News List

September 6, 2011Covington:  10:00am – 12:00pmCovington City HallCity Hall Conference Room333 W. Locust StreetCovington, VA 24426Marion: 10:00am – 12:00pmTown Council Chambers138 West Main StreetMarion, VA  24354Bristol: 2:00pm – 4:00pmBristol VA Public LibraryFrancis E. Kegley Conference Room701 Goode StreetBristol, VA 24201New Castle: 2:00pm –… Read more »

Recently, the 11th Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the individual health insurance mandate at the center of Obama Care is unconstitutional. The individual mandate requires that most Americans purchase health insurance by 2014 or face penalties. The U.S. Constitution does not give the federal government the power to force the American people to buy health insurance. I have said from the beginning and firmly believe that requiring individuals to purchase health insurance is a direct violation of our nation’s constitutional principles. Read more »

U.S. Rep. Morgan Griffith nods in agreement when he’s reminded that his predecessor, Democrat Rick Boucher, was prolific at getting federal grants for everything from broadband to water lines over a period of three decades. Read more »

One of my main responsibilities is to represent the interests of the hard-working men and women of the Ninth District in Washington. How can I do that if I don't hear directly from you? It's my job to be accessible and travel to my constituents, not require you to travel far to talk with me and share your ideas. In fact, we spend too much time in Washington with too little to show for it. We’re all better served by going home and listening to what’s on folk’s minds about the issues we are facing rather than listening to the talking points on the lobbyists’ agenda or a pundit’s teleprompter. Read more »

"Short term we can deal with it but long term if we don't start cutting spending, I think the average person should be very concerned," says Griffith. Read more »

As you know, after several months of negotiations, the House and the Senate passed a deal last week to raise the debt limit. Just when you thought the debt limit debate was over, it turns out it is really just getting started. Over the weekend, the credit rating agency Standard and Poor’s downgraded the United States’ long-term credit rating from AAA to AA+. One reason cited by S&P for the downgrade is that the debt limit plan agreed to by Congress and the Administration “falls short.” I voted no for essentially the same reason. This downgrade is another consequence of our nation’s debt problem. Read more »

Neither of the Mountain Empire’s two congressmen was thrilled with a last-minute compromise that allowed President Barack Obama to raise the debt ceiling late Tuesday afternoon and keep the country from going into default on its obligations. Read more »

The House vote that passed a compromise plan to increase the nation's debt limit did so without the support of freshman Rep. Morgan Griffith, R-Salem. Read more »

Last week I made the difficult decision to compromise and voted for Speaker Boehner's plan. Read more »

As the debt limit debate has unfolded, I have heard from many folks in the 9th District who are rightfully concerned with our nation’s debt and, like I am, are frustrated by Washington’s lack of spending discipline. Last week I made the difficult decision to compromise and voted for Speaker Boehner’s plan. While the Boehner plan was not perfect, it was a realistic approach and a step in the right direction. Among other things, it required passage of a Balanced Budget Amendment to the Constitution before a second increase in the debt ceiling. Read more »