News and opinions from our elected officials
Internet Freedom: The recent stir about the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) repeal of “net neutrality” reminds me of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and friends worry about what lies in the enchanted forest. Rather than lions and tigers and bears, however, “net neutrality” supporters incant about the threat posed by “Google and Facebook and […]
Jerusalem Disclaimer: This column deals with a Middle Eastern issue. It is dangerous to make any attempt to explain the Middle East in less than four volumes, but on the issue of our embassy in Jerusalem, I will attempt to nonetheless. The city of Jerusalem holds a place of special importance in the story of […]
Wednesday, December 6, 2017 – The House Energy and Commerce Committee today unanimously advanced H.R. 2880, the Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act, introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA). The bill would streamline the licensing process the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) uses on closed-loop pumped storage projects. It would also require FERC to hold […]
Do Democrats Want a Shutdown? The American people elected Congress to do a job. The job’s requirements are no surprise, as Article I of the United States Constitution spelled them out 230 years. Among these duties, Congress is charged with the power of the purse. Deciding how to exercise that power isn’t easy, but then, […]
No Surprise Here – Green Climate Fund is a Boondoggle Sometimes problems catch you by surprise, and sometimes they can be anticipated well in advance. Recent setbacks for the global climate agenda fall into the latter category. Earlier this month, I alerted you that global carbon emissions continue to rise worldwide due to increased pollution […]
This week, people across the Ninth District and the country will sit down to celebrate Thanksgiving, the oldest uniquely American holiday. Thanksgiving was an established tradition well before the United States came into being. While most Americans are taught that Plymouth Colony’s harvest festival with local Native Americans in the fall of 1621 was the […]
On Sunday, the Virginia House Republican Caucus elected Delegate Nick Rush (R-Montgomery) as Majority Whip for the 2018-19 General Assembly. Majority Whip Rush will join the leadership team comprising of Speaker-designee Kirk Cox (R-Colonial Heights), Majority Leader Todd Gilbert (R-Shenandoah) and Caucus Chairman Tim Hugo (R-Fairfax). “I deeply appreciate the confidence my colleagues have placed […]
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “Our current tax system is a mess. I voted in favor of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to improve the tax code for families and businesses working to create jobs in our […]
According to the Washington Times: Two years after nearly every nation on earth signed the landmark Paris climate accord, researchers say the deal is failing to live up to its mission as China drives a spike in global carbon emissions, reversing years of steady decline. The sobering news comes as world leaders gather in Germany […]
A Dereliction of Duty: It is said that Abraham Lincoln once remarked in exasperation at the inaction of Federal General George McClellan, “If General McClellan isn’t going to use his army, I’d like to borrow it for a time.” My colleagues in the House of Representatives and I understand the sentiment. The United States Senate […]
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement in honor of Veterans Day: “Each November 11, Americans honor the men and women who have served in the Armed Forces. We owe our everlasting gratitude to those who risked their lives for this country and its ideals. “Veterans Day began as Armistice Day, a commemoration […]
Tax Reform Update: The House Ways and Means Committee recently released its bill to reform the tax code and started to mark up the bill on November 6. During the markup, the committee debates this legislation and considers amendments offered by any member of the committee. The whole House is expected to vote on the bill […]
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today voted in support of H.R. 849, the Protecting Seniors’ Access to Medicare Act. He cosponsored this bill, which was introduced by Congressman Phil Roe (R-TN). Congressman Griffith issued the following statement: “Obamacare has many flaws, but the Independent Payment Advisory Board (IPAB) is among the worst. IPAB gives unelected bureaucrats […]
Lessons from the Storms The 2017 hurricane season has been the most active and destructive to the United States in a number of years. From Puerto Rico to Texas, storms have caused devastation, some of which lingers long after the hurricanes have dissipated. The challenge of rebuilding is daunting. As part of the rebuilding process, […]
You may recall from civics class that our Federal Government has three separate branches: executive, legislative, and judicial. Your teachers probably never included the Sierra Club on that list. Thanks to the practice known as “sue and settle,” however, special interest groups like the Sierra Club may have more influence on our country’s laws than […]
“America is at the beginning of an energy Renaissance.” Energy Secretary Rick Perry recently offered this view in testimony before the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, on which I serve. His optimism marks a refreshing change from the last Administration. On February 23, 2012, then-President Obama ridiculed the idea that more oil drilling […]
Virginia House of Delegates Member Nick Freitas from Culpeper will be the guest speaker at the 9th Annual Grand Ole Pizza Party held at the Floyd County High School on Friday, October 20th at 6:00 P.M.. Freitas been married to his high school sweetheart and wife since 1999.They have 3 children, Lillyana, Luke and Alexandria. […]
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement regarding the formal notice from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) that it would withdraw the Obama Administration’s Clean Power Plan: “The Clean Power Plan was bad for the United States and Southwest Virginia. It would have killed jobs, cost too much, and exceeded the EPA’s legal […]
Right-to-Try Update The House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, on which I serve, recently heard testimony from Dr. Scott Gottlieb, head of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), about expanding access to new, unapproved treatments for patients with life-threatening illnesses. I have long supported the idea of “right-to-try,” having introduced bills on the […]
Benjamin Franklin famously noted that “in this world, nothing is certain except death and taxes.” He may have been right that taxes are a certainty, but there’s no reason why they have to be as complicated as the current U.S. tax code makes them. It’s been over thirty years since the last major tax reform, […]
Congressman Griffith Discusses Tax Reform on MSNBC
