Update from Washington: Congressman Bob Goodlatte

We’re halfway through the week, and I want to share five quick things with you about what I’ve been doing in Washington and the Sixth District…

1) Visa lottery program is too much of a gamble
On Halloween, Sayfullo Saipov plowed a rental truck into people using a bicycle path near One World Trade Center, killing eight and injuring another 11. Saipov is an immigrant from Uzbekistan who came to the United States in 2010 through the diversity visa lottery. Under this program, each successful applicant is chosen at random and given the status of permanent resident based on pure luck, a policy that is foolish in the age in which we live. Read my op-ed on the visa lottery program in The Hill.

Watch Goodlatte on Fox News:  “It makes no sense as a program. Here we are admitting 55,000 people a year into this country – not based upon job skills that are needed in the country. Not even based upon family they have in the country, but based on pure luck.”

2) Veterans deserve quality care
Thousands of veterans in the Sixth District receive their care through the Salem VA Medical Center and associated clinics. Last week, I met with Rebecca Stackhouse, Director of the Salem VA, and DeAnne Seekins, Director of the Mid-Atlantic Health Care Network (VISN 6), to discuss ongoing issues with veterans medical care in the Sixth District. It’s important to me that we make sure veterans are being provided top notch service.
As we celebrate Veterans Day this weekend, I hope you will take a moment to thank a veteran in your community for their service. As Americans, we are forever grateful for the men and women who have served and continue to serve today. Thank you, and may God bless our country and our troops.

3) America needs tax cuts and jobs
America’s tax code is still stuck in 1986. That’s why it’s important Congress seize the opportunity to reform the tax code in favor of a system that works for today’s taxpayers and means more jobs, fairer taxes, and bigger paychecks.

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act was introduced last week and is currently being considered by the House Ways and Means Committee. At its very core, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act is about growing the American economy and allowing better opportunities for American families, who will keep more of their hard-earned pay. But most importantly, how will this impact your family? Initial estimates show that a middle-income family of four earning $59,000 a year, the median household income in the United States, will receive a $1,182 tax cut. That’s more money to spend on things your family needs or to save for college or retirement.

I’ve advocated for common sense tax reform throughout my time in Congress. While there is still work to be done, I am encouraged by the direction of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act and the opportunities it presents for families and businesses in Virginia. There will almost certainly be changes made to this bill between the time it goes through the committee process and is signed into law, and I will carefully examine how the details of this plan will impact the Sixth District throughout this time. Cutting taxes goes hand in hand with job creation and economic growth. Let’s get this process moving and deliver the tax relief folks across the country need.Learn more about the plan at fairandsimple.gop. Read my full weekly column on this bill by clicking here.

4) House passes CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS ActLast week, I voted in support of the CHAMPIONING HEALTHY KIDS Act to fund extensions of the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP) and Community Health Centers, like the facilities we have serving folks in Roanoke, Harrisonburg, Lynchburg, and Amherst County. This extension will help provide financial stability for these important public health programs. Now, it’s time for the Senate to come to the table and act.

5) Good food and good fellowship in Collierstown
Maryellen and I always enjoy the Annual Dinner at Collierstown Presbyterian Church in Rockbridge County! It was good to stop by this past weekend and catch up with old friends.