Griffith, Morgan RSS Articles

Griffith Leads Fight to End Birthright Citizenship in U.S. Territories

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) introduced the End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act. This new measure comes in response to the Trump v. Barbara decision, where the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that children born in the United States to aliens who enter the country illegally have automatic access to constitutional protections as granted by the Citizenship Clause of the Fourteenth Amendment.

However, the Barbara decision does not address the birthright citizenship process in the U.S. territories, which differs from that of the 50 U.S. States and Washington, D.C. Currently, any child born in a U.S. territory (minus American Samoa) accesses U.S. citizenship automatically. But in the territories, citizenship rights must be granted by Congress and therefore are subject to Congressional scrutiny. Unlike in the States and Washington, D.C. where the Supreme Court has made clear that a Constitutional Amendment is needed to affect birthright citizenship laws, a simple change in statute can limit birthright citizenship in the territories.

Accordingly, Congressman Griffith’s End Birthright Citizenship for Territories Act is a statutory fix that clarifies U.S. birthright citizenship laws for those born in the territories. This bill expressly reserves birthright citizenship for those in the territories born to U.S. citizens and legal permanent residents only. This bill helps fight against the “birth tourism” industry, which empowers foreign nationals to exploit U.S. citizenship laws.

Following bill introduction, Congressman Griffith issued the following statement:

“The Barbara decision leaves open the door for Congressional action on citizenship in the American territories. Because of the current birthright laws in place in the territories, any child born in a U.S. territory (minus American Samoa), regardless of a parent’s nationality, accesses U.S. citizenship automatically. I am leading a bill to crack down on birthright citizenship in the territories and combat foreign nationals who are exploiting loopholes in our citizenship laws to take advantage of U.S. generosity. This way, you have to be born to a U.S. citizen or legal permanent resident to have American citizenship in the territories! While this change is limited to the territories, it is the only step we can currently take to protect U.S. citizenship.”

BACKGROUND

Under Congressman Griffith’s bill, natives of the territories who are U.S. citizens will still be able to extend U.S. citizenship to their children. This bill only affects those who are not U.S. citizens that give birth to children in the territories starting in January 2027.

Currently, four of the five inhabited U.S. territories have been granted U.S. citizenship by laws passed in Congress. These are Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

These four territories exercise these powers because Congress extended such rights in statute through laws like the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952. The Northern Mariana Islands have acquired such rights through a different statutory mechanism.

The U.S. territory of American Samoa is the lone exception. Those born in this territory are considered American nationals but have not been granted citizenship status by Congress.

Accordingly, birthright citizenship does not apply currently in American Samoa.

The application under the Barbara case of birthright citizenship in the U.S. territories differs from what is established in the 50 U.S. States and Washington, D.C. according to Supreme Court cases.

The birthright discrepancy between the territories and the States dates to legal cases beginning in the early 20^th century known as the Insular Cases.

Generally, these cases governed which constitutional protections apply in U.S. territories.

Additionally, since 2010, two federal courts of appeals cases have rejected the notion that those born in the U.S. territories access the same automatic rights by virtue of the Constitution as those in the U.S. states and Washington, D.C.

A copy of the text for Congressman Griffith’s bill can be found here.

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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 7.16.26

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

At the close of June, the Supreme Court of the United States (SCOTUS) weighed in on various issues that impact the country.

Perhaps the SCOTUS decision to receive the most media attention is Trump v. Barbara. This case concerns the Citizenship Clause in the Fourteenth Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.

The Citizenship Clause specifically states, “all persons born or naturalized in the United States and subject to the jurisdiction thereof, are citizens of the United States and of the State wherein they reside.”

The Trump Administration challenged this definition to argue the Citizenship Clause does not apply to children born in the United States to illegal immigrants. Through Executive action on birthright citizenship, automatic U.S. citizenship would not apply to these newborns.

Trump’s Executive action became the subject of SCOTUS scrutiny in Trump v. Barbara.

SCOTUS ruled against the Administration. Whether we like it or not, absent a Constitutional amendment, birthright citizenship will remain in place for the U.S. States.

However, this ruling does not address the birthright citizenship process in the U.S. territories.

Citizenship in the territories is distinct from that of the States.

Currently, four of the five inhabited U.S. territories have been granted U.S. citizenship by laws passed in Congress. These are Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, the Virgin Islands and Puerto Rico.

The U.S. territory of American Samoa is the lone exception. Those born in this territory are considered American nationals but have not been granted citizenship status by Congress.

Accordingly, birthright citizenship does not apply currently in American Samoa.

The application under the Barbara case of birthright citizenship in the U.S. territories differs from what is established in the 50 U.S. States according to Supreme Court cases.

The birthright discrepancy between the territories and the States dates to legal cases beginning in the early 20^th century known as the Insular Cases.

Generally, these cases governed which constitutional protections apply in U.S. territories.

Thus, the Barbara case leaves the door open for Congressional action on citizenship in the American territories. I am leading a bill to crack down on abuse of birthright citizenship in the territories. This bill should stop the so-called “birth tourism” that is taking place in the American territories.

Because of the current birthright laws in place in the territories, any child born in a U.S. territory (minus American Samoa) accesses U.S. citizenship automatically.

Accordingly, business in the “birth tourism” industry, which Justice Clarence Thomas references in his dissent of Trump v. Barbara, empowers groups to exploit U.S. citizenship laws for personal gain.

A New York Post article this year notes estimates of roughly 1,000 companies that offer “birth tourism” services.

One of the referenced China-based “birth tourism” companies advertises with the slogan “Create beautiful memories while having an American baby.”

“Birth tourists” and their babies later return to the parent’s country of origin. But by providing U.S. citizenship to their child, one day their child can access the benefits that U.S. citizenship has to offer.

That can come in the form of work, education, voting in federal elections and more.

This is outrageous and I am working on a legislative fix.

Just like Congress possesses the power to grant the territories Constitutional rights in statute, we have the power to take them away in statute.

Whereas under Barbara a Constitutional amendment would be needed to change birthright citizenship in the 50 U.S. states, a simple statutory reform for the U.S. territories is a realistic solution with real world implications.

Accordingly, I am leading the charge in Congress to rectify this problem, clarify U.S. citizenship laws in the territories and combat foreign nationals who are exploiting loopholes in our citizenship laws to take advantage of U.S. generosity.

My bill would stop “birth tourism” in the U.S. territories!

While this change is limited to the territories, it is the only step we can currently take to effectively protect U.S. citizenship.

If you have questions, concerns, or comments, feel free to contact my office. 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 https://morgangriffith.house.gov/. Also on my website is the latest material from my office, including information on votes recently taken on the floor of the House of Representatives.

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Griffith Announces $3,012,885 HHS Grant to Twin Counties Region Head Start Programs

Thu, 16 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Rooftop of Virginia CAP, based in Galax, Virginia, a $3,012,885 grant. The funding supports local head start projects. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Head start and early head start services support communities in the Twin Counties region.

“This HHS grant for more than $3 million helps Rooftop of Virginia maintain head start operations in the region.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, Rooftop of Virginia supports head start services in the City of Galax well as Carroll and Grayson Counties. More than 260 participants in the region benefit from its head start program.

Rooftop of Virginia operates three head start classrooms in the region.

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Griffith Announces $700,000 ARC Grant for SWVA Waterline Project

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Lee County, Virginia, a $700,000 grant. This funding will support the completion of municipal waterline to serve households in Lee and Scott Counties. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Potable water is an important resource for Southwest Virginia communities.

“This ARC grant for $700,000 helps Lee County construct new waterline service for the residents of the Flower Gap and Fairview areas in Lee and Scott Counties.”

BACKGROUND

According to ARC, the name of this project is the Flower Gap – Fairview Waterline Extension Project.

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Griffith Celebrates More Than $7.3 Million for SWVA Helene Relief

Tue, 14 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Virginia Governor Abigail Spanberger announced that federal funds will support communities in Southwest Virginia impacted from Hurricane Helene. The breakdown of grants includes:

$3.5 million for Giles County to support the repair, rehabilitation, reconstruction and replacement of disaster-damaged homes for low- and moderate-income households
$3.5 million for Washington County to support the repair, rehabilitation, reconstruction and replacement of disaster-damaged homes for low- and moderate-income households
$322,712 for Town of Fries (Grayson County) to support the installation of a generator at a local water treatment facility

In response to these grant notices, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“I support using the federal Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program for Hurricane Helene aid to help communities in Virginia.

“These grants for more than $7.3 million help Giles and Washington Counties as well as the Town of Fries support recovery efforts in the region.”

BACKGROUND

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers the Community Development Block Grant-Disaster Recovery program.

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

In January 2025, Rep. Griffith announced $46.67 million in Helene relief to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith announced nearly $6 million in Helene relief in a separate grant for Washington County water line repairs.

In January 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $4.2 million in Helene relief for a Wytheville wastewater treatment system.

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $8.6 million in Helene relief for water line repair.

In April 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.7 million in Helene relief for bridge repair.

In June 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $2.8 million in Helene relief for road repair.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $9.3 million in Helene relief for waterline repair and $1.2 million in bridge repairs.

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Griffith Announces More Than $1.2 Million FEMA Grant for Helene Relief Bridge Repair

Mon, 13 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded a Hurricane Helene-related grant of $1,203,957 to the Commonwealth of Virginia. This funding will support repairs to a 160-feet long and 14-feet wide bridge in Damascus, Virginia, that was lifted off its foundations and washed downstream as a result of intense flooding from Hurricane Helene.

In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Hurricane Helene’s impact continues to be felt in Virginia’s Ninth District.

“This FEMA grant for more than $1.2 million helps the Virginia Department of Transportation deliver renewed access to a bridge in Damascus, Virginia.”

BACKGROUND

FEMA funds are obligated to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The Commonwealth will be responsible for providing the funds to the sub-recipients.

In January 2025, Rep. Griffith announced $46.67 million in Helene relief to Virginia from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith announced nearly $6 million in Helene relief in a separate grant for Washington County water line repairs.

In January 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $4.2 million in Helene relief for a Wytheville wastewater treatment system.

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $8.6 million in Helene relief for water line repair.

In April 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.7 million in Helene relief for bridge repair.

In June 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $2.8 million in Helene relief for road repair.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $9.3 million in Helene relief for waterline repair.

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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 7.10.26

Fri, 10 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

A core pillar of the economy for Virginia’s Ninth District is agriculture.

Whether they raise corn or cattle, cut timber or Christmas trees, agricultural producers all play a vital role in rural America’s success.

Thanks to our agricultural communities, we can deliver fresh produce, supply grocery stores, feed American families, spur small business economic activity, support local communities and so much more.

Given these meaningful contributions, I explore opportunities in Congress to support America’s agricultural sector.

Often that means voting for better federal policy.

In April, I voted for a bill that helps strengthen the farming industry in Virginia’s Ninth District.

H.R. 7567 – the Farm, Food, and National Security Act provides funding resources for farmers.

The farm bill helps institutions like Virginia Tech with federal funding through various research grant opportunities.

The farm bill creates a pilot program for badly needed additional custom slaughter establishments. Small meat-processing facilities may be able to sell their meat inside the Commonwealth of Virginia as long as their product has a label that says the product is not inspected by the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Further, the farm bill promotes 21^st century technologies to help farmers modernize their operations to make them more efficient.

I believe there are some very positive provisions that will help Virginia farmers. That is why the bill has support from the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the Virginia Agribusiness Councill and the Virginia Farm Bureau Federation, among others.

After Republicans helped pass this critical legislation for rural America, it awaits action in the Senate. I will continue to encourage Congressional action on policies that benefit our American farmers.

Not only do I support Congressional action, but I also work with the Trump Administration to help deliver better outcomes for Virginia’s farmers.

Such was the case this year as the Commonwealth has faced harmful weather events.

In response to frost and freeze events during the spring that impacted many farms, Virginia requested a Secretarial Disaster Designation from the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA).

I helped lead efforts in Virginia’s congressional delegation to urge USDA Secretary Rollins to approve Virginia’s request.

In June, Secretary Rollins granted our request! Many Virginia farmers who suffered crop losses from the spring can now access emergency loan assistance.

Further, severe drought this summer has caused additional challenges.

Governor Spanberger has urged Virginians to conserve water as Virginia faces its driest period since 1941.

Secretary Rollins approved parts of Virginia to be eligible for federal drought relief, with Tazewell County receiving a primary natural disaster area designation. Bland, Buchanan, Russell and Smyth Counties may also request federal drought assistance.

As growing season challenges and record temperatures threaten to destabilize farming operations, I will continue my advocacy at the federal level for farming community access to federal disaster resources.

Our farmers need access to more than just resources. They need access to opportunity.

That is why President Trump continues to work on trade deals that create opportunities for the American farming industry to market its products globally.

Trump’s trade actions have improved American beef producers’ access to markets in Southeast Asia.

All the while, we continue to monitor the situation with South American beef.

Due to the deteriorating relationship with China caused by many factors, trade negotiations have been tougher.

In those negotiations, I have joined lawmakers in writing to President Trump to protect American tobacco.

One complication is likely that the Chinese Communist Party controls the expansive Chinese tobacco industry.

For many years, China was among the U.S. trade partners that annually purchased as much as 80 million pounds of American tobacco.

However, China made clear it would not buy America’s superior quality flue-cured tobacco from the 2025 crop. This announcement spelled unease and trouble for Virginia’s tobacco producers.

Accordingly, I am supportive of President Trump’s efforts to ensure fair treatment of American farmers and expanded market access for our farming products.

Some have not fared as well with the tariffs, and Congress is working to ameliorate those issues. Affecting our region is the export of timber products.

Whether it is crops, livestock, timber or other items, America’s agricultural sector creates the best quality products in the world. Accordingly, it is only right for them to get a fair shake.

I will continue working in Congress to promote policy outcomes that make farming operations in the U.S. more sustainable, less costly and more successful.

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Griffith Announces $652,113 in HHS Grants to Virginia Tech

Thu, 09 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, three research related grants worth $652,113. The funding breakdown of the grants is as follows:

$385,103 to support research related to biomedical research and research training
$169,983 to support alcohol research
$97,027 to support animal model research for veterinarians

In response to these grant notices, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Virginia Tech is a leading visionary across diverse fields of scientific research.

“These HHS grants for more than $652,000 help Virginia Tech’s world-class research team expand investigations into scientific topics.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Griffith Announces $432,132 HHS Grant to Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine in Blacksburg

Wed, 08 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine campus in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $432,132 grant. The funding supports research into medicines that enhance brain fluid flow and alleviate neuroinflammation. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“The Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine Blacksburg campus leads an institution in Virginia’s Ninth District to advance research and improve human health.

“This HHS grant for more than $432,000 helps the College develop research for medicines that help patients with neuroinflammation.”

BACKGROUND

As a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith serves as the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee.

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Griffith Appears on “The Deciders” to Discuss Issues Facing U.S. Rural Communities

Tue, 07 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Health for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, appeared on the latest edition of “The Deciders.” During his appearance, Congressman Griffith outlined policies and actions needed to protect America’s rural communities.

Click here or below to watch the full episode featuring Congressman Griffith.

Chairman Griffith on helping draft policies to combat the synthetic opioid crisis:

“The one that I think probably had the most impact in the early years was the Drug Prescription Monitoring Program…I was very proud we got that included in the [SUPPORT ACT]. And then my bill, the HALT Fentanyl bill, that I did with Bob Latta. So we scheduled all the analogues, there’s about 4,300 of them, as Schedule I.”

Chairman Griffith on efforts to lower drug costs in the United States:

“You’ve got to have that balance. You want the medical pharmaceutical companies to do the research, to find the new medicine, to find the breakthrough. We want to keep the jobs here in the U.S. instead of sending them to China. At the same time, it’s not fair and President Trump’s been all over this. It’s not fair that other countries in the world use our breakthroughs at a much lower cost. So he’s working hard and I agree with him. They have to pay for some of the research costs too. It should not just be the American consumer.”

Chairman Griffith on the impacts of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data centers:

“The right answer is to figure out a way that [data centers] pay all of [their] own upgrade costs to the electric system. [They] pay for [their] own substation, or as the case is with a facility that is being built in Wise County, Virginia. They are building a natural gas generator as a part of the data center, and that I think is the right answer.”

“That doesn’t mean there won’t be individuals who are negatively impacted and we have to work to make sure we lessen that impact. But I think there are going to be so many new jobs created from the new technologies…history tells us that every time there is a new technology, there are new jobs that follow. We need to make sure that we are the first to engage these new technologies, but we have to make sure that the people who are the working poor and economically distressed are not left behind. That's our job: is to make sure they are not left behind.”

“We need to embrace [AI]. If we do not embrace it, then the Chinese will lead and they will be the world superpower and we will be relegated to a secondary role.”

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