E-Newsletter

9th District Listening Tour

It was good to be back in the 9th District this past week and a half. Traveling extensively, I had the opportunity to meet with many constituents in communities from Christiansburg to Scott County to Tazewell and hear their concerns. My staff and I went down to Patrick County to tour the new jail and to Floyd and Henry County to meet with several groups. I spoke with health care professionals and toured the Wythe County Community Hospital and the Clinch Valley Medical Center. At the Bristol Chamber Breakfast, I heard from the business community and then visited small businesses in Washington County. I got to see firsthand the work local industries are doing at the Magnolia manufacturing facility in Hillsville and Celanese in Narrows. In Big Stone Gap, my staff and I held our first satellite office hours and met with constituents and community leaders to discuss various issues involving the federal government.

Regardless of where I was in the 9th District, I heard the same concerns about burdensome government regulations. From health care to manufacturing to small businesses, the message was clear. Government overreach and bureaucratic regulations are impeding business development and economic growth. Whether the regulations are from the EPA or result from ObamaCare, uncertainty is the result. Jobs are at risk.  Businesses that would otherwise be investing and expanding cannot. We must make sure the regulations we have in place are sensible, necessary, and do not add to the federal deficit. We cannot continue to borrow, spend, and regulate our way back to a growing economy. Instead, we must work to streamline the government and eliminate job-crushing regulations. It’s time to get Americans back to work and government out of the way.

In the coming weeks, Congress will take a vote on funding levels to keep the government operating and make the decision of whether or not to raise the debt limit. For the good of our country, we must cut spending and curtail government overreach. As these votes come before the House, I will be sure to keep you informed.

Later this month, I look forward to continuing to visit the many diverse communities that make up the 9th District.  If you wish to contact my office regarding issues before Congress, I invite you to visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov or call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405.