Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – March 1, 2020

It was a busy week in Washington between legislative business on the Floor, hearings, and testimony in multiple committees, and meeting with constituents from across our District. I enjoy each and every day that I am blessed with the privilege to serve as the Representative for the people of Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District.

Budget Committee Testimony:
Throughout my legislative career, I have often said that Washington needs to hear four words more often, “We can’t afford it.” I repeated this same message this week as I testified before the House Budget Committee on their lack of a budget plan. As it currently stands, our national debt has topped $23 trillion. This is a result of two decades of reckless spending and fiscal irresponsibility by our leaders in Washington. We cannot continue to ask Americans to balance their budgets while lawmakers neglect to do so with our nation’s tax dollars. Congress must rein in spending and get our country’s fiscal house in order. Failing to do so puts our national security at risk and steals opportunities from the hands of future generations.

Coronavirus:
COVID-19, or the Coronavirus, has dominated much of the world’s attention over the past several weeks. While certain areas of the world have been significantly affected by this virus, the United States has been fortunate to experience far fewer confirmed cases than other regions abroad. I attended a briefing for Members of Congress about the response of U.S. officials to the swiftly developing situation and our efforts to learn more from the Chinese about the origins of the virus.

Since the outbreak, numerous steps have been taken to curb the virus from spreading to more of our nation’s citizens. Not only has the CDC deployed teams to assist state health organizations, but they are working with medical researchers across the country to develop a cure and vaccine. Just this week, researchers began human trials of a new antiviral drug that could potentially treat those diagnosed with the illness. In an effort to better understand and fight COVID-19, I have included two resources that provide valuable information that you may find beneficial. To learn more, please click on the graphics below.

Service Academy Day:
I will be hosting the first of several Service Academy Days on Saturday, March 7, from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. at Fishburne Military School in Waynesboro, VA.

Students and their parents will be provided with information on the application, nomination, selection, and appointment processes. Representatives from the various service academies will be present to provide information and answer questions.

• The United States Military Academy at West Point, New York
• The United States Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland
• The United States Merchant Marine Academy at Kings Point, New York
• The United States Air Force Academy at Colorado Springs, Colorado

An academy appointment has an estimated value of over $400,000 and admission is competitive. Each academy selects nominees based on moral character, scholastic achievement, physical fitness, leadership, and college admission test scores. The earlier a student begins preparation, the more competitive that student will be in the process.

More information on Service Academy Day and the nomination process may be found by visiting my website or by calling my Lynchburg office at (434) 845-8306.

Sixth District in DC:
Whether it’s advocating for a cause or simply dropping by, I always enjoy having a piece of the Sixth District in Washington.

Rep. Cline meets with Harmony Harvest Farm of Weyers Cave.

Rep. Cline meets with Virginia Civil Air Patrol cadets.

Rep. Cline meets with Mill Mountain Garden Club of Roanoke.

Rep. Cline meets with Roanoke constituents from the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.

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.

For the latest updates from Washington, please follow my social media accounts: Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.