Cline Highlights Veterans Entrepreneurship Bill, Financial Privacy and Farm Trade

U.S. Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., highlighted legislation aimed at helping veterans start businesses, restricting the Federal Reserve from creating a central bank digital currency, and strengthening agricultural trade provisions in his latest update to residents of Virginia’s 6th Congressional District.

Cline also reported several stops across the district, including meetings with law enforcement officials, recognition of a longtime public safety employee, and a visit to a Staunton technology company.

A major focus of the update was the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2026, which Cline recently reintroduced.

The legislation would create a three-year pilot program through the Small Business Administration, allowing up to 250 veterans eligible for GI Bill benefits to use those resources for approved entrepreneurship training.

Under the proposal, participating veterans would apply for the program and take part in an approved business training course. Each participant would develop a business plan that would require approval from the training program adviser and the SBA’s Associate Administrator for Veterans Business Development.

Cline said the goal is to give veterans another option as they transition from military service to civilian life.

“After answering the call to serve our Nation, many veterans face an uphill battle as they transition back to civilian life,” Cline said. “The Veterans Entrepreneurship Act would expand pathways to small business ownership, helping veterans achieve the American Dream while creating jobs and strengthening our economy.”

Cline said helping veterans build businesses can also benefit local communities by creating employment and encouraging new investment.

“Providing those who defended our freedom with the tools to build successful businesses is one of the best ways we can repay their service and sacrifice,” he said.

The congressman also announced that he is cosponsoring the Permanent CBDC Ban Act, legislation intended to prevent the Federal Reserve from issuing a central bank digital currency (CBDC).

A CBDC would be a digital form of money issued directly by a nation’s central bank. Supporters of such systems have argued they could improve payment efficiency, while critics have raised concerns about privacy and the government’s potential role in monitoring transactions.

Cline falls firmly in the latter camp.

“Americans should never have to worry that the federal government is watching or controlling how they spend their money,” he said.

Cline argued that a federally controlled digital currency could grant the government excessive access to private financial activity. The legislation he is supporting would permanently prohibit the Federal Reserve from issuing or creating such a currency.

Cline also turned his attention to trade policy and Virginia agriculture.

He said he recently joined a letter to U.S. Trade Representative Jamieson Greer supporting the Trump administration’s approach to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement, or USMCA.

According to Cline, the United States declined in July to support a simple extension of the existing agreement and instead pushed for additional negotiations.

The congressional letter supports efforts to seek improved market access, address trade practices lawmakers consider harmful, and tighten rules involving third-country trade practices.

Cline said those negotiations could be particularly important for farmers and producers in Virginia.

“A strong trade agreement strengthens the U.S. economy, secures supply chains, bolsters our national security and, especially in Virginia’s Sixth District, helps our farmers and producers,” Cline said.

He specifically pointed to soybean, pork, poultry, and cattle producers as industries that could benefit from expanded access to Canadian and Mexican markets.

“I will always fight to ensure our farmers have the greatest chance of success,” he said.

The USMCA governs much of the trade between the United States, Mexico and Canada and is especially important to industries that rely on cross-border agricultural and manufacturing markets.

In addition to legislative work in Washington, Cline highlighted several recent visits across the district.

Cline met with Alleghany County Sheriff Kyle Moore to discuss the issues impacting law enforcement and public safety in our communities and tour jail facilities.

Presented Pam Simmons with a Congressional Record statement recognizing her retirement after 38 years at the Rockingham/Harrisonburg Alcohol Safety Action Program.

In Staunton, Cline toured Ryzing Technologies, where he said he saw examples of innovation and economic development in the district.

Cline represents Virginia’s 6th Congressional District, which includes much of the Shenandoah Valley and parts of western Virginia.

Constituents seeking assistance from his office may contact his Washington office at 202-225-5431.