Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline – October 11, 2022

This week, I traveled across the Sixth District and heard firsthand from my friends and neighbors that Washington is not working for them and that they demand accountability from their government. Many are now living paycheck to paycheck, all are experiencing out-of-control rises in their grocery and energy costs, and now gasoline prices are rising again. They voiced their frustration, and I heard their message loud and clear — “we can’t afford more of the same.” There is an answer, and House Republicans are ready to deliver a brighter future through our Commitment to America plan. Also, I, along with my colleague Chris Pappas (D-NJ), advocated on behalf of our troops, Gold Star families, and Veterans for them to have better access to our national parks. As always, I had the great fortune to meet with constituents throughout our beautiful area of Virginia.

Commitment to America, Pillar III: A Government That’s Accountable
Previously, I’ve expanded on House Republicans’ Commitment to America’s pillars I and II, the plan for an economy that’s strong and a Nation that’s safe. This week, our focus will be on a government that’s accountable. Government is too big and not responsive to the needs of its citizens. It has been forgotten that government works for the people and not the other way around. We must reverse this trend, restore faith and confidence in our institutions, and have a government that is held accountable for the decisions it makes and the laws it creates.

Our Plan will create real transparency for the American people and end the “voting-by-proxy” system that allows Members of Congress to get paid without ever needing to show up for work. We will conduct rigorous oversight to rein in government abuse of power and corruption. House Republicans have put the Biden Administration on notice — with more than 500 requests for information and documents. When backed by subpoena power, the American people will finally get some of the answers they deserve. Further, we will repeal 87,000 new IRS agents, get to the bottom of the origins of COVID, and investigate the abysmal and deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan.

The government must be held accountable for the decisions they make, and our freedoms must be preserved. Republicans are prepared to do this. Anything less is unacceptable.

Pain at the Pump, Continued
Gas prices are back on the rise. The national average has risen from $3.67 a few weeks ago to roughly $3.90, and in some parts of the country, prices have risen even higher. Drivers continue to suffer the consequences of the anti-energy policies of the Biden Administration and Green New Deal Democrats, including restricting oil and gas drilling permits, dangerously depleting the emergency Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) to the lowest level since the early 1980s, and relying on foreign oil from brutal, dictatorial regimes instead of restoring American energy independence.

In fact, this week, OPEC announced that it would be cutting oil production by two million barrels a day, despite the President begging them to do the opposite and increase production. Instead of blaming others, the Administration should revert to successful energy independence policies, such as deregulating the energy industry, ending the federal freeze on oil and gas leases and expanding oil and drilling permits, and expediting approval of all pipelines and energy developments to unleash American energy and relieve the pain at the pump millions of Americans are feeling.

Prioritizing Veterans and Troops at Our National Parks
Our active-duty troops, Gold Star families, and Veterans often miss out on touring the most sought-after spots of our national parks due to a highly competitive lottery system and the demands of their jobs. I led a bipartisan letter with Rep. Chris Pappas (D-NH) asking the National Park Service (NPS) to reform its selection process, so our Nation’s heroes have a greater chance of admission. We asked NPS Director Charles Sams to implement such reforms so that spots for active-duty military, Gold Star families, and Veterans are reserved in the competitive lottery systems at national parks, which are home to some of the most selective and scenic scenes in our beautiful country. We asked them to set aside a number of spots reserved for those who sacrificed so much for us. Read a Military Times article on our letter here.

Constituent Meetings

It was an honor to present Veteran James Mattie with his Navy Good Conduct and National Defense Service Medals.

I enjoyed celebrating National Midwifery Week at Trillium House in Lynchburg.

I was pleased to speak with E.C. Glass High School students about civics and the value of public service.

COVID-19 Update
Last week in Virginia, there was an average of 13 daily cases of COVID-19 per 100,000 residents, down from 14 last week. This week’s COVID-19 test positivity rate was 10%, down from 11% 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.

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