Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – May 1, 2022

It was great to be back in the Sixth District this week. As I addressed the Southwest Virginia Business Development Association breakfast and the Virginia Credit Union League, the same themes and questions kept coming up. I was able to hear first-hand the struggles that the highest inflation rate in over 40 years is having on their businesses and our region’s families. Paychecks are not going as far as they used to. Folks are paying more for everything, with those on a fixed income being hit the hardest. Yet, the current Administration continues to push for more spending and remains committed to an environmental policy that is partially responsible for the increased price folks are paying to heat and cool their home and drive their car. I continue to push for less spending, a cut in regulations that help businesses thrive, and an all-the-above energy strategy that makes us once again less dependent on Russia, Venezuela, and Iran for oil. I remain committed to working to address these problems, pledge to take constituents’ concerns back to Washington, and continue to serve the needs and interests of the great people of our District.

Southwest Virginia Business Development Association:
Small businesses are the lifeblood of our economy and have remained resilient through a trying few years. Today, many businesses are hurting due to soaring inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, and trouble finding workers, yet the entrepreneurial spirit of businesses in our area remains strong. While I am fighting for lower taxes, less regulations, and pro-growth policies in Washington, the Southwest Virginia Business Development Association provides counseling, training, and resources to help entrepreneurs grow their businesses in our region. I was pleased to speak at the Association’s breakfast meeting in Roanoke where I discussed the successes and challenges in today’s commerce climate, and heard from these business leaders about government policies that foster a pro-business climate to allow them to thrive.

Virginia Credit Union League Annual Meeting:
The Virginia Credit Union League has served as a statewide association representing member-owned credit unions since 1934. Credit unions are vital to our community and allow folks to wisely meet their financial needs of borrowing capital and saving and investing their hard-earned money in a safe and transparent manner. These institutions set Virginians up for success and guide financial plans to accommodate changing goals. I enjoyed participating in a wide-ranging “fireside chat” with the Virginia Credit Union League last week where finance, politics, and current events were discussed.

Border Surge:
March saw another record month for illegal border crossings. Since President Biden took office, over 2.2 million illegal immigrants have been apprehended at our southern border. These staggering numbers come as we learn that 42 people on the Terrorist Screening Database have been stopped, with nearly half of these encounters taking place in the first months of 2022. Meanwhile, despite a recent court ruling halting the revocation of Title 42, which allows for rapid rejection of immigrants, the Biden Administration is pushing ahead with its plan to rescind the Trump-era order on May 23rd. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) have sounded the alarm on the border crisis and it has fallen onto the deaf ears of President Biden, the Vice President ‘Border Czar,’ and Secretary Mayorkas. The Administration’s halting funding for the border wall, reimplementing “Catch and Release,” and ending “Remain in Mexico” were the matches that sparked this forest fire. The worse may be yet to come unless the Administration reinstates the successful Trump-era border policies.

540 Area Code Update:
Residents should be advised that the Virginia State Corporation Commission (SCC) has determined that beginning May 14, 2022, local calls made within the 540 area code must be dialed using the full 10 digits. Further, the SCC established a new 826 area code overlay. This means that, in addition to the existing 540 area code, for phone numbers serving western Virginia from Front Royal and Winchester south to Roanoke and Salem, new numbers will be established with an 826 area code. Therefore, local calls will no longer connect when only 7 digits are dialed but rather will require all 10 digits. SCC recommends that to prepare for the upcoming change, cell phone contact lists of your regularly phoned “favorites” be updated to include the complete number now – (540) XXX-XXXX (also soon to be (826) XXX-XXXX) – prior to the required change on May 14. For more information from the SCC, click here.

Closeup of male hand dialing a phone number making a business or personal phone call.

COVID-19 Update:
Last week in Virginia there was an average of 12.9 daily cases of COVID-19 per every 100,000 residents. This is up from an average of 11.9 cases from one week prior. This week’s positivity rate was 6.8%, up from an average of 6.0% last week. For more information, click here.

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. Follow me on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter for the latest updates.