic, I worked with my colleagues to pass the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, which addresses education and prevention, treatment and services, and interdiction of these deadly drugs.  We must utilize all avenues available to us, and this Public Health Emergency declaration is yet another step toward stamping out the disease of addiction.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398647,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.20.16,2016-11-20,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Reasons for the Electoral College Every four years, American news is dominated by the presidential election.  Pundits and analysts play up the drama, predict the outcome of the Electoral College, and endlessly analyze the results.  Discussions of this year’s results are unavoidable.  Since the Republican candidate won the election, yet lost the popular vote by less than one percent, speculation has started on the purpose of the Electoral College.  Only five times in our nation’s 228 year history of electing a President have the results of the Electoral College not aligned with the winner of the popular vote (1824, 1876, 1888, 2000, and 2016.)  Each time this has occurred, the losing party begins the complaints. The Electoral College was designed by our Founding Fathers at the Constitutional Convention of 1787, to be sure the President was elected by a federation of “States” and to maintain a balance of power between all of the “States.” At the Constitutional Convention, several methods of electing a President were considered.  The Founders were constantly aware of the dangers of consolidated power, and had the incredible foresight to devise a system which distributed power.  The Electoral College was created to balance state and federal powers, and most importantly provide a voice to all “States” – not just the most populous.  At the time of the creation of our nation, the smaller states worried about the largest states of Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Massachusetts ruling over all the rest.  Without the establishment of the Electoral College to prevent this outcome, the Union would have never been formed. Each “State” was allotted two electors, in addition to the number of members the state has in the House of Representatives (based on population.)  Today, the electoral votes per state range from the smallest of 3 to the most for California at 55.  To win the Presidency, a candidate must win a majority of 270 of 538 electoral votes.  Therefore, even under the Electoral College, winning California gives a candidate just over twenty percent of the votes needed.  To match those 55, the other candidate would need to win the votes of a substantial number of smaller states.  This election, Hillary Clinton won the popular vote by approximately 1.3 million votes, yet she won California by 3.4 million.  If you take out that one state, Donald Trump won the popular vote. With a simple popular vote, the megalopolis of the East Coast, combined with California, would control every election.  This would completely disenfranchise the flyover states, and rural areas of our country, including the Ninth District.  Presidential candidates would focus their entire campaigns in California, New York City, and a few other heavily populated coastal areas, with no regard for the farms, factories, and families who work to keep them operational living in between. Some feel even in our current system that the voice of rural citizens like those in the Ninth are left out, and have proposed electors allotted by a “district system.”  The Constitution states that electors are to be chosen “in such Manner as the Legislature thereof may direct,” maintaining the power for states to control their elector system.  In 48 of the states, winner takes all, but in Maine and Nebraska, the “district system” awards two votes to the statewide popular vote winner, and one electoral vote for the candidate that wins each Congressional District.  If the method was adopted in Virginia, this year our state would have likely given six votes to Clinton and seven to Trump, as opposed to all thirteen votes to Clinton. The Founders understood the will of the people and the consent of the governed was critical.  But they also understood that if a handful of states could always dominate the selection of the Presidency, then the other states would feel both disenfranchised and oppressed.  These feelings would exacerbate the divisions which naturally occur between the regions and could erupt into serious divisions within this union of “States” and threaten the existence of the Republic.  Interestingly, the solution was the Electoral College, known to be written by Hamilton in Federalist Paper No. 68, to make sure even the smallest of states had a part in the selection of the President of this union of “States.” The Electoral College is there for an important purpose and has served our Republic well. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=286,House Votes for Relief from Last-Minute Regulations,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 5982, the Midnight Rules Relief Act, to increase oversight of the overreaching regulations that are often issued during a president’s final months in office:""With this bill, we are beginning to peel back the mountains of regulations that have had disastrous consequences for millions of Americans. The Obama administration has made a habit of creating burdensome rules and regulations through executive action that had disastrous economic consequences. The first five years the Obama Administration added 17,522 pages of regulations. No administration, Republican or Democrat, should have that legislative authority. From the overtime rule, to the Waters of the United States rule, the fiduciary rule, the joint-employer rule, and many, many others, businesses have been crushed, jobs lost and the United States economy become stagnant. This bill grants much-needed regulatory relief that will help millions of Americans and small businesses.”A midnight rule or regulation is one that is issued by the executive branch just before an outgoing president leaves office in an effort to push through their final priorities. The Midnight Rules Relief Act amends the Congressional Review Act to allow joint resolutions of disapproval of ""midnight regulations"" en bloc. The joint resolutions could include regulations that were submitted to Congress for review within 60 days prior to the departure of an outgoing administration. Under current law, Congress may only disapprove regulations one at a time.Over the last eight years, the Obama administration has used new regulations without Congressional approval, many of which cost over $100 million per year.""The impact of these rules and regulations on small businesses cannot be understated. I will continue to promote policies that create jobs and spur economic growth by reducing regulatory burdens,"" said Rep. Brat.Rep. Brat has a 100% score with NFIB, America's leading small business association.###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=713,Goodlatte Praises Passage of Bill to Stop Midnight Rules,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement upon the House’s passage of the Midnight Rules Relief Act (H.R. 5982) by a vote of 240-179:“President Obama’s regulatory agenda has already cost hardworking Americans hundreds of billions of dollars over the last eight years. Now, the president expects Americans to cover an additional burden of at least an estimated $113 billion in new regulatory costs imposed during the final months of the Obama Administration. “The new regulations President Obama intends to force upon the American people are partisan, costly, and overly broad. These regulations are in the fast lane for approval, without sufficient transparency or the proper time for the American people to comment and have their views taken fully into account. The practice of midnight regulation does a disservice to the American people, and today’s action by Congress stops abuse of this practice.”Background: The Midnight Rules Relief Act creates a rapid-response method for Congress to overturn an outgoing presidential administration’s attempts to impose major regulations without the transparency and scrutiny expected in normal regulatory implementation. The bill specifically amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) to allow Congress to overturn multiple midnight rules and empowers Congress to more quickly stop midnight rules which are truly problematic – such as those that defy the message sent by the voters or those that have been poorly designed in the haste of the midnight rule period.VIDEO: Congressman Goodlatte speaks on the House floor in support of the Midnight Rules Relief Act.Click here to learn more about the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398646,Griffith Introduces Bill to Limit the Use of the Judgement Fund,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced a bill to prevent the Obama Administration from potentially bailing out insurance companies by limiting the use of the Justice Department’s Judgement Fund (H.R.6339 – To limit the use of the Judgement Fund to settle any lawsuit arising under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and for other purposes.) Background: The Risk Corridor program was designed as protection for insurance companies who lost money in the Obamacare exchanges.  Fees were paid into the program by the participating insurance companies.  Then, the program was intended to reimburse insurance companies who lost money through participation in the exchanges.  The fees were intended to compensate for any and all losses.  However, for the first year of the program, 2014, when the insurance companies made their claims, the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), estimated the funds available would only provide insurers with 12.6% of the requested funds.  This resulted in a shortfall of over 2 billion dollars, and insurance companies are suing for the full amount.  Congress required these payments be budget neutral, meaning CMS could only pay out what it took in from the fees, but there is speculation the Judgement Fund will be used to pay the insurance companies the 2 billion requested, without the consent of Congress.  Although the court cases are not yet finished, one judge rejected the insurance company’s claim that the federal government owes the plaintiffs the full amount lost under the program. Congressman Griffith said: “I asked Acting Administrator of CMS, Andy Slavitt, if the federal government was obligated to pay insurance companies who lost money from Obamacare the full amount they lost, through the Risk Corridor Program.  After stumbling, Slavitt said, ‘Yes.  It’s an obligation of the federal government.’  I was concerned with his response, since the fund is over 2 billion dollars short.  Furthermore, he implied they are working with the Justice Department, and could possibly use the Judgement Fund.” “Using the Judgement Fund to settle the lawsuits and pay out the insurance companies would be ignoring congressional intent.  The bill I introduced today makes it clear  ‘no amounts may be paid from the fund… for any compromise settlement in connection with any proceeding brought against the Government under section 1342 of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.’” “Like many aspects of Obamacare, the Risk Corridor program failed.  This bill prevents the Obama Administration from handing out massive payments, and relieves the American taxpayers from having to bail out these health insurance companies with the Judgement Fund.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=711,Goodlatte Applauds Committee Passage of Bill to Promote Transparency in Government Settlements,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Constitution and Civil Justice Subcommittee Chairman Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) released the following statement following today’s Committee passage of the Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015 (H.R. 1669) by a voice vote:“When hardworking Americans pay their taxes, they expect their money to be used by the government in an honest and open manner in order to fund government agencies and programs.“Information currently available about payments made from the Judgment Fund lacks sufficient details for the public and Congress to effectively search. This problem was recently highlighted by the lack of information surrounding the Administration’s recent settlement with Iran. In addition to its power of the purse, it is Congress’s prerogative to ensure that the public is informed of government expenditures. This bill does just that.“Greater transparency to the Judgment Fund will allow the American people to understand how the government is using their funds, and determine whether or not they are being used wisely.”Background: The Judgment Fund was originally set up to provide a mechanism for the federal government to pay damages to parties, in a timely manner, who have been harmed by the federal government. The purpose of the Judgment Fund is thus a good one, but the administration of it must be more transparent. The use of the Judgment Fund has come under recent scrutiny when monies from the fund were used in a settlement with Iran, which lacked proper transparency and clear reporting to the American public.H.R. 1669, the Judgment Fund Transparency Act of 2015, requires the Department of the Treasury to disclose details after payments are made from the Judgment Fund, which is a permanent and indefinite appropriation to pay final judgments and settlements against the United States. Unless the disclosure is prohibited by law or a court order, Treasury must make available to the public on a website information regarding the claim, including, among other things, the plaintiff’s name and counsel for the plaintiff or claimant. If the payment is made to a foreign state, Treasury must provide additional information, including the method of payment, currency used, and the financial institution of the foreign state that received the funds.Click here to learn more about today’s markup.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=710,Goodlatte Statement on Secret Service Inspector General Report,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the Department of Homeland Security Office of Inspector General report finding that the U.S. Secret Service has taken action to address the recommendations of the Protective Mission Panel made in December 2014 following the White House fence-jumping incident:“I am encouraged that leadership at the United States Secret Service has taken a number of steps to implement the recommendations made by the Protective Mission Panel. The Secret Service has a critical duty to ensure the safety of the President, White House personnel and the historic grounds, and there can be no room for error. In particular, the Secret Service faced many demands during the presidential election cycle, and I commend them for their excellent work. “The Secret Service must continue to implement reforms so that it restores itself as a dynamic agency in thwarting threats made against the President of the United States. I look forward to continue working with the Secret Service to make necessary improvements at the agency and also call on the Senate to pass the Secret Service Improvements Act so that the agency has the resources it needs to meet its mission.” Additional Background: In July 2015, the House of Representatives approved the Secret Service Improvements Act of 2015 (H.R. 1656). This bipartisan bill – authored by Congressman Bob Goodlatte – reforms the United States Secret Service, provides much needed resources to enhance agents’ training, strengthens security at the White House, and improves transparency and accountability at the agency.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-passage-caesar-syria-civilian-protection-act,Rep. Comstock On Passage of the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House passed by voice vote H.R. 5732, the Caesar Syria Civilian Protection Act, a bill that she cosponsored to impose sanctions on individuals who have perpetrated war crimes and crimes against humanity against the Syrian people: “I thank my colleagues for supporting this bipartisan legislation to impose sanctions on those perpetuating the ongoing security and humanitarian crisis in Syria.  The horrors Bashar al-Assad and his despotic regime continue to commit against the people of Syria necessitate serious action.  The Administration has blocked these sanctions for far too long and I am pleased that Republicans and Democrats came together today to take a stand against the Assad Regime and its allies in response to years of atrocities committed against the Syrian people.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=284,Rep. Brat on Speaker Election,2016-11-14,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement ahead of Tuesday's internal GOP leadership elections:""The American people just sent a bold message to the Washington elites - it's time for Congress to put the American people first. Like last year, I ask for clear, unambiguous answers on how the candidates for Speaker will pursue the agenda the American people voted for. I am happy to vote for anyone who does so. I will not vote for anyone who does not have this agenda on paper for the American people to see. That is what the people I represent demand and deserve.""Rep. Brat (R-Va.) wrote an op-ed discussing his thoughts on the upcoming Speaker election. You can read the op-ed by clicking here.###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398645,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.14.16,2016-11-14,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Midnight Regulations In the popular fairytale of Cinderella, the Princess has a golden carriage and a fancy ball gown, only until the clock strikes midnight.  After midnight, it turns back to a pumpkin and she becomes the house maiden once again.Similarly, after presidential elections conclude, the outgoing President has a limited number of days remaining with control of agencies that can produce new regulations.  Historically, as the President’s clock ticks closer to midnight, a flurry of new regulations are hastily released, before he and his administration turn back to regular citizens.These regulations are often overly broad, expensive, and can be used to override the will of the voters.  The outgoing administration can force through an agenda that they were unable to generate the support to pass in a law.   In our great nation, legislation is meant to be debated and voted on by the legislators, who are held accountable to the people they represent.   Passing legislation is not achieved through a ‘pen and a phone’ or the wave of a wand.The week of November 14, the House of Representatives will vote on the Midnight Rules Relief Act of 2016 (H.R. 5982).  This bipartisan bill, from the Judiciary Committee, amends the Congressional Review Act (CRA) and “creates a rapid-response method for Congress to overturn an outgoing presidential administration’s attempts to impose major regulations without the transparency and scrutiny expected in normal regulatory implementation.”The CRA “…is an oversight tool Congress can use to overturn certain agency actions.  The CRA requires agencies to report the issuance of ‘rules’ to Congress and provides Congress with special procedures under which to consider legislation to overturn rules, in the form of a joint resolution of disapproval. ... If a CRA joint resolution of disapproval is approved by both houses and signed by the President, or if Congress overrides a presidential veto, the rule at issue cannot go into effect or continue in effect.”Additionally, “When a CRA joint disapproval resolution meets certain criteria; it cannot be filibustered in the Senate.”The Midnight Rules Relief Act amends the CRA to allow “a joint resolution of disapproval (that) may contain one or more such rules if the report … for each such rule was submitted during the final year of a President’s term…. Such rules shall have no force or effect.”In other words, if a President passes onerous last minute rules at the end of a term, unlike normal regulations, the next Congress and new President get a chance to roll back the regulations, no matter how many, all at once.The term “midnight regulation” was first used during the final months of President Carter’s single term, according to the Mercatus Center.  President Carter added 24,531 pages of regulations between Election Day and Inauguration Day.  Mercatus Center reports that President Clinton published more than 26,542 pages, representing a 51% increase over the average number of pages published during the same quarter for the previous three years of Clinton’s term.The practice is carried out by outgoing Presidents of both parties.  The Bush Administration also increased the release of new regulations.  In fact, the Mercatus Center found an average of a 17% increase in the volume of rules during this midnight regulation time span, stretching back to 1948, with a significant increase in years in which the Presidency switched parties.During the eight years of President Obama’s leadership, thousands of pages of federal regulations have been forced onto the American people.   From the overreaching Clean Power Plan to the Waters of the USA (WOTUS) rule to the Department of Labor’s new overtime rules that may cripple small businesses, the agencies have frequently expanded the influence of the federal government into Americans’ lives.  This bill would discourage this President and future Presidents from trying to cram down new regulations when their days of power dwindle down to a precious few.With a new President Trump, and a fresh administration, we have a better chance to roll back harmful regulations.  But first, we should pass the Midnight Rules Relief Act in the House and implore the Senate to follow suit, to prevent President Obama from releasing a heap of new rules in the waning hours of his Presidency, and restore the power of legislating to the legislative branch. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398494,Griffith Honors Americas Veterans,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement paying tribute to Americas veterans: I am reminded this time each year that Veterans Day was established following the end of World War I, which many idealistically hoped would be the war to end all wars. Unfortunately, as we now know, World War I was not the last conflict of this nature. In 1919, President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed November 11 would commemorate Armistice Day, recognizing the official end of World War I with the signing of the First Armistice. Armistice Day was to be a day filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the countrys service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nations Armistice Day was made a national holiday by Congress in 1938, before World War II, which required a significant mobilization of American forces. In 1954, it was renamed Veterans Day, a day on which we honor American veterans of all wars. Today, Veterans Day, is a day to pay tribute to the generations of men and women who have selflessly served our great nation in our Armed Forces. I thank our nations veterans and those who are currently serving for their commitment to freedom and liberty. May God bless them and their families, and may God bless these United States. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398644,Griffith Statement Honoring America's Veterans,2016-11-11,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, November 11, 2016 – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement honoring America’s veterans for their sacrifice and dedication to our country: “In 1918, on the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, World War I ended.  Based on the terrible bloodshed and destruction, it was hoped that it would be the “war to end all wars.”  Although it was not the world’s final war, November 11 became a national holiday to recognize those who have sacrificed for our country and served in the military.” “All Americans can celebrate and honor our veterans together - Republicans, Democrats, Green Party, Libertarians, and others.  At times our differences seem profound.  But the dedication to our great nation rises above all.” “Like brothers who occasionally fight, when confronted with an outside threat, we are united in defending one another.” “Though veterans hail from all walks of life, with differing races, religious beliefs, and political views, they fight side by side to defend our freedoms, granted by God and protected in the Constitution of these United States.” “I am grateful to the men and women who have served our country, and those who continue to do so.  The sacrifices made to defend our freedoms must never be forgotten.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=709,Goodlatte Calls on Director Comey to Answer Questions Clouding the Clinton Investigation,2016-11-07,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"share: f t House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today called on FBI Director James Comey to answer many questions raised by his vague letter to congressional committees that he is not altering the conclusion he previously reached regarding Secretary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information.In his letter to Director Comey, Chairman Goodlatte asks if the FBI found any classified emails in its review of reportedly 650,000 emails in connection to the investigation of Anthony Weiner, if the FBI found any emails pertinent to the Clinton investigation that were not previously disclosed by Secretary Clinton or her associates, and whether the FBI intends to disclose the new emails it reviewed to Congress. “Our laws must be fairly and evenly enforced, regardless of power or position,” writes Chairman Goodlatte. “However, today, there is a perception among the American people that the FBI and DOJ’s actions during the Clinton investigation have tarnished their time-honored reputations for fair and equal application of the law. Transparency and responsiveness to these questions can help renew the public’s faith that future decisions concerning Secretary Clinton, or any other public official, are not governed by politics, but instead, are grounded in law and pursued based on the facts.” Below is the text of Chairman Goodlatte’s letter and the signed copy can be found here. November 7, 2016The Honorable James B. Comey Director Federal Bureau of Investigation U.S. Department of Justice Washington, D.C. 20535 Dear Director Comey:Yesterday, you informed Congress that you are not altering the conclusion you previously reached regarding Secretary Clinton’s mishandling of classified information. I appreciate the hard work that FBI personnel undoubtedly put in over the last week to review a reported 650,000 new emails found in connection with your investigation into former Congressman Anthony Weiner. However, notwithstanding the efforts of the men and women of the FBI, your letter fails to answer many questions regarding the nature of your expedited review of the hundreds of thousands of emails that “appear[ed] to be pertinent to the investigation.” Once again, we write to demand responses to unanswered questions. Please respond to these questions no later than November 15, 2016. 1) Did the FBI find any classified emails in its review of reportedly 650,000 emails in connection with the investigation of Clinton aide Huma Abedin’s estranged husband, Anthony Weiner?2) Did the FBI find any emails – classified or unclassified – pertinent to the Clinton email mishandling investigation that had not been previously disclosed by Secretary Clinton or anyone else connected in any way to Secretary Clinton?3) How many unique emails did you find that were not previously obtained by the FBI?a. Regarding any unique emails, did you consult with other members of the intelligence community to verify the classification level of the recently-discovered emails? In the past, this process has taken months. If you did not, how did you verify the classification level of those documents?4) Does the FBI plan to release the emails it reviewed, redacted or otherwise, to Congressional oversight committees?a. It was reported today that DOJ, in a court filing, said it could take up to five years to release the Weiner emails. Please explain how the FBI can decide that none of the emails contain prosecutable conduct in little over a week, and yet DOJ can still delay the release of the emails by half a decade?5) Did you consult with Attorney General Lynch prior to informing Congress that you would once again not recommend prosecution of Secretary Clinton? If not, who was the highest-ranking Department of Justice official you spoke with prior to sending your letter to Congress?I believe it is incumbent upon the FBI to promptly provide this information to help rehabilitate its reputation as an impartial, apolitical investigative agency. It is often said that our country’s greatness is due in part to it having ‘a government of laws and not of men.’ That means our laws must be fairly and evenly enforced, regardless of power or position. However, today, there is a perception among the American people that the FBI and DOJ’s actions during the Clinton investigation have tarnished their time-honored reputations for fair and equal application of the law. Transparency and responsiveness to these questions can help renew the public’s faith that future decisions concerning Secretary Clinton, or any other public official, are not governed by politics, but instead, are grounded in law and pursued based on the facts. Thank you for your attention to this important matter. Sincerely,BOB GOODLATTE",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398643,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 11.4.16,2016-11-04,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Restore the Historic Filibuster True or False: The American government is a majority-rule Republic based on democratic principles, as stated in the Constitution and taught in school.  Maybe.  Maybe not. In the U.S. Senate, this is currently false!  Due to the modern filibuster/cloture hold rules (hereinafter referred to as a filibuster), it takes a supermajority to even bring a bill up for debate. Once dubbed the “greatest deliberative body in the world,” today’s Senate uses secretive, technical procedures to avoid deliberation and avoid tough votes.  I know the House is not perfect, but I am working to change it.  In the current Congress, approximately 700 bills came out of the House and some 550 of those unattended bills died a lonely death in the dark and dusty Senate basement. The filibuster was intended to provide a Senator with an emergency brake.  If an issue was important enough, a Senator could speak as long as they physically could manage, unless a supermajority ended the debate.  However, the modern filibuster was established by rules changes in the 1970s.  The new rule allows any member to begin the filibuster process with a secret hold, with no physical presence.  Without a supermajority of 60 votes, the hold remains and the legislation dies. In the meantime, the Senator performing the “filibuster” can head to their favorite steak house, attend a fancy fundraiser, or go home. And legislatively, nothing is getting done. I do not advocate eliminating the filibuster, but I do support a return to the historical process that existed prior to the 1970s, when a filibuster required the physical presence of a Senator.  When the rule was first changed in the 1970s, it was not abused.  But starting in the late 1990s or early 2000s, both parties have abused the modern filibuster process.   It is my opinion that Senators in the 1970s tired of the required physical presence required to filibuster, and agreed to the new rules with an understanding that it wouldn’t be abused.  At first it wasn’t, but now it is routine to abuse the rule. Under the historic filibuster rule, if a Senator feels strongly enough about an issue, she can pull the emergency brake, stand on the floor of the Senate, and tell the American people why this bill should not pass or even be voted on. Picture the impassioned scene of Jimmy Stewart’s filibuster in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, of Ted Cruz reading Green Eggs and Ham for a filibuster to defund Obamacare, or Rand Paul and the #standwithRand hashtag to protest the Patriot Act.  If a Senator is so passionate about an issue that they are willing to take the floor for hours or days, then it is appropriate to use the filibuster. As I write, it is prior to Election Day and none of us know who will control the Senate after the election.  But whoever controls the Senate should eliminate the modern filibuster rule and return to the historic rule. Restoring the historic filibuster rule will create more tough votes for legislators in both the House and Senate.  But, as lawmakers, we were elected to take tough votes.  If Democrats gain control of the Senate, they will pass bills I don’t like.  But the will of the voters must be done if we are to remain a Republic based on democratic principles.  It will be my job in the House to defeat the crazy measures the Senate might pass.  And if the voters don’t like what the Senate actually accomplishes, it will be their job to defeat those Senators, whether Republican or Democrat, in the next election.  More votes taken will give constituents the opportunity to know where their representatives stand and hold them accountable. Whichever party is in control, I will continue to push this reform, because it is in keeping with principles upon which this country was founded.  Further, you can’t run a government with divided responsibilities, as is contemplated in a Republic, if one of the branches of government (in this case the Senate) barely functions. The Founding Fathers never intended for the majority of the Senate’s business to be able to be blocked by a minority.  Restoring the historic filibuster would be a huge step to restoring Congress’ ability to build consensus and compromise, reassert itself as a co-equal branch of government, and produce legislation the American people need, want, and deserve. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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.###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=705,"Goodlatte, Grassley, Gowdy, Sessions Call on Obama Administration to Stop Border Surge",2016-11-03,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), Immigration and Border Security Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), and Immigration and The National Interest Subcommittee Chairman Jeff Sessions (R-Ala.) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to take immediate action to stop the ongoing surge of illegal immigration at the southwest border that is overwhelming federal agencies and to brief lawmakers on the Department’s efforts to address it. Numerous media reports indicate that the ongoing border surge is a large-scale effort to enter the United States before this year’s presidential election. Tens of thousands of unaccompanied minors and family units from Central America continue to pour across the border. Additionally, thousands of Haitians and Africans are arriving at the border and claiming asylum. As the number of apprehensions by the Border Patrol has climbed sharply over the past year, it has put a strain on resources and the Obama Administration has failed to prudently manage detention capacity and resources, resulting in the release of many of these aliens into the United States.In their letter to Secretary Johnson, the chairmen call on DHS to take immediate action to quell the surge at the border and enforce our nation’s immigration laws. They also request a briefing to learn about what steps the Department is taking to address this pressing issue. To date, the Department has been reluctant to timely provide information to the committees of jurisdiction. Full letter can be viewed here or below.November 3, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:We write requesting that you take immediate action and mobilize all available resources of the Department to stop the ongoing surge of illegal immigration at the southwest border, which is overwhelming the Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). Numerous media reports indicate that this surge is a large-scale effort to enter the United States before this year’s presidential election. The onslaught of illegal immigration reflects continued efforts by aliens from Central America—El Salvador, Honduras, and Guatemala—to overwhelm our limited resources at the border, which inevitably results in the release of tens of thousands of removable aliens within the United States. In addition, thousands of Haitians and Africans are amassing in the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Mexicali for the purpose of presenting themselves to U.S. Customs and Border Protection officers asserting dubious claims of asylum, which will practically guarantee their entry. This group of “Other Than Mexicans” at the southwest border comprises 70-75 percent of all border crossings. The numbers are staggering. In Fiscal Year (FY) 2016, the Border Patrol apprehended 408,870 illegal aliens at the southern border, 23 percent more than the preceding fiscal year. Of those apprehended, more than 77,000 were members of so-called “family units,” which represents an increase of 95 percent over FY 2015 figures, and nearly 60,000 were unaccompanied alien minors, which reflects a 49 percent increase over the previous fiscal year. On October 31, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that the daily referrals of unaccompanied illegal alien minors averaged 262 over the last week and approximately 237 in October. By comparison, referrals averaged 148 per day in October of FY 2014, the year of the first surge, and 60 per day in October of FY 2015. As of October 27, 2016, the number of minors in ORR care is approximately 10,700.ICE is currently detaining more than 40,000 aliens—a record number—with internal predictions indicating that the number could reach 47,000 in the coming months. Without additional funding, ICE likely will release thousands of those detained into the United States, many of whom are criminals, who will abscond and hide from authorities. We have been made aware through media reports and whistleblowers that ICE faces imminent budgetary shortfalls because the border crisis is driving so many additional foreign nationals into ICE detention. While we applaud the Department’s efforts to increase detention capacity in response to this surge, we are keenly aware of the limited resources available to the Department for apprehension and detention of removable aliens, and we want to ensure that you are not again considering the mass-release of criminals and other aliens who are subject to removal. As such, we expect you to be forthcoming with Congress regarding this critical situation and your proposed efforts to address it.That is why our respective staffs worked closely with the Department’s Office of Legislative Affairs to schedule a bicameral briefing on Tuesday, November 1, to discuss the border surge crisis and the Department’s response to it. Subject matter experts within the Department were set to brief our staffs and respond to questions at that time. However, late in the afternoon of October 31, the Department abruptly cancelled the scheduled briefing, citing unspecified scheduling conflicts by some of the experts, and recommended that the briefing occur next week. Efforts by our staffs to have the available experts provide a briefing were rejected. With this pressing issue at hand, it is irresponsible to delay efforts to provide information about the surge as quickly and transparently as possible to Congress. Finally, it has come to light through information provided to our Committees that the Department may have issued a directive to limit engagement with Congress until immediately before the election. Any such directive, if issued, would be an unacceptable political ploy and a serious infringement of Congress’ oversight authority under the Constitution. We fully expect that such a directive, if issued, would be immediately rescinded. Additionally, we expect that the Department will provide a briefing to our staffs on these critical issues this week.Should you have any questions, please contact Tracy Short at (202) 225-3926, Kathy Nuebel Kovarik at (202) 224-5225, or Gene Hamilton at (202) 224-7572. Thank you for your cooperation.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman House Committee on the Judiciary Charles E. Grassley Chairman Senate Committee on the JudiciaryTrey Gowdy Chairman Subcommittee on Immigration Jeff Sessions Chairman Subcommittee on Immigration and and Border Security the National Interest",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=706,Goodlatte & Chaffetz Call on DOJ to Preserve All Clinton Investigation Documents,2016-11-03,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) today called on the Department of Justice again to preserve all documents related to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server.Last week, Director James Comey notified Congress that the FBI was investigating a new source of emails related to the Clinton email server investigation. It is reported that these new sources of emails are previously-unexamined devices from Huma Abedin, Secretary Clinton’s advisor, and her husband, Anthony Weiner. Reports also suggest that these emails number 650,000 and are from multiple devices related to the FBI’s investigation of Mr. Weiner’s interactions with teenaged girls. In their letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, Chairmen Goodlatte and Chaffetz call on the Justice Department once again to preserve all documents related to the initial Clinton investigation and to preserve the newly discovered documents found on devices belonging to Huma Abedin and Anthony Weiner. Full letter can be viewed here or below.November 3, 2016The Honorable Loretta Lynch Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue N.W. Washington, D.C. 20530Dear Madam Attorney General:We write to supplement our previous request that you preserve all documents referring or relating to Secretary Clinton’s use of a personal email server. On October 28, 2016, Director Comey notified Congress that the FBI was investigating a new source of emails related to the Clinton email server investigation. Subsequent reports indicate that these new sources of emails are previously-unexamined devices from Huma Abedin, Secretary Clinton’s advisor, and her husband, Anthony Weiner. Reports also suggest that these emails number 650,000 and are from multiple devices related to the FBI’s criminal investigation of Mr. Weiner.As the respective Chairmen of the committee of jurisdiction over the Department of Justice and the FBI, and the principal oversight committee for the House of Representatives, we hereby request that you preserve all documents, communications, and other records or data obtained in the course of that investigation. Specifically, preserve any information found on Ms. Abedin’s and Mr. Weiner’s devices, in email accounts referring or relating to those devices and/or their owners, and on any other source that the Department or the FBI reviews that is related to this case. This request includes, but is not limited to, all emails, documents, files, and metadata, regardless of relevancy or claims of privilege, and should be construed in the broadest possible form, understanding that Congressional oversight powers are broader and more far-reaching than those permitted by Department policy, and the limits of subpoenas in the oversight versus the investigatory context are substantially different. Moreover, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 2704, we expect that you have sought backup preservation of email contents from Yahoo and any other service over which Ms. Abedin and Mr. Weiner communicated. This request necessarily includes, but is not limited to, any and all documents reviewed or sorted by FBI and DOJ pre-reviewers (i.e., the “taint team” or “filter team”), before they are handed over to the investigative team. In ensuring compliance with this request, it is your responsibility to make sure that anyone who is coming into contact with documents related to this investigation is aware of the preservation order, and that all documents are preserved in their initial form, including all markings, notes, and metadata. As in our previous request, “preserve” means taking reasonable steps to prevent the partial or full destruction, alteration, testing, deletion, shredding, incineration, wiping, relocation, migration, theft, or mutation, of records in any form, as well as negligent handling that would make such records incomplete or inaccessible. Preservation also includes any evidence related to tampering, hacking, or exploitation of the emails by foreign adversaries or other outside parties. Further, we request that you:1. Exercise reasonable efforts to identify and notify former employees and contractors, subcontractors and consultants who may have access to such electronic records that they are to be preserved; 2. Exercise reasonable efforts to identify, recover, and preserve any electronic records which have been deleted or marked for deletion but are still recoverable; and3. If it is the routine practice of any agency employee or contractor to destroy or otherwise alter such electronic records, either halt such practices or arrange for the preservation of complete and accurate duplicates or copies of such records, suitable for production, if requested.We also reiterate our previous request of October 5, 2016, to preserve all records related to the initial Clinton investigation, and the preservation request discussed in the email conversation with your staff on October 27, 2016. At both of those points, Department staff informed Committee staff that you would preserve materials related to the Clinton investigation, including, but not limited to, the laptops of Heather Samuelson and Cheryl Mills.Thank you for your prompt attention to and compliance with this request. If you have questions or require additional information, please contact Christopher Grieco of Chairman Goodlatte’s staff at (202) 225-7869 or Liam McKenna of Chairman Chaffetz’s staff at (202)-225-5074. Sincerely,BOB GOODLATTE Committee on the Judiciary JASON CHAFFETZ Committee on Oversight and Government Reform",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398642,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.31.16,2016-10-31,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Foundations of Farming and Forestry Recently, I highlighted ways nations build wealth – make it, mine it, or grow it.  This week, I highlight the third way to build wealth. The Virginia Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (VDACS) lists agriculture as our Commonwealth’s largest private industry.  The economic impact of agriculture and forestry is $70 billion a year and provides 415,000 jobs in the state.  Furthermore, these jobs each support another 1.6 jobs in the state economy. According to the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s most recent data, as of 2012, counties in the Ninth District are home to farms with livestock such as cattle, lamb, and poultry that mostly produce eggs.  In August, among other places, I toured Green Valley Poultry Farm - Dutt and Wagner, a family farm processing an average of 680,000 eggs a day.  I also visited the award-winning cattle farm, Hillwinds Farm in Dublin.  The Ninth is also home to alpacas, horses and other equine, emu, geese, goat, hogs, llamas, ostriches, rabbits, sheep, and tilapia. We also produce products such as apples, apricot, asparagus, beets, blueberries, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, cherries, corn, cucumbers, eggplant, grapes, kiwifruit, lettuce, melons, mushrooms, nectarines, onions, okra, peas, pears, peaches, peppers, plums, potatoes, pumpkins, soybeans, squash, spinach, strawberries, sweet corn, sweet potatoes, tomatoes, and turnips.  In fact, Carroll County is Virginia’s largest pumpkin producer, according to Agriculture in the Classroom. Farmers in this region also grow grains, nuts, flowers, and Christmas trees.  Further, we harvest honey and maple syrup.  Although many people don’t realize it, forestry is also a way to generate wealth through growing.  Coincidently, the third week in October is National Forest Products Week.  Forestry provides jobs and income to many, including jobs at WestRock in Covington and Henry County.  In addition to jobs, forestry products play an important role in our day-to-day lives, filling a variety of needs in American houses, schools, and places of business, and are used for construction, fuel, and other assorted byproducts. We are blessed to live in a place with so many opportunities to “grow” wealth. Farming and forestry provide a way of life, and these traditions for us stretch back hundreds of years.  In Virginia, nearly 90 percent of farms are still owned and operated by families or individuals, according to VDACS.  Further, VDACS also tells us that in the 1960s, one farmer supplied food for 25.8 people.  Today, one Virginia farmer provides food for 155 people in the United States and abroad.  On top of the jobs, food, and products, VDACS outlines additional benefits of farming in the state, including opportunities for recreation, tourism, biodiversity and wildlife habitation, flood mitigation, and the ability to improve soil stabilization and water quality. In support of the family farm, I voted to eliminate the Death Tax (H.R. 1105).  Because of the value of land and equipment, the Death Tax is a threat to our family farms.  I hope the Senate will join the House to eliminate this tax. Another major threat to our agriculture industry is the Environmental Protection Agency’s Waters of the U.S. (WOTUS) rule, a controversial rule that redefines the scope of waters protected under the Clean Water Act. In doing so, it vastly expands EPA’s authority over various wet areas.  I voted to support the Regulatory Integrity Protection Act (H.R. 1732) which would require the EPA and Army Corps of Engineers to withdraw their overreaching rule.  I also voted for a Congressional Resolution of disapproval to negate WOTUS, S. J. Res. 22.  This resolution passed both the House and Senate, but was vetoed by the President.  I will continue to fight against harmful rules like the current proposed WOTUS rule. The Ninth District is also fortunate to be the home of Virginia Tech.  At Tech, they research and test cutting-edge technology that can improve the agriculture industry.  They support research in livestock management, field crops, wine production, biofuels, etcetera, etcetera, etcetera.* In 1787, Thomas Jefferson told George Washington, “Agriculture is our wisest pursuit, because it will in the end contribute most to real wealth, good morals, and happiness.” I am thankful for all who “grow” wealth in the Ninth District, and appreciate their hard work in providing much-needed food and products.  The farming and forestry industry have been pillars of the American economy since our founding, and will continue to provide valuable contributions to our economy. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=273,Rep. Brat on FBI Investigation of Hillary Clinton: 'No One is Above the Law',2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the announcement that the FBI is going to review ""pertinent"" emails to the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton's private server:""I am glad the FBI has chosen to review new evidence in its investigation of Hillary Clinton. The American people are desperate to see her face the consequences that any other person who mishandled classified information would face. Today's decision was a small step in returning faith in our system. No one -- no matter their last name, or how powerful or influential -- is above the law.""""Our enemies likely gained access to the classified information Clinton so recklessly placed on her home brew server, and Americans serving overseas were very likely put in jeopardy,"" said Rep. Brat. ""This is reprehensible, and I am thankful for the work of Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT) and the rest of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.""""Hillary Clinton isn't sorry for her lack of judgment and mishandling of our most sensitive information. She is only sorry for being caught. We must make sure that she experiences the same consequences for breaking the law that any other American would face.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=704,Goodlatte Statement on the FBI’s Decision to Reopen the Clinton Investigation,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Goodlatte Statement on the FBI’s Decision to Reopen the Clinton Investigation f t # e Washington, October 28, 2016 | Beth Breeding (202-225-5431) | comments Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today issued the following statement on the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) Friday announcement that it has reopened its investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s use of a private email server to send and receive classified information: “The FBI’s decision to reopen its investigation into Secretary Clinton reinforces what the House Judiciary Committee has been saying for months: the more we learn about Secretary Clinton’s use of a private email server, the clearer it becomes that she and her associates committed wrongdoing and jeopardized national security. “Now that the FBI has reopened the matter, it must conduct the investigation with impartiality and thoroughness. The American people deserve no less and no one should be above the law.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398640,Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for November,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, October 28, 2016 – Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of November. November 1, 2016 Tazewell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Richlands Town Hall 200 Washington Square Richlands, VA Buchanan County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grundy Town Hall 1185 Plaza Drive Grundy, VA Pulaski County:    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Dublin Town Hall Route 100, 1 mile North of I-81 Dublin, VA November 2, 2016 Smyth County:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA  Covington:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Covington City Hall City Hall Conference Room 333 W. Locust Street Covington, VA Craig County:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craig County Administration Building 108 Court Street New Castle, VA Bristol:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA November 3, 2016 Lee County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Lee County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room – Suite U101 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA Martinsville:   12:00 pm – 2:00 pm NCI Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA Norton:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Norton City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA November 9, 2016 Radford:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA Pulaski County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pulaski County Library Meeting Room 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA November 10, 2016 Grayson County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room – Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA Russell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA Tazewell County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA Galax:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Grayson Street Galax, VA November 15, 2016 Carroll County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Carroll County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room 605 – 1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA Floyd County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Floyd Town Hall 134 Wilson Street Floyd, VA November 16, 2016 Henry County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bassett Historical Society 3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA Bland County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 200 612 Main Street Bland, VA Wythe County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Wythe County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room 245 South 4th Street Wytheville, VA Patrick County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room 106 Rucker Street Stuart, VA November 17, 2016 Alleghany County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Clifton Forge Library Conference Room 535 Church Street Clifton Forge, VA Scott County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Community Services Building Community Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA Roanoke County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Roanoke Library Hollins Branch 6624 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, VA Wise County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue E Big Stone Gap, VA ** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398641,Griffith Statement on Renewed FBI Investigation of Hillary Clintons Private Email Server,2016-10-28,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, October 28, 2016 – Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after FBI Director James Comey notified Congress that he is reopening the investigation into Hillary Clinton’s private email server: “Although it is overdue, I applaud the FBI’s reopening of its investigation of Secretary Clinton. I hope the American people get the answers they deserve. As John Adams wrote, our system of government is ‘a government of laws, and not of men.’” “No one, whether they be President of the United States or the Secretary of State, is above the law.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1069,Wittman Statement on Marine CH-53 Investigation,2016-10-27,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1), Chairman of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Readiness, released the following statement today after the results of an investigation into the crash of two CH-53 helicopters last January that resulted in the deaths of 12 Marines confirmed that significant readiness shortfalls contributed to the incident:“Our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen, and Marines have always been willing to do more with less—that’s what makes them the greatest fighting force the world has ever known. But the fact is that there are human costs to ignoring our readiness shortfalls. Fewer training hours, outdated equipment, longer deployment times, and fatigue lead to incidents like the one in January and create a working environment that is unsafe for our men and women in uniform.“These kinds of problems exist across the forces, and they threaten the missions we ask our servicemen and women to undertake. Marine Corps and other leaders have been unequivocal about the readiness challenges they face, and it’s our responsibility to provide the resources necessary to buy back full-spectrum readiness. That’s my goal as Readiness Subcommittee Chairman, and it’s my hope that this Administration can put aside political gamesmanship over domestic spending and do the right thing by our military men and women.”Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=272,#Obamascare: Rep. Brat on Massive Premium Hikes,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after the Obama administration confirmed an average increase in Obamacare premiums of over 20 percent for 2017:""Americans are already feeling the pinch in their pocketbooks, and this news simply proves what we have said all along: the so-called 'Affordable' Care Act is totally unaffordable.""""President Obama promised that if you like your plan you can keep it. He said there would be an average of $2,500 reduction in premiums and that insurance would be 'stronger, better and more secure.' He promised that he wouldn't add 'one dime to our deficits' and that 'this law means more choice, more competition, lower costs for millions of Americans.' But instead of more choices, twenty one percent of Americans will have only one single insurer to 'choose' from next year. This is appalling.""""In economics, we know that competition helps reduce costs, and this lack of competition puts hardworking Americans between a rock and a hard place -- they will be forced to choose between low-quality, high-cost insurance and putting food on the table for their families. Obamacare's pseudo-market is completely unsustainable.""Rep. Brat has introduced legislation to provide Americans with more options and more control over their own health care choices.""I will continue to fight for free-market policies that create competition and lowers costs for everyone,"" said Rep. Brat. ""This is the number one concern I hear from my constituents and the major legislative priority Congress faces.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398639,Griffith Statement on POWER Initiative Funding Awarded to Southwest Virginia,2016-10-25,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Tuesday, October 25, 2016 – Congressman Morgan Griffith is pleased that tomorrow, October 26, 2016, the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) will announce new funding awarded to Southwest Virginia.  This funding is part of the Partnerships for Opportunity and Workforce Economic Revitalization (POWER) Initiative that awards federal funding to grow the economy of struggling coal communities by promoting workforce development, investing in new job creation, and improving reemployment opportunities for unemployed workers. Congressman Griffith’s statement on the funding:  “It is my continued hope that this funding will bring much needed resources to Appalachian coal communities.” “As I continue to fight for coal industry jobs from an onslaught of regulatory attacks, I also look for any opportunity to grow the local economy and create new jobs.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=271,"Rep. Brat Earns ""A"" Rating from National Taxpayers Union",2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after receiving an ""A"" rating from the National Taxpayers Union (NTU):""I am proud to receive the National Taxpayers Union 'Taxpayers' Friend Award.' Standing up for the American taxpayer has been my top priority in Congress, and I am committed to reigning in our out-of-control spending and creating a budget that actually balances.""We must begin practicing real fiscal restraint and implementing specific spending reductions now, so it will be possible to balance the budget in reality. Congress is breaking its pledge to the American people on the budget caps; we’ve lost fiscal discipline, and we’re throwing it all on the next generation to pay for. It's a disaster, and we need to find the courage to restore fiscal responsibility, opportunity, and security to this great country. I will continue to work towards these objectives, because they are the priority of the American people.""Representative Brat has introduced H.J.Res. 55, a bipartisan Joint Resolution to add a Balanced Budget Amendment to our Constitution. This legislation would require federal expenditures and receipts to be balanced, excluding expenditures for payment of debt and receipts derived from borrowing. This requirement may be met over more than one year to accommodate economic conditions.""This legislation is absolutely critical to ensuring fiscal responsibility in Congress. We cannot continue to legislate-by-crisis where common sense is thrown out the window,"" said Rep. Brat.""Winning the Taxpayers’ Friend award is no easy feat,"" said Pete Sepp, President of NTU. ""It takes a daily commitment to cast principled votes that put the Americans who pay government’s bills first. Representative Brat has proven he has what it takes to help make Washington work for taxpayers again.”“Representative Brat's pro- taxpayer score of 84 percent was one of the best on all of Capitol Hill,"" said Sepp. ""Through his consistent voting record, Representative Brat showed his colleagues the way to lower deficits, less burdensome taxes, and a stronger economy. If every Member of Congress had voted as conscientiously as Representative Brat did last year, taxpayers could have looked forward to a much more prosperous future,” Sepp concluded.Rep. Brat has also voted against unnecessary spending in the appropriations process, and has voted against legislation that is fiscally irresponsible.Rep. Brat was the only Virginian to receive the ""Taxpayers' Friend Award."" To see how other representatives from Virginia scored, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=702,Goodlatte & Conyers Statement on the Resignation of Maria Pallante,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) today issued the following joint statement after the announcement that Maria Pallante, the former Register of Copyrights, will be leaving the U.S. Copyright Office:“We are saddened to learn that Maria Pallante, who served with distinction as only the 12th Register of Copyrights and the Director of the Copyright Office for the last five years, will be leaving the Copyright Office. This will be a tremendous loss for the Copyright Office and for America’s creators, innovators, and users of copyrighted works.“We have had the pleasure of working closely with Maria over the last few years as the House Judiciary Committee conducted a comprehensive review of U.S. copyright law to determine whether the law is still working in the digital age to reward creativity and innovation. Maria has played an instrumental role in the Committee’s efforts. We have welcomed her thoughtful testimony on copyright law and policy a number of times and closely studied the reports produced by her office.“As Maria transitions from the Copyright Office, it is the perfect opportunity to examine the selection process for the new Register. America’s creativity is the envy of the world and the Copyright Office is at the center of it. We must ensure that any new Register is fully qualified to lead this important office as it continues to directly advise Congress on copyright policy and law. The new Register of Copyrights should be dedicated to protecting creative rights and modernizing the Copyright Office.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398638,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.24.16,2016-10-24,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Coal’s Death – Greatly Exaggerated  Last week, I discussed mining as one of the ways to create wealth for a nation.  Creating wealth through mining is particularly true for the Ninth District.  As I mentioned, the mining industry has faced challenges, and among those, the particularly burdensome regulations on the coal industry. One third of the nation’s electricity is currently generated from coal, and future electric generation from coal is expected to remain at about 30% for Dominion Power and American Electric Power.  Also, families across the Ninth District depend on jobs in the coal industry.  Therefore, maintaining and restoring coal production and jobs is crucial. Emerging markets in Asia and other places in the world are increasing their use of coal, and accordingly carbon dioxide (CO2) output, at a rapid rate.  It is senseless to bankrupt American coal and coal-related industries with regulations that will have little impact on CO2 emissions, since emerging economies are not likely to follow suit.  Instead of regulating American businesses to extinction, I believe scientific research into new ways to burn our fossil fuels is the better approach.  This is a more practical way to move forward in attempting to be more efficient and cleaner.  If we lead and discover the scientific breakthroughs that make clean fossil fuel technologies affordable, we not only preserve America’s manufacturing edge, but we can export those technologies to the rest of the world and make the world a better place to live in the future. India has a lot of coal.  India has a lot of poverty.  India wants to have a clean environment for its people, but first they must have jobs.  To have those jobs, India plans to be energy self-sufficient and to be energy self-sufficient, India must, and will, burn coal.  Recognizing that the U.S is not alone on the planet, we should lead efforts to find ways to burn coal and other fossil fuels cleaner instead of continuing the war on coal that is damaging the U.S. economy and crippling much of the Ninth District.  Exciting news! This month, it was reported in Popular Mechanics magazine that scientists at the Oak Ridge National Laboratory in Tennessee discovered a new chemical reaction to turn CO2 into ethanol.  These results are particularly exciting because the testing used inexpensive materials and water at room temperature.  These factors mean there is a good chance the small experiment can be replicated on a larger scale and used across the industry. If so, more energy could be available from new coal-fired power plants that could also produce ethanol. In previous columns, I have also expressed my interest in chemical looping. In August, the Department of Energy (DOE) announced new funding for projects that “enable cost-competitive, fossil fuel–based power generation with near-zero emissions.”  According to DOE, this funding included a $3.2 million investment in pre-project planning for a General Electric (GE) chemical looping combustion pilot plant.  Another $3.3 million went to Babcock & Wilcox and The Ohio State University for a “front end engineering and design study” for their coal direct chemical looping pilot plant.  I look forward to positive results from these investments. In other clean coal technology developments, Scientific American reported on a carbon capture system in Texas, the W.A. Parish Generating Station.  Scheduled to open before the end of the year, it is the largest coal power plant in the world with a carbon capture system that is retrofit.  This project is noteworthy because it is on time and within budget, and 90 percent of carbon dioxide produced will be harvested.  The project was still highly expensive; however some costs possibly can be recovered by utilizing the captured carbon. The carbon will be pumped over to Texas oil fields to be injected in old wells, recovering the remaining crude oil.  This technology may only be helpful in limited areas because the expense can only be justified in and around mature oil fields.  Mastering these technologies will not happen overnight.  In the meantime, funding for research and testing of ways to make fossil fuels cleaner and cheaper must not take a back seat to funding for renewable energy sources like wind and solar.  I will follow developments in chemical looping, CO2 ethanol conversion processes, and carbon capture methods, and I look forward to additional discoveries. To paraphrase Mark Twain, the reports of coal’s death are greatly exaggerated.  Technology breakthroughs will allow it to be burned more cleanly.  The U.S. can either lead or follow.  If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=701,Goodlatte: Clinton Advisor’s Use of Laptop Made by a Chinese Company Raises National Security Concerns,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today raised concerns to Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) Director James Comey about a top Clinton advisor’s use of laptops made by a company with long-suspected Chinese government ties and intelligence concerns to store and sort former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails. The latest round of documents provided by the FBI on the Clinton investigation reveals that Heather Samuelson, former White House Liaison to the State Department, used laptops manufactured by a Chinese company, Lenovo, to perform the sorting of emails to determine which of Secretary Clinton’s emails were work-related or personal. Lenovo computers, and specifically the models used by Heather Samuelson for reviewing classified emails, have been shown by the Department of Homeland Security to contain software that permits remote hacking attacks. And for a decade, the State Department has banned the use of Lenovo computers from the Department’s networks that handle classified information. In the letter to Director Comey, Chairman Goodlatte calls on him to provide detailed information about Samuelson’s use of Lenovo laptops, whether classified emails sent or received by Secretary Clinton were exploited by the Chinese government, and if anyone else with access to Secretary Clinton’s private email server used Lenovo computers. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 21, 2016 The Honorable James Comey Director Federal Bureau of Investigation 935 Pennsylvania Avenue NW Washington, DC 20535 Dear Director Comey:As you know, the House Judiciary Committee is conducting a review of the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) investigation into former Secretary Clinton’s use of a private email server to transmit classified information. In response to Congressional requests, the FBI has released documents relating to the investigation, including transcribed interview notes, or “302s.” Among other things, the FBI 302s contain extremely worrisome information that questions whether Secretary Clinton’s emails were obtained by the Chinese government – before the State Department, FBI, or any other agency had redacted Top Secret and Special Access Program (SAP) information. This information is so highly classified that even Congressional oversight committees were not able to review the emails. Our latest concern stems from the use of laptops manufactured by a Chinese company, Lenovo, to perform the sorting of emails to determine which of Secretary Clinton’s emails were work-related or personal. The FBI 302s show that computers used by Heather Samuelson, former White House Liaison to the State Department, for sorting through Secretary Clinton’s emails were Lenovo laptops. Lenovo computers, and specifically the models used by Heather Samuelson for reviewing classified emails, have been shown by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to contain software, dating back to 2010, that permits remote hacking attacks. The New York Times has reported on malware that was preinstalled in Lenovo Yoga laptops “that tracks its customers’ every move online.” Moreover, going back to 2006, the State Department – Secretary Clinton’s own agency, at which Ms. Samuelson was employed – agreed to ban the use of Lenovo computers from the Department’s networks that handle classified information.With this new information now publicly revealed, please answer the following questions:1) Did the FBI consider the manufacturing origin of the Lenovo laptops when investigating whether any classified emails sent or received by Secretary Clinton were exploited by the Chinese government?2) It has been reported that various U.S. and international intelligence agencies, including CIA, NSA, and the U.K.’s MI6, have banned the use of Lenovo computers in their classified systems. Does the FBI use or recommend the use of Lenovo computers for use with classified information? a. If the FBI refuses to use Lenovo computers for its own business, does that mean you would not have recommended the use of Lenovo computers for sorting through emails that may have – and in actuality, did – contain classified information?3) In the course of the FBI’s investigation into Secretary Clinton’s emails which were sent over unclassified servers, did you inquire into the use by the State Department, or anyone with access to Secretary Clinton’s personal server, whether Lenovo computers were used for sending, receiving, storing, or back-end management of Secretary Clinton’s or her associates’ communications or other documents? a. If so, did the FBI review whether any of these Lenovo computers were used to transmit emails that were eventually found to be classified?4) The FBI 302s reveal that Ms. Samuelson used two separate Lenovo laptops to conduct the sorting and deletion of emails. a. Did the FBI review both Lenovo laptops during the course of its investigation? b. Did you find classified information on emails that were sorted with Ms. Samuelson’s Lenovo laptops? c. While we understand that you agreed to destroy one of the laptops at the end of your investigation, pursuant to Ms. Samuelson’s immunity agreement, do you still have in your possession either of Ms. Samuelson’s Lenovo laptops? I look forward to expeditiously receiving the answers to these significant questions, to permit the American people to better understand the FBI’s decision regarding Secretary Clinton’s conduct. It seems clear that Secretary Clinton and her associates played fast and loose with our national security, and yet no one – not a single person involved in this harmful fiasco – has been held accountable. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398637,Griffith Statement on H.R.2403,2016-10-21,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, October 21, 2016 – Congressman Morgan Griffith’s statement on the Coal Healthcare and Pension Protection Act of 2015, H.R.2403: “Protecting the health benefits and pensions of coal miners is important.” “The coal industry has been under attack by the Obama Administration, unlike any other industry.  Because of these attacks, and the low price of natural gas, many coal companies have been forced either into bankruptcy or to reduce benefits including pensions.  Because of these bankruptcies, historic principles established to secure some coal miners’ pensions, which date back as far as the Truman Administration, may no longer be sufficient.   In order to keep our commitment to coal miners covered under such deals, I agreed to cosponsor the Coal Healthcare and Pension Protection Act of 2015, H.R.2403, in June 2015.  Critics of this bill have appropriately pointed out that the funding for this bill comes from the interest on Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money, which comes from all coal mines, not just a select few.  While I am in favor of the introduced  bill, there are several amendments being discussed which may make the bill better.  Both the House and the Senate bills are designed to be fair to our miners and amendments may be necessary in order to achieve this overall goal.  I look forward to working with my colleagues in the Coal Caucus, led by Representative David McKinley (R-W.Va.), and I look forward to working with the Senate sponsor of this bill,  Senator Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.).” “It is important to note that because this bill uses interest from the Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money, it does not negatively impact efforts by myself, Representative Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), and others, to pass the RECLAIM Act.  The RECLAIM Act uses some Abandoned Mine Land Reclamation Fund money in an effort to simulate economic development in the coalfields of Central Appalachia.” “While I will continue to fight unreasonable regulations that unfairly target the coal industry, I support the effort to ensure coal miners receive the benefits they earned.  The reduction of unreasonable regulations, along with H.R.2403 and S.1714, will have the effect of bolstering our coal miners’ pension and health benefit plans.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=270,"Rep. Brat Receives ""A"" Rating from Gun Owners of America",2016-10-20,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after receiving an ""A"" rating from Gun Owners of America:""I am very proud to have earned an 'A' rating from Gun Owners of America. I have always fought to defend our God-given rights, including the right to bear arms - not just when it is convenient. The second amendment is a fundamental right enshrined in the constitution because it provides the ultimate guarantee of sovereignty, and my commitment to protecting this, and all rights, is unwavering.""Gun Owners of America Executive Director Erich Pratt thanked Congressman Brat for his support saying,“As the 114th Congress comes to a close, Rep. Dave Brat is clearly the most pro-gun congressman in Virginia.  Brat has stood 100% in favor of gun owners’ rights.  It’s refreshing to see a congressman staying true to his oath of office.”To see the scores for all of Virginia's representatives, click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=699,Goodlatte Calls for Investigation into Politicization of Clinton Email Production,2016-10-20,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today called for an independent investigation into how and why two lawyers previously employed by a law firm representing former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton were hired by the State Department and then allowed to control the production of Clinton’s emails to the public and Congress. The latest round of documents provided by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on the Clinton investigation raises many concerns about how and why Catherine Duval and Austin Evers – both of whom previously worked at Williams and Connolly, the law firm that has represented the Clintons for decades – were in charge of the document review and classification process for Secretary Clinton’s records at the State Department. In the FBI’s interview notes, it appears that both Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers had no experience working on Freedom of Information Act requests or classified records production prior to their employment at the State Department and did not follow the normal process as they worked on the production of Secretary Clinton’s records. In a letter to Department of State Inspector General Steve Linick, Chairman Goodlatte raises several concerns regarding Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers’ expertise and impartiality and calls for him to open an investigation into how and why they were hired by the State Department, how they held sensitive positions despite a lack of experience, whether they followed the appropriate processes for document declassification review, and whether they acted according to well-established procedures and policies governing State Department officials.Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 20, 2016 The Honorable Steve A. Linick Inspector General U.S. Department of State Room 8100, SA-3 Washington, DC 20520Inspector General Linick,I am deeply concerned with recent reports regarding attorneys Catherine Duval and Austin Evers, and the roles they played in reviewing documents on behalf of the State Department in relation to Secretary Clinton’s use of a personal email server for transmitting classified information. Given what we now know about these two lawyers from interviews conducted by the FBI, there are serious concerns regarding the expertise and impartiality of these lawyers, who had control over what documents were ultimately turned over to Congress and the public.Based on interviews conducted by the FBI and publicly-available information, it appears that neither Ms. Duval nor Mr. Evers should have been involved in the FOIA process for Secretary Clinton’s records. Both Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers previously worked at Williams and Connolly, the firm with a long-standing and continuing relationship representing the Clintons going back to the Whitewater Investigation and continuing up to the present day--including representing Secretary Clinton in this very same investigation. While there is no current evidence that either of them ever worked on Clinton matters at Williams and Connolly, it is unclear if that was ever considered before their hiring at the State Department. Was a conflict check done to make sure they had not handled Clinton matters at Williams and Connolly before being hired by the State Department, or before they were assigned to Clinton matters at the State Department? Were they recommended to the State Department by anyone at the firm who had worked on Clinton matters? The circumstances of both Ms. Duval’s and Mr. Evers’ hirings raise serious questions about how and why they were hired by the State Department and placed into powerful positions where they had access, control, and influence on making sure certain Clinton documents were or were not produced to Congress and the public. In addition to the fact that they both were employed at Williams and Connolly, the Clintons’ law firm, it appears that neither Ms. Duval nor Mr. Evers had previous experience working on FOIA requests or classified records production. According to FBI interviews, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers “started to learn about records production and the FOIA process” only after they were hired by the Department of State in August of 2014. It is simply unimaginable that new hires, with no experience doing what they were hired to do and a potential conflict of interest, were tasked with this massive responsibility. At the very least, this suspect arrangement raises questions into the impartiality of the State Department hiring process. At worst, it suggests willful obstruction by handpicked Clinton associates at the State Department on behalf of former Secretary Clinton, to ensure damaging or incriminating documents never saw the light of day.Ms. Duval’s and Mr. Evers’ roles as political operatives, rather than professional FOIA experts in these matters, seems even more evident when one considers how they handled document classification reviews – i.e., the process whereby other Federal agencies are permitted to review documents prior to release, to determine whether the documents contain classified information in their jurisdictions. According to FBI interviews, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers refused to go through the normal channels in dealing with other agencies in the classification review process. For example, instead of going to the career FBI official who serves as the normal point of contact at the FBI for document classification determinations, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers skipped the FBI and went straight to the Department of Justice. Additionally, instead of going to the typical contact at the National Security Council, Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers went to the political appointee in the White House Counsel’s Office. At best, this indicates a significant misunderstanding of the usual process. At worst, it indicates a desire to have biased political appointees, rather than career national security professionals, decide what was classified and what was not, presumably because those individuals would be more susceptible to political pressure from Secretary Clinton and her staff.In light of these troubling circumstances, we ask that you open an investigation into how and why Ms. Duval and Mr. Evers were hired by the Department of State, how they came into the sensitive positions they held despite an apparent lack of any experience, whether they followed the appropriate processes for document declassification review, and in all other matters pertaining to this case, whether they acted according to well-established procedures and policies governing State Department officials.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=698,Goodlatte Calls on Justice Department to Investigate Undersecretary Kennedy for Violating the Law,2016-10-18,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) today called on Attorney General Loretta Lynch to investigate whether a senior State Department official violated federal public corruption laws by attempting to bribe the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI).Recently disclosed FBI interview notes pertaining to the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton reveal that Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy offered to support the FBI’s efforts to place additional agents in overseas locations if the FBI would agree to declassify certain classified documents found on Secretary Clinton’s private email server related to the Benghazi attacks. Undersecretary Kennedy further stated the declassification would allow him to archive the documents “in the basement of [the State Department], never to be seen again.” This revelation is the latest controversy to surface in the investigation into Clinton’s private email server scandal. In a letter to Attorney General Lynch, Chairman Goodlatte calls on the Justice Department to investigate whether Undersecretary Kennedy violated federal laws and writes: “Undersecretary Kennedy’s attempt to barter away American national security interests for plainly political purposes is appalling, and may rise to the level of a federal crime. Decisions about how or where FBI agents should be stationed in foreign countries to help combat terrorism cannot and should not be made on the basis of anything except national security concerns.”Below is the text of the Goodlatte letter. The signed copy can be found here.October 18, 2016Dear Attorney General Lynch:As part of the House Judiciary Committee’s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department (DOJ) has provided to the Committee the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s (FBI) interview notes (302’s) of witnesses, suspects, and the subject of the investigation, Secretary Clinton. I remain deeply troubled by many aspects of the investigation, and I am still waiting for responses on a number of letters and questions which I expect to receive immediately. However, I write to you today on another matter. The newly-released 302’s raise serious questions about whether Undersecretary of State Patrick Kennedy violated federal laws including public corruption laws by offering a “quid pro quo” to the FBI. Specifically, the 302’s show that Undersecretary Kennedy offered to support the FBI’s efforts to place additional agents in overseas locations, including some of the most critical locations in the world for our fight against terrorism, if the FBI would agree to declassify certain classified documents found on Secretary Clinton’s private email server related to the Benghazi attacks. Undersecretary Kennedy further stated the declassification would allow him to archive the documents “in the basement of DOS, never to be seen again.”Undersecretary Kennedy’s attempt to barter away American national security interests for plainly political purposes is appalling, and may rise to the level of a federal crime. Decisions about how or where FBI agents should be stationed in foreign countries to help combat terrorism cannot and should not be made on the basis of anything except national security concerns. I ask that the Department of Justice look into this matter. Given the sensitive nature of the participants involved, including former Secretary of State and Presidential candidate Clinton, a separate high ranking official at the State Department, and a high ranking FBI official in charge of America’s counter-terrorism efforts, it is imperative that this matter be investigated and that the investigation be done in an apolitical way with agents who were not involved in the initial Clinton Investigation. Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte Chairman House Judiciary Committee",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398636,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.17.16,2016-10-17,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Limestone, Granite, and Coal, Oh Mine!Last week, I highlighted manufacturing in the Ninth District, one of the ways a nation builds wealth.  Mining is another way to build wealth, and across the District there are a variety of mined commodities. There is a long history of mining in our region, which has provided employment, economic growth, and a way of life.  In the Ninth District, in addition to coal, there are active mining permits for a variety of substances including stone such as granite, quartzite, lime, limestone, and sandstone, clay and shale, sand and gravel, salt, as well as natural gas, according to data provided by the Virginia Department of Mines, Minerals, and Energy (DMME), as of April 2016.  Virginia has an interesting and unique geological history, particularly in Southwest Virginia.  Over time, geological events have left opportunities for us to mine and develop these rocks into much needed resources. The stone in Southwest Virginia, granite, quartzite, limestone, and sandstone, are critical for the construction industry.  Often times crushed and mechanically broken into smaller pieces, it is critical for road construction and used as fill in concrete and asphalt.  There is sand mined in Southwest Virginia, which is utilized by the construction industry as well.  As you may expect, when the nation’s construction is in recession or boom, demand for these substances increases and decreases accordingly.  The limestone mined in Southwest Virginia is often used as dust which is applied to the roof, walls, and floor of active coal mines for safety purposes.   This prevents explosions and helps with visibility.  The limestone is also used to make cement.  Additionally, clay and shale, mined in several Ninth District counties, are utilized to make cement, or used in pipes and bricks.  Lime has many uses in the chemical industry, serving as filler or a neutralizing component, based on its reliable quality and low cost.  In Giles County, the Lhoist company lists lime uses in a variety of products such as leather, wine, paint, soap, citric acid, anti-freeze, biodiesel fuels and more. Another mineral available for mining in Southwest Virginia is salt.  In the city of Saltville, according to town records, salt has been produced continuously since the 1780s, and an active mine exists today. Southwest Virginia also provides opportunities for mining natural gas, mostly coal bed methane, extracted from coal beds.  Conventional gas, produced from shale, limestone, and sandstone can be mined as well.  I am supportive of ongoing research and determination of the benefits and risks, safety requirements, and citizens’ feedback of potential developments in their area. For many families in Southwest Virginia, coal mining has been a way of life for generations.  According to the Virginia DMME, in the mid-1700s the discovery of coal was first recorded in the region and it was reported that Montgomery and Pulaski County were home to small-scale mining locations as early as 1782. In recent years, during President Obama’s administration, regulations have crippled the coal industry, just as he promised.  As we continue the fight to reduce and eliminate overreaching regulations, new techniques, technological advances, and safety improvements will help the coal industry recover.  Coal remains the cheapest source of energy for Americans, and will continue to provide jobs in our region. As the future of energy production and mining in the United States evolves, opportunities remain abundant in Southwest Virginia.  The Ninth District is home to one of our nation’s top mining and minerals engineering programs at Virginia Tech.  There are two internationally recognized research centers - the Virginia Center for Coal and Energy Research and the Center for Advanced Separation Technologies, that are part of their program.  According to Virginia Tech, research opportunities include GPS applications, tomography, real-time geologic mapping, environmental engineering, clean coal technologies and mineral processing.  Furthermore, the program reports in the last four years, undergraduate enrollment has grown by over 40%, and the number of students pursuing an M.S. or Ph.D. has increased by over 60%. As we look towards the future, we must also acknowledge those who performed the thankless work of keeping our lights on, especially those facing health issues such as Black Lung, and those whose employers have gone through bankruptcy.  This weekend, after touring a mine in Buchanan County, I took part in a roundtable to discuss the concerns of these individuals.    Protecting the jobs, health, and welfare of all miners in Southwest Virginia is a priority. The mining industry is a cornerstone of Southwest Virginia, and an investment into our economic future.  If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398635,Griffith Tour of Buchanan Mine and Black Lung Benefits Roundtable,2016-10-15,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Saturday, October 15, 2016 – Congressman Morgan Griffith (VA-09) joined Congressman Bobby Scott (VA-03), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and officials from the Mine Safety and Health Administration (MSHA) in Buchanan County, to tour the Buchanan Mine #1 on Friday, October 14, 2016.  On Saturday, October 15, 2016, Congressman Griffith, along with miners, medical professionals, and legal representatives, discussed reforms to the black lung benefits program at a roundtable in Wise, Virginia.  Griffith said “I always enjoy the opportunity to tour mines in Southwest Virginia, to hear concerns from the miners, as well as see the advances in mining techniques, new technology, and safety.”  “As we discussed at the roundtable, miners exposed to coal and other dust deserve the benefits they are entitled to under the Black Lung Benefits Act, for undertaking the hard, thankless job of providing the energy that keeps our lights on.  Protecting the jobs, health, and welfare of all miners in Southwest Virginia is a priority.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=267,Rep. Brat: 'Lawless' Obama regulations hurting small businesses and American economy,2016-10-14,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Dave Brat (R-Va.,) a recipient of the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) guardian of small business award, issued the following statement after participating in the ""Coalition to Save Local Business"" round-table discussion:""Today I heard from local business owners on the imposing number of costly rules and regulations that the federal government has saddled on them, including the new 'overtime' rule and the joint-employer rule. As an economist, I understand that these bureaucrat-imposed regulations will only reduce hiring and hurt employment, while increasing costs at a time of stagnant economic growth. It's time for Congress to reassert its authority to write laws and push back against the executive branch and its thousands of regulations imposed by unelected Washington bureaucrats. We cannot allow  this lawless administration to create such negative consequences for the American economy.""Congressman Brat is a cosponsor of H.R. 4773, the Protecting Workplace Advancement and Opportunity Act, a bipartisan bill endorsed by the Richmond Times-Dispatch editorial board. This bill would prevent the Department of Labor from finalizing their overtime rule and require them to fully consider the economic impact of any rule on small businesses, nonprofits, institutions of higher education, and others who would be affected.“Small business owners in Virginia, and across the country, desperately need more time to comply with the new DOL Overtime Rule, or they could face severe penalties and costs,” said NFIB/Virginia State Director Nicole Riley. “If Congress wants to ensure that as many employers are in compliance as possible, there should be no question whether to pass this legislation. Small businesses in Virginia are very grateful that Rep. Brat has made this a high priority. The clock is ticking, and this bipartisan bill would protect thousands of small business owners within every single member of Congress’ district.” Congressman Brat is a member of the House Education & the Workforce Committee where this legislation is currently being considered. “Many elected officials claim that they are champions of small business, but our Guardian Award shows our members and other small business owners who is really fighting for them,” said NFIB President and CEO Juanita Duggan.  “Based on his voting record, Rep. Brat is one of the most reliable advocates for small business in Washington.”The Guardian of Small Business is NFIB’s most prestigious award and is reserved for lawmakers who vote consistently with small business owners on issues that matter most to them. House members and Senators who vote with NFIB members at least 70 percent of the time are eligible for the Guardian Award. Rep. Brat received a 100 percent voting record during the 114th Congress. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398634,Griffith Announces Federal Designation for Pulaski County and Wythe County to Help Combat Drug Trafficking,2016-10-14,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Friday, October 14, 2016 - Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) announced that Pulaski County and Wythe County have been designated as part of the Appalachia High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA) by the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP).   This designation will allow local agencies to benefit from initiatives to reduce drug use, and receive federal resources to further develop and coordinate drug control efforts among federal, state, and local law enforcement officials. Griffith said, “I am glad that Pulaski County and Wythe County have been designated as part of the HIDTA; however, it is unfortunate that illegal drugs are a pressing issue here in Southwest Virginia.  The trafficking and abuse of drugs are a serious cause for concern.  Due to this concern, I supported the petition for Pulaski and Wythe to receive this designation, so local law enforcement and others diligently fighting the drug crisis will be able to utilize the resources associated with the program.”  “These resources will help educate citizens about ways to get help and treatment.  It is my hope that this will make an impact in helping to lower drug overdoses, and rid our region of these dangerous drugs.” Director of National Drug Control Policy Michael Botticelli said, “The High Intensity Drug Trafficking Areas program is an important part of this Administration’s work to expand community-based efforts to prevent drug use, pursue ‘smart on crime’ approaches to drug enforcement, work to reduce overdose deaths, increase access to treatment, and support millions of Americans in recovery.” According to the ONDCP, the HIDTA program, which was created by Congress in 1988, serves as a catalyst for coordination among federal, state, local, and tribal law enforcement agencies operating in areas determined to be critical drug trafficking regions of the United States.  Law enforcement organizations working within HIDTAs assess drug-trafficking issues and design specific initiatives to decrease the production, transportation, distribution, and chronic use of drugs and money laundering.  There are currently 28 HIDTAs across the country, including the Appalachia HIDTA. Pulaski and Wythe join nine other localities in Virginia as part of the Appalachia HIDTA. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-hidta-designation-frederick-county,Rep. Comstock on HIDTA Designation for Frederick County,2016-10-14,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C.—Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement on the decision from the Office of National Drug Control Policy (ONDCP) to designate Frederick County, Virginia as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area (HIDTA), making Frederick eligible to receive federal resources to assist the County’s drug control efforts: “The community worked together hand-in-hand to get Frederick County designated as a High Intensity Drug Trafficking Area.  Over the past 18 months, we have worked with our sheriffs and commonwealth attorneys, the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, the Winchester Medical Center, and the recovery community on all of the aspects of the heroin problem.   Our community is directly experiencing the pain and suffering associated with this epidemic that resulted in 22 overdose deaths in the region this year and even more hospitalizations.  Many, if not most, of my constituents can point to a friend or family member who is or has been struggling with substance abuse.  This designation means that our region will receive additional federal resources to assist in improving coordination among law enforcement, public health officials, educators, and concerned citizens to help get treatment and services to those in need while enabling the community to turn the tide against this drug crisis.”  BACKGROUND: On October 13, the White House ONDCP announced a HIDTA designation for Frederick County, bringing it into the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA Region.  ONDCP’s press release, which also announces the designation of 17 other U.S. counties, can be found HERE. Click HERE to view the Washington/Baltimore HIDTA threat assessment for Frederick County, which contains additional data on the drug crisis in Northern Virginia and the region. Click HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock’s press release on the formation of the Heroin Operations Team (HOT). Click HERE and HERE to view the letters of support Congresswoman Comstock sent to ONDCP in support of a HIDTA designation for Frederick County and other counties party to the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug and Gang Task Force. Click HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock’s press release on the adoption of her amendment to increase funding for the HIDTA program during consideration of the Financial Services and General Government Appropriations Act for Fiscal Year 2017. Click HERE to view Congresswoman Comstock’s press release on passage of the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act of 2016.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=696,Goodlatte & Judiciary Republicans Call for Independent Investigation of Special Treatment Given to Key Clinton Insiders,2016-10-11,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and all Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee today called for an independent investigation of the special treatment given to key witnesses during the investigation of former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server to send and receive classified information.Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson, top advisors to Secretary Clinton during her tenure at the State Department, were witnesses in the Federal Bureau of Investigation’s investigation of Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server and had previously been interviewed by the FBI. Although Secretary Clinton had legal representation from a prestigious law firm, the Justice Department and FBI allowed Mills and Samuelson to sit in on the Bureau’s interview of Secretary Clinton, even though there was a clear conflict of interest and both received immunity deals. In a letter to the Inspectors General for the Justice Department and State Department, Chairman Goodlatte and the Republican members of the House Judiciary Committee call for an independent investigation into the matter and write:“Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were responsible for culling and shredding documents related to Secretary Clinton’s tenure and, whether willfully or inadvertently, are responsible for the destruction of evidence and official records. As such, they were key witnesses who could not have ethically provided legal representation to Secretary Clinton after their departure from the State Department. “The evidence plainly demonstrates that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson’s claims of attorney-client privilege in the Clinton email investigation are wholly without merit.  It appears increasingly clear that political considerations hijacked the criminal process in this case, and routine, longstanding policies and procedures were ignored.  As such, we request that you open an investigation into this matter at your respective Departments.” The letter is signed by Chairman Bob Goodlatte, House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) and Representatives Jim Sensenbrenner (R-Wis.), Lamar Smith (R-Texas), Steve Chabot (R-Ohio), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), J. Randy Forbes (R-Va.), Steve King (R-Iowa), Trent Franks (R-Ariz.), Louie Gohmert (R-Texas), Jim Jordan (R-Ohio), Ted Poe (R-Texas), Tom Marino (R-Pa.), Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Raul Labrador (R-Idaho), Blake Farenthold (R-Texas), Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Ron DeSantis (R-Fla.), Mimi Walters (R-Calif.), Ken Buck (R-Colo.), John Ratcliffe (R-Texas), Dave Trott (R-Mich.), and Mike Bishop (R-Mich.).   Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 11, 2016Dear Inspector General Horowitz and Inspector General Linick:In continuing the House Judiciary Committee’s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server to send and receive classified information, we write to question the propriety, impartiality, and legality of circumstances surrounding the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Department of Justice (DOJ) interview of Secretary Clinton.  The FBI and DOJ appear to have acquiesced in allowing two former State Department employees, Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson, to act as legal counsel for Secretary Clinton in order to influence an investigation into facts for which the former employees were substantially and personally involved.  However, neither the FBI nor DOJ are in a position to investigate their own actions in connection with the Clinton interview, thus making this a tailor-made case for independent review.   We are particularly concerned by the fact that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson, both of whom participated personally and substantially in matters that were the subject of the FBI’s investigation, were permitted by both DOJ and the FBI to sit in on Secretary Clinton’s interview.  Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were fact witnesses who had previously been interviewed by the FBI regarding the setup of Secretary Clinton’s private server, theirs and Secretary Clinton’s communications, and their own familiarity with classified information sent via unsecure means during Secretary Clinton’s tenure.  Allowing them to sit in on Secretary Clinton’s interview raises questions as to whether a serious interview of Secretary Clinton was ever even contemplated.  In fact, it offered Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson an opportunity to further corroborate their stories with the target of the FBI’s investigation – Secretary Clinton – and have insight into questions being asked of Secretary Clinton regarding communications to which they may have been parties.We are also very concerned about the FBI and DOJ’s acceptance of Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson’s assertions that they were serving as Secretary Clinton’s attorneys. • Did the FBI ask for an engagement letter? • Did the FBI probe into when the attorney-client privilege purportedly began? • Does the FBI have any record of investigating or internally deliberating on the patently absurd claim of attorney-client privilege? • Did the FBI ever ask whether either Mills or Samuelson had professional liability insurance?• Did the FBI consider whether 18 U.S.C. § 207 applies to the inappropriate representation of former Secretary Clinton by former State Department employees “personally and substantially” involved in matters pertaining to the Clinton investigation?• Did the FBI ever broach the subject of a conflict of interest with Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson, or contemplate the fact that their representation of Secretary Clinton as counsel in her interview was a clear violation of long-standing canons of professional ethics? Not only did Secretary Clinton have able-bodied counsel from Williams & Connolly, a very prestigious law firm, but Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson are not practicing attorneys in any sense of the term.  Illustrative of the incongruous declarations of attorney-client privilege are current biographies of both Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson.  Ms. Mills’ biography on the website for the BlackIvy Group, where she is currently CEO, states that she was Chief of Staff and Counselor during Secretary Clinton’s tenure, neither of which are attorney positions.  In fact, the current Counselor of the Department, Ambassador Kenney, is not an attorney, and only one of the previous five Counselors of the State Department even possessed a law degree. Similarly, Ms. Samuelson’s public LinkedIn profile lists, after her time spent on the 2008 Clinton campaign, “Senior Advisor/White House Liaison” at the State Department for the period of January 2009 to March 2013, corresponding with Secretary Clinton’s tenure.  This was also not an attorney position.  It seems clear that neither Ms. Mills nor Ms. Samuelson can credibly claim that they had an attorney-client relationship with Secretary Clinton while employed at the State Department.  Rather, it is the duty of the Department’s Office of the Legal Adviser to “furnish[] advice on all legal issues, domestic and international, arising in the course of the Department’s work.”Ms. Mills’ profile at her current company indicates that she now sits on the Board of the Clinton Foundation.  DOJ and the FBI have yet to confirm whether the Clinton Foundation is under investigation for pay-to-play allegations and inappropriate foreign donations, but if it is the case that the Clinton Foundation is an FBI target, Ms. Mills’ presence in the interview with Secretary Clinton is even more disconcerting considering her role on the Clinton Foundation’s Board.  Suffice it to say, neither Ms. Mills nor Ms. Samuelson are currently practicing law in their post-State Department jobs, except for the specious claim of representing Secretary Clinton in an FBI criminal probe for which they were key players and witnesses.  Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were responsible for culling and shredding documents related to Secretary Clinton’s tenure and, whether willfully or inadvertently, are responsible for the destruction of evidence and official records. As such, they were key witnesses who could not have ethically provided legal representation to Secretary Clinton after their departure from the State Department. The evidence plainly demonstrates that Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson’s claims of attorney-client privilege in the Clinton email investigation are wholly without merit.  It appears increasingly clear that political considerations hijacked the criminal process in this case, and routine, longstanding policies and procedures were ignored.  As such, we request that you open an investigation into this matter at your respective Departments.  Thank you for your attention to this important matter.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Jason Chaffetz Louie Gohmert Lamar Smith Steve Chabot Blake Farenthold Mimi Walters Mike Bishop Jim Sensenbrenner Trent Franks Steve King Darrell Issa Jim Jordan Raul Labrador Doug Collins Trey Gowdy John Ratcliffe Ron DeSantis Ken Buck Tom Marino Dave Trott Ted Poe J. Randy Forbes",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398633,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.10.16,2016-10-10,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Manufacturing Economic Growth Friday, October 7 was National Manufacturing Day.  Manufacturing is one of the ways a nation builds wealth.  This year, as part of National Manufacturing Day, I visited Celanese in Giles County and Tadano Mantis in Richlands.   I was able to tour the new boiler area at Celanese, which provides power to produce cellulose acetate tow, used for cigarette tow.  At Tadano Mantis, I was able to view the facilities where they design and construct large cranes.  These, and other manufacturing companies, provide goods and jobs that contribute to the economic growth of the Ninth District, as well as the economic growth of our nation. Nations can only build wealth in a few ways.  Wealth can be built by manufacturing goods, by extracting minerals and energy from the Earth, by agriculture and raising it off the land, or by stealing it from other countries.  Since we don’t have any intention of stealing wealth from other countries, we are left with three options – make it, mine it, grow it.  This week, we will discuss manufacturing.  The impact of manufacturing jobs should not be underestimated.  According to the National Institute of Standards and Technology, under the Department of Commerce, for every $1.00 of goods produced, manufacturing generates an additional $1.37 for the economy.  Furthermore, they estimate each manufacturing job creates another 2.5 more jobs in local goods and services. In addition to the facilities I visited on National Manufacturing Day, I have spent a lot of time visiting local manufacturing companies, to understand their challenges and concerns.   I have also worked to encourage manufacturing companies to expand or relocate to the Ninth, both high tech and traditional companies, as long as they create good paying jobs.  One of the groups I am working with is the Southwest Virginia Alliance for Manufacturing, Inc. (SVAM).  SVAM is a nonprofit organization dedicated to the needs of manufacturers in the region, as well as drawing in new manufacturers.  Among other things, SVAM is working on a supply chain mapping system so manufacturers in Southwest Virginia will be aware of companies in our area who may be able to provide them with component parts.  The organization’s outreach, support, and promotion of manufacturers is important to the ongoing progress of building Southwest Virginia industry. I’m hopeful that my recent legislative efforts will bring much needed economic development to our area.  Specifically, I cosponsored the Revitalizing the Economy of Coal Communities by Leveraging Local Activities and Investing More (RECLAIM) Act (H.R. 4456) and introduced an amendment that was passed in the House of Representatives as part of the Interior Appropriations bill (H.R. 5538), expanding on the POWER Plus program’s initial funding to our region.  The RECLAIM Act is intended to bring relief to struggling coal communities, and releases $1 billion of funding from the Abandoned Mine Reclamation (AML) Fund to be used for economic development on AML sites.  If this bill becomes law, $200 million a year would be distributed to states, including Virginia, annually for five years.  As I travel the Ninth, I see potential sites to bring manufacturers to the District, and this is one way to encourage companies to select our region. To bring additional funding for economic growth, I successfully pushed for an Interior Bill amendment that expands on the POWER Plus pilot program.  The POWER Plus program acknowledges the damaging effects of this Administration’s regulatory attack on coal-producing communities.  My amendment provides an increase of $5 million in grant funding to Virginia, for the reclamation of abandoned mine lands in conjunction with community and economic development.  This doubled the original amount allotted, bringing the funding to a total of $10 million.  I fought and won this funding in the House, because it is vital to bring manufacturing, growth, and jobs to the Ninth District.  Additionally, in 2015, I introduced the Commonsense Permitting for Job Creation Act (H.R. 3434), along with other Virginia representatives, to facilitate permits to help economic development for Southside Virginia, including the Ninth District.   Because of my efforts to promote manufacturing, as well as my consistent voting record for policies that enable the success of American manufacturers, I have been awarded the National Association of Manufacturers’ Legislative Excellence Award for the 112th, 113th, and 114th Congresses.   I will continue to support sensible economic policies that encourage the development of new businesses, jobs, and goods, as well as keep current manufacturing jobs in America.  I will also continue fighting for the Ninth District, to advance economic development, increase manufacturing opportunities, and keep and grow jobs here in Southwest Virginia. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=694,Goodlatte Presses DHS for Information about Man Charged in ISIS Plot to Murder a Military Member,2016-10-06,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson for information about Nelash Mohamed Das, a resident alien recently arrested for planning the murder of a U.S. military member as part of a terrorist attack.On September 30, 2016, Das was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization by conspiring to murder a U.S. military member in Prince George’s County, Maryland on behalf of ISIS. According to the Department of Justice, Das is a citizen of Bangladesh and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The FBI alleges that in late 2015 and early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIS, including support for the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.In Chairman Goodlatte’s letter to Secretary Johnson, he calls on DHS to provide the House Judiciary Committee with information about Das, including his immigration and criminal history, to determine if there were indicators of his radicalization that the Department should have been aware of prior to his arrest. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 6, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary Department of Homeland Security Washington, DC 20528Dear Secretary Johnson:On September 30, 2016, Nelash Mohamed Das was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and charged with attempting to provide material support to a terrorist organization by conspiring to murder a U.S. military member in Prince George’s County, Maryland on behalf of ISIS. According to the Department of Justice, Das is a citizen of Bangladesh and a lawful permanent resident of the United States. The FBI alleges that in late 2015 and early 2016, Das used social media to express his support for ISIS, including support for the 2015 terrorist attacks in Paris, France, and San Bernardino, California.It is important for the Committee to understand how Das became radicalized and to determine whether there were indicators of his radicalization that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) should have been aware of prior to his arrest. Therefore, please provide the following information no later than October 20, 2016:1. The alien registration number for Nelash Mohamed Das, his complete, unredacted alien file (A-file), including the complete, unredacted alien files of his parents, to the extent that Das derived an immigration benefit through one or both parents, any temporary files, working files, or Service Center files, and all documents and items contained in them, all documents generated by DHS or in its possession about him, whether currently in written or electronic form, including, but not limited to, all Reports of Investigation (ROI), executive summaries, criminal history and immigration summaries, detainers or requests for notification, I-213(s), and Notice(s) to Appear or other charging documents created to seek his removal from the United States.2. Please identify each and every date on which Das was encountered by a law enforcement agency in the United States, to include criminal and civil arrests, the nature of the charge, the jurisdiction where the arrest occurred, the disposition of that charge, the date(s) on which he was released from the custody of that law enforcement agency, and the reason(s) for the release. Please provide the arrest and disposition documentation for each encounter.3. How and when did Das enter the United States? Was he ever served with a Notice to Appear? Was it filed with an immigration court? Please explain.4. Has Das been removed previously? If so, when?5. Has ICE issued a detainer or request for notification to any entity regarding Das? Please explain.As you know, the Privacy Act authorizes disclosure of information to committees of Congress. If you cannot fully respond to each and every request for documents or information set forth above, please identify the specific item requested to which you cannot fully respond and explain why you cannot respond.If you have any questions about this request, please contact Tracy Short, Counsel, Subcommittee on Immigration and Border Security, at (202) 225-3926. Thank you for your prompt attention to this matter. Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=693,Chairmen Question DOJ on Agreement to Limit Investigation of Secretary Clintons Private Server,2016-10-05,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah), Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa), and House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) sent a letter to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) requesting information on the unusual restrictions placed on the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) in its criminal investigation of Secretary Clinton’s private email server. The restrictions were discovered in the course of the Committees’ review of the immunity agreements for former Clinton staffers Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson. Key excerpts from the letter:""We write to express our concerns about the process by which Congress was allowed to view the Wilkinson letters, that the letters inappropriately restrict the scope of the FBI’s investigation, and that the FBI inexplicably agreed to destroy the laptops knowing that the contents were the subject of Congressional subpoenas and preservation letters.“These limitations would necessarily have excluded, for example, any emails from Cheryl Mills to Paul Combetta in late 2014 or early 2015 directing the destruction or concealment of federal records. Similarly, these limitations would have excluded any email sent or received by Secretary Clinton if it was not sent or received by one of the four email addresses listed, or the email address was altered.“Further, the Wilkinson letters memorialized the FBI’s agreement to destroy the laptops. This is simply astonishing given the likelihood that evidence on the laptops would be of interest to congressional investigators.“The Wilkinson letters raise serious questions about why DOJ would consent to such substantial limitations on the scope of its investigation, and how Director Comey’s statements on the scope of the investigation comport with the reality of what the FBI was permitted to investigate.” View the letter here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=692,Goodlatte: Constitutionally-Protected Activities Don’t Warrant Heavy-Handed Surveillance,2016-10-04,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) Director Sarah Saldaña on the agency’s enlistment of local law enforcement to conduct surveillance on law abiding citizens at gun shows.A recent Wall Street Journal report indicates that ICE agents induced local law enforcement officers to scan license plates to collect data on individuals attending gun shows in California. ICE’s invasive use of license plate readers is particularly troubling since there is no written policy to govern this practice.“When attending a gun show, law abiding citizens are exercising their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble,” writes Chairman Goodlatte. “Further, if they are purchasing or otherwise acquiring or possessing a firearm, they are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. These Constitutionally-protected activities should not subject gun show attendees to unwarranted and heavy-handed surveillance practices by their government.”In the letter, Chairman Goodlatte requests that Director Saldaña provide detailed information about ICE’s questionable use of license plate readers, including the number of gun shows ICE surveilled and how many license plates were recorded. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 4, 2016The Honorable Sarah R. Saldaña, Director U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement 500 12th St., SW Washington, D.C. 20536Dear Director Saldaña,Recent media reports indicate that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents induced local law enforcement officers to scan license plates to collect data on individuals attending gun shows in California. If true, this invasive investigative tactic poses many serious concerns for millions of law abiding Americans. Also troubling is the report that ICE has no written policy governing the use of license plate readers. While the use of license plate readers is a valid law enforcement tool when properly used, this does not appear to be the case in this situation. When attending a gun show, law abiding citizens are exercising their First Amendment right to peaceably assemble. Further, if they are purchasing or otherwise acquiring or possessing a firearm, they are exercising their Second Amendment right to keep and bear arms. These Constitutionally-protected activities should not subject gun show attendees to unwarranted and heavy-handed surveillance practices by their government.In order for this Committee to more fully understand why ICE would employ this technique under such questionable circumstances, please provide a written response to the below questions and make ICE staff available for a briefing on this matter no later than October 14, 2016.1. Please provide a copy of all ICE polices governing the use of license plate readers. If there are no policies, please explain why none have been developed. 2. At how many gun shows did ICE record or make a request to another law enforcement agency to record the license plates of the gun show attendees? Please indicate the dates and locations of the gun shows described above. Please provide all documents, communications or other materials ICE prepared, sent or received pertaining to the gun show operations described above. 3. How many license plates were recorded during these operations? 4. Does ICE still maintain the records of the license plates recorded at gun shows? If so, for what reason and how long does ICE intend to maintain that information? If not, what became of them? 5. How many arrests or investigative leads were obtained because of these operations? 6. Which law enforcement agencies agreed to scan license plates at the request of ICE? Did any law enforcement agencies refuse such a request? If so, please identify the agencies that declined. 7. Does ICE have any ongoing operations or planned operations at gun shows? Thank you for your prompt attention to this very important matter. Should you have any questions concerning this request, please contact Jason Cervenak or Tracy Short on the House Judiciary Committee staff at 202.225.3951. I look forward to your response.Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=691,Goodlatte Presses Justice Department on Secret Agreements with Top Clinton Advisors,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, today pressed Attorney General Loretta Lynch about a secret agreement to destroy the laptops of top advisors to former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. As part of the House Judiciary Committee’s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department provided a private review of certain immunity agreements entered into during the investigation. The immunity agreements mentioned secret side agreements between the Justice Department, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and Beth Wilkinson, the lawyer representing Cheryl Mills, chief of staff and counselor to Secretary Clinton, and Heather Samuelson, senior advisor to Secretary Clinton. After reviewing the side agreements, the Committee has learned that the FBI agreed to destroy Mills and Samuelson’s laptops after inspecting them.In his letter to Attorney General Lynch, Chairman Goodlatte calls on the Justice Department to provide information about the side agreements and answer the many questions they raise about the FBI’s investigation. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. October 3, 2016Dear Attorney General Lynch:As part of the Judiciary Committee’s ongoing oversight of Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State, the Justice Department (DOJ) provided in camera review of certain immunity agreements. After a specific request from the Committee, based on references made in the immunity agreements to certain “side agreements,” DOJ subsequently provided in camera review of those “side agreements” between DOJ, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and Beth Wilkinson, the lawyer representing both Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson. Like many things about this case, these new materials raise more questions than answers. Please provide a written response to the below questions and make DOJ staff available for a briefing on this matter no later than October 10, 2016.1. Why did the FBI agree to destroy both Cheryl Mills’ and Heather Samuelson’s laptops after concluding its search?2. Doesn’t the willingness of Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson to have their laptops destroyed by the FBI contradict their claim that the laptops could have been withheld because they contained non-relevant, privileged information? If so, doesn’t that undermine the claim that the side agreements were necessary?3. Have these laptops, or the contents of the laptops, in fact been destroyed, thereby making follow up investigations by the FBI, or Congressional oversight, impossible? 4. For both the Mills and Samuelson laptops please provide individual numbers on the following: a. How many total documents were reviewed by the FBI filter review team from the Mills and Samuelson laptops? b. How many documents did the FBI filter review team deem to be privileged and withhold from the FBI investigative team? c. How many documents were ultimately turned over from the Mills and Samuelson laptops to the FBI investigative team? d. How many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team from each laptop for lack of relevancy? e. How many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team because they fell outside the date range agreed to between DOJ and Ms. Wilkinson in the side letters dated June 10, 2016? f. Please indicate how many documents were withheld from the FBI investigative team because they were both not relevant AND outside the agreed upon date range. g. How many classified documents, broken down by national security classification level, were on each of the Mills and Samuelson laptops?5. Please provide the privilege log for all documents withheld by the filter review team from the FBI investigative team for both the Mills and Samuelson laptops. If no such log was created, please create one in the same manner the Department requires private parties to satisfy their obligations under Fed. R. Civ. P. 26.6. Please provide any opinion, memo, or other materials, whether formally endorsed or not, from the DOJ Office of Legal Counsel, or the FBI Office of the General Counsel related to the following: a. DOJ and FBI procedures on privilege review. b. The validity of Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson’s claim of attorney client privilege with respect to Secretary Clinton. c. The ability of Cheryl Mills and Heather Samuelson to sit in on the investigative interview of Secretary Clinton. 7. Please explain why DOJ agreed to limit their search of the Mills and Samuelson laptops to a date no later than January 31, 2015 and therefore give up any opportunity to find evidence related to the destruction of evidence or obstruction of justice related to Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State.8. Why was this time limit necessary when Ms. Mills and Ms. Samuelson were granted immunity for any potential destruction of evidence charges?9. Please confirm whether a grand jury was convened to investigate Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server. Disclosure is authorized under Fed. R. Crim. P. 6(e)(3)(A)(i) and (e)(3)(D). 10. Please confirm whether the immunity agreements listed on n. 2 and the “side agreements” between Beth Wilkinson and DOJ, dated June 10, 2016, are the entirety of the immunity agreements granted as part of the Department’s investigation into Secretary Clinton’s unauthorized use of a private email server during her tenure as Secretary of State. Sincerely, Bob Goodlatte Chairman House Judiciary Committee",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398632,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 10.3.16,2016-10-03,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Shame on EPA Again! Notwithstanding a lack of legal authority, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recently created new rules under the Clean Air Act.  These rules attempt to regulate the trailers which are usually used with tractors. This rule is a part of their new regulations on motor vehicle fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. The law grants EPA the ability to regulate “air pollutant from any class or classes of new motor vehicles or motor vehicle engines” (42 USC 7521(a)).  So the question becomes does the law give them the right to regulate anything connected with the use of a motor vehicle?  When determining the law, it is a settled legal principle that you first look to the plain meaning of the words in the statue.  Under the Clean Air Act, the definition of motor vehicle would control.  I don’t think it takes a Harvard trained lawyer to understand the meaning of this section: 42 USC 7550(2) The term “motor vehicle” means any self-propelled vehicle designed for transporting persons or property on a street or highway. However, at a recent Energy and Commerce Committee hearing, I questioned how the EPA could have considered a trailer to be a self-propelled vehicle.  EPA Administrator Janet McCabe justified their authority by claiming trailers are eligible because “without a trailer, a truck is not transporting goods.” She continued, “And so we see the trailer as an integral part of the vehicle that is covered in the Clean Air Act.”  Interesting! Since currently the truck cannot drive itself, isn’t the driver an integral part of the truck that is transporting goods as well?  Under the EPA’s theory, are they saying they believe they have authority to regulate the height, weight, and size of the driver? As ridiculous as this sounds, drivers would qualify under the same theory that the EPA is currently using to claim it has the power to regulate the trailer portion of a tractor trailer.  Despite the lengthy legal memoranda the EPA produced to argue their position, it is clear that neither the trailer, nor the driver, under the definition above (42 USC 7550(2)), is a self-propelled motor vehicle. The plain meaning of the code is clear.  If the EPA wants to include trailers in their emission reducing requirements, they should request Congress amend the code section.  The EPA cannot independently reinterpret parts of a law that are inconvenient.  The EPA is not elected to change or create new laws; this is the job of Congress.  Furthermore, the manufacturers of the trailers are generally separate entities from the truck manufactures.  Volvo Trucks of Dublin makes tractors, but they don’t make trailers.  Utility Trailers (Glade Spring and Atkins) don’t make trucks, they only make trailers. I suspect the EPA knows their legal reasoning is not sound.  The EPA passes a regulation, claiming they have authority when often they don’t.  This forces American manufactures to sue at the cost of lost productivity and millions of dollars.  Manufacturers sometimes throw up their hands in frustration and capitulate, even though they know the EPA is overreaching. Shame on you, EPA. Shimon Peres On Wednesday, September 28, at the age of 93, Shimon Peres passed away after a lifetime of service to his country.  He was a founder of the State of Israel and regarded as a prominent leader in the development of Israel’s strong defense.  Peres was also the Ninth President of Israel, the Prime Minister, a Nobel Peace Prize Laureate, and founder of the Peres Center for Peace.  Peres was highly regarded around the world for his persistent efforts to improve relations between the Israelis and Palestinians.  I was fortunate to meet with him during a visit to his peace institute in Israel several years ago.  Among other initiatives, the center brings Palestinian and Israeli children together for activities such as soccer, to foster understanding of the opposing cultures.  Often in life when people are able to actually interact with each other, although they may disagree, they no longer view the other as the enemy.  Instead, they see one another as people.  Peres was devoted to implementing this belief. The current Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, although a political rival, noted in a statement on his passing, “Shimon devoted his life to our nation and to the pursuit of peace.  He set his gaze on the future.  He did so much to protect our people.  He worked to his last days for peace and a better future for all.”  I am sorry for Israel’s loss of this great man. If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-desecration-historical-african-american-school,Rep. Comstock On Desecration of Historical African American School,2016-10-01,2016,2016-10,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) made the following comments on the desecration of an historical African American school in Loudoun: “This ugly hate speech and crime have no place in our community. I know Sheriff Mike Chapman takes this reprehensible crime seriously and will have all the support from all officials and all throughout the community to bring whomever is responsible to justice. We will stand united in restoring and preserving this historic property.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/winchester-star-region-hit-overdose-blitz,Winchester Star: Region Hit With Overdose Blitz,2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"WINCHESTER — Agents with the Northwest Virginia Regional Drug Task Force have responded to eight nonlethal overdoses in the city and Frederick County since Monday, according to a Thursday news release. Issued by the Northern Shenandoah Valley Substance Abuse Coalition, the release states that, while lab results will ultimately determine the narcotics involved in each overdose, investigators believe five of the cases involve heroin. Three were likely synthetic drugs. Task force agents also say the drugs have made their way into the region from Baltimore. Eight overdoses, coalition Executive Director Lauren Cummings said Thursday, is an unusual number to see in the area in a given week, particularly after none had been reported the week prior. The region, comprising Winchester and Frederick, Clarke, Warren, Shenandoah and Page counties, has likewise seen 21 overdose deaths so far in 2016, Cummings said. An additional 75 people have suffered nonfatal overdoses in that span, also called overdose injuries. In 2015, 30 people in the region died from overdoses; 55 suffered overdose injuries. Cummings said there is no indication that the recent spate of overdoses are linked to heroin laced with an elephant tranquilizer known as carfentanil, which may be responsible for high volumes of overdoses in places such as Huntington, W.Va., where, on Aug. 12, the Associated Press reported that 26 such incidents occurred in a four-hour span and stretched emergency services and first responders to their limits. The coalition is asking the public to take heed of the following behaviors in those around them, which may indicate issues with substance abuse, and seek help: Change in friends Declining grades Lack of motivation, no ""drive"" Disciplinary issues at school Loss of interest in activities Absences at school or work Selling, pawning, stealing or missing valuables and cash Frequent use of mints, gum, candy or chips to mask breath Hiding items in cars, wallets, hat rims or prescription bottles Avoiding loved ones or providing irrational excuses for absences Increased sensitivity or becoming defensive or detached Anxiety, depression or frequent mood swings Irritability Isolation, or spending long periods in the bathroom, shower or car Changing sleep hours, or napping and falling asleep at odd times Decline in physical appearance and self-care. Sudden onset of or increased cigarette use Increase in speeding tickets or minor accidents Wearing long-sleeve shirts during warm weather (possibly to cover track marks) If you or someone you know is struggling with a substance use disorder, a comprehensive listing of addiction resources in the Northern Shenandoah Valley can be found at www.roadtorecovery.info. — Contact Christopher Earley at cearley@winchesterstar.com Read the full story at The Winchester Star here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-comstock-united-airlines-dulles-airport-contract-renewal,Rep. Comstock on United Airlines-Dulles Airport Contract Renewal,2016-09-30,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC - Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA), along with Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority (MWAA) President and CEO Jack Potter and United Airlines’ Rodney Cox, released the following statement after United Airlines and MWAA finalized a seven-year extension of the Airport Use Agreement and Premises Lease at Dulles International Airport: “I am thrilled that United Airlines and Dulles Airport have agreed to extend their lease for another seven years, through 2024.  Dulles is an essential component of the lifeblood that sustains our regional economy.  For much of the world, it is the gateway to Northern Virginia and Washington, D.C.  The importance of maintaining the airport’s vitality cannot be understated.  I have worked with stakeholders in order to facilitate mutual cooperation in the interest of keeping Dulles strong.  I also fought tooth and nail on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to block other members of Congress from weakening the Slot and Perimeter Rules—such meddling has taken a serious toll on the wellbeing of Dulles as well as our regional airports.  I thank United Airlines for their sustained commitment, and I look forward to continued collaboration with elected officials, the business community, and my constituents to ensure Dulles remains as the engine for our growing economy.” “For the past 30 years, United’s Washington Dulles hub has connected more than half a billion customers to destinations around the globe. Extending our lease at Dulles will ensure United continues to provide an exceptional experience for our customers and a great place to work for our employees,"" said Rodney Cox, managing director of the airline’s Dulles hub. “I want to thank Representative Comstock for her continued support of United and for helping Dulles stay competitive for years to come.” “The Airports Authority is grateful for all the support it has received in completing the Use and Lease Agreement extension with United Airlines,” said Metropolitan Washington Airports Authority President and CEO Jack Potter. “We thank Congresswoman Comstock and the regional congressional delegation for their dedication to further strengthening the competitive position of Dulles International Airport.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://wittman.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=1066,"Wittman Opposes CR, Pushes for Return to Regular Order",2016-09-29,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Wittman,W000804,wittman.house.gov,,,legacy,"Wittman Opposes CR, Pushes for Return to Regular Order f t # e Washington, September 29, 2016 WASHINGTON – Congressman Rob Wittman (VA-1) released the following statement today after House passage of legislation that provides temporary funding for government operations through December 9, 2016:“I have consistently said that continuing resolutions are a lazy and irresponsible way to fund government operations. These short-term, stop-gap funding mechanisms create uncertainty for federal workers, perpetuate waste by prolonging inefficient and ineffective government programs, foster partisanship and favoritism, and undermine our military’s ability to plan for the future. In short, continuing resolutions feed Washington’s culture of complacency. It’s time to introduce some accountability into this process. It’s time to return to regular order.”Congressman Rob Wittman represents the 1st District of Virginia. He serves on the House Natural Resources Committee and the House Armed Services Committee, where he is Chairman of the Readiness Subcommittee.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://brat.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=274,Congress Overrides President Obama’s Veto,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,David Brat,B001290,brat.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Brat (R-Va.) issued the following statement after Congress voted to override the president’s veto of S. 2040, the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act.“Today Congress acted in a bipartisan manner to support the families of 9/11 victims by overriding President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act. The families of America’s deadliest terrorist attack deserve the truth and I am happy that we were able to support the cause of justice today. This action is long overdue and I am proud to have supported this legislation.”This legislation would allow Americans to sue a foreign state for injuries, death, or damages that occur inside the United States as a result of terrorism, committed by a foreign state or official.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=689,"New information, more questions, but few answers from the FBI",2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Wednesday, September 28, 2016, Director James Comey testified before the House Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing on the Federal Bureau of Investigation. At the hearing, members of the House Judiciary Committee pressed Director Comey on his recommendation and the Department of Justice’s decision to not prosecute Secretary Clinton for mishandling classified information through private email servers.Background: • On July 5, 2016, Director Comey announced that the FBI does not recommend criminal charges against former State Department Secretary Hillary Clinton, even though federal law criminalizes mishandling classified information with “gross negligence.” Following his announcement, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and over 200 members of Congress sent a letter to Director Comey pressing for more information regarding the many questions surrounding his recommendation.• On July 11, 2016, Chairman Goodlatte and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) requested that the Department of Justice open an investigation into whether Secretary Clinton committed perjury and made false statements when testifying under oath before Congress. Contrary to statements she made before the House Select Committee on Benghazi hearing in October 2015, Secretary Clinton sent and received emails that were marked classified at the time; her lawyers did not read each email in her personal account to identify all the work-related messages; she used several different servers and numerous devices to send and receive work-related emails; and she did not provide all of her work-related emails to the Department of Justice.Hearing Takeaways: • At the hearing, Director Comey defended the FBI’s conclusion of its investigation into Secretary Clinton, but new information casts serious doubts about whether the decision to not prosecute Hillary Clinton was made impartially.• For example, Cheryl Mills, chief of staff and counselor to Secretary Clinton at the State Department, was granted immunity for the production of her laptop and was able to be in the room with Secretary Clinton while she was interviewed by the FBI. In all of his years in law enforcement, Director Comey admitted that he had never heard of a potential witness representing a subject of an investigation during an interview with investigators. • The FBI never considered electronically recording Hillary Clinton’s interview with the FBI despite the fact that the Deputy Attorney General issued a memo to all DOJ components encouraging them to do just that in such situations. Key Videos:House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) challenges the FBI’s conclusions in the Clinton investigation and presses Director Comey on Congress’ perjury referral and the immunity deals provided to key Clinton advisors: “Hillary Clinton chose to send and receive Top Secret information over a personal, unsecure computer server housed in her various homes and once reportedly placed in a bathroom closet. These actions, without a doubt, opened these communications to hostile interception by our enemies and those who wish America harm …“We, as Congress and the American people, are troubled how such gross negligence is not punished, and why there seems to be a different standard for the well-connected.”Representative Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), a former federal prosecutor, explains why Secretary Clinton should have been prosecuted:“Intent is awfully hard to prove. Very rarely do defendants announce ahead of time ‘I intend to commit this crime on this date’ … So you have to prove it by circumstantial evidence. Such as whether or not the person intended to set up an email system outside the State Department; such as whether or not the person knew or should have known that his or her job involved handling classified information; whether or not the person was truthful about using multiple devices….“The way to prove [intent] is whether or not someone took steps to conceal or destroy what they have done. That is the best evidence you have is that they knew it was wrong, that they lied about it.” Representative John Ratcliffe (R-Texas) presses Director Comey about why Secretary Clinton was not charged with obstruction of justice:“I want to make sure the record is clear about the evidence that you did not have [in the investigation]:The FBI did not have the Clintons’ personal Apple server used for Hillary Clinton’s work emails … An Apple MacBook laptop and thumb drive that contained Hillary Clinton’s email archives was lost … Two blackberry devices provided didn’t have SIM cards or SD data cards … 13 Hillary Clinton personal mobile devices were lost, discarded, or destroyed with a hammer … Various sever backups were deleted over time … After the State Department, and my colleague Mr. Gowdy here notified Ms. Clinton that her records would be sought by the Benghazi Committee, copies of her emails on laptops of both of her lawyers were wiped clean with BleachBit … After those emails were subpoenaed, Hillary Clinton’s email archives were also permanently deleted from the Platt River Network with BleachBit … And also after the subpoena, backups of the Platt River server were manually deleted. “Collectively this list screams obstruction of justice.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-votes-override-president-obama-s-veto-justice-against-sponsors,Comstock Votes To Override President Obamas Veto Of The Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act,2016-09-28,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House overrode President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA): “President Obama’s veto of the Justice Against Sponsors of Terrorism Act (JASTA) was soundly defeated today by both the House and Senate. Now, victims of terrorist attacks and their families will have the legal mechanism to sue foreign nations if an agent or that foreign government played a part in an act of international terrorism.  With this override of President Obama’s veto, it is simple justice that Congress stands with the victims of terrorism.”     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398629,Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for October,2016-09-26,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of October. October 4, 2016 Tazewell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm American Legion Building 226 Central Avenue Tazewell, VA Buchanan County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Grundy Town Hall 1185 Plaza Drive Grundy, VA Pulaski County:    2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Dublin Town Hall Route 100, 1 mile North of I-81 Dublin, VA October 5, 2016 Smyth County:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Town Council Chambers 138 West Main Street Marion, VA  Covington:     10:00 am – 12:00 pm Covington City Hall City Hall Conference Room 333 W. Locust Street Covington, VA Craig County:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Craig County Administration Building 108 Court Street New Castle, VA Bristol:     2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bristol VA Public Library Upstairs Conference Room 701 Goode Street Bristol, VA October 6, 2016 Lee County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Lee County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room – Suite U101 33640 Main Street Jonesville, VA Martinsville:   12:00 pm – 2:00 pm NCI Room 106 – Classroom Building 30 Franklin Street Martinsville, VA Norton:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Norton City Council Chambers 618 Virginia Avenue NW Norton, VA October 11, 2016 Giles County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Pearisburg Town Hall 112 Tazewell Street Pearisburg, VA Dickenson County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Dickenson Center for Education & Research 818 Happy Valley Drive Clintwood, VA Salem:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Salem Town Hall 114 N. Broad Street Salem, VA Wise County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue E Big Stone Gap, VA October 12, 2016 Radford:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Radford Public Library Meeting Room 30 West Main Street Radford, VA Pulaski County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Pulaski County Library Meeting Room 60 3rd Street NW Pulaski, VA October 13, 2016 Grayson County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Grayson County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room – Suite 206 129 Davis Street Independence, VA Russell County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Southwest Virginia Technology Development Center 141 Highland Drive Lebanon, VA Tazewell County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Bluefield Town Hall – Council Chambers 112 Huffard Drive Bluefield, VA Galax:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Galax Municipal Building Conference Room 111 E. Grayson Street Galax, VA October 18, 2016 Carroll County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Carroll County Administration Building Board of Supervisors Room 605 – 1 Pine Street Hillsville, VA Floyd County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Floyd Town Hall 134 Wilson Street Floyd, VA October 19, 2016 Henry County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bassett Historical Society 3964 Fairystone Parkway Bassett, VA Bland County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Bland County Courthouse Admin. Office Room 200 612 Main Street Bland, VA Wythe County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Wythe County Sheriff’s Office Conference Room 245 South 4th Street Wytheville, VA Patrick County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Patrick County Administration Building Conference Room 106 Rucker Street Stuart, VA October 20, 2016 Alleghany County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Clifton Forge Library Conference Room 535 Church Street Clifton Forge, VA Scott County:   10:00 am – 12:00 pm Community Services Building Community Room 190 Beech Street Gate City, VA Roanoke County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Roanoke Library Hollins Branch 6624 Peters Creek Road Roanoke, VA Wise County:   2:00 pm – 4:00 pm Big Stone Gap Federal Courthouse 3rd Floor Room 303 322 Wood Avenue E Big Stone Gap, VA   ** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://morgangriffith.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398630,Congressman Griffith's Weekly E-Newsletter 9.26.16,2016-09-26,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Morgan Griffith,G000568,morgangriffith.house.gov,,,legacy,"Big Insurance BailoutDuring a recent Energy and Commerce hearing, I questioned Andy Slavitt, Acting Administrator of the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), about CMS’ memo regarding Risk Corridors.  The Risk Corridors in Obamacare were protections for insurance companies who lost money in the exchanges.  Insurance companies who participated in the exchanges paid certain fees.  The theory was those insurance companies who lost money would be reimbursed out of those fees.  Projections by the Obama Administration indicated those fees should have been sufficient to pay for any and all losses. Based on information from the CMS website, in 2014, $362,000,000 was paid in by insurers.  However, insurance companies have requested $2,870,000,000 in payments.  Therefore, CMS estimates insurers will be paid 12.6% of requested funds, with a shortfall of $2,508,000,000. Now some big insurance companies are suing to be made whole. But Congress has required these payments be budget neutral, meaning CMS could only pay out what it took in from the fees.  CMS’ memo was essentially an invitation to insurers to sue and settle with the federal government for 2015 Risk Corridor payments.  But where is the money coming from?  In my questioning, I asked Acting Administrator Slavitt if CMS takes the position that insurance plans are entitled to be made whole on Risk Corridor payments even though there is no appropriation – congressional approved money – to do so.  After stumbling, Slavitt said, “Yes.  It’s an obligation of the federal government.” Mmm?  Congress dictates how much government can spend, and both Republicans and Democrats said CMS can only spend as much as was put in.  Thus, it is clear the Administration is once again attempting to thwart congressional intent. In this case, to bailout big insurance companies. Further, I asked if CMS intended to use the Judgement Fund to make Risk Corridor payments to these insurance plans.  According to and managed by the U.S. Treasury, the Judgment Fund is a “permanent, indefinite appropriation…available to pay compromise settlements entered into by the U.S. Department of Justice related to actual or imminent litigation…” Slavitt would not confirm, but did say that CMS is working with Justice. I, along with several of my colleagues from the Energy and Commerce Committee, wrote to Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia Burwell asking for specifics on how they plan to pay for settlements and relay some of our concerns.  In the letter, we stated, “It appears that any such settlements would come from the permanent appropriations for judgments (‘Judgment Fund’)…Further, the Administration’s explicit offer to settle these lawsuits appears to be a direct circumvention of the clear Congressional intent to prohibit the expenditure of federal dollars on this program…”   If Justice uses the Judgment Fund – the same fund the Administration used to pay Iran ransom payments – to settle these lawsuits, they would be ignoring congressional intent. The Risk Corridors program has failed. The Administration may bailout big insurance. What part of Obamacare unravels next? 80 Percent Not Helped I have consistently acknowledged that Obamacare has helped some, but many have been saddled with higher out-of-pocket costs and less choice.  Amongst the many negatively impacted, one woman I recently spoke with at the New River Valley Fair told me that Obamacare is killing her family.  In order to afford any insurance after Obamacare, she had to agree to pay high co-pays and deductibles.  These high co-pays and deductibles caused her and her husband to have to sell assets.  If the medical conditions continue, she fears being forced to sell her home. This is not the bright new future Obama promised when promoting his health care plan. According to a Washington Post Opinion piece titled, If Trump Wins, Blame Obamacare, “Only 18 percent of Americans believe the Affordable Care Act has helped their families; 80 percent say it has hurt or had no effect.”  Not only was the launch of the website a disaster, but only 17 state-based exchanges were established and four of those have already failed.  Additionally, many of the 23 original nonprofit co-ops have crumbled. The promises of Obamacare – you can keep your doctor and your premiums will be lower – have proven false for many Americans. And now more bad news.  Insurance providers are dropping like flies due to substantial losses under Obamacare, resulting in slim pickings of insurance plans for many Americans, particularly rural Americans. What part of Obamacare will unravel next? If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office.  You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671.  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. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=686,Hearing Wrap Up: Oversight of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement,2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Thursday, September 22, 2016, Director Sarah Saldaña testified before the House Judiciary Committee at an oversight hearing on U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). ICE is the federal agency that is charged with enforcing U.S. immigration laws. However, under the policies of the Obama Administration and under the direction of Director Saldaña, ICE’s immigration enforcement efforts have withered away, which results in hundreds of thousands of unlawfully present and criminal aliens remaining in American communities.Background: • Under the Obama Administration, political appointees at the Department of Homeland Security and its component agency, ICE, have made unilateral changes to the immigration system. The Administration’s policies allow criminal aliens to evade the law, make our communities less safe, enable dangerous sanctuary city policies, and encourage more illegal immigration.• In the past three years alone, ICE released over 86,000 convicted criminal aliens, including those with homicide, sexual assault, and kidnapping convictions. Additionally, nearly 370,000 known criminal aliens with deportation orders or in removal proceedings remain at large. Hearing Takeaways: • On top of the Obama Administration’s lax immigration enforcement record, DHS Secretary Johnson recently directed a review to determine if private detention facilities used to detain the vast majority of unlawful and criminal aliens should continue to be used. In response to questioning from House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Director Saldaña stated that if private detention facilities were closed, then the system would be turned upside down and ICE would not be able to meet its mandate of maintaining 34,000 detention beds.• Director Saldaña failed to explain how the number of convictions associated with criminal aliens ICE released in Fiscal Year 2014 jumped from 79,059 to 92,347—an increase of over 13,000—in just over four months. She also did not know how many of those aliens had been re-arrested for crimes after their release, but she agreed to provide that data to the Committee.• As a result of a 2001 Supreme Court decision, thousands of criminal aliens ordered deported have not been removed, often because their home countries refuse to accept them back. Yet, under current law, the U.S. State Department is able to cease issuing visas to nationals of countries that refuse to accept the return of their citizens who have been ordered removed from the United States. Several members of the House Judiciary Committee pressed Director Saldaña to explain what she and DHS officials have done to pressure the State Department to exercise this authority. She admitted that DHS has not yet formally notified the State Department to use its mandatory authority. In addition, under current law, ICE has the authority to detain terrorist aliens who cannot be removed. Yet, Director Saldaña admitted that ICE released at least one alien with a terrorism-related conviction rather than using this authority. Key Videos:House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) outlines the conflict between ICE’s mission and its so-called priorities:“ICE cannot combat illegal immigration by refusing to arrest those who have knowingly violated our immigration laws, or by releasing over 86,000 convicted criminal aliens over the last three years. These are not policies that protect Americans and help secure our borders.”Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) calls on Director Saldaña to crack down on sanctuary cities: “When I go back home, it is really hard for the people we represent to understand – particularly in light of what they perceive to be a federal government that is willing to get involved in certain state and local issues, not being as animated about jurisdictions that consider themselves as sanctuary cities. What tools do you need to be able to get local jurisdictions to cooperate?”Representative Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) presses Director Saldaña on why the Obama Administration hasn’t punished countries that refuse to take back their citizens who commit crimes in the United States:“Wouldn’t it be at a bare minimum appropriate to provide the Department of State the insistence on your behalf, through Secretary Johnson, that visas should be withheld from countries that refuse to take back the individuals who committed crimes?”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=687,Goodlatte & Conyers Urge Americans to Work Together Following Shootings in Tulsa and Charlotte,2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.), leaders of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group, today issued the following joint statement on the police-involved shootings in Tulsa, Oklahoma, and Charlotte, North Carolina, and subsequent protests:“The heartbreaking images from Tulsa and Charlotte remind us once again that our nation has much work to do on the issues of the use of force by police and the relationship between law enforcement and the community. There must be an end to these senseless acts of violence. While authorities investigate the two police-involved shootings, we call for peace and urge every American to work together to address the issues fueling tensions within their communities. “As leaders of the bipartisan Policing Strategies Working Group, we will continue to work towards solutions at the federal level on this matter of national importance.” Background: In July 2016, House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers (D-Mich.) announced a bipartisan working group to examine the use of excessive force by police, aggression towards law enforcement, and public safety concerns related to these issues. Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers are leading the working group. Members of the working group are: Representatives Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.), Doug Collins (R-Ga.), Dave Reichert (R-Wash.), Susan Brooks (R-Ind.), Will Hurd (R-Texas), Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas), Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), Cedric Richmond (D-La.), Keith Ellison (D-Minn.), and Robin Kelly (D-Ill.).In July, the working group held a meeting with a pastor of an African American church and a scholar who specializes in police and community relations. In August, the working group traveled to Detroit, Michigan, to meet with local community leaders and law enforcement. Yesterday, the Policing Strategies Working Group held a private roundtable with law enforcement.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-government-efficiency-bill-passage,Comstock On Government Efficiency Bill Passage,2016-09-23,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (R-VA) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed the House amendment to S. 1550, the Program Management Improvement and Accountability Act of 2015, by a vote of 404 to 11: “I am pleased to join my colleagues in voting for this bill that will improve accountability practices within our government.  This commonsense legislation will create greater efficiencies in our government agencies and ultimately save taxpayer dollars.  By passing this bill, Congress will ensure that governmental agencies share best practices with each other through an interagency council.  An effective, more efficient government can be achieved by improved time management, setting standards and metrics for performance and improving agency communications, and this bill aims to accomplish these goals.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=681,"ICE Document Highlights Security Gaps in Refugee, Asylum Systems",2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Today, after obtaining an internal document from U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-Utah) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson requesting information related to security vulnerabilities in the refugee and asylum systems.Excerpts from the letter are below:“The President's decision to increase overall refugee resettlement-and specifically that of Syrian refugees-ignores warnings from his own national security officials that Syrians cannot be adequately vetted to ensure terrorists are not admitted. Revelations about fraud, security gaps, and lack of oversight have demonstrated that the program is creating national security risks. “The Committees obtained an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document that confirms those serious concerns... The document confirms a key finding from the Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, that 'terrorists will utilize benefit fraud (to include asylum and refugee fraud) to legitimize their stay in the United States.”The deadline for DHS to respond is October 4, 2016.Full letter can be viewed here or below.Dear Mr. Secretary:The Immigration and Nationality Act requires the President to set the number of refugees to be admitted in a subsequent fiscal year after ""appropriate consultation"" with Congress. During each year in office, President Obama has set the refugee ceiling without consulting Congress in a meaningful way. Instead, he has informed Congress of a decision that has already been made. That was the President's approach, again, with respect to the refugee ceiling for fiscal year 2017. On September 13, 2016, Secretary of State John Kerry informed Congress that the Administration will set the refugee ceiling for FY 2017 at 110,000. He also noted that the number of Syrian refugees admitted during FY 2017 will increase to a number greater than the 13,000 that were admitted during FY 2016. In setting the number, the Administration does not appear to consider how refugee resettlement will affect local communities. The decision to resettle refugees in a community is ultimately left up to the State Department. That sensitive decision should occur in consultation with local community leaders, but it often does not. In fact, the Administration's communications with state and local officials is sometimes so perfunctory that residents are taken by surprise when refugees start arriving. The President's decision to increase overall refugee resettlement-and specifically that of Syrian refugees-ignores warnings from his own national security officials that Syrians cannot be adequately vetted to ensure terrorists are not admitted. Revelations about fraud, security gaps, and lack of oversight have demonstrated that the program is creating national security risks. Our Committees obtained an internal Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) document that confirms those serious concerns. That document is enclosed for your ready reference. The document confirms a key finding from the Staff Report of the National Commission on Terrorist Attacks upon the United States, that ""terrorists will utilize benefit fraud (to include asylum and refugee fraud) to legitimize their stay in the United States."" The document states:The Immigration System is a constant target for exploitation by individuals who seek to enter the United States and who are otherwise ineligible for entry based on security grounds. The Refugee Program is one such avenue in which ineligible aliens seek to enter by fraud.* * *[The] Refugee Program is particularly vulnerable to fraud due to loose evidentiary requirements where at times the testimony of an applicant alone is sufficient for approval. As a result, a range of bad actors, who use manufactured histories, biographies and other false statements, as well as produce and submit fictitious supporting documentation, have exploited this program.* * *In many instances, the applicant for a benefit (including both asylum and refugee status) receives a government issued document that contains the biographic information that the applicant supplied. This document can be used for many things, such as obtaining a driver's license.* * *Identity fraud can be prevalent in the refugee process. The uniform processing of refugees by the Dep (DHS) offices takes places in foreign refugee camps. Typically, these camps have been established outside of war zones and many have open access, thereby allowing individuals to infiltrate and purchase the identities of those individuals already in the process.* * *Refugee fraud is easy to commit, yet not easy to investigate [because] [r]efugee laws purposefully contain relaxed evidentiary requirements . . . , Refugee applications do not require sponsorship of a third party, such as a relative or employer, [and] Refugee claims are typically made in areas of the world where it is difficult to investigate the veracity of the claim.To help our Committees understand how the Administration set the refugee ceiling for FY 2017, and whether national security concerns were adequately considered with respect to increasing the number of Syrian refugees, please provide answers to the following questions:1. Was the information contained in the internal ICE document used to inform Secretary Kerry and the White House of potential vulnerabilities related to the refugee and asylum process?2. Was this information considered during the Administration's decision-making process for increasing the refugee ceiling by 35,000 refugees and for increasing the number of Syrian refugees?3. When was this document circulated within DHS, and when did you receive it?4. Was this document, and the information contained in it, shared with U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services?5. Was this document, and the information contained in it, shared with the U.S. Department of State?6. How does DHS plan to address the challenges posed by the refugee program that are described in the document? Will DHS work with State Department to address these challenges?7. The document contains a list of potential solutions to address vulnerabilities within the refugee and the asylum process. Which of these potential solutions has DHS implemented and which does the Department plan to implement?Provide this information as soon as possible, but no later than 5:00 p.m. on October 4, 2016. Please also provide a briefing to both Committees on this topic.The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is the principal oversight committee of the House of Representatives and may at ""any time"" investigate ""any matter"" as set forth in House Rule X. The Committee on the Judiciary has specific jurisdiction over immigration matters. When producing documents to the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, please deliver production sets to the Majority Staff in Room 2157 of the Rayburn House Office Building and the Minority Staff in Room 2471 of the Rayburn House Office Building. Documents provided to the Committee on the Judiciary should be delivered to Room 2138 of the Rayburn House Office Building. The Committees prefer, if possible, to receive all documents in electronic format. An attachment to this letter provides additional information about responding to the Committees' request.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=682,Goodlatte & Gowdy Call on DHS to Revoke Citizenship for Those Who Should Have Been Deported,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Immigration and Border Security Subcommittee Chairman Trey Gowdy (R-S.C.) today called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Jeh Johnson to investigate and begin the process of revoking citizenship for people that obtained citizenship despite being ineligible and due to the Department’s systemic failures.Earlier this month, the DHS Office of Inspector General (IG) issued a report finding that at least 858 individuals who were ordered deported were instead granted citizenship because they used another identity when applying for citizenship and were not caught by federal immigration authorities since their fingerprints were never digitized and uploaded to government databases. The IG report also found that about 148,000 fingerprint records have not been digitized for aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives.In their letter to Secretary Johnson, Goodlatte and Gowdy call on the Department of Homeland Security to initiate a plan to investigate and refer for criminal prosecution and denaturalization proceedings each person identified in the IG’s report who has been granted citizenship based on fraudulent identity. They also call on DHS to provide information to the House Judiciary Committee about what it has done to remedy this systemic failure. Below is the text of the letter. The signed copy can be found here. September 22, 2016The Honorable Jeh Johnson Secretary U.S. Department of Homeland Security Washington, D.C. 20528Dear Secretary Johnson, We write regarding the September 8, 2016, U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Office of Inspector General (IG) report entitled, “Potentially Ineligible Individuals Have Been Granted U.S. Citizenship Because of Incomplete Fingerprint Records.” The IG report stated that, “USCIS granted U.S. citizenship to at least 858 individuals ordered deported or removed under another identity when, during the naturalization process, their digital fingerprint records were not in the DHS digital fingerprint repository, IDENT.” In addition, the IG found that, “U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has identified about 148,000 older fingerprint records that have not been digitized of aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives.” Thus, still more individuals could have been naturalized despite their ineligibility to do so. Administration officials repeatedly tell those of us in Congress and the American people that the immigration benefits vetting process is robust and secure. Concerns we raise about the process are continuously dismissed in favor of Administration actions to expand the scope of eligibility for immigration benefits. Yet time and time again, those concerns are proven valid. Whether it is with the improper grant of a fiancée visa to an individual who goes on to commit a terrorist attack in California, or with the improper naturalization of hundreds of individuals whose fingerprints were never automated, there is no doubt that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services’ (USCIS) adjudication is not the secure and robust process that we are asked to believe. USCIS’ first responsibility is to the American people, and that responsibility is to ensure that foreign nationals approved for immigration benefits are, in fact, who they claim to be. Without such elementary knowledge of the individuals seeking immigration benefits, the U.S. immigration system and any claimed security protections therein are rendered useless. In addition, naturalization not only bestows rights and benefits to the individual naturalized, but also for their family members. So through chain migration, one individual fraudulently naturalized can result in hundreds of additional naturalizations. Such actions make a mockery of U.S. immigration law and policy. As you also know, federal law allows USCIS to refer an individual to the Department of Justice for denaturalization proceedings in the case of an individual who USCIS believes to have “illegally procured or procured by concealment of a material fact or by willful misrepresentation,” naturalization. Federal law also allows such referrals for criminal prosecution. Thus, we request that you initiate a plan to investigate and refer for criminal prosecution and denaturalization proceedings, each individual in the group described by the IG to have been naturalized based on a fraudulent identity and despite having fingerprints that were not previously entered into the system. In addition, we request the following information:1) For the 858 individuals who were found to have been naturalized despite being ordered deported or removed under a different identity: a) How many have been investigated to determine whether they were truly eligible at the time of naturalization? b) How many aliens have been naturalized or received other immigration benefits based on the U.S. citizenship status of the fraudulently naturalized individual? What, if any, action has been taken to denaturalize or revoke immigration benefits from such individuals? c) How many have been referred to the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) for criminal prosecution? d) How many have been referred to DOJ for denaturalization proceedings? e) Of the cases referred for criminal prosecution, how many cases has DOJ agreed to prosecute and how many have been prosecuted? Please indicate the outcomes of any such prosecutions. f) Of the cases referred for denaturalization proceedings, how many cases has DOJ agreed to take and how many proceedings have been initiated? Please indicate the outcomes of those cases. g) How many have been determined, through investigation, to have been eligible for naturalization despite the fraud used to gain naturalization? For each individual found to have been eligible, please indicate the reasons for such a finding. h) Please provide us monthly updated numbers on a) through g) above as the process continues. 2) For the 148,000 fingerprint records that have not been digitized of aliens with final deportation orders or who are criminals or fugitives: a) What is your plan to investigate the number of those individuals who have been naturalized or have received other immigration benefits? b) Please provide monthly updated statistics regarding those of the 148,000 who were naturalized and the number who were naturalized under a new identity. c) Of the number who have already been naturalized, how many have been referred to DOJ for criminal prosecution? How many has DOJ agreed to prosecute? d) Of the number who have already been naturalized, how many have been referred to DOJ for denaturalization proceedings? Against how many has DOJ agreed to begin denaturalization proceedings? Please respond to the above questions no later than October 5, 2016. If you have questions regarding this letter, please contact Andrea Loving on the House Judiciary Committee staff at (202) 225-3926. We appreciate in advance, your prompt response. Sincerely,Bob Goodlatte ChairmanTrey Gowdy Subcommittee Chairman",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=683,"Goodlatte, Grassley Seek Details on DOJs Role In Proposed Transfer of Internet Stewardship Authorities",2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"House Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) are calling on the Justice Department to explain its role in advising the Obama Administration in its plan to relinquish authority of key internet domain name functions. In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch, the chairmen express concern about the proposal, given an abundance of unanswered questions regarding internet openness, control of government domains, the disposal of government property and antitrust considerations.“With so many outstanding questions remaining, especially in the areas in which DOJ would seem to have direct subject matter expertise, we believe it is important to understand what input and contributions the Attorney General and the DOJ made in blessing this transfer and in answering many of the specific questions that were raised by other agency participants during the process,” the chairmen said in the letter.The chairmen raised specific concerns that the proposal relies upon a non-binding letter between the U.S. and the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) to safeguard Top Level Domains such as .gov and .mil. They are also seeking details of any legal analysis of the constitutionality of relinquishing ownership of U.S. government property, such as the root zone file, without congressional approval. Finally, the chairmen are seeking details on any analysis DOJ conducted regarding the antitrust implications of terminating the U.S. government’s contract with ICANN.Text of the Grassley-Goodlatte letter follows:September 21, 2016The Honorable Loretta E. Lynch Attorney General U.S. Department of Justice 950 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW Washington, D.C. 20530Dear Attorney General Lynch:The National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) has indicated that it intends to transfer key Internet domain name functions, known as the Internet Assigned Number Authority (IANA) functions, to a global multi-stakeholder community at the end of Fiscal Year 2016. As you are aware, when announcing this proposed transition on March, 2014, the NTIA specified that such a proposal must have broad community support and maintain the security, stability, and resiliency of the Internet Domain Name System (DNS), meet the needs of the multi-stakeholder community and enhance the multi-stakeholder model, and maintain the openness of the Internet. Further, NTIA affirmed that it would “not accept a proposal that replaces the NTIA role with a government-led or an inter-governmental organization solution.”[1] We’re sure you would agree that the openness, security, and stability of the Internet are of paramount importance to all Internet users, and yet a number of outstanding issues related to this proposed transition have yet to be answered, threatening these very values. These include how the transfer will effect free speech and the openness of the Internet, if U.S. control of the .mil and .gov domains will be compromised, if the transfer will open the Internet to undue influence from foreign nations, if the transfer will lead to the improper conveyance of United States government property, or if the transfer affects any existing antitrust immunity and increases the likelihood of significant antitrust litigation. Further, a recent Declaration by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers’ (ICANN) Independent Review Panel calls into question the credibility of ICANN’s ability to carry out basic duties of board self-governance.[2] This document reveals that ICANN’s Board Governance Committee has “failed several transparency obligations,”[3] engaged in the “cavalier treatment”[4] of constituent requests, and failed to undertake an examination of whether ICANN staff or contractors complied with their obligations under the Articles and Bylaws of incorporation (finding that this failure is “itself a failure by the Board to comply with its obligations under the Articles and Bylaws.”).[5] These failures raise serious concerns about the ability ICANN to exercise proper corporate oversight and call into question ICANN’s organizational maturity. Simply put, with so many unanswered questions and from what available evidence we do have, this transition is not in the best interest of a free, open, and secure Internet – nor is it in the best interest of the United States. Ending the United States contractual relationship with ICANN is dangerous and it is bad policy.According to NTIA, the Department of Justice (DOJ) has participated in a “DNS Interagency Working Group” of U.S. government agencies who have been tasked with developing a methodology to assess whether or not the NTIA’s criteria are met. Specifically, the DNS Interagency Working Group has convened at least monthly to “coordinate and develop policies and positions related to DNS issues” and engage on “matters related to the IANA Stewardship Transition, including proposal review and assessment.”[6] NTIA recently announced that it expects the transition proposal will meet the agency criteria set forth in 2014, presumably with the support of the DNS Interagency Working Group, and plans to allow NTIA’s contract with ICANN to lapse. As a key agency participant in the discussion surrounding the transfer of the IANA functions, we are interested in DOJ’s substantive input concerning the decision to transfer the IANA functions and to allow the federal government’s contract with ICANN to lapse. With so many outstanding questions remaining, especially in areas in which DOJ would seem to have direct subject matter expertise, we believe it is important to understand what input and contributions the Attorney General and the DOJ made in blessing this transfer and in answering many of the specific questions that were raised by other agency participants during the process. We are deeply troubled that DOJ’s Office of Legal Counsel (OLC) has not provided a formal legal opinion concerning these issues, including the constitutional questions. As you know, OLC provides authoritative legal advice to the President and all Executive Branch agencies, including legal advice on all constitutional questions. It is quite frankly shocking that the Commerce Department would fail to seek such an opinion before proceeding down this path.NTIA has acknowledged widespread concerns related to the potential loss of control of U.S. governmentally administered domain names such as .mil and .gov. In an attempt to allay these concerns, NTIA has stated that the operation of these Top Level Domains (TLDs) are not impacted by the transition and that “per the policies, procedures, and practices in place, .mil and .gov cannot be transferred without explicit agreement from the current administrators of those domains – namely, the U.S. government.”[7] Yet, the only mechanism NTIA has enacted to affirm that the United States is, and will remain, the administrator of .gov and .mil TLDs is through the exchange of non-binding letters with ICANN. As such, the only true assurance the United States has regarding the important .mil and .gov TLDs comes from a non-legally binding, two paragraph letter from ICANN CEO Goran Marby that calls on ICANN to honor and maintain its commitments with respect to the U.S. governmentally administered TLDs. These assurances are certainly are not legally binding and could lead to the loss of the TLDs despite the declarations of NTIA and ICANN. As you are likely aware, concerns continue to exist regarding whether or not the administration has the constitutional authority to conduct the IANA transition without the authorization of Congress because of the United States property interests in the root zone file – or other similar components of the Internet that were created and financed by the United States. Under Article IV, Section 3 of the Constitution, Congress has the exclusive power “to dispose of and make all needful rules and regulations respecting the territory or other property belonging to the United States.” Additionally, should NTIA end its contract with ICANN, any antitrust protections that ICANN currently enjoys as an organization operating under government control would end. ICANN may then be vulnerable to a dramatic increase in antitrust suits and could be compelled to seek the protection of other governmental or quasi-governmental entities to limit this exposure. Should ICANN seek a new antitrust shield in this manner, ICANN could be subject to limitations on political freedoms that come from groups such as the United Nations International Telecommunications Union. With these issues in mind, please provide answers to the following questions:• With regard to the security of the .mil, .gov, and U.S. governmentally administered TLDs, does the Attorney General and the Justice Department believe that the mere exchange of letters between NTIA and ICANN is preferable to a binding legal agreement? If so why? Please provide the Department’s rationale? • Did the DOJ advise NTIA regarding this resolution of government administered TLDs? • Should ICANN delegate U.S. government administered TLDs, contrary to current assurances, what action will the DOJ take? • With the lack of certainty over the disposition of government property in the IANA transfer, has NTIA ever referred this issue to DOJ for analysis or has DOJ ever conducted an analysis of this question on its own? If so, what are its findings? • Does the Attorney General believe that there is no possibility that NTIA’s planned transition of the IANA functions may potentially relinquish ownership of United States property? What analysis did you conduct to come to this conclusion? • As a member of the DNS Interagency Working Group or otherwise, has the DOJ conducted a review of the antitrust implications of NTIA’s termination of its contract with ICANN? If so, please provide a copy of this review. If not, why not?This unalterable action poses serious ramifications for the security and openness of the Internet. As a member of the DNS Interagency Working Group, we’d like to know what role that you and the DOJ played in this transition. We appreciate your timely responses to these important questions no later than September 27, 2016.Sincerely,Charles E. Grassley Chairman Senate Committee on the Judiciary Bob Goodlatte Chairman House Committee on the JudiciaryCC: The Honorable Shaun Donovan Director, Office of Management and Budget",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=684,Goodlatte Votes to Condemn Ransom Payments to Iran,2016-09-22,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"On January 17, 2016, an unmarked airplane transported $400 million in cash to Iran, coinciding with the release of five American hostages. According to the State Department, the sum was paid to Iran for undelivered military equipment from the 1970s. However, the payment was withheld from Iran until the American hostages were released. Since news of these actions went public last month, questions have arisen about the nature of this payment and whether it was in fact a ransom payment to Iran. Tonight, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) released the following statement on passage in the House of Representatives of H.R. 5931, the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act, by a vote of 254-163:“While the State Department refuses to call this $400 million in cash paid to Iran a ransom payment, the timing of the payment is certainly no coincidence. Paying ransom has serious foreign policy implications and does more harm than good. It empowers, emboldens, and incentivizes our adversaries across the globe to capture and hold Americans hostage for ransom. Tonight, I supported the Prohibiting Future Ransom Payments to Iran Act to prohibit all cash payments to Iran – period. H.R. 5931 also requires greater transparency to Congress on any future settlements with Iran. The Obama Administration has misled the American people, putting more American lives in harm’s way. These actions will not stand. The United States must continue to stand our ground against deplorable actions of terrorists, not cave to them or those who seek to support them.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=678,Goodlatte Names Roanoke Family 2016 Angels in Adoption,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Yesterday, Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) recognized Adam and Lynsey Stultz of Roanoke as the Sixth District of Virginia’s 2016 “Angels in Adoption.” The Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Program celebrates individuals, couples, or organizations from across the nation making an extraordinary contribution on behalf of children in need of homes. Members of Congress have the opportunity to honor one nominee from each congressional district per year. Congressman Goodlatte is a member of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption. A ceremony was held in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to honor these nominees. Congressman Goodlatte released the following statement:“It is my honor to recognize the Stultz family as the Sixth District’s 2016 ‘Angels in Adoption.’ The story of the Stultz family is one of love and perseverance. For over three years, Adam and Lynsey waited to bring their two adopted daughters home from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. While political turmoil in that country prevented them from bringing their legally-adopted daughters to the United States, they did not give up. After multiple trips, countless Skype calls, advocacy for their daughters’ release, and a community of prayer, Adam and Lynsey welcomed both girls home to Roanoke earlier this year. They are truly deserving of this recognition. Their perseverance and love have changed the lives of two little girls, and taken another step toward making the dream of a loving family a reality for every child.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://goodlatte.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=680,Goodlatte Praises House Passage of Bill to Stop High Impact Regulations,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Robert Goodlatte,G000289,goodlatte.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.), Chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, issued the following statement on today’s approval by the House of Representatives of the Require Evaluation before Implementing Executive Wishlists (REVIEW) Act of 2016 (H.R. 3438) by a vote of 244-180.Goodlatte: “High-impact regulations are often litigated in the courts for years, and hardworking Americans too often must cover billions in compliance costs for these regulations even as they pursue successful litigation to challenge them. This costly and wasteful practice is another regulatory burden that can easily be taken off the backs of the American people.“The passage of the REVIEW Act is a better way to reduce wasteful government spending and ensure Americans can keep their hard-earned money. The bill frees up billions of precious dollars to be spent on the jobs and investment America currently needs.”Background: Introduced by Regulatory Reform, Commercial and Antitrust Law Subcommittee Chairman Marino and cosponsored by House Judiciary Committee Chairman Goodlatte, the REVIEW Act stops “high impact rules” with costs of $1 billion dollars or more annually from taking effect until any timely-filed court challenges to the regulations in question are concluded.The REVIEW Act amends the Administrative Procedure Act to establish:• a definition for “high-impact rules”—those costing $1 billion or more annually; and, • an automatic administrative stay of all “high-impact rules” pending final judicial review if a legal challenge is filed within 60 days of the rules’ issuance or the time otherwise prescribed to seek judicial review.Click here to learn more about the bill.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://comstock.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/comstock-s-inspire-women-act-passes-senate-committee,Comstocks INSPIRE Women Act Passes Senate Committee,2016-09-21,2016,2016-09,Republican,House,VA,Barbara Comstock,C001105,comstock.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, DC – Congresswoman Barbara Comstock (VA-10) issued the following statement after H.R. 4755, the Inspiring the Next Space Pioneers, Innovators, Researchers, and Explorers (INSPIRE) Women Act passed the United States Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee.   “I am pleased to see that the INSPIRE Women Act passed the U.S. Senate Commerce Committee today and now is one step closer to becoming law.   The INSPIRE Women Act will help American businesses find skilled workers in the traditional STEM fields.  The legislation calls on the NASA Administrator to develop a plan within NASA to have retired astronauts, scientists, engineers, and innovators to engage and share their vast knowledge with K-12 female STEM students.  NASA will use virtual mentoring programs using technology to pair NASA mentors with STEM students across the country. Given the broad based bipartisan support the bill has, the U.S. Senate should bring up this bill before it recesses.”  The INSPIRE Women Act authorizes the NASA Administrator to encourage women and girls to study science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, known as the STEM fields, and to pursue careers that will further advance America’s space science and exploration efforts through support of initiatives such as NASA GIRLS and NASA BOYS; Aspire-Inspire; and the Summer Institute in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Research.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z