Sixth District Perspectives
with Congressman Ben Cline

     A leader must take responsibility for their decisions, yet this week the Biden Administration deflected blame for the disastrous and chaotic withdrawal from Afghanistan. Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg indicted former President Trump on 34 felonies even though the matter had been turned down repeatedly in previous investigations. Further, as Communist China heightens its aggression against Taiwan, House Republicans renewed our commitment to support the people of Taiwan. Back home, I was glad to continue my "Coffee with Your Congressman" town hall tour and had the pleasure of visiting the 29th Division Museum in Verona as well as the Shamrock Farms plant. My office also announced that we are currently accepting applications to participate in the annual Congressional Art Competition. Finally, I hope that you and your family had a blessed and joyous Easter.     

Biden Blames Others Rather Than Take Responsibility

     The Biden Administration released their long-awaited report on the disastrous withdrawal of Afghanistan that left 13 American service members dead, hundreds of Americans abandoned, and billions of dollars in U.S. military equipment left behind -- now in the hands of the Taliban. The Administration can deflect responsibility all they want and blame it on the former president, but the fact is this crisis happened under Biden’s watch, against the advice of top military leaders. Gen. Mark Milley, chair of the Joint Chiefs, and Gen. Kenneth McKenzie, commander of U.S. Central Command, said they believed the complete withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan would be a mistake, and that they recommended keeping at least 2,500 troops there. Former Obama Secretary of Defense Robert Gates put it bluntly when he said, “I think [Joe Biden] has been wrong on nearly every major foreign policy and national security issue over the past four decades.” Sadly, he is not wrong as this chaotic and deadly withdrawal demonstrates.  

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A Dangerous Precedent

     As a former prosecutor, I recognize that the facts and the law must drive each case and the decisions surrounding it. Sadly, Manhattan DA Alvin Bragg has allowed politics to drive his decision to prosecute former President Donald Trump and ask a grand jury to charge him with 34 felonies. The charges that Bragg is pursuing arise from a novel legal interpretation of actions surrounding Trump’s business records. The decision to pursue these charges had already been rejected by the previous prosecutor, by the DoJ, and by the Federal Election Commission. Until Trump announced his presidential campaign for 2024, even Bragg himself had rejected calls to prosecute him. Only after political pressure from the left grew too strong did Bragg decide to go to the grand jury seeking these charges against Trump. The House Judiciary Committee is seeking information about the use of federal taxpayer funds by Bragg in his politically motivated investigation of Trump, and we will continue to pursue the facts on behalf of the American people.

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We Need Leadership, Not Playground Tantrums

     House Republicans know that to tackle America’s skyrocketing debt, we cannot raise the debt limit without ensuring spending cuts. Unfortunately, as the debt ceiling deadline looms, President Biden is irresponsibly refusing to come to the negotiating table with Speaker McCarthy over the debt limit. Our system is built on negotiation and compromise, not refusal to give and take. However, I’m hopeful that reasonable minds will prevail, and the president will work with us on this critical issue. Read more on our fiscal responsibility plans and negotiations in a Fox News article here.

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Resilient Support for Taiwan

     This week, Speaker McCarthy met with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen and reiterated House Republicans’ support for the people of Taiwan. We share a commitment to democracy and the ideals of peace and freedom with Taiwan, which is an imperative bond especially as the Chinese Communist Party continues their aggressive intimidation tactics against Taiwan. True-to-form, the Chinese liaison to Congress wrote to Speaker McCarthy and threatened that China will not “sit idly by” as the U.S. shows support for Taiwan. But rest assured, the United States of America does not take orders from China, and I will continue my resolute support for the people of Taiwan.  

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District Travels:

"Coffee with Your Congressman" Town Hall Tour Continued

     I want to extend thanks to everyone who joined us for another successful “Coffee with Your Congressman” town hall event at Todd’s Barbecue Restaurant in Buena Vista! It was great to take questions and hear folks' views on the top issues in Washington and around the district. Stay tuned for updates on the next event coming to a town near you!

 

The Historic 29th Infantry Division

     This week I had the pleasure and honor of touring the 29th Division Museum in Verona. The historic 29th Infantry Division saw service in WWI and WWII, the Global War on Terrorism, Iraq, and Afghanistan. It includes 5 Medal of Honor recipients and the Bedford Boys, who stormed the beaches of Normandy on D-Day to begin the Allied resistance against the Nazi occupation of France. I highly recommend you check out the museum that honors the centuries of service of this historic division of troops.  

Shamrock Farms

     I enjoyed a tour of Shamrock Farms’ Virginia milk manufacturing facility and meeting their team of associates. Dairy plays an important role in our community, so it was a pleasure getting a first-hand look at their plant. 

Congressional Art Competition

     My office is currently hosting our annual Congressional Art Competition! If you are a high school student in VA-06 interested in participating, entries are due by Thursday, May 4. For more information and to sign up, visit my website here.

A Blessed Easter

     To all celebrating throughout the Sixth District from my family to yours, I wish you a blessed and joyful Easter. “He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.” Matthew 28:6

     Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431. 

     For the latest updates from Washington and across the Sixth District, please follow my Facebook and Twitter pages.