Griffith, Morgan RSS Articles

Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 7.30.26

Thu, 30 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

In July 2025, I received an appointment to be Chairman of the Health Subcommittee for the House Committee on Energy and Commerce.

In the first week following my appointment, I toured various hospitals in Virginia’s Ninth District. My visits included Lee County Community Hospital in Pennington Gap, Clinch Valley Medical Center in Richlands, Carilion Giles Community Hospital in Pearisburg, and LewisGale Hospital Montgomery in Blacksburg.

My discussions with hospital leadership and staff touched on topics of hospital solvency, health care access challenges and the rural health care landscape.

Additionally, I consult with our Community Health Centers (CHCs). During my first week as Health Subcommittee Chairman, I visited the Connect Health + Wellness location in Martinsville.

I support federal engagement with health care providers and patients to improve health care outcomes in rural America.

This engagement has continued in 2026.

I am in close contact with rural hospitals in Virginia’s Ninth District. These vital health care providers serve the medical needs of our rural communities with care, dignity and professionalism.

One hospital is Twin County Regional Healthcare in Galax. In May, I met with Twin County hospital leadership and local officials. Together, we are committed to serving the medical needs of our rural communities.

Another hospital with this mission is Clinch Valley Health Medical Center. This summer, I toured its facility. Clinch Valley Health President and CEO Peter Mulkey emphasized that these meetings help us “work together” to “provide top quality care to those that call our region home.”

For more of my summer meetings, I visited Abingdon and toured the Appalachian Highlands Community Dental Center. The clinic strives to be a source of care in Southwest Virginia.

Additionally, in Wise County, I had the privilege to visit a weekend-long expo, the Move Mountains Medical Mission.

This expo featured volunteer actions from numerous health care providers, including Radford University’s nursing program, UVA-Wise personnel and the Health Wagon.

There was even a free veterinary clinic!

Further, I will have additional opportunities to meet providers, medical staff and patients. I will continue to promote voices in our region to help advance rural health care solutions.

My Health Subcommittee has taken advantage of some opportunities to advance health care solutions. I was proud to push forward many bills for full House consideration.

These include H.R. 2821, the FDA Modernization Act 3.0.

This bill promotes modern alternative testing methods to minimize animal testing.

The horrors of federal testing on animals hit Capitol Hill when Dr. Anthony Fauci came under fire for his agency, NIAID, and its taxpayer-funded experiments on beagles. This unnecessary dog testing included cutting out vocal cords, infesting them with ticks and placing them in cages with infectious sandflies.

House passage of the FDA Modernization Act 3.0 is a win for animal rights without sacrificing scientific breakthroughs.

Further, the bill improves development of clinical drugs by encourages use of alternative methods, such as computational AI models. As our agencies test scientific advances and potential treatments, new clinical drugs can hit the market for patients.

A second bill to win House support is H.R. 6238, the National Institutes of Health (NIH) IMPROVE Maternal Care Act.

This legislation delivers research funding for maternal care. With more than one million women of childbearing age in Virginia, this kind of funding will help our expectant mothers.

We also passed other bills that support research funding.

In the case of H.R. 3491, the DeOndra Dixon INCLUDE Project Act of 2025, we provide federal funding for research into down syndrome.

We must continue to work to better understand this condition.

Additionally, the House passed the EARLY Act Reauthorization of 2025.

This bill delivers funding for breast cancer awareness campaigns to promote early detection.

Breast cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. According to the National Cancer Institute, a 2026 study found 15% of new cancer cases are breast cancer.

By educating our communities and patients on breast cancer, this legislation will help with diagnosis efforts.

These bills are a pillar of my Health Subcommittee’s efforts to improve health care outcomes across the United States.

We will have to wait for the Senate to pass them as well, but when it comes to maternal care, down syndrome, and breast cancer I cannot imagine the Senate will not concur.

I will continue to make the most of my appointment to the Health Subcommittee to advance policies, create health care opportunities and strengthen options for patients.

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Chairman Griffith Op-Ed: Smart use of AI can improve American healthcare

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, penned a new op-ed that details the potential advances of health care through artificial intelligence (AI). An embrace of AI applications presents challenges, which is why Chairman Griffith stresses the importance of human supervision to complement the AI transition.

You can read Chairman Griffith’s op-ed piece in the Washington Times here and below.

Smart use of AI can improve American healthcare

Revolutionary ideas and technologies continue to fuel success stories in health care.

As a senior member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, and Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, I regularly hear perspectives on medical advances that bring newfound hope to patients, families and communities.

Telehealth is one such technological breakthrough. By saving patients time, money and peace of mind, many Americans enjoy more convenient and accessible care.

While the demand for health care convenience and access soars, so too does the demand for new cures and treatments.

The Health Subcommittee has championed policies to help create new classes of treatments for rare diseases.

The Mikaela Naylon Give Kids a Chance Act which became law in February strengthens federal efforts to review and approve therapies for rare diseases like pediatric cancer.

The ACT for ALS Reauthorization Act of 2026 which I reported out of the Health Subcommittee directs millions of dollars to research for ALS and other neurodegenerative diseases.

Congressional actions like these, among others, to support American patients are meaningful steps to strengthen the future of the American health care landscape.

What else bears fruit for our medical future?

I believe much of our health care success will hinge on the blossoming potential of artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning (ML).

This Congress, I led a Health Subcommittee hearing to explore ways our American health care system can keep pace with the speed of science through applications of AI and ML.

AI presents new opportunities to detect disease sooner, deploy improved medical guidance and deliver more precise care to patients. The sooner that the patient receives care, the lesser the risk of severe illness or death that the patient faces.

Not only does this approach prevent delays in care; it also helps prevent future cost increases that impact patients, government programs and health care providers.

In addition to benefitting our health care system, a boost in early detection efforts will ease the burdens on health care providers!

Additional resources are made available, thanks to AI advances.

Medical device companies analyze how their products can better administer care. Insurance companies process claims to help patients access more timely care. Doctors and health care professionals streamline operations to complete required medical paperwork at a faster clip.

The recently passed Virginia State budget reflects the building momentum for AI in health care. The legislative blueprint directs the Department of Medical Assistance Services (DMAS) to strengthen call center operations through the application of AI technologies.

Even with the potential to achieve an abundance of favorable health outcomes through AI, we must be cautious about the current challenges facing AI application.

AI is not perfect. A blanketed embrace of AI technologies without appropriate guardrails would be irresponsible policy and grounded in fantasy.

What reality shows is unlocking AI’s full potential in health care requires human supervision. We need responsible administration and active oversight of AI tools, while also placing an emphasis on safety. A human component working with these technologies ensures safer success and allows the patient-physician relationship to truly thrive.

Where patients rely on AI chatbots for mental health resources, a medical professional should review the conversations.

Where a patient request for treatment is denied coverage, a human must oversee that decision.

Congress has a moral obligation to ensure these AI tools are used to assist — not replace — the clinical workforce of today.

Therefore, a balanced embrace of AI applications can lower health care costs, save finite taxpayer dollars and provide breakthrough treatments to American patients.

Taken together, AI promises a new wave of success stories. Human judgment will preserve these stories for generations to come.

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Griffith Announces $460,260 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech for AI in Health Care

Mon, 27 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $460,260 grant. The funding will support research of artificial intelligence (AI) applications like machine learning and natural language processing to medically treat seniors in rural communities.

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

“American health care stands to benefit from a transition to AI technologies.

“This HHS grant for more than $460,000 helps Virginia Tech explore health care solutions with the use of AI applications.”

BACKGROUND

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

Congressman Griffith’s published op-ed in The Washington Times on the impacts of AI on health care progress can be found here.

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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 7.24.26

Fri, 24 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Lawmakers take actions on various issues to make a difference.

In the health care space, it often seems I work around the clock to assess federal policy, hear perspectives from the medical community as well as patients and explore ways to help lower health care costs.

One way I do this is by looking at the health care landscape in our region.

Accordingly, I am a leader of H.R. 2191, the Physician Led and Rural Access to Quality Care Act. This bill is one way for us to empower independent physicians and help address medical deserts in rural communities.

To begin 2026, I attended the ribbon cutting for the Stuart Community Hospital in Patrick County.

Thanks to the efforts of a company, led by physician Dr. Beau Braden, and with careful monitoring, Dr. Braden’s team has been able to get around the so-called Affordable Care Act prohibitions against physician-owned hospitals.

Patrick County’s hospital is not physician-owned, but it is certainly physician-led.

Historically, many hospitals in Virginia’s Ninth District actually started as physician-owned hospitals.

But in some areas that are not served or underserved, Dr. Braden’s model has shown that it can work to bring competition to hospital care.

His company has hospitals in Tennessee and North Carolina.

For these reasons, his company launched the Stuart facility to facilitate local emergency and in patient care.

This positive development shows physicians can create a path towards health care access and opportunity for rural communities.

As the Chairman of the Health Subcommittee, good ideas like physician-led hospitals come across my desk. In some cases, I can promote these ideas toward a finishing line: the President’s desk.

Right now, some good health care bills are on this track after recently securing House passage. The following bills show a collective effort on both sides of the aisle to address illnesses with no known cure.

One bill is H.R. 3747 – the Accelerating Access to Dementia and Alzheimer’s Provider Training (AADAPT) Act.

The AADAPT Act reauthorizes a program that provides primary care providers with Alzheimer’s and dementia training to help improve detection and promote early diagnosis in rural and underserved areas.

With millions of Alzheimer’s disease cases and other forms of dementia in the United States, it is necessary that we continue to work to better identify these devastating diseases.

As our population grows older and more seniors occupy our health care system, so comes the rise in Alzheimer’s and dementia cases.

In May of 2026, Virginia Tech received a grant from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for more than $642,000! They will use this federal funding to develop more aging research on these types of dementia diseases.

I am hopeful that H.R. 3747 will create more opportunities for Virginia Tech and others to better understand dementia-related illnesses.

A second bill to secure House passage is H.R. 4348 – To reauthorize the Kay Hagan Tick Act.

This legislation helps bolster federal programs that provide research into tickborne illnesses such as Lyme disease.

Lyme disease cases are rising in the U.S. This April, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that visits to the Emergency Room for tick bites are higher than normal in many parts of the country.

This issue is not alien to Virginia communities.

According to the CDC, Virginia is one of the five U.S. States most impacted by alpha-gal syndrome, a tickborne illness that makes the body allergic to red meat consumption.

As someone who lives with a mild form of alpha-gal, I understand the severity of tickborne illnesses.

With a renewed federal focus on prevention and treatment efforts, I participated in an HHS roundtable with HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. Secretary Kennedy outlined his support for policies, including the Kay Hagan Tick Act, that tackle the challenges of tickborne diseases.

I am glad to be a leader for House action on the Kay Hagan Tick Act.

Research on the above diseases presents meaningful opportunities for finding better treatments.

Accordingly, these health care actions are capable of making a difference in the lives of our loved ones, our neighbors and our communities.

My Health Subcommittee believes in making a difference.

Whether I discuss potential health care solutions in DC or in our region, I will continue to work for policies that make a difference in the lives of Central, Southside and Southwest Virginia.

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 Statement on DoD Selection of Virginia Tech for Fellowship Program

Thu, 23 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) is tapping Virginia Tech to host a revamped fellowship program for senior military officers. The Senior Service College Fellowship helps train and develop senior level civilians for military leadership roles.

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

“Virginia Tech’s traditions of service to our country date all the way back to the school’s founding. In May, it was an honor to see this service on display at the Virginia Tech Corps of Cadets Change of Command ceremony.

“This rich history and the success of service-related programs at Virginia Tech resonate with federal and military officials alike. With DoD’s selection of Virginia Tech for this new fellowship opportunity, Virginia Tech will continue to be a prime educational experience for aspiring military leaders. This recognition is long overdue.

“I commend DoD for developing closer ties with Virginia Tech through this fellowship program.”

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Griffith Announces $1 Million HHS Grant to Mount Rogers Community Services Board

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the Mount Rogers Community Services Board, based in Wytheville, Virginia, a $1 million grant. The funding supports local substance abuse and mental health services. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Mount Rogers Community Services leads specialized programs for those impacted by mental health struggles and substance use disorders.

“This HHS grant for $1 million helps Mount Rogers Community Services make our communities healthier.”

BACKGROUND

According to its website, the Mount Rogers Community Services Board serves the City of Galax well as Bland, Carroll, Grayson, Smyth and Wythe Counties.

Mount Rogers Community Services operates multiple centers 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 $750,000 HHS Grant to Support Local Opioid Response Programs

Wed, 22 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems, Inc., based in Saltville, Virginia, a $750,000 grant. The funding supports local opioid response programs. U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems operates numerous New Day Recovery facilities and community health centers. As someone who has visited its Saltville location, I understand the impacts of the synthetic opioid crisis on rural communities.

“This HHS grant for $750,000 helps Southwest Virginia Community Health Systems treat local communities.

“I am proud that my HALT Fentanyl Act is now law, and I will continue to work on legislation that helps tackle the opioid crisis.”

BACKGROUND

New Day Recovery has locations in the City of Bristol and the Towns of Saltville and Tazewell.

Congressman Griffith is chief House sponsor of the HALT Fentanyl Act, which President Trump signed into law in July 2025. This legislation permanently designates lethal fentanyl-related substances as Schedule I drugs.

Congressman Griffith also helped contribute to the SUPPORT Act, which President Trump signed into law in December 2025. Griffith is responsible for crafting Section 103 of the bill to reauthorize the prescription drug monitoring program.

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 Nearly $1.3 Million for Tazewell County Helene Relief

Mon, 20 Jul 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) has awarded Hurricane Helene-related grants to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The funding breakdown of the grants is as follows:

$715,795 for Bluefield University to lead interior and exterior site repairs
$429,270 for Virginia Department of Transportation to repair damaged guard rails and culverts in Tazewell County
$143,118 for Town of Richlands to deliver improved access route to local community

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

“Many communities in Tazewell County were impacted by Hurricane Helene. Helene damages resulted in needed repairs for Bluefield University and improvements to local road infrastructure.

“These grants for nearly $1.3 million help with recovery efforts in Tazewell County.”

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 and $1.2 million in bridge repairs.

In July 2026, Congressman Griffith celebrated more than $7.3 million in federal funding for Helene relief projects in Southwest Virginia.

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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.

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