Morgan Griffith

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after U.S. District Court Judge Rosemary M. Collyer ruled in the case of United States House of Representatives v. Burwell that the Obama Administration is improperly funding a portion of Obamacare without a separate Congressional appropriation: “This court and I believe the Obama Administration unlawfully bypassed Congress while implementing this portion of Obamacare. I further appreciate that the judicial branch is joining the l... Read more

EPA: “Okay to kill thousands of eagles” According to a recent Associated Press (AP) story picked up by the Roanoke Times, “The Obama administration is revising a federal rule that allows wind-energy companies to operate high-speed turbines for up to 30 years, even if it means killing or injuring thousands of federally protected bald and golden eagles.” The story continues, “Under the plan announced Wednesday, wind companies and other power providers could kill or injure up to 4,200 bald eagles a... Read more

United States Must Present A Strong Face Individuals can often be judged by how they perceive those around them. To his credit in foreign affairs, President Obama seems to view his fellow world leaders as people who want a fair deal and who want to do what is right. This, I believe, reflects well on the President’s core beliefs. To me this indicates he truly wants fair deals, and that he believes if he treats other world leaders fairly even if such deals are not in the best interest of the Unite... Read more

Puerto Rico Among the issues being debated in Washington is the situation in Puerto Rico. Puerto Rico – which is a territory of the United States – has more than $118 billion in debt in the form of bonds and unfunded pension liabilities. Puerto Rico has already defaulted on portions of its debt, and also has not produced audited financial statements for two years. Puerto Rico can’t seek bankruptcy protection. If it were a separate country, it could go to the International Monetary Fund for help.... Read more

IRS Reform This week – the week Americans are expected to file their taxes – the House is planning to vote on four measures that would make some initial reforms at the Internal Revenue Service (IRS). The following paragraphs will elaborate on the bills, though the legislation may not be voted on in this order. H.R. 1206, the No Hires for Delinquent IRS Act would prevent the IRS from hiring additional employees until the Treasury Secretary confirms that no current IRS employee has a serious delin... Read more

Veterans Hospitals' Wait Time According to a story published last week by USA TODAY, “Supervisors instructed employees to falsify patient wait times at Veterans Affairs’ medical facilities in at least seven states…” The story continues, “Employees at 40 VA medical facilities in 19 states and Puerto Rico regularly ‘zeroed out’ veteran wait times, the analysis shows. In some cases, investigators found manipulation had been going on for as long as a decade. In others, it had been just a few years.”... Read more

A Symposium on the Future of Coal The morning of April 4 from 9:30am until 11:30am, I will be holding a Symposium on the Future of Coal-Focused Technology, Innovation, and Industry at the University of Virginia’s College at Wise (UVA-Wise) Convocation Center. I am looking forward to engaging communities in our region with federal officials, industry, and researchers and discussing such important issues as the future of coal-focused technology, innovation, of industry. This event will feature a k... Read more

This column would ordinarily be for the week of March 28, 2016, but we have prepared it ahead of schedule in anticipation of Easter. Peace When the House of Representatives is in session in Washington, D.C., members of the House Republican Conference meet regularly to discuss legislation on the floor that week or in coming days, longer-term strategies, etc. I believe these meetings, which often cover a wide array of topics, are important opportunities to help keep leadership aware of the various... Read more

Bureaucratic Accountability When will Washington bureaucrats who do wrong be held accountable? We all know of the investigation into Lois Lerner, the former Director of the Internal Revenue Services’ (IRS) Exempt Organizations Division who was at the center of the IRS targeting scandal where she appeared to have been involved in targeting political groups for ideological reasons, delaying or denying tax-exempt status they would otherwise have been entitled to. This investigation was closed with ... Read more

EPA’s War on… Stock Cars? As Ronald Reagan might say, “there you go again.” Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations impact many aspects of our economy such as energy, manufacturing, agriculture, etc., and it seems the agency may now have our hobbies and pastimes in its crosshairs (See bottom of column on how to have your voice heard at the EPA). Members of my legislative staff compile what we call our “Daily Legislative Memo.” This document, which is emailed to me, compiles information... Read more