Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline: May 4, 2019

It was a special week in the U.S. House of Representatives, where on Thursday Rev. Jonathan Falwell of Thomas Road Baptist Church in Lynchburg served as guest chaplain and opened the day’s proceedings in prayer. It meant a lot to have an esteemed Christian leader from Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District begin the day’s proceedings with a call to God for forgiveness, wisdom, and blessings on the National Day of Prayer.

This week started with votes of bipartisanship on a variety of suspension bills, including H.Res. 327 and H.Res. 328, bills to encourage greater public-private sector collaboration to promote financial literacy for seniors and young adults. Both the elderly and young people need an understanding of basic financial services such as banking and student loans, as well as the potential fraudsters out to steal their hard-earned life savings and how to prevent such illegal acts. I thank leaders on both sides for their efforts to bring these bills to the floor.

This week also brought Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta to the House Committee on Education and Labor. With economic growth at 3.2% in the first quarter of this year and unemployment at its lowest level in 50 years, I was encouraged to have Secretary Acosta before the committee discussing the positive economic environment for American workers. The Department of Labor has encouraged economic growth in the private sector by cutting red tape, which opens the door for job creators to expand with less government interference.

One area we touched on during my questions was the important principle of right to work, a law that protects the rights of workers to get or keep a job without being forced to join a labor union. States with right to work laws are typically economically strong and growing, which is just where the Commonwealth of Virginia finds itself. We are competitive with surrounding states and often land new businesses and jobs due to our friendly business environment. It is imperative that the U.S. protects the rights of states like Virginia to maintain their right to work laws if we are to maintain a healthy, growing economy.

On Thursday, I took to the floor to once again request a vote on the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 962). As you may know, this is the 36th time House Democrats have refused to go on the record and once and for all say murder of a child who survives an abortion is wrong. For the 36th time, they have refused to stand for life and against infanticide. I stand with Republican Whip Steve Scalise and my 197 other colleagues who have signed a discharge petition which would force a vote. I believe we will secure the final 19 signatures necessary to finally force a vote and put all Members of the House on record.

The week concluded with my signing another discharge petition, which would force a vote on the Green New Deal. This misguided legislation would hurt the U.S. Economy, Virginia agriculture, and put our farmers and ranchers out of business. Just as with the Born Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act, I believe it is time for Democrats to put their beliefs on the record with a vote on the Green New Deal and when it fails, hopefully we can meet and work on true solutions with an all of the above energy policy for the United States.

I thank you for the opportunity to serve as your congressman. If you need assistance with a federal agency, please call my office at (202) 225-5431. And feel free to like @RepBenCline on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and follow my YouTube channel.