Sixth District perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline

Traveling the Sixth
The week began and ended with visits across the Sixth Congressional District. On Monday (January 28), I visited the Virginia Inland Port near Front Royal where I got a firsthand view of what a tremendous economic driver the Virginia Inland Port is to the Sixth District. Since its opening in 1989, more than $900 million has been invested and over 14,000 jobs have been created by the 46 major companies that are housed in over 8 million square feet of commercial space in the region. It was truly inspiring.

Later in the week, I visited with about 200 government students at William Byrd High School in Vinton. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss how our government works using real world examples. The students of WBHS were bright and inquisitive. I was impressed with their knowledge and their desire to get involved in our government. I thank the administration of William Byrd High School for hosting Thursday’s event.

Later in the week, I visited with about 200 government students at William Byrd High School in Vinton. It was a wonderful opportunity to discuss how our government works using real world examples. The students of WBHS were bright and inquisitive. I was impressed with their knowledge and their desire to get involved in our government. I thank the administration of William Byrd High School for hosting Thursday’s event.

Subcommittee Appointments
In the 116th Congress, I will serve on the House Education and Labor Committee and the House Judiciary Committee. This week, subcommittee appointments were announced. I was honored to receive the following appointments:

• House Committee on Education & Labor
o Subcommittee on Workforce Protection
o Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Investment

• House Judiciary Committee
o Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and Civil Liberties
o Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
o Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security

These subcommittee assignments give the people of Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District a voice in some of the most important issues of the 21st century. Through work on these subcommittees, I will stand up for our Constitutional rights, a free and open Internet, and more access to not only higher education, but also expanding opportunity for workforce education. I thank Ranking Members Foxx and Collins for the opportunity to represent Virginia’s Sixth on these important subcommittees. I look forward to the work ahead.

A Busy Legislative Week
As a member of the Subcommittee on Crime, Terrorism, and Homeland Security, I am committed to supporting legislation which protects the United States. I was pleased to see the House of Representatives bring bills to the Floor on Tuesday (January 29) which would enhance security at the local and federal level. One such bill would direct the Department of Homeland Security to conduct a threat assessment on the use of virtual currency by terrorists. As technologies change at a rapid pace, so too do the ways terrorists and other criminals finance their operations. That is why it is vitally important for DHS to find out the risks and develop a way to stop the flow of money to terrorists and other criminal enterprises.

In the House Judiciary this week, we conducted our first hearing on H.R. 1. Following the hearing on Tuesday, I spoke out against the bill. I was shocked that the Democrats would support the unconstitutional boondoggle that is H.R. 1. It flies in the face of law and order and is nothing more than an attempt by Democrats to hijack our Republic at taxpayer expense. H.R. 1 would limit free speech, use tax dollars to fund extreme candidates, and violate the Constitution by superseding a state’s ability to determine voter eligibility.

Casework Staff Mobile Offices
My office will host Casework Staff Mobile Offices across the Sixth Congressional District during the month of February. A staff member will be available to meet with citizens to assist with problems they might have with a federal agency and hear their views on current issues before Congress. Visit cline.house.gov/about/events for a complete list of locations. Next week’s locations, dates, and times:

Front Royal Casework Staff Mobile Office
Wednesday, February 6, 2019 – 10:00am
Samuels Public Library (Baxter-Bowling Conference Room)
330 East Criser Road
Front Royal, VA 22630

It is an honor to serve as your congressman. I hope to see you during my travels in the Sixth District. If I can ever be of assistance or you would like to express your views on a particular bill, please call my office at (202) 225-5431.