E-Newsletter

Tragedy at Virginia Tech

Last week, tragedy once again struck the Virginia Tech community. My deepest sympathies are with the family of Officer Deriek W. Crouse, the Virginia Tech Police Department, and the entire Hokie Nation.  I was terribly saddened to learn that Officer Crouse, a father, husband, son, brother, and veteran, was killed in the line of duty.  A four-year veteran of the Virginia Tech Police Department, Officer Crouse was dedicated to serving and protecting the students at Virginia Tech.  This tragic event is a stark reminder of the many dangers law enforcement personnel face on a daily basis. 

Any tragedy is difficult to understand, but these events are especially trying for the Virginia Tech community that has already experienced so much heartbreak.  I want to thank federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies for their assistance.  Quick responses from the University and these agencies helped to ensure the safety of those on campus.

I continue to keep the Virginia Tech and Blacksburg communities in my prayers. Officer Crouse and his service will not be forgotten.

Say “Yes” to Jobs

The House is scheduled to take up a package in the coming week that would extend unemployment insurance as well as the payroll tax holiday. Among other things, the package also includes two pro-jobs initiatives – Boiler MACT and the Keystone XL pipeline. I have written about Boiler MACT repeatedly in this column, and I am proud that this necessary regulatory relief for job creators is included in the package. Inclusion of the Keystone XL pipeline is also a positive addition, especially for out-of-work Americans.

North American energy sources are available.  The Keystone XL pipeline would transport oil into the United States from Canada.  Keystone XL would pipe valuable energy resources throughout our nation. The pipeline’s construction would put more than ten thousand Americans back to work and could support over 100,000 indirect jobs while helping to address America’s energy needs. Moving forward with this project would also help to decrease our reliance on oil from Hugo Chavez in Venezuela and some Arab nations, which are not friends of the United States.  I would rather America use oil that came from Canada than an unfriendly nation.  

Last week, President Obama made an official announcement that he would reject any attempt to include Keystone XL pipeline in the overall package. Why would President Obama threaten to veto this package over something that would create jobs and reduce our dependence for oil from unfriendly nations?  Keystone XL has strong bipartisan support in both the House and Senate.  President Obama has said time and time again that jobs are a priority, but in reality, he is standing in the the way.  Every day this long overdue Keystone XL project is delayed is a day that more Americans remain unemployed.  In addition, giving industry more time to comply with the Boiler MACT rules would potentially protect thousands of jobs in Virginia and nationwide.  I urge the President to reconsider this veto threat and say “yes” to American jobs. 

House Passes the REINS Act

Last week the House passed another bill that would help rein in out of control federal regulations. The Regulations from the Executive in Need of Scrutiny (REINS) Act requires Congress to take an up-or-down vote on regulations that have an economic impact of $100 million or more before they can be imposed on the American people and businesses. According to the Small Business Administration (SBA), in 2008 the total cost of federal regulations was $1.75 trillion.  SBA goes on to state that “had every U.S. household paid an equal share of the federal regulatory burden, each would have owed $15,586.”  With many businesses already struggling to stay afloat, we must make certain that new regulations do not place additional unnecessary burdens on our economy. The REINS Act, while not perfect, would slow down the Obama Administration’s regulatory tidal wave.

One More Job

I have enjoyed reviewing your submissions regarding job creation. The responses have varied from ideas on changing the tax code to eliminating burdensome environmental regulations to investing in transportation infrastructure. You can still submit your ideas to help create one more job by emailing virginia09ideas@mail.house.gov.

As always, if you have concerns or comments or wish to inquire about legislative issues, feel free to contact my offices. You can call my Abingdon office at 276-525-1405 or my Christiansburg office at 540-381-5671. To reach my office via email, please visit my website at www.morgangriffith.house.gov.