News List

Marijuana and the Rule of Law In the very cold first week of 2018, marijuana became a burning public policy issue. As a CNN headline captured, many people found themselves thrown into confusion on the question: “Is weed legal or not?” Regular readers of this column likely know my position on marijuana. I support legalizing it for medicinal use but oppose legalization for recreational… Read more »

Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of January. In the event of inclement weather (heavy snow, sleet, icy rain, etc.), traveling office hours may be rescheduled to avoid putting constituents at risk. Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions or to… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement after voting for a continuing resolution (CR) funding the government until January 19: “I voted for today’s CR in order to keep the federal government open. I am not happy with this process or this legislation, but as the Senate has failed for 98 days to take up the appropriations bills passed by the House under regular… Read more »

Christmas Stories You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all? And you likely know what holiday song begins with those lines. The story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” both as a song and as a television special, has been a staple of the Christmas season for generations. The story of how… Read more »

Tax Reform: Good for Families, Good for Jobs In a country whose war for independence was to some degree a tax revolt, taxes can be a touchy subject. A lot of complicated questions are involved. How do we encourage economic growth? How do we raise revenue to pay for spending? What is a fair tax rate? Answering these questions means setting priorities and balancing them. My priorities… Read more »

Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the conference report to accompany H.R. 1, the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act: “I cast my vote today in favor of creating jobs and letting Americans keep more of their money. This bill will encourage companies to invest, build, and hire in the United States. It will cut taxes for people across… Read more »

Internet Freedom The recent stir about the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) repeal of “net neutrality” reminds me of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and friends worry about what lies in the enchanted forest. Rather than lions and tigers and bears, however, “net neutrality” supporters incant about the threat posed by “Google and Facebook and Twitter, oh my!” The Internet is… Read more »

This technology is a job creator and an asset for a true ‘all of the above’ energy policy. Read more »

Jerusalem Disclaimer: This column deals with a Middle Eastern issue. It is dangerous to make any attempt to explain the Middle East in less than four volumes, but on the issue of our embassy in Jerusalem, I will attempt to nonetheless. The city of Jerusalem holds a place of special importance in the story of civilization, and on December 6, President Trump acknowledged its unique… Read more »

The House Energy and Commerce Committee today unanimously advanced H.R. 2880, the Promoting Closed-Loop Pumped Storage Hydropower Act, introduced by Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA). The bill would streamline the licensing process the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission (FERC) uses on closed-loop pumped storage projects. It would also require FERC to hold a workshop focused on… Read more »