News and opinions from our elected officials
Most weeks in the House of Representatives are busy. Votes, committee hearings, constituent meetings, etc., occupy my time. A recent week highlights how these activities affect policies that are meaningful in the lives of Virginians in the Ninth Congressional District. Energy and Commerce Committee Hearings: Pipelines and Abortion Many hours are spent on committee business, […]
Our region recently hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. I was honored to join him for much of his visit and participate in discussions with him and our region’s leaders about economic development and commerce. The Department of Commerce helps foster conditions for the economy to grow and businesses to thrive, and I am […]
The Wrong Approach to Immigration Reform One of America’s defining virtues is that its promise is open to people of all races and creeds. Our foundational principles apply to men and women no matter their land of origin. Yet this openness to all also places obligations on those who want to become Americans. Because we […]
Rare Earth Elements Countries can rise or fall based on what lies under their feet. Kingdoms in the Middle East gained power due to their vast reserves of oil. Gold and silver mines drove the populating of parts of the American West. In the 21st century, rare earth elements may be the essential resources that […]
On the last Monday of May, Americans remember those brave men and women who died defending our country. We honor all Americans who fell in battle on Memorial Day, but this year it also falls close to an important anniversary of a great battle. Seventy-five years ago, on June 6, Allied forces stormed the beaches […]
Robocalls Have you received an unsolicited call recently from a number that looked familiar? If so, you are far from alone. Robocalls increasingly plague our cell phones. They leave us unsure about who is calling and what is a legitimate call. Sometimes they trick those who pick up into sending money or divulging sensitive information. […]
As a Congressman, most of my reading consists of bills and material to prepare for hearings and other responsibilities. But events in Washington as of late have me thinking of a few novels. A bill the House Democrat majority passed reminded me of George Orwell’s 1984. One of the key ideas in Orwell’s book is […]
Socialist ideas are enjoying an unfortunate resurgence in our political debates. The United States is not a pure free-market economy, but we generally look toward the private sector to create wealth, innovate, and increase living standards for all. Proposals such as Medicare for All and the Green New Deal would radically shift the country toward […]
For a country to maintain economic leadership in the world, it must continually create, innovate, and improve in the technology sector. The United States remains at the cutting edge in many fields. Several recent news items show that our region, in fact, is where some exciting developments are taking place. As an example, you may […]
This week, U.S. Senator Tim Kaine will travel to Southwest Virginia to discuss education, economic development, and combating the drug addiction crisis. Kaine’s role on the Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP) Committee gives him a platform to carry the conversations he has around the Commonwealth with him as he works to reform America’s […]
The world watched on April 15 as Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris burned. No one was killed in the blaze, but the cathedral’s spire collapsed, and the wooden interior was consumed. The damage was calamitous. People across the world expressed their sorrow and have contributed to the rebuilding effort. The flames have been extinguished, but […]
In February, I wrote in this column about a series of hearings that were planned in the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations. The Subcommittee, on which I serve, wanted to launch an in-depth examination of rising insulin prices. Insulin is a necessity for millions of Americans suffering from diabetes, and […]
The men and women who serve in the U.S. Armed Forces are among the finest our nation has to offer. It is essential that we provide them with the best equipment and supplies available. In Shakespeare’s Richard III, the king famously laments, “A horse! A horse! My kingdom for a horse!” He loses a battle, […]
When not in Washington, D.C., voting in the U.S. House of Representatives during March, I was able to visit several sites where exciting research projects are underway. Previously, I wrote about some of them at Virginia Tech. More recently, I visited a farm site where scientific accomplishments once seemingly from the realm of a futuristic […]
During the recent congressional district work period, I had a chance to spend some time at Virginia Tech. While on campus, I met with some of the talented people who work and study there and heard firsthand about their important research and development projects. Some of their work promises great benefits for the economy and […]
