Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – June 17, 2025

It was another busy week in Washington as House Republicans remain focused on reining in wasteful spending, defending individual freedoms, and supporting hardworking Virginians. The House took important steps to restore fiscal responsibility by passing a historic rescissions package and advancing legislation to cut burdensome regulations on small businesses. We also successfully blocked California’s extreme electric vehicle mandates, and we passed the HALT Fentanyl Act to give law enforcement the tools they need to fight the fentanyl crisis. As always, I enjoyed meeting with constituents down in the District and up in Washington. Rest assured, as the work of getting America back on a path to prosperity continues, I will continue fighting for the Sixth District.

Fighting to Restore Fiscal Responsibility

For far too long, Washington has used your hard-earned tax dollars to fund wasteful programs with little to no benefit for the American people. When I came to Congress, one of my top priorities was to bring fiscal sanity back to Washington. As a member of the House Budget Committee and Appropriations Committee, I’ve remained focused on cutting wasteful spending and protecting America’s financial future. Earlier this year, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) uncovered billions in waste, opening the door for meaningful savings.

In response, the White House sent Congress a historic $9.4 billion rescissions package to eliminate unnecessary spending and hold unelected bureaucrats accountable. Last week, the House passed this important measure. It’s a critical step toward reducing waste, reining in federal spending, and protecting taxpayers. The Senate must now act to get this across the finish line and continue the fight for responsible government.

Cutting Red Tape for Small Businesses

Last week, I was glad to see my Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act advance out of the House Judiciary Committee. This commonsense bill puts small business owners first by requiring federal agencies to fully consider how new regulations impact small businesses and look for less burdensome alternatives.

Small businesses are the backbone of our economy. In Virginia, over 800,000 small businesses support 1.6 million jobs, making up 99.5% of all businesses in the Commonwealth. These job creators drive our economy and support our communities.

It’s time to cut the bureaucratic red tape holding them back. My bill creates small business review panels for major rules, giving entrepreneurs a seat at the table and a voice in the process. I’ll keep working to rein in wasteful spending, eliminate unnecessary regulations, and help small businesses grow and thrive.

Opposing the ‘Californication’ of Virginia

I’ve long believed that the federal government has no business dictating what kind of car you can drive. Yet Democrats in Virginia were on track to follow California’s extreme mandate banning gas-powered cars by 2035. These one-size-fits-all mandates ignore the needs of Virginians and limit consumer choice.

That’s why I was proud to vote for the resolution signed into law by President Trump last week that blocks these electric vehicle mandates and protects Virginians’ freedom of choice. This is a win for every driver, every small business, and for commonsense energy policy. I’ll keep fighting to stop federal overreach and defend the rights of Virginians.

Legislative Highlight: Halt Fentanyl Act Passes

Fentanyl continues to devastate families and communities across the country. In 2024 alone, nearly 50,000 Americans lost their lives to this deadly drug, which is now the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 49.

That’s why I was proud to support the HALT Fentanyl Act, which permanently classifies fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I under the Controlled Substances Act and gives law enforcement the authority they need to crack down on traffickers. The passage of this bill is an important step in protecting American families and confronting the fentanyl crisis head-on. I’ll continue working to give law enforcement the tools they need to fight back and keep our communities safe.

The Congressional Art Competition Winner

Congratulations to Brooke Justus, an 11th-grader from the Burton Center for Arts and Technology in Salem, for winning Virginia’s Sixth District Congressional Art Competition. Her picture on the wall behind us, “A Roanoke Forest,” is officially hanging up in the United States Capitol and will be showcased all year.

Meetings in D.C. and the District

Congratulations to Katherine Sullivan, the 2025 Congressional Award Gold Medal recipient. I had the pleasure of welcoming her and her family to Washington after she completed over 400 hours of service supporting community theater and the arts in Virginia’s Sixth District.

I visited the Restoration Community Development Corporation in Luray. I had the honor of presenting Pastor Audre King with a Congressional Record plaque recognizing their outstanding work serving children and families across the Sixth District.

I met with Jessica Cocciolone from the Shenandoah National Park Trust, Kyle Hart from the National Parks Conservation Association, and Rod Graves of Luray Caverns to discuss the challenges facing our national parks. I also visited the new Luray Caverns welcome center to see the improvements that are underway.

I had the privilege of meeting with the Virginia Farm Bureau to discuss key agricultural programs that support farmers across the Sixth District.

It was an honor to meet with Virginia representatives from the Home Builders Association to discuss how tax cuts are helping them reinvest in their businesses and strengthen the home building industry across the Commonwealth.

I had a great time at this year’s Congressional Baseball Game at Nats Stadium in Washington, D.C., which raised over $2.8 million for charity. It was a fun night with my Washington staff, and it was even better to watch Republicans secure their fifth straight victory over the Democrats!

Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.

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