National Defense Authorization Act On July 12, the U.S. House of Representatives passed on a near-party line vote the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill, which comes up annually, is supposed to authorize funding for our Armed Forces and national security, but unfortunately the Democrat majority used this year’s NDAA for partisan purposes, seeking to tie President Trump’s hands as he works to solve the crisis at the southern border. The NDAA for this year prohibits the use of De...
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Robocalls If you have received a phone call from what seems to be a local number, or even that of a family member or friend, only to discover that the call is an automated recording or has been placed by a stranger, you are on the receiving end of a widespread and malicious practice. Robocalls, and the practice of spoofing, which allows bad actors to generate a number with your area code to bypass call blockers in an attempt to trick you into divulging personal or financial information, have bec...
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Independence Day As the United States celebrates 243 years of independence on July 4, it is easy to forget amid the barbecues and parades just how difficult earning our independence was. When the Second Continental Congress announced the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776, its members agreed to “pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes, and our sacred Honor.” That was no empty vow. By that time, the Revolutionary War had already been going on for more than a year. Fo...
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Most weeks in the House of Representatives are busy. Votes, committee hearings, constituent meetings, etc., occupy my time. A recent week highlights how these activities affect policies that are meaningful in the lives of Virginians in the Ninth Congressional District. Energy and Commerce Committee Hearings: Pipelines and Abortion Many hours are spent on committee business, whether hearings or marking up legislation to advance to the House floor. Because Democrats hold the majority in the House,...
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Setting the Table for Economic Growth Our region recently hosted U.S. Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross. I was honored to join him for much of his visit and participate in discussions with him and our region’s leaders about economic development and commerce. The Department of Commerce helps foster conditions for the economy to grow and businesses to thrive, and I am glad Secretary Ross took the time to hear firsthand about our region’s need for a strong economy. Actions taken by the Trump Admini...
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The Wrong Approach to Immigration Reform One of America’s defining virtues is that its promise is open to people of all races and creeds. Our foundational principles apply to men and women no matter their land of origin. Yet this openness to all also places obligations on those who want to become Americans. Because we aspire to treat everyone equally according to the law, we expect newcomers to respect the rule of law. Because our principles shape the American identity, we ask that would-be Amer...
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Rare Earth Elements Countries can rise or fall based on what lies under their feet. Kingdoms in the Middle East gained power due to their vast reserves of oil. Gold and silver mines drove the populating of parts of the American West. In the 21st century, rare earth elements may be the essential resources that shape our future as a country. Rare earth elements are not necessarily as scarce as their name suggests, but they are difficult to obtain and process. They are key ingredients in some advan...
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On the last Monday of May, Americans remember those brave men and women who died defending our country. We honor all Americans who fell in battle on Memorial Day, but this year it also falls close to an important anniversary of a great battle. Seventy-five years ago, on June 6, Allied forces stormed the beaches of Normandy in France to bring about the liberation of Western Europe and the final defeat of Nazi Germany. The events of D-Day still inspire us, and some of its heroes were our friends, ...
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Robocalls Have you received an unsolicited call recently from a number that looked familiar? If so, you are far from alone. Robocalls increasingly plague our cell phones. They leave us unsure about who is calling and what is a legitimate call. Sometimes they trick those who pick up into sending money or divulging sensitive information. At the very least, they are annoying. Many of you have told me about your experiences with this problem, and I have received these calls myself. In the House of R...
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As a Congressman, most of my reading consists of bills and material to prepare for hearings and other responsibilities. But events in Washington as of late have me thinking of a few novels. A bill the House Democrat majority passed reminded me of George Orwell’s 1984. One of the key ideas in Orwell’s book is “doublespeak.” For example, the Party in control of the novel’s totalitarian state uses the slogan “War is Peace, Freedom is Slavery, Ignorance is Strength.” The words contradict each other ...
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