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Congressman Griffith’s Weekly E-Newsletter 10.2.26

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Republicans are on the front lines to root out waste, fraud and abuse of the federal government by large criminal conspiracies.

Accordingly, I am taking additional steps to continue the Republicans’ War on Fraud.

Earlier this year, I helped lead investigations into Medicaid fraud. Together with Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Brett Guthrie, and the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee Chairman, Congressman John Joyce, we probed ongoing fraud in numerous State Medicaid programs.

Our Committee investigations extended to fraud-ridden States such as California, Minnesota and New York.

As a result of our investigative work, which shows nationwide trends in Medicare and Medicaid fraud costing American taxpayers billions of dollars every year, we produced a comprehensive staff report to shed a light on our findings.

The report makes several recommendations.

One is to strengthen federal program integrity guidelines.

Minimum qualifications, screening risk standards for providers of equipment and services, and more frequent screenings as well as background checks for providers are fraud-preventative actions that federal authorities can push.

Another recommendation is to improve States’ capacity to prevent fraud before it occurs.

It is clear that some States make patients more vulnerable to fraud due to weak oversight measures. If this lack of oversight action is maintained at its current trajectory, this problem will continue to persist and grow, allowing fraudsters access to valuable health care dollars and thus robbing resources from patients that need them.

For example, some States like Virginia exercise provider screening and investigative audits. These program integrity tools and practices must be fully applied in more States.

That is why our report also encourages the employment of innovative tools to improve fraud detection capabilities.

Artificial intelligence technologies can complement the above oversight actions to help States better track unusual and fraudulent activity.

As a solution to the highlighted problems, the Committee recently unveiled a package of policies that help combat fraudulent activities, protect public health programs and serve vital health care resources to patients.

As part of this policy package, I introduced H.R. 10621 – the Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act.

My bill targets Medicaid fraud by incentivizing States to take steps, such as implementing program integrity tools, that investigate fraud and protect federal health care programs.

The incentive provided by my bill allows States to receive an increased portion of the federal dollars saved when they identify fraud. This saved money can then be used to support numerous State programs like those in Virginia.

Ongoing fraudulent activities recently impacted Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits in Virginia.

In Lynchburg, officials notified residents that more than $60,000 in SNAP benefits were stolen from Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards in the month of August! It is believed that fraudsters stole private EBT card information and used the money loaded onto the cards to make purchases.

Cardinal News reported that this crime represented a 21-fold increase in food aid fraud.

Even worse, no system was in place to provide the Lynchburg SNAP theft victims with reimbursement of their stolen benefits.

Thus, the victims found themselves squeezed into a desperate situation.

Already faced with challenging health and financial conditions, SNAP recipients who lose access to all or a portion of their benefits will struggle to get by.

That is why I am promoting a measure that cracks down on fraud impacting SNAP benefits and supports victims of SNAP theft.

I am co-sponsor of H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act.

This anti-fraud bill creates new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits.

Additionally, the bill provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own.

These are some policies that can complement the ongoing work of federal efforts that are saving taxpayers billions and bringing bad guys to justice.

Whether you are a recipient of Medicare, Medicaid, SNAP or some other federal public health program, the benefits belong to you, not some criminal actor which are often part of international criminal conspiracies.

I am proud to continue my efforts that target fraud, protect valuable resources for patients and provide leadership for our War on Fraud.

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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Ninth District Traveling Staff Office Hours for October

Fri, 02 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Congressman Griffith’s Ninth District STAFF will be available at the following locations during the month of October.

October 8, 2026

Giles County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Town of Pearisburg Offices

Council Chambers

112 Tazewell Street

Pearisburg, VA 24134

Bland County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Bland County Courthouse

First Floor Conference Room

612 Main Street

Bland, VA 24315

Wythe County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Wythe County Sheriff’s Office

Conference Room

245 South 4^th Street

Wytheville, VA 24382

Radford: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Radford Recreation Building

200 George Street

Radford, VA 24141

Smyth County: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm

Smyth County Administrator’s Office

Conference Room, Suite 100

121 Bagley Circle

Marion, VA 24354

Pulaski County: 2:30 pm – 4:00pm

Pulaski County Administration Building

First Floor Conference Room

143 3^rd Street NW

Pulaski, VA 24301

October 13, 2026

Tazewell County (Bluefield): 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Town of Bluefield Council Chambers

112 Huffard Dr

Bluefield, VA 24641

Buchanan County: 1:30 pm – 3:00 pm

Town of Grundy Offices

1185 Plaza Dr.

Grundy, VA 24614

October 14, 2026

Scott County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

County Administrator’s Office

Conference Room

190 Beech Street

Gate City, VA 24251

Lee County: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Lee County Sheriff’s Office

Conference Room

33640 Main Street

Jonesville, VA 24263

Wise County (Big Stone Gap): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Big Stone Gap Municipal Complex

216 Wood Ave. E

Big Stone Gap, VA 24219

October 15, 2026

Tazewell County (Tazewell): 10:00 am – 11:30 am

American Legion Building

226 Central Avenue

Tazewell, VA 24651

Russell County: 1:00 pm – 2:30 pm

Town of Lebanon Government Offices

72 Gibson Street

Lebanon, VA 24266

October 20, 2026

Craig County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Craig County Courthouse

108 Court Street

New Castle, VA 24127

Roanoke County: 11:30am – 1:00pm

South County Library

Meeting Room

6303 Merriman Road

Roanoke, VA 24018

October 21, 2026

Carroll County: 9:00 am – 10:30 am

Carroll County Administration Building

County Administrators Office, Conference Room

605 – 1 Pine Street

Hillsville, VA 24343

Galax: 11:30 am – 1:00 pm

Galax Municipal Building

Conference Room

111 E. Grayson Street

Galax, VA 24333

Grayson County: 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Grayson County Administration Building

Board of Supervisors Room

129 Davis Street

Independence, VA 24348

October 22, 2026

Bedford County: 9:00am – 10:30am

Town of Bedford Municipal Building

First Floor Conference Room

215 E. Main Street

Bedford, VA 24523

Franklin County: 12:00pm – 1:30pm

Franklin County Government Center

Conference Room B-23

1255 Franklin Street

Rocky Mount, VA 24151

October 27, 2026

Dickenson County: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

Center for Education & Research

First Floor Conference Room #155

818 Happy Valley Drive

Clintwood, VA 24228

Norton: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

High Knob Destination Center

Conference Room

1147 Laurel Avenue SW

Norton, VA 24273

Wise County (Wise): 2:30 pm – 4:00 pm

Wise County Courthouse

Law Library, Second Floor

206 E. Main Street

Wise, VA 24293

October 28, 2026

City of Martinsville: 10:00 am – 11:30 am

City Hall, Room 32

55 W. Church St

Martinsville, VA 24112

Patrick County: 12:30 pm – 2:00 pm

Patrick County Administration Building

Conference Room

106 Rucker Street

Stuart, VA 24171

Floyd County: 3:00 pm – 4:30 pm

Town of Floyd Government Offices

Community Room

203 East Oxford St

Floyd, VA 24091

** Please contact the Christiansburg Office at 540-381-5671 or the Abingdon Office at 276-525-1405 with any questions.

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Chairmen Griffith, Guthrie Statement on GAO Report, Need to Protect Public Safety and Health from Illicit Tobacco Products

Thu, 01 Oct 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) published a report that illustrates ongoing challenges with the tobacco product application process at the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Since 2013, Congress has heard and seen the difficulties associated with reviewing tobacco product applications in a timely manner. The GAO report sheds light on this current system and the resulting backlog.

Lengthy tobacco product application timelines can limit consumer choice away from more responsible tobacco products, as the status quo has promoted a wild west of options on U.S. shelves. Americans face a glaring public health crisis, as foreign countries like China have flooded the U.S. market with harmful products that lack regulation. The current regulatory review process can make it more difficult for adult smokers to access a range of less harmful smoking alternatives. This report provides insight into the current landscape to help policymakers better understand how improvements can be made to this process and strengthen enforcement against illicit products.

Key GAO Report Takeaways:

- FDA took an average of 507 days to review applications, even though federal law requires application reviews within 180 days.

- FDA does not collect data to monitor whether it is meeting timeliness goals to review scientific information in all tobacco product applications.

- The current Administration has taken steps to help improve the application process, but more work is needed.

As one of the chief lawmakers who requested this GAO report, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, responded to the findings.

“I requested this GAO report to identity room for improvement at the FDA with respect to tobacco product applications. The agency’s findings show that the FDA is missing its goals,” said Chairman Griffith. “The current regulatory hurdles impacting tobacco product applications are unfair to American tobacco producers and consumers. These regulatory delays stall the progress of the tobacco harm reduction movement, which helps adult smokers transition away from combustible smoking such as cigarettes.”

Griffith continued, “Further, as legal producers try to follow U.S. laws and wait their turn, bad actors continue to jump the line and flood a ‘wild west’ marketplace with illicit and unsafe products. We should also recognize the broader public health opportunity before us. Youth tobacco and nicotine use remain at historic lows, and we must continue working to protect those gains.

“I support reforms to the current regulatory process that will allow the FDA to meet its objectives in a timely manner. This report is the first step in making this process work and I look forward to working with the Administration to make this happen.”

U.S. Congressman Brett Guthrie (R-KY), Chairman of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce, provided additional comments on the GAO report.

"Our Committee has focused intently on exploring polices that ensure adversarial nations like China can't exploit loopholes in our regulatory processes and harm American consumers," said Chairman Guthrie. "Our primary goal with this request was to make sure FDA can serve as an efficient regulator, and I thank Chairman Griffith on his commitment to enhancing the current regulatory review process for tobacco products. Even though we are currently experiencing record lows for American youth that are using illegal and illicit vape devices and tobacco products, this report is proof that further action is needed."

BACKGROUND

Chairman Griffith alongside Chairman Guthrie submitted a request to prompt this GAO report.

Chairman Griffith worked with Chairman Guthrie in prior Congresses to address systemic issues with the FDA regulatory process over tobacco products.

Chairman Griffith is a member of the Congressional Tobacco Harm Reduction Caucus.

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Griffith Announces $350,000 Veterans Affairs Grant to Ninth District’s Mountain Valor

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs has awarded Mountain Valor Veteran Services, based in Floyd, Virginia, a grant for $350,000. The funding supports community-based suicide prevention services for veterans and their families.

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

“As a lawmaker who authored a letter of support for this Mountain Valor grant, I understand the lifeline that the organization provides for Southwest Virginia veterans.

“This Veterans Affairs grant for $350,000 helps Mountain Valor support our local veteran community with critical services and resources.”

BACKGROUND

According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the Staff Sergeant Parker Gordon Fox Suicide Prevention Grant program expands suicide prevention efforts beyond clinical settings to address health care challenges.

Congressman Griffith has attended Mountain Valor Fest in Floyd County and has staff participate in the event.

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Griffith Announces $100,000 HHS Grant to Virginia Tech

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Virginia Tech, based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $100,000 grant. The funding supports research into antimicrobial resistance in aquaculture pathogens. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Antimicrobial resistant pathogens are germs that develop to the point where medicine cannot kill the germ. Accordingly, these pathogens can harm marine aquaculture, an industry that generates billions of dollars for the U.S. economy.

“This grant for $100,000 helps Virginia Tech contribute to American aquaculture health and sciences.”

BACKGROUND

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

Congressman Griffith has held hearings related to the public health threats posed by antimicrobial resistance.

This project will be administered by faculty of the Biomedical Sciences and Pathobiology department at Virginia Tech.

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Griffith Celebrates Trump Trade Wins for American Coal

Wed, 30 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

U.S. President Donald J. Trump recently announced new trade deals with China that will result in the purchase of millions of metric tons of American coal. This announcement came following trade negotiations between President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in Washington, D.C.

Before the two leaders met in DC, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) helped lead a Congressional letter urging President Trump to prioritize the interests of American coal.

In response to President Trump’s announcement, Congressman Griffith released the following statement:

“I applaud President Trump for prioritizing increased U.S. coal purchases by China in recent trade negotiations. As an advocate for Southwest Virginia coal mining, I support President Trump’s negotiating tactics to have China purchase more American coal. This move will help generate economic growth, protect coal jobs and provide certainty for coal operators.”

BACKGROUND

In February 2026, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event touting Beautiful Clean Coal.

In August 2026, Congressman Griffith urged Virginia Governor Spanberger to protect Wise County’s Virginia City Hybrid Energy Center in the proposed NextEra-Dominion merger.

Congressman Griffith is Co-Chair of the Congressional Coal Caucus.

In April 2025, Congressman Griffith attended a White House event where President Trump signed a series of executive orders aimed at boosting the American coal industry.

Later in 2025, Congressman Griffith voted to codify one of these executive measures to reestablish the National Coal Council.

In May 2025, Congressman Griffith celebrated the Department of Energy’s announcement to designate metallurgical coal as a critical material.

In June 2025, Congressman Griffith penned an op-ed on federal policies that can help bolster America’s electric grid.

According to a 2024 report from the U.S. Energy Information Administration, 15.5 million short tons of coal are used for steel production in the U.S. every year.

Coal continues to play an essential role in meeting domestic energy demands. During Winter Storm Fern this year, a 31% jump in coal generation helped the electric grid meet peak demand. For PJM Interconnection, which serves Virginia and 12 other states, coal accounted for a major portion of the energy generation mix.

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Griffith Announces $529,133 ARC Grant for Wise County

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) has awarded Wise County, Virginia, a $529,133 grant. This funding will support a water line replacement project along Ramsey Road and U.S. Route 58.

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

“This ARC grant for more than $529,000 helps Wise County modernize local water line infrastructure to better serve residents with potable water.”

BACKGROUND

According to ARC, this project will replace and realign 1,700 linear feet of water line. The existing line has developed repeated leaks and is difficult as well as costly to access.

As part of the project, new abandonment caps and gate valves will be installed.

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Chairman Griffith Bill Featured in Energy & Commerce Committee Package to Combat Health Care Fraud

Tue, 29 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

Today, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce unveiled a package of policies that help combat fraudulent activities and protect public health programs that serve vital health care resources to patients. One of these policies, H.R. 10621 – the Medicaid Fraud Fighting and Taxpayer Protection Act, is sponsored by U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA), Chairman of the Committee’s Subcommittee on Health. Chairman Griffith’s bill targets Medicaid fraud by incentivizing States to take steps, such as implementing program integrity tools, that investigate fraud and protect federal health care programs. The incentive provided by Chairman Griffith’s bill allows States to receive an increased portion of the federal dollars saved when States identify fraud. This saved money can then be used to support numerous State programs like those in Virginia.

Commenting on this package and his bill, Chairman Griffith issued the following statement:

“For too long, Medicaid fraud has cost American taxpayers and Medicaid beneficiaries. As a leader on this issue, I believe a tangible step is my bill to enhance incentives to States to ferret out fraud in Medicaid and receive an increased portion of the money saved when they find fraud.

“Through this kind of action, we can improve fraud identification efforts and prevent foreign criminal actors from stealing valuable benefits that belong to patients.”

BACKGROUND

Earlier this year, Chairman Griffith helped launch and expand Energy and Commerce Committee investigations targeting nationwide Medicaid fraud.

Chairman Griffith is also a co-sponsor of H.R. 3887 – the SNAP Anti-Theft and Victim Compensation Act, to create new civil penalties for any person who knowingly accesses, uses or transfers SNAP benefits. Particularly important to recent events in our region, the bill also provides that States can use SNAP benefits to reimburse households whose benefits are stolen due to no fault of their own.

In 2024, as then-Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee on Energy and Commerce, Congressman Griffith chaired a hearing on improper payments at CMS with a focus on fraud, waste and abuse.

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Griffith Announces $191,331 HHS Grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc.

Mon, 28 Sep 2026 04:00:00 GMT

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded Biotherapeutics, Inc., based in Blacksburg, Virginia, a $191,331 grant. The funding supports research into therapies for psoriasis. In response to this grant notice, U.S. Congressman Morgan Griffith (R-VA) issued the following statement:

“Psoriasis is a skin disease that affects millions of Americans.

“This grant for more than $191,000 helps Biotherapeutics, Inc. study a first-in-class treatment for psoriasis.”

BACKGROUND

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

Last week, Congressman Griffith announced a separate $500,000 HHS grant to Biotherapeutics, Inc.

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Griffith Announces $160,000 FEMA Grant for Helene Relief

Sat, 26 Sep 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 to the Commonwealth of Virginia. The funding breakdown of the grant is as follows:

$160,000 to the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission for All Hazards Mitigation Plan Update

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

“Two years into recovery from Hurricane Helene, local authorities continue to investigate disaster vulnerabilities in our infrastructure.

“This FEMA grant for $160,000 helps the LENOWISCO Planning District Commission assess regional hazard mitigation strategies, tools and resources.”

BACKGROUND

The LENOWISCO Planning District Commission serves Ninth District localities, including the Counties of Lee, Scott, Wise as well as the City of Norton.

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.

Additionally, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.2 million in Helene relief for recovery projects in Tazewell County.

In August 2026, Congressman Griffith announced more than $1.4 million in Helene relief for Washington County Service Authority management costs.

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