Sixth District Perspectives
with Congressman Ben Cline

     Despite last week's shortened legislative period in Washington, D.C., House Republicans continued our work to address the issues facing our nation. After much scrutiny from lawmakers and the American people, the Senate backed down on its so-called "border solution" legislation, which actually codified the current loopholes that enable the crisis at the border while providing nearly $84 billion in unrelated foreign aid. While our efforts to hold Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas accountable for his willful neglect of our border failed this week, we will once again move to an impeachment vote when Majority Leader Steve Scalise returns from cancer treatment. I was also pleased to meet with some small business owners in the district and other constituents in my D.C. office. Rest assured, I will continue to fight for the issues important to the Sixth District.

Impeachment of Secretary Mayorkas

     Since President Biden assumed office and appointed Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas, Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has reported around 8.5 million illegal immigrant encounters and migrants from over 230 countries were arrested in the past year. Furthermore, over 169 people on the terrorist watch list illegally entered the United States.

     Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas has deliberately ignored the laws of this country and abdicated his oath to the American people. While the impeachment vote failed this week due to Majority Leader Steve Scalise being out for his cancer treatment, House Republicans will have another chance to bring these articles up for another vote on the impeachment of Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. I look forward to voting to finally hold him accountable for his dereliction of duty to secure our southern border and protect the American people.

Watch my floor speech on the Biden-Mayorkas border crisis here or above.

The America Last "Border Bill" Is Defeated

     House Republicans have been focused on securing our southern border, while the Senate and the Biden administration have rejected our proposals and insisting on their own flawed legislation. The Senate's "solution" to fixing Biden's border crisis was to send $48.4 billion dollars of hard-working American taxpayer dollars to Ukraine, continue to allow thousands of illegal immigrants to cross our border daily, and give them work permits while continuing to release them into our country. It did nothing to address the human trafficking, drug trafficking, and sex trafficking that are flooding our communities, aiding and abetting Mexican cartels. It would put Americans from Texas to Virginia in danger every day.

     If Biden and the Democrats actually cared about the safety of American citizens, they would secure our border immediately by reinstating effective Trump-era policies, starting with 'Remain in Mexico.' Biden and Secretary Mayorkas already have the legal authority to solve the border crisis but refuse to use it. House Republicans passed H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, last year to codify these effective policies, but the Senate has refused to consider it. Because of the unwillingness of Senate leaders to include sufficient reforms in the bill, the bill was defeated in the Senate with only four Republicans supporting the effort. The border crisis is an issue on the minds of every American, and I will continue to fight and advocate for strong border protection for our country. 

Fighting For Our Veterans

     Since I have been a Member of Congress, advocating for Veterans has been a top priority of mine. Currently, there are significant roadblocks for Veterans and their family members to receive the support and care they fought for and deserve, including using all of their education benefits and getting assistance to start their own business.

     There should not be any red tape that hinders our Veterans from achieving their goals, whether it’s during their service to our country or during their path forward into civilian life. Currently, most veterans’ education benefits carry a 10- or 15-year time constraint, which means the once the period elapses, veterans lose access to these benefits. Dependents, on the other hand, are subject to a year or an age restriction. That is why I co-sponsored the Veterans Education is Timeless Act of 2023, legislation that would get rid of these arbitrary timelines and allows our veterans to receive the benefits they were promised.

     Additionally, last spring, I introduced the bipartisan Veterans Entrepreneurship Act of 2023, which would allow veterans to pursue their small business and entrepreneurial aspirations by giving them access to resources through the Small Business Administration and their GI Bill benefit. I will continue to look for new ways to support and help expand opportunities for our Veterans. 

Meetings on The Hill

On Wednesday, it was a pleasure meeting with VA Rural Water Association representatives and discussing how Congress can work for folks in rural Virginia to have access to reliable and safe drinking water.

District Travels

 Small businesses' are the backbone of our communities economy. On Tuesday, I stopped by Red Fox Creamery in Winchester and enjoyed an ice cream cone. It’s never too cold for ice cream!

     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.