Candy Apples and Toads An analogy I like to use for the legislative process invokes candy apples and toads. Legislation rarely includes only things I like – the candy apples – or omits the things I really dislike – the toads. Considering whether to support a bill usually means weighing whether there are enough candy apples to cover up the bad taste of a few toads. End-of-year legislating usually p... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after H.R. 3797, the Medical Marijuana Research Act, passed the House of Representatives: “Decisions on marijuana policy must be guided by science and evidence, but federal law currently inhibits researchers from collecting the data that should guide policymakers. The Medical Marijuana Research Act improves Federal Government polici... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement: “I believe the need exists for further economic relief in response to the damage inflicted by the coronavirus pandemic. I am ready to support a rational package to provide it. “During a call with the Republican Conference, I urged our leadership to keep any coronavirus package separate from the anticipated omnibus measure fun... Read more »
Setting an agenda means setting priorities. Based on the agenda of the U.S. House of Representatives, apparently marijuana is a priority of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). It must be so, because on December 4 she used some of the little legislative time remaining in this Congress to bring up H.R. 3884, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019. H.R. 3884 not only decriminaliz... Read more »
The U.S. House of Representatives today passed H.R. 4812, the Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act, introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA). Griffith issued the following statement: “The opioid crisis grew in part due to the abuse of opioids legally manufactured and sold. My bill, the Ensuring Compliance Against Drug Diversion Act, would reform Drug Enforcement Agency regulation... Read more »
The process of advice and consent for a new Supreme Court Justice is currently under way in the United States Senate. While I play no part in this constitutional process as a U.S. Representative, I am impressed by the legal ability of President Trump’s nominee to the seat, Judge Amy Coney Barrett. Senate Democrats, however, have chosen to wage a pre-emptive war on Judge Barrett. They are either tr... Read more »
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) today awarded $1,494,000 to the New River/Mount Rogers Workforce Development Area Consortium Board for the Pathways to a Strong and Healthy Region project addressing substance abuse in the workforce. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: “Substance abuse can throw a person’s life off track, including affecting his or her abilit... Read more »
The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) today awarded $793,500 to the Health Wagon for the Southwest Virginia Medication-Assisted Treatment Services project. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement: “Substance abuse is tragically too common in our region. Countering it requires access to treatment and health services. The Health Wagon has been a critical health resource... Read more »
Since COVID-19 first developed, we have learned a lot about the virus. Although far from unlocking all its secrets, scientists now know much more about its symptoms and transmission, as well as how to treat it. By contrast, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) does not appear to have learned much over the past few months. That is the unfortunate lesson to be drawn from her decision to put a bi... Read more »
The coronavirus pandemic has consumed the attention of the country, but health care challenges that existed before COVID-19 ever came about remain. Some of them have been aggravated by the pandemic, while others have faded from the spotlight despite not declining in seriousness. Without detracting from the serious threat posed by the coronavirus, I want to report to you action taken by the House E... Read more »
