E-Newsletter

Supreme Court Rules on Arizona Immigration Law

All eyes have been on the Supreme Court this week as the nation eagerly awaits the Court’s ruling on President Obama’s health care law (commonly referred to as ObamaCare).  On Monday, in another high profile case, the Court handed down its decision on the Arizona immigration law (S.B. 1070).  Though the decision wasn’t clear and simple, I am pleased that the Court upheld what I believe to be the heart and soul of the law, the “show me your papers" requirement.  Section 2(B) of the law, which according to Justice Kennedy’s opinion, “requires state officers to make a ‘reasonable attempt…to determine the immigration status’ of any person they stop, detain, or arrest on some other legitimate basis if ‘reasonable suspicion exists that the person is an [illegal] alien and is unlawfully present in the U.S.” was upheld.  Kennedy explained, “The Government of the United States has broad, undoubted power over the subject of immigration and the status of aliens.”  But, “Consultation between the federal and state officials is an important feature of the immigration system.” 

Now that President Obama and his agents at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have clear guidance from the Court, it is my hope that they will take seriously the responsibility that rests with the federal government in protecting our borders and enforcing our laws.  I had no problem with Arizona trying to address the pressing issues relating to the large number of illegal aliens in its state.  But, it is time the federal government – both Congress and the Executive Branch – dutifully accepts its role and work together to address our nation’s illegal immigration problems.

Attorney General Eric Holder – Contempt of Congress Vote

This week the House of Representatives is going to vote on a resolution recommending that the House of Representatives find Attorney General Eric Holder in contempt of Congress for refusal to comply with a subpoena issued by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform requesting documents in the Fast and Furious gun-walking operation.  Though I don’t sit on a committee that has handled this investigation, it appears that Mr. Holder has misled Congress and withheld information.  I anticipate that I will support this resolution, but, in light of the gravity of a contempt of Congress, I will review all the relevant facts before I make a final decision.

Glade Spring Middle School Wins Distinction

Last week I visited with staff from Glade Spring Middle School in our nation’s capital.  Glade Spring Middle School has been named one of the top performing middle schools in the country.  Along with 103 other schools, Glade Spring was dubbed a 'School to Watch' according to the National Forum to Accelerate Middle Grades Reform (NFAMGR).  NFAMGR, a national group that honors schools across the country, recognizes truly high-performing middle-level schools that embody “the intersection of academic excellence, developmental responsiveness, social equity, and organizational structure.”  I truly enjoyed our visit, and I look forward to hearing about many more distinctions and awards from Glade Spring Middle School in the future.

Griffith and Hurt Visit Supreme Court

Last Thursday, June 21^st, I was blessed with the opportunity to tour the Supreme Court of the United States with a fellow representative of Virginia, Congressman Robert Hurt.  As many of you know, so many Virginians have played an important role in the life of the Court.  Congressman Hurt and I were lucky enough to sit in on the Court’s proceedings for the day on Thursday, June 21^st, but unfortunately the Court didn’t hand down its ruling in the ObamaCare case.  Like you, I continue to anxiously await the decision.  If you’re interested, below you will find the four cases that did come down during our visit.

Southern Union Co. v. United States
Knox v. Service Employees
Dorsey v. United States
FCC v. Fox Television Stations, Inc.

 As always, if you have questions, concerns, or comments, 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.