Ben Cline gets to work in preparation for 116th Congress

LEXINGTON, Virginia — In what has been a whirlwind of activity since his election to Congress on November 6th, Representative-elect Ben Cline has hit the ground running following orientation last month for new Members of Congress in Washington, D.C. He submitted his top requests to Republican leaders for House Committee assignments, he has filled his senior staff positions for both his Washington and Virginia offices, and with the number one pick in the Congressional office drawing for the incoming freshmen class, he has selected his office space in the Longworth House Office Building.

Knowing the importance of agriculture to the 6th District, Cline requested appointment to the House Agriculture Committee in the 116th Congress. He has also sought appointments to the House Judiciary Committee and the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. His legal background and experience in the House of Delegates would bring invaluable experience to the Judiciary Committee. Cline also understands the importance of Interstate 81 to the region and would seek improvements to the interstate as a member of T&I. Committee assignments will be announced in coming weeks.

Representative-elect Cline has also been busy interviewing and selecting senior staff since the November election. He has named Matt Miller as his new Chief of Staff, Debbie Garrett as District Director, Nicole Manley as Legislative Director, and Ryan Saylor as Communications Director.

“Representing the great people of Virginia’s 6th Congressional District is a tremendous honor. Constituents deserve the best in public service, which I have worked hard to provide for them as their Delegate in Richmond. In the upcoming 116th Session of Congress, I am confident that this team will provide outstanding constituent service and strong legislative performance for the citizens of the Sixth Congressional District,” Cline said.

Matt Miller joins Representative-elect Cline’s office after serving the last year as the Deputy Assistant Secretary at the U.S. Department of Labor Office of Veterans Employment and Training. He has more than two decades of experience in the legislative and executive branches of government. Miller is a Navy veteran and has served in civilian and military roles in Guantanamo Bay, Cuba; Iraq; and Afghanistan. Additionally, he served as Chief of Staff in the Office of the Assistant Secretary, U.S. State Department’s Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement and for several Members of Congress. Prior to assuming his current role, Miller served as Senior Advisor to the Secretary of Labor from June – November 2017. He was the National Director of Veterans for Trump and the Pennsylvania State Director during the 2016 Presidential Primary. Miller is resident of Arlington, Virginia, and is the proud father of daughters Reagan and Madison. He holds a bachelor’s degree in political science and history from Mars Hill University.

Debbie Garrett brings to Representative-elect Cline’s office prior experience as District Director. She joined outgoing Representative Bob Goodlatte’s office as Staunton District Representative and subsequently was promoted to District Director. In this capacity, she was responsible for all constituent service and outreach operations in the 6th District while managing the district offices. Prior to entering federal service, Debbie held positions as Constituent Service Director and Legislative Aide to Delegate Ben Cline for Virginia’s 24th House of Delegates district. She has experience in economic development and as a small business owner. She continues to reside in her hometown of Buena Vista, where she previously served as Vice-Mayor. Debbie received a Bachelor of Arts in History from the College of William and Mary.

Nicole Manley served for eight years as Legislative Assistant to Representative-elect Cline during his tenure in the Virginia House of Delegates, and for the last five years as a Legal Assistant and Associate Counsel at Ben Cline, Attorney at Law, PLLC. Her ties to the 6th District run deep. She is a native of Lynchburg and a graduate of E.C. Glass High School. Nicole also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science from Lynchburg College (now the University of Lynchburg) and a Juris Doctor degree from Liberty University School of Law. Prior to her appointment as Legislative Director, she lived in Lexington for the last five years.

Ryan Saylor of Forest joins Cline’s office as Communications Director. Ryan previously served as Communications Director for Representative Bruce Westerman of Arkansas, joining his office in January 2015. Prior to government service, he worked as a journalist. Ryan was the primary political reporter for The City Wire in Fort Smith, Arkansas, from January 2013 until December 2014 where he covered the 2014 Election and local and county government. In 2012, he served as the lead reporter for the Paragould Daily Press in northeast Arkansas. His work there garnered national headlines after it was discovered city leaders had proposed implementing martial law to combat crime. Ryan has also worked in the non-profit sector, previously serving as Communications Director for a mid-sized Methodist church.

Cline, who assumes office officially on January 3, 2019, will keep district offices in Roanoke, Lynchburg, Staunton, and Harrisonburg. His Washington office will be located at 1009 Longworth House Office Building, Washington, D.C. 20003.