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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 9.18.26

Fri, 18 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The alarming rates of maternal and infant mortality in the United States demand continued federal diligence.

Reportedly America suffers from the highest maternal and infant mortality rates in the developed world. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 80% of our pregnancy-related deaths are preventable.

Because of my concerns about this problem, I am working with federal partners to find solutions.

One of these partners, Healthy Moms Healthy Babies America (HMHBA), which was founded in 2026 by Cara Osborne and Olivia Walton, put a meeting together of a select group of 15 officials.

Besides me, some of the others in the group included Second Lady Usha Vance, Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Dr. Mehmet Oz, Tennessee Senator Marsha Blackburn, Ohio Congressman Jim Jordan and former White House official Kellyanne Conway.

Second Lady Vance shared with us her experiences regarding her most recent pregnancy, birth and care following the birth.

One of the things she suggested was that we look at the combined medical assessments for both children and mothers.

She advocated that these visits should not be weeks after birth, but closer to when the mother and child are released from the hospital. Doing so would help identify any problems that might be developing related to either the child’s health or potential emotional issues of the mother. Telehealth can help facilitate health care provider access for the mother and child.

I recall one former client of mine who struggled with exhaustion and postpartum depression as a result of caring for newborn twins. Her condition became so severe that she had to be committed to a hospital for 48 hours to ensure her safety and well-being.

Childbirth can cause great potential for stress, exhaustion and postpartum depression, among other issues.

Second Lady Vance advocated for better monitoring of the health for moms and babies in the weeks after birth.

Dr. Oz discussed the recent rollout of the new CMS ACCESS Model. Under this program, his agency is supporting the extension of care beyond the clinic and harnessing artificial intelligence (AI) and telehealth to reach more families.

I believe telehealth and telemedicine, now coupled with technological advances, including wearables (Oura rings and Apple watches, etc.) with AI-analyzed data, will make a huge difference in the future.

These wearables can help moms track their health, spot trouble early and connect with providers before things get urgent. She can check her vitals, get advice from a nurse over video and know she’s got a team watching out for her, even if the nearest clinic is miles away.

During the same week of the HMHBA event, I held a hearing as the Health Subcommittee Chairman to consider various policies. One of the bills discussed during the hearing was the Rural Obstetric Readiness Act by Democratic Illinois Congresswoman Robin Kelly.

The Rural Obstetric Readiness Act seeks to create a new health care reality where we train more rural health providers and doctors to handle obstetric care.

The National Rural Health Association notes that more than 67% of rural counties lack hospital-based obstetrical services, with a majority of these counties lacking an obstetric clinician. That is more than double the rate of urban localities.

Accordingly, more than two million American women live in what experts call “maternity care deserts.”

The spirit of Congresswoman Kelly’s bill is to tackle maternal care deserts, which make pregnancy-related complications more dangerous for mothers and infants.

Earlier this year, I voted for the Preventing Maternal Deaths Act and Prematurity Research Expansion and Education for Mothers who Deliver Infants Early (PREEMIE) Act, which are now law. These bills help federal agencies coordinate mortality prevention activities and promote prenatal care.

Virginia state policy is treading on a path of maternal health success as well.

In 2025, a new state law took effect to allow licensed certified midwives and nurse practitioners to access pediatric privileges where they can serve on 24-hour on-call duty for nursery care when physicians are unavailable.

Having a midwife assist in areas where there are maternal care deserts will help enhance the rural health care workforce.

Taken together, these and other policy ideas can produce dividends for maternal care.

By strengthening access to maternal health resources, mothers will be in a better position to give care to their children and live healthy lives.

I will continue to work for policies that nurture an environment supporting mothers, improving maternal care and fighting to eliminate maternity care deserts.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/.

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Griffith Announces NCA Grant to SWVA Veterans Cemetery

Thu, 17 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ National Cemetery Administration (NCA) has awarded the Commonwealth of Virginia a grant of up to $243,467. The funding supports expansion of the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery in Dublin, Virginia. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Honoring our veterans is part of the cultural heritage of Virginia’s Ninth District.

“The Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery does a magnificent job at honoring our revered veteran communities.

“This NCA grant for as much as $243,467 should help the Cemetery construct new features, including nearly 500 gravesites and irrigation. Also, the funds will allow the addition of a U.S. Space Force service branch emblem.

“I am proud that the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery, by virtue of the good work it does, has put itself in a position to contend for these funds.”

BACKGROUND

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Southwest Virginia Veterans Cemetery serves more than 108,000 veterans and their eligible family members in the region.

The installation of survey grid monuments will take place at an existing turfed area. The Space Force service branch emblem will be located at the existing assembly area.

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Griffith Supports State of Emergency Declaration

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger declared a State of Emergency in the Commonwealth. The declaration comes in response to a statewide hay shortage caused by persistent and ongoing drought conditions.

In response to the State of Emergency declaration, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) released the following statement:

“Hay is an integral agricultural product supporting Virginia farmers, particularly those with cows and horses. But due to devastating drought challenges, access to hay supplies is dwindling.

“I commend the Governor’s action today to address the hay shortage impacting Virginia.

“I will continue to advocate for our farming and rural communities as they try to access crop relief.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith helped lead federal engagement to secure separate USDA Secretarial natural disaster declarations for Virginia farmers.

In June, Secretary Rollins approved Virginia’s request.

In July, Tazewell County received a primary natural disaster area designation due to recent drought.

In August and September, the USDA extended its natural disaster declaration to many other Ninth District localities.

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Griffith Statement on House Passage of Bill to Authorize USACE Project for Town of Richlands

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9497 – the Water Resources Development Act. This legislation authorizes and modifies certain water resource infrastructure projects and programs of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). One USACE project in particular will promote flood risk management and ecosystem renovation along the Clinch River in Richlands, Virginia. The bill heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

Following House passage of the bill, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who voted for the bill, issued the following statement:

“USACE resources and personnel support projects in the Ninth District.

“I am proud to vote for the Water Resources Development Act. This bill will advance a USACE project to address flooding risk vulnerabilities that stem from the Clinch River.”

BACKGROUND

In 2025, Congressman Griffith participated in a Rules Committee hearing to voice his support for funding the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.

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Griffith Votes to Protect Ninth District Communities from Footing Bill for Data Centers

Wed, 16 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 9340 – the Ratepayer Protection Act. This legislation protects local communities from electricity cost hikes by directing state regulators to make data center companies pay the full cost for its use of electricity infrastructure. Under the bill, all state utility commissions will hold proceedings on large-load electric rates and rules for data centers that draw more than 100 MW of power. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

Following House passage of the bill, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who voted for the bill and is a co-sponsor of similar legislation, issued the following statement:

“Communities in Virginia’s Ninth District should not foot the bill for data centers’ electricity.

“Electricity consumption costs associated with building and operating data centers must be passed along to the data centers, not the household ratepayer.

“With this bill, data centers are on notice. Under the watch of this Congress, I will continue to promote responsible federal guardrails while supporting local autonomy over data centers.”

BACKGROUND

Congressman Griffith is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 6529 – the Protecting Families from AI Data Center Energy Costs Act.

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Griffith Statement on Rejecting Democrats’ Impeachment Resolution

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. House of Representatives voted to table an impeachment resolution filed by Democratic Rep. Al Green (D-TX).

In the 119^th Congress, nearly a dozen articles of impeachment have been filed against President Trump. According to Newsweek, this was Rep. Green’s third attempt this term to bring impeachment to the House floor.

In response to the House rejection of Rep. Green’s impeachment resolution, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who opposed the resolution, issued the following statement:

“Yet again, Democrats in the House reminded the American people they are not serious about actually governing.

“Instead of tending to the business of the country, Democrats staged a political stunt.

“This vote is just a glimpse of what Congress would look like with the Democratic Socialists of America in charge.

“The Republican majority in Congress is focused on positive results.

“That is why I will continue to support policy wins promoting historic tax relief, the reversal of Democrats’ open borders policies and initiatives that greatly reduce waste, fraud and abuse.”

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Griffith Statement on House Passage of AM Radio for Every Vehicle

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 979 – the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act. This legislation directs federal agencies to issue a rule that compels automobile manufacturers to install AM radio for new vehicles. The bill now heads to the U.S. Senate for further consideration.

Following House passage of the bill, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), who voted for the bill and is a co-sponsor of the legislation, issued the following statement:

“AM radio is a tested and tried technology that reliably delivers news in real-time to people while they are driving. Access to this technology can be life-saving during a disaster, particularly in rural areas where redundant communications systems are essential.

“With this bill, those who live in and/or drive through rural communities will continue to receive reliable signal and service through AM radio.

“I urged House leadership to bring this bill to a vote. I am proud that the AM Radio for Every Vehicle Act is one step closer to becoming law.”

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Griffith Statement on House Passage of Bills to Protect Ninth District Communities from Public Health Threats

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed a series of measures to protect American communities from public health threats. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, helped advance these pieces of legislation or House counterparts through his Subcommittee. Legislation that secured overwhelming House support included:

S. 2398 – the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act
H.R. 1266 – the Combating Illicit Xylazine Act
H.R. 2004 - Tyler’s Law
H.R. 8005 – the Stop Pills that Kill Act

Following House passage of the bills, Chairman Griffith issued the following statement:

“As a House leader who helped secure the HALT Fentanyl Act into law, I understand the impacts of public health threats. At a time when emerging public health threats ranging from illicit drugs to tickborne illnesses jeopardize the well-being of our country, many of these policies will make American communities safer.

“As Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, I am proud to have advanced these measures that target severe public health threats.”

BACKGROUND

H.R. 1266 classifies xylazine as a Schedule III narcotic. Veterinarians, farmers and ranchers will still be able to legally access the drug to treat large animals.

H.R. 2004 directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to help hospital providers use fentanyl testing for emergency room drug screenings.

H.R. 8005 closes a counterfeit pill production loophole in federal statute by imposing new penalties.

Chairman Griffith, who lives with alpha-gal syndrome, helped advance the House version of the Kay Hagan Tick Reauthorization Act earlier this year. This bill reauthorizes key programs that develop a national strategy, improve surveillance actions and facilitate agency coordination on tickborne illnesses.

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Griffith Announces $69,434 HHS Grant to New River Valley Head Start Programs

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded New River Community Action, Inc., based in Radford, Virginia, a $69,434 grant. The funding supports local Head Start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Head Start projects are available for New River Valley communities.

“This HHS grant for more than $69,000 helps New River Community Action strengthen local Head Start program access.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, New River Community Action supports Head Start services in the City of Radford as well as Floyd, Giles, Montgomery and Pulaski Counties. More than 200 children in the New River Valley benefit from its Head Start program.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

In May, Congressman Griffith announced more than $3.7 million for New River Community Action.

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Griffith Announces Combined Total of $339,771 in Additional HHS Grants for Head Start Projects in Virginia’s Ninth District

Tue, 15 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded an additional four HeadStart-related grants worth a total of $339,771. The funding supports Head Start and Early Head Start projects. A breakdown of the funding totals is as follows:

$144,785 to People Incorporated of Virginia, based in Abingdon, Virginia
$80,000 to Solutions that Power People, based in Rocky Mount, Virginia
$69,434 to New River Community Action, based in Radford, Virginia
$45,552 to Clinch Valley Community Action, based in North Tazewell, Virginia

In response to these grant notices, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Federal funding continues to support the operations of Head Start programs in rural communities.

“These HHS grants for more than $339,000 help local providers deliver Head Start services for Ninth District families.”

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