Pope and Change We experienced an historic moment last week when Pope Francis addressed a joint meeting of Congress, the first Pope in our nation’s history to do so. I was in attendance to hear his remarks to the people of the United States. Regardless of your religious beliefs or political leanings, Pope Francis’ words were thought-provoking. While others in the media have focused on other commen... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement on Speaker of the House John Boehner’s announcement that he will be resigning from the House of Representatives at the end of October: “I respect Speaker Boehner’s decision and thank him for his service to these United States. Though we may have had some disagreements on policy, tactics, and other matters, leading a legislativ... Read more »
A Ban and an Energy Boom Virtually no one would have predicted just a decade ago that the United States would soon transform into an energy-producing powerhouse. Regardless, we have, and our nation is now one of the world’s leading producers of oil and natural gas. But there is action that can and should be taken in order to help sustain this success: lifting the outdated ban on crude oil exports.... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after learning that an affiliate of coal producer Alpha Natural Resources will be ceasing operations or reducing its workforce at several Dickenson County mines. Alpha Natural Resources affiliate Paramont Coal will be ceasing operations at Deep Mine 44, Deep Mine 37, and Deep Mine 25, and reducing the workforce at Deep Mine 41... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement after voting in favor of the Defund Planned Parenthood Act of 2015 (H.R. 3134) and the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act (H.R. 3504): “The federal government has no business in directly or indirectly subsidizing abortion, particularly as investigations continue into atrocious, shocking practices – including the appa... Read more »
Preventing a Nuclear Iran Those who have read this column regularly are likely aware that, since November of 2012, I have been consistently calling for the U.S. Senate to abandon its current modern filibuster/cloture rule, which requires a super majority of Senators in order to take a vote on any issue. Under this practice, a single Senator acting anonymously can place a “hold” on legislation by n... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement calling on the United States Senate to use the “nuclear option” to disapprove of President Obama’s bad nuclear deal with Iran: “The President’s deeply flawed and misguided deal with Iran is a serious security matter not only for the United States, but also for our allies in the Middle East. I believe we must use all tools poss... Read more »
Telemedicine Advances in the Ninth Last week, I had the opportunity to visit a facility right here in the Ninth District that is making strides in health care innovation and improving patient care. At the Radford Health and Rehab Center, some of the nurses will be wearing “smart glasses” as part of their wound care program. These glasses are equipped with a tiny camera, and will transmit a live fe... Read more »
Grieving Like you, I am heartbroken by the tragic incident in Franklin County on August 26 during which WDBJ7 journalists Alison Parker and Adam Ward were killed and Vicki Gardner, head of the Smith Mountain Lake Regional Chamber of Commerce, was injured. Both Alison and Adam grew up in our area, with Alison graduating from high school in Martinsville and Adam from high school in Salem. They will ... Read more »
Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) today issued the following statement: “Like all Southwest Virginians, I am heartbroken by the tragic killing of Alison Parker and Adam Ward. Now and in the days to come, Alison and Adam will be in my prayers, as will their families and loved ones, the WDBJ family, and our community as a whole. Additionally, I pray for the recovery of Vicki Gardner, head of the Sm... Read more »
