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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 8.7.26

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The end of our schools’ summer break means children return to school in Virginia’s Ninth District.

A new school year represents new opportunity for students to develop friendships, connect with fellow classmates, recount family summer vacations and more. For some, it means changing to a new school.

Connections in school are important for a child’s development. As the son of a schoolteacher, I like to stimulate classroom conversations by visiting schools and talking with students.

For my school visits this year, I went to Council High School in Buchanan County, Cornerstone Christian Academy in Washington County, Floyd County High School and Patrick County High School.

This May, I had the privilege to address the graduates of Thomas Walker High School in Lee County.

These settings are opportunities for me to engage our student populations and educate them on the duties of lawmakers.

As a Congressman, I share my experiences as a policymaker and as an ombudsman.

I clarify that my role as a policymaker focuses on matters of drafting legislation, committee debate discussing proposals, amendment recommendations and the final votes on bills.

But what is an ombudsman?

An ombudsman is one who interfaces with the federal government on behalf of others.

I act as an ombudsman for you on many occasions.

Thus, my office communicates with scores of federal agencies to address agency issues that constituents ask us about.

These issues vary by agency. But among the matters that demand our attention include passport requests and renewals, Internal Revenue Service (IRS) disputes and social security assistance.

In 2025, my office opened more than 1,175 constituent cases. Through this casework, we worked with more than 40 federal agencies.

There are multiple ways for us to open a case for you. An easy route is for you to give one of my district offices a phone call and speak with a representative in my office. Please refer to the end of this e-newsletter to access those phone numbers.

However, I recognize that you may prefer an in-person alternative.

Every month, my staff travels to all corners of Virginia’s Ninth District, which happens to span more than 10,000 square miles.

You can view when my staff next visits your locality by checking on my website at https://morgangriffith.house.gov/ or my Facebook page at Congressman Morgan Griffith.

These pages help people stay engaged on issues impacting my work in Congress and on behalf of the Ninth District.

My leadership on issues includes federal funding for Ninth District communities.

One program that I champion at the federal level is the Abandoned Mine Land Economic Revitalization (AMLER) program. As the leading Virginia advocate, AMLER projects identify idle mine land property and explore potential improvements and site redevelopment.

In late 2025, I attended an AMLER check presentation to support a nearly $2 million project in Buchanan County. This project will create the Southern Gap Office Park Building, a commercial office space within Buchanan County’s Regional Office Park. I left DC at 8:30 pm to make it to Grundy the next day because I considered the announcement so important.

AMLER delivers millions of federal dollars to our regions every year. With new projects set to be announced later this year, I will continue to fight for additional AMLER opportunities that benefit Virginia’s Ninth District.

A second federal program targets brownfields, which are properties or sites whose redevelopment are complicated by the presence or potential presence of a hazardous substance.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Brownfields Program delivers various federal grants to clean up these polluted sites.

When I served as Environment Subcommittee Chairman earlier in the 119^th Congress, I held a hearing to spotlight the EPA Brownfields Program. As part of this, I invited Duane Miller of Scott County, who serves as Executive Director of the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission, to testify.

Since then, the EPA Brownfields Program continues to deliver funds for local projects in our communities.

This June, the Mount Rogers Planning District Commission, Giles County and the City of Martinsville received EPA Brownfields grants.

I believe in serving the constituents of Virginia’s Ninth District. Accordingly, my office remains ready to help you access the support, resources and opportunities you need from federal agencies.

Whether I am in the classroom or in a DC committee room, I will continue to remind people that you can always count on my voice and my office as a resource.

Further, if your local high school wants me to speak to students, please have them contact our office.

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 Urges Spanberger to Protect SWVA Coal, Lower Energy Costs in Proposed NextEra Dominion Merger

Fri, 07 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger recently announced she is going to intervene with the State Corporation Commission regarding the proposed merger between NextEra Energy and Dominion Energy. This merger will impact electric ratepayers, utility jobs and Virginia’s energy future. It would affect control over one of Virginia’s last remaining coal-fired power plants, the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in St. Paul, Virginia. Currently, Dominion Energy owns the clean coal facility, which has supported local jobs and cleaned up millions of tons of waste coal in Southwest Virginia since Dominion opened the facility in 2012.

In response to the proposed merger and recent government intervention, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued a letter to Governor Spanberger urging her support for the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center.

In addition to his letter, Congressman Griffith released the following statement:

“Governor Spanberger says she is participating in the NextEra Dominion merger case to protect the interests of all Virginians.

“I agree that our regulators must carefully examine electric rates and enhance our Commonwealth’s energy security. Therefore, what also must be considered during this review process is the impact that such a merger would have on the Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in Wise County.

“Growing electricity demands and electric grid constraints mean we need to have more, not less, sources of energy available. I urge the Governor to work to ensure this merger does not prematurely close a world-class coal plant that supports Southwest Virginia communities.”

BACKGROUND

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event touting Beautiful Clean Coal.

Congressman Griffith is Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event where President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry.

Later in 2025, Congressman Griffith voted to codify one of these executive measures to reestablish the National Coal Council.

In May 2025, Congressman Griffith celebrated the Department of Energy’s announcement to designate metallurgical coal as a critical material.

In June 2025, Congressman Griffith penned an op-ed on federal policies that can help bolster America’s electric grid.

Coal continues to play an essential role in meeting domestic energy demands. During Winter Storm Fern this year, a 31% jump in coal generation helped the electric grid meet peak demand. For PJM Interconnection, which serves Virginia and 12 other states, coal accounted for a major portion of the energy generation mix.

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Griffith Announces More Than $1.9 Million in HHS Grants to Virginia Tech

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, four research related grants worth $1,936,905. The funding breakdown of the grants is as follows:

$774,123 to support trial on safe drinking water in Appalachia
$667,837 to support research related to brain development in children and humans
$451,417 to support research into development of new painkiller treatments
$43,528 to support research into therapies for osteosarcoma, a bone cancer

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

“Scientific discoveries contribute to new treatments and better health outcomes.

“These HHS grants for more than $1.9 million help Virginia Tech use research results to better inform American scientists, doctors and patients.”

BACKGROUND

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

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Griffith Announces $80,921 HHS Grant for SWVA Black Lung Clinic Program

Thu, 06 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded St. Charles Health Council Inc., based in Jonesville, Virginia, a grant of $80,921. The funding supports Stone Mountain Health Services and its black lung clinic program. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Black Lung clinics serve coal communities affected by this devastating illness.

“This HHS grant for more than $80,000 helps Stone Mountain Health Services promote Black Lung treatment resources for our coal communities.”

BACKGROUND

In May 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.1 million in federal funds for Stone Mountain Health Services and its black lung program.

Earlier this year, Congressman Griffith announced a separate grant of more than $5 million to St. Charles Health Council Inc. to support its health care center operations.

In a previous Health Subcommittee hearing with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr., Congressman Griffith expressed his support for working with the Trump Administration to help fight black lung disease.

The HHS National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) recently provided free, confidential black lung screenings to coal miners in the region.

The awarding office of this grant is the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).

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

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Griffith Celebrates $3.6 Million Manufacturing Expansion in Bland County

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced a $3.6 million industrial investment from Virginia Steel and Fabrication, Inc. to expand operational capabilities in Bland County, Virginia. According to a press release, this investment will support 52 new jobs. Following news of this announcement, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Earlier this year, I participated in a tour of the Virginia Steel plant in Bastian with Bland County Administrator Cameron Burton. We appreciate Virginia Steel leadership and officials for serving the interests of Virginia’s Ninth District with local manufacturing jobs, successful business practices and quality products.

“This $3.6 million investment by Virginia Steel and Fabrication represents a bright future for Bland County, which is hungry to make a difference in our economy.

“I will continue to support federal policies that help domestic manufacturing growth in rural America.”

BACKGROUND

In April 2026, Congressman Griffith toured Virginia Steel.

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Griffith Statement on USDA Disaster Action for Expanded Ninth District Drought Relief

Wed, 05 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) is designating more localities in Virginia’s Ninth District as primary natural disaster areas due to recent drought. As part of this action, the Counties of Bland, Craig, Floyd, Giles, Montgomery, Pulaski, Roanoke and Russell are set for primary natural disaster area designations. Additional localities eligible for drought assistance include the Counties of Bedford, Buchanan, Carroll, Dickenson, Franklin, Patrick, Scott, Washington, Wise and Wythe and the City of Radford.

In response to this USDA action, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Challenges to the sustainability and operations of our local farms demand federal attention. In response to severe weather and drought events in Virginia, more USDA relief is on the way to farmers in Virginia’s Ninth District.

“With this expansion in primary natural disaster area designations, more eligible Ninth District farmers can access the drought assistance they need.

“I will continue my work to support resources for our farming communities.”

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 also received a primary natural disaster area designation due to recent drought.

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Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for August

Mon, 03 Aug 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of August.

August 11, 2026

Tazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Town of Bluefield Council Chambers

112 Huffard Dr

Bluefield, VA 24641

Buchanan County: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Town of Grundy Offices

1185 Plaza Dr.

Grundy, VA 24614

August 12, 2026

Scott County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

County Administrator’s Office

Conference Room

190 Beech Street

Gate City, VA 24251

Lee County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Conference Room

33640 Main Street

Jonesville, VA 24263

Wise County (Big Stone Gap): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Big Stone Gap Municipal Complex

216 Wood Ave. E

Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

August 13, 2026

Giles County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Town of Pearisburg Offices

Council Chambers

112 Tazewell Street

Pearisburg, VA 24134

Bland County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Bland County Courthouse

First Floor Conference Room

612 Main Street

Bland, VA 24315

Wythe County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Wythe County Sheriff’s Office

Conference Room

245 South 4^th Street

Wytheville, VA 24382

Radford: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Radford Recreation Building

200 George Street

Radford, VA 24141

Smyth County: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Smyth County Administrator’s Office

Conference Room, Suite 100

121 Bagley Circle

Marion, VA 24354

Pulaski County: 2:30 pm – 4:00pm

Pulaski County Administration Building

First Floor Conference Room

143 3^rd Street NW

Pulaski, VA 24301

August 18, 2026

Craig County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Craig County Courthouse

108 Court Street

New Castle, VA 24127

Roanoke County: 11:30am – 1:00pm

South County Library

Meeting Room

6303 Merriman Road

Roanoke, VA 24018

August 19, 2026

Carroll County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Carroll County Administration Building

County Administrators Office, Conference Room

605 – 1 Pine Street

Hillsville, VA 24343

Galax: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Galax Municipal Building

Conference Room

111 E. Grayson Street

Galax, VA 24333

Grayson County: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Grayson County Administration Building

Board of Supervisors Room

129 Davis Street

Independence, VA 24348

August 20, 2026

Tazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am – 11:30 am

American Legion Building

226 Central Avenue

Tazewell, VA 24651

Russell County: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Town of Lebanon Government Offices

72 Gibson Street

Lebanon, VA 24266

August 25, 2026

Dickenson County: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Center for Education & Research

First Floor Conference Room #155

818 Happy Valley Drive

Clintwood, VA 24228

Norton: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

High Knob Destination Center

Conference Room

1147 Laurel Avenue SW

Norton, VA 24273

Wise County (Wise): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Wise County Courthouse

Law Library, Second Floor

206 E. Main Street

Wise, VA 24293

August 26, 2026

City of Martinsville: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

City Hall, Room 32

55 W. Church St

Martinsville, VA 24112

Patrick County: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Patrick County Administration Building

Conference Room

106 Rucker Street

Stuart, VA 24171

Floyd County: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Town of Floyd Government Offices

Community Room

203 East Oxford St

Floyd, VA 24091

August 27, 2026

Bedford County: 9:00am – 10:30am

Town of Bedford Municipal Building

First Floor Conference Room

215 E. Main Street

Bedford, VA 24523

Franklin County: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Franklin County Government Center

Conference Room B-23

1255 Franklin Street

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.

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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 7.30.26

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In July 2025, I received an appointment to be Chairman of the Health Subcommittee for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In the first week following my appointment, I toured various hospitals in Virginia’s Ninth District. My visits included Lee County Community Hospital in Pennington Gap, Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg, and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg.

My discussions with hospital leadership and staff touched on topics of hospital solvency, health care access challenges and the rural health care landscape.

Additionally, I consult with our Community Health Centers (CHCs). During my first week as Health Subcommittee Chairman, I visited the Connect Health + Wellness location in Martinsville.

I support federal engagement with health care providers and patients to improve health care outcomes in rural America.

This engagement has continued in 2026.

I am in close contact with rural hospitals in Virginia’s Ninth District. These vital health care providers serve the medical needs of our rural communities with care, dignity and professionalism.

One hospital is Twin County Regional Healthcare in Galax. In May, I met with Twin County hospital leadership and local officials. Together, we are committed to serving the medical needs of our rural communities.

Another hospital with this mission is Clinch Valley Health Medical Center. This summer, I toured its facility. Clinch Valley Health President and CEO Peter Mulkey emphasized that these meetings help us “work together” to “provide top quality care to those that call our region home.”

For more of my summer meetings, I visited Abingdon and toured the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center. The clinic strives to be a source of care in Southwest Virginia.

Additionally, in Wise County, I had the privilege to visit a weekend-long expo, the Move Mountains Medical Mission.

This expo featured volunteer actions from numerous health care providers, including Radford University’s nursing program, UVA-Wise personnel and the Health Wagon.

There was even a free veterinary clinic!

Further, I will have additional opportunities to meet providers, medical staff and patients. I will continue to promote voices in our region to help advance rural health care solutions.

My Health Subcommittee has taken advantage of some opportunities to advance health care solutions. I was proud to push forward many bills for full House consideration.

These include H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0.

This bill promotes modern alternative testing methods to minimize animal testing.

The horrors of federal testing on animals hit Capitol Hill when Dr. Anthony Fauci came under fire for his agency, NIAID, and its taxpayer-funded experiments on beagles. This unnecessary dog testing included cutting out vocal cords, infesting them with ticks and placing them in cages with infectious sandflies.

House passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is a win for animal rights without sacrificing scientific breakthroughs.

Further, the bill improves development of clinical drugs by encouraging use of alternative methods, such as computational AI models. As our agencies test scientific advances and potential treatments, new clinical drugs can hit the market for patients.

A second bill to win House support is H.R. 6238, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) IMPROVE Maternal Care Act.

This legislation delivers research funding for maternal care. With more than one million women of childbearing age in Virginia, this kind of funding will help our expectant mothers.

We also passed other bills that support research funding.

In the case of H.R. 3491, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025, we provide federal funding for research into down syndrome.

We must continue to work to better understand this condition.

Additionally, the House passed the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025.

This bill delivers funding for breast cancer awareness campaigns to promote early detection.

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, a 2026 study found 15% of new cancer cases are breast cancer.

By educating our communities and patients on breast cancer, this legislation will help with diagnosis efforts.

These bills are a pillar of my Health Subcommittee’s efforts to improve health care outcomes across the United States.

We will have to wait for the Senate to pass them as well, but when it comes to maternal care, down syndrome, and breast cancer I cannot imagine the Senate will not concur.

I will continue to make the most of my appointment to the Health Subcommittee to advance policies, create health care opportunities and strengthen options for patients.

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Chairman Griffith Op-Ed: Smart use of AI can improve American healthcare

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, penned a new op-ed that details the potential advances of health care through artificial intelligence (AI). An embrace of AI applications presents challenges, which is why Chairman Griffith stresses the importance of human supervision to complement the AI transition.

You can read Chairman Griffith’s op-ed piece in the Washington Times here and below.

Smart use of AI can improve American healthcare

Revolutionary ideas and technologies continue to fuel success stories in health care.

As a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, I regularly hear perspectives on medical advances that bring newfound hope to patients, families and communities.

Telehealth is one such technological breakthrough. By saving patients time, money and peace of mind, many Americans enjoy more convenient and accessible care.

While the demand for health care convenience and access soars, so too does the demand for new cures and treatments.

The Health Subcommittee has championed policies to help create new classes of treatments for rare diseases.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act which became law in February strengthens federal efforts to review and approve therapies for rare diseases like pediatric cancer.

The ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 which I reported out of the Health Subcommittee directs millions of dollars to research for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Congressional actions like these, among others, to support American patients are meaningful steps to strengthen the future of the American health care landscape.

What else bears fruit for our medical future?

I believe much of our health care success will hinge on the blossoming potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

This Congress, I led a Health Subcommittee hearing to explore ways our American health care system can keep pace with the speed of science through applications of AI and ML.

AI presents new opportunities to detect disease sooner, deploy improved medical guidance and deliver more precise care to patients. The sooner that the patient receives care, the lesser the risk of severe illness or death that the patient faces.

Not only does this approach prevent delays in care; it also helps prevent future cost increases that impact patients, government programs and health care providers.

In addition to benefitting our health care system, a boost in early detection efforts will ease the burdens on health care providers!

Additional resources are made available, thanks to AI advances.

Medical device companies analyze how their products can better administer care. Insurance companies process claims to help patients access more timely care. Doctors and health care professionals streamline operations to complete required medical paperwork at a faster clip.

The recently passed Virginia State budget reflects the building momentum for AI in health care. The legislative blueprint directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to strengthen call center operations through the application of AI technologies.

Even with the potential to achieve an abundance of favorable health outcomes through AI, we must be cautious about the current challenges facing AI application.

AI is not perfect. A blanketed embrace of AI technologies without appropriate guardrails would be irresponsible policy and grounded in fantasy.

What reality shows is unlocking AI’s full potential in health care requires human supervision. We need responsible administration and active oversight of AI tools, while also placing an emphasis on safety. A human component working with these technologies ensures safer success and allows the patient-physician relationship to truly thrive.

Where patients rely on AI chatbots for mental health resources, a medical professional should review the conversations.

Where a patient request for treatment is denied coverage, a human must oversee that decision.

Congress has a moral obligation to ensure these AI tools are used to assist — not replace — the clinical workforce of today.

Therefore, a balanced embrace of AI applications can lower health care costs, save finite taxpayer dollars and provide breakthrough treatments to American patients.

Taken together, AI promises a new wave of success stories. Human judgment will preserve these stories for generations to come.

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Griffith Announces $460,260 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech for AI in Health Care

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $460,260 grant. The funding will support research of artificial intelligence (AI) applications like machine learning and natural language processing to medically treat seniors in rural communities.

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

“American health care stands to benefit from a transition to AI technologies.

“This HHS grant for more than $460,000 helps Virginia Tech explore health care solutions with the use of AI applications.”

BACKGROUND

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

Congressman Griffith’s published op-ed in The Washington Times on the impacts of AI on health care progress can be found here.

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