Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline: June 15, 2019

Permanent Re-Authorization of 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund
On September 11, 2001, terrorists attacked America and our way of life. Nearly 3,000 people died in the attacks in New York, northern Virginia, and Pennsylvania. When the shocking images of the World Trade Center and Pentagon first appeared on television, first responders were already on the scene. In the weeks and months that followed, these first responders and construction workers worked hard to find victims and clear debris. At the time, they were told the air was safe to breathe. They and the American people found out later that it wasn’t true.

The health impacts for those who worked and lived in lower Manhattan in the months after the attacks are real and have in many cases been crippling – even deadly. That is why Congress passed legislation in 2010 to open the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund to first responders, construction workers, and others, which covers the cost of treating illnesses associated with exposure to toxins following the attacks.

I have co-sponsored legislation to renew the 9/11 Victim’s Compensation Fund permanently. On Tuesday, I was in the House Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties when those suffering from illnesses tied to their service after the 9/11 attacks testified. Those who testified moved me and the nation as they discussed the illnesses which have beset them nearly two decades after the attacks. I was pleased to join my colleagues on the House Judiciary Committee in passing H.R. 1327 by unanimous consent. Now is the time for this bill to move to the full House and Senate for passage.

Appropriations Dysfunction
This week also brought about the beginning of appropriations season, with votes on amendments to a minibus package slated for passage next week. What is a minibus? It is a collection of appropriation bills, in this case five bills funding the following agencies: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, Legislative Branch, Department of Defense, State Department and Foreign Operations, and Energy and Water.

The action taken by Nancy Pelosi and House Democrats to pass this mega package which appropriates close to $1 trillion in deficit government spending is the height of dysfunction. Traditionally, appropriations bills are debated as standalone bills allowing proper consideration of each executive branch’s budgets and operations. Instead, these five bills have been combined and hidden spending added. Among the many surprises in this package is $400 million for Title X Family Planning, a significant source of funding for Planned Parenthood. In fact, it would increase funding by $113.5 million above the enacted FY 2019 level.

While increasing funding for money which will eventually flow to Planned Parenthood, this minibus would fund the Department of Defense at $8 billion below President Donald Trump’s request for core defense purposes. Not properly funding our military puts our national security at risk at a time when there are heightened tensions with Iran and other advisories around the world.
Perhaps the most self-serving item from the minibus package debated this week is a pay raise of $4,500 per year for Members of Congress. If the Speaker and her Democratic Caucus cannot pass a budget or appropriations in a transparent and non-dysfunctional manner, why does Congress deserve its first pay raise in 10 years? I will vote against this package when it comes to the floor next week and I encourage my colleagues to do the same.

Rockingham County Town Hall
I invite residents of Rockingham County to a town hall event Monday at 5:30 p.m. This is an opportunity to engage on important issues in the Sixth Congressional District of Virginia, so I can take your views back to Washington. This is my second gathering in the area, having previously held a listening session with the residents of the City of Harrisonburg in November.
The Rockingham County town hall will take place Monday, June 17, 2019, from 5:30 – 7 p.m. at Linville-Edom Ruritan Club, 3752 Linville Edom Road, Linville, VA 22834. Register on Eventbrite by clicking here.

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If you have comments on legislation moving through the House, you may leave your comments with my Washington office by calling (202) 225-5431. If you need assistance with a federal agency, my district office may be reached at (540) 857-2672.