2010: A Wish for Peace and Goodwill

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
Republican - VA-6th District

The holiday season is well underway: the streets are snow-covered, there are lights on our neighbors’ window sills, wreaths hanging from city street lights, children are lining up in local shopping centers for a picture with Santa, there are parades down our Main Streets, and folks are out looking for those perfect gifts for family and friends. This time of year can seem so hectic, as we rush from task to task attempting to pack in all that must get done into a short amount of time. It is often during this hustle and bustle that the true meaning of Christmas is sometimes forgotten or overlooked.

This time of year is not about what you can buy in the store or what gifts you receive, but about the love that you share with your family and friends. We should remember that this special season represents a time of peace and goodwill to all mankind. Our 30th President, Calvin Coolidge, said it well “Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

No matter where we go this time of year, we see this spirit in action - at the mall we see volunteers ringing bells, at our places of worship we see angel trees, and all of our interactions end with the well-wishing of “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays.” As we spend the next week sharing the Holiday Season with our families and friends, we should reflect on the great blessings that God has bestowed upon our nation and our Commonwealth, and give thanks to our Creator for the blessings of our loved ones. We embrace goodwill and, with all that we can give, we pass on that spirit to others.

Now more than ever, we need to share this spirit of Christmas with our fellow citizens, our neighbors who are struggling during these tough economic times. And we must also try to find a way to capture this state of mind all year, long after the Christmas tree has come down, and continue to cherish peace and goodwill and be plenteous in our mercy toward others. At Christmas we are emboldened by this spirit but we should all seek to carry it on throughout the year.

I hope this season fills you with joy, and I hope you will stay in touch with me as we celebrate the holidays and head in to the New Year and the start of a new Congress. You can always be in contact with me by visiting my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

From my family to yours, I wish all of you a joyous Holiday season, a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.

Augusta County: Robert Hurt for Congress fundraiser with Congressman Bob Goodlatte

Congressman Bob Goodlatte introduces Robert Hurt at Monday night's fundraiser in Augusta County. Read about the event at the Washington Examiner: "Virginia 5th congressional district candidate Robert Hurt stumps in 6th district."

State Senators Robert Hurt and Emmett Hanger.

Supporters listen to Robert Hurt at the home of Tom and Peggy Sheets.

Del. Todd Gilbert from Shenandoah County.

Rep. Goodlatte talks with Del. Steve Landes and others.

Del. Steve Landes from Augusta County.

State Sen. Emmett Hanger and his wife Sharon from Augusta County.



Rep. Goodlatte presents a GOP "218" hat to Tom Sheets as Robert Hurt looks on.

The full moon rose over the house as darkness fell.

It was a perfect September evening in the Shenandoah Valley Monday as Republicans gathered for a fundraiser for Robert Hurt who is running for Congress in the neighboring 5th District against Tom Perriello (D-VA).

Hosted by 6th District Congressman Bob Goodlatte at the home of Augusta County businessman Tom Sheets and his wife, Peggy, the cocktail event offered an opportunity to hear from Congressman Goodlatte as well as candidate Robert Hurt. Other electeds who attended included Sen. Emmett Hanger, Del. Steve Landes, Del. Todd Gilbert, and Del. Dickie Bell as well as former Augusta Supervisor Tom Sikes and former Augusta GOP Chairman Kurt Michael and his wife, Pam, along with Sharon Hanger, Angie Landes, Anne Bell, and a number of other supporters.

Washington Examiner: Va 5th District GOP congressional candidate Robert Hurt stumps in 6th district

Photos by Lynn R. Mitchell
20 September 2010

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) to host "America Speaking Out" town halls

Republicans in the U.S. Congress are reaching out to constituents during the "town hall" season that is traditionally held during its summer break. Billed as "America Speaking Out," congressmen are reaching out into their districts to initiate a "new national dialogue that aims to bring the halls of Congress into American homes."

The Shenandoah Valley's Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) will be traveling the mostly-rural 6th District, something he is very familiar with as he plans to set out on his latest tour to listen to voters' concerns. Visiting urban areas that include Roanoke and Lynchburg as well as making stops in the Shenandoah Valley and Hot Springs in the Alleghany Mountains, he will collect information from constituents as they share their ideas for a national policy agenda. Many have concerns that center on limited accountable government, the free enterprise system, lower taxes and responsible spending, and all will be compiled to bring about a new American agenda.

“I feel it is important to keep an open line of communication so I can best serve the interests of the 6th Congressional District,” said Congressman Goodlatte. “If we in Congress work hand in hand with the American people, we can change the way business is done in Washington.”

Under categories that include "American Prosperity," "Fiscal Accountability," "American Values," "National Security," and "Open Mic," the America Speaking Out website offers an opportunity for voters of all political persuasions to speak up and be heard.

Rep. Goodlatte's series of town halls will begin August 28 and continue through September 7 at the following locations:

Roanoke Valley
Saturday, August 28th
10:00 a.m. to 11:30 a.m.
Virginia Western Community College
Auditorium
3094 Colonial Avenue, S.W.
Roanoke

Lynchburg/Central Virginia
Monday, August 30th
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Lynchburg Public Library
Community Room
2315 Memorial Avenue
Lynchburg

Shenandoah Valley
Tuesday, August 31st
7:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.
Blue Ridge Community Center
Plecker Workforce Center
One College Lane
Weyers Cave

Alleghany-Highlands
Tuesday, September 7th
6:30 p.m. – 7:30 p.m.
Bath County High School
464 Charger Lane
Hot Springs

Cross-posted at The Washington Examiner

Bob Goodlatte to hold town hall meetings

Rep. Bob Goodlatte (R-VA) will hold town hall meetings in the 6th District beginning next week. Date and details can be found at the Washington Examiner.

We Must Stop the Spending Spree

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
R-VA 6th CD

Today, the American people are facing one of the most challenging times in our nation’s history. Our economy remains sluggish, people fear losing their jobs and their homes, and many are worried about the future their children and grandchildren will inherit. They are deeply concerned about the outlook for our nation and wonder if their children will grow up in the same America they did. People are looking for solutions to the problems we face.

The Majority in Congress has responded to the outcry of concern by the American people by raising taxes, increasing federal spending at an unsustainable pace, allowing our national debt to spiral out of control, and passing legislation that gives the federal government more control of our daily lives. They have spent trillions on bailouts and stimulus packages to help grow our economy, but all it has done is increase our debt and the size of the federal bureaucracy while leaving our nation’s unemployment rate hovering around ten percent.

The American people have lost trust and confidence in many of their elected representatives. They are fed up with Congress’ irresponsible spending spree, the culture of waste in Washington and government bailouts that force hard-working taxpayers to subsidize the reckless behavior of others. Today, Washington spends $7 million every minute of every hour of every day and to finance this spending addiction the government must borrow 42 cents of every dollar spent. This has resulted in our national deficit exceeding $13 trillion which is $42,000 for every man, woman and child in America.

It is time Congress takes control of spending instead of letting it control the Congress. Immediate action must be taken to cut federal spending. Specifically, Congress should cancel the unspent “stimulus” funds which would save up to $266 billion. Additionally, Congress should cap discretionary spending. Since 2008, non-defense discretionary spending has increased by 24% and if you include the so-called stimulus money, spending has increased by 84%. Reducing spending from current levels and imposing a cap on future growth would generate savings for the taxpayer in excess of $340 billion.

Furthermore, I have introduced bipartisan legislation which forces Congress to enact fiscally responsible spending measures and reduce the deficit by requiring that total spending for any fiscal year not exceed total receipts. By requiring the federal government to balance the budget it ensures that Congress and the President are held accountable to the American taxpayers.

I understand the serious problems our nation faces. Ten percent unemployment is unacceptable. A national debt spiraling out of control is unacceptable. Runaway spending is unacceptable. The American people are demanding accountability and results. I will continue working hard to bring fiscal responsibility back to Washington by tightening the budget, eliminating wasteful spending, and enacting real, cost-effective solutions to turn our economy around.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Ensuring Transparency in Our Government

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
(R-VA)

[Also see Washington Examiner's article, Obama closes curtain on transparency]

One of the most important duties I have as a Member of Congress is to review legislation that comes before Congress and determine if it is something that the Congress should be acting upon and if it will improve the lives of the people of the 6th Congressional District, or if it will have an adverse impact on them. After carefully weighing each piece of legislation, I must go to the floor of the House of Representatives and cast a vote.

Unfortunately, in recent months the Democratic leadership in Congress has decided that it is more important to ram critical pieces of their agenda through on strict party-line votes rather than allow Members of Congress enough time to appropriately review the legislation.


In February of 2009, the Majority in Congress revealed the text of the nearly $1 trillion “American Recovery and Reinvestment Act” – the so-called stimulus bill-- just ten hours before Congress began to debate and vote on it. With just a few hours to read the legislation, no one had enough time to read it and in fact language was inserted into the bill that protected the bonuses of top business executives, even as their companies took hundreds of billions of taxpayer dollars to avoid bankruptcy. This was how AIG was able to distribute $165 million in taxpayer funded bonuses to their executives.

Then again early this spring the House Rules Committee approved a three hundred page amendment at the last minute and included it in the disastrous Cap and Trade legislation. Just hours later, the Democratic Leadership rammed this controversial legislation through the Congress by just seven votes. Given the significant impact this legislation will have on our lives, many Members of Congress wanted to amend the bill, but their amendments were not allowed to be debated and voted on and the legislation passed before we had a chance to review the 1,200 page legislation, including the 300 pages of secret changes.

While this disturbing trend has reached new heights in recent months, it is unfortunately not unique to the current House Leadership. Both parties have abused this process and it must stop. For this reason, I am a strong supporter of bipartisan legislation which would strengthen House Rules and ensure that Congress has ample time to read legislation before a vote. This legislation, which has the support of 217 Members of Congress, requires all major bills to be posted online publicly for at least 72 hours before they are brought to the House floor for a vote. This would give Members of Congress and the American people time to review the legislation before it comes up for a vote.

Refusing to allow Members of Congress the chance to review legislation before it’s voted on seriously jeopardizes the integrity of the democratic process.

Unfortunately, those who stand to lose the most from a secretive, dubious process are the American people. Our constituents demand accountability and they should be able to examine any legislation that has the potential to significantly impact their lives. I will continue to work to ensure that debate in Congress is transparent and open to help build the trust so vital in a democracy.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Reducing government spending is essential to job creation

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
VA - Republican - 6th Congressional District

Folks all across our nation are worried. They worry if their job is still going to be around in six months. They worry about what will happen to their families, their children, and their homes if their employer shuts down and they find themselves out of work. Unfortunately, too many people are facing this situation today with nationwide unemployment hovering around ten percent.

The Democratic leaders in Washington promised the American people that if we passed a stimulus bill we would be able to strengthen our economy and create jobs. But in the 18 months since that monstrosity was passed by Congress, we have lost 2.6 million private sector jobs, unemployment has increased by almost two percent, and we have added trillions of dollars to our national debt. Bailouts, massive government spending, out of control deficits, federal takeovers, and more bureaucratic interference is not the solution to the difficulties we face today. As President Ronald Reagan said in his first inaugural address “government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”

To spur economic growth, create new jobs and bring personal opportunity to every American we must strengthen our free market system, not hamper it. We must reduce government intrusion, not allow more bailouts and takeovers. We must give our nation’s entrepreneurial spirit the opportunity to thrive, not enact policies that will forever alter our ability to seek prosperity.

Out of control spending, skyrocketing deficits, and massive growth in government programs have increased economic uncertainty and prolonged our unemployment crisis. Yet, the Majority in Congress is already preparing to pass, without my support, a $26 billion bailout bill which will increase taxes on American businesses and once again expand the size and scope of the federal government. Americans need jobs, not another failed bailout. With businesses already struggling to make ends meet, further tax increases will only add to that burden. The federal government should focus on cutting spending and reducing the deficit, not finding more ways to spend taxpayer’s dollars. That’s why I have introduced legislation that would force the federal government to balance its budget.

The President and the Democratic Leadership in Congress believe their big government programs can better grow our economy and create jobs than the free market system that has made America the most prosperous nation on earth. They are also preparing massive tax increases. We simply cannot afford any more of these tax and spend job killing policies in the private sector. We must find ways to create new jobs and expand opportunities and that remains my top priority. As a member of the House Republican Economic Recovery Solutions Group, I am committed to finding real solutions to our nation’s unemployment crisis. We must remove barriers to employment including the threat of higher taxes, additional government regulations, and costly mandates.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

The wasteful Washington spending continues

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
Republican - 6th Congressional District

As I travel throughout the 6th Congressional District, meeting with my constituents, I consistently hear concerns about the out-of-control government spending that is going on in Washington. The majority of my constituents rightly know that in these challenging economic times it is even more important for government to control spending. However, this is a principle that has been lost on the Majority in Congress. They have increased federal spending at an unsustainable pace, spending billions of dollars on wasteful projects in failed attempts to grow our economy.

One particularly egregious waste of taxpayer dollars is right here in southwestern Virginia. Just over a year ago, it was announced that nearly $51 million of the taxpayer’s money would be spent to increase the energy efficiencies of the Richard H. Poff Federal Building in downtown Roanoke. I have received numerous inquiries from constituents concerned about the excessive price tag for the project, the cost effectiveness of this project relative to alternative construction, and the inability of local businesses to bid on the initial stages of the project.

Recently the primary construction contract was issued to an out of the area company. Since that time I have aggressively sought answers from the GSA regarding the cost and scope of this wasteful and misguided project and called on General Services Administration (GSA) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO) to investigate this matter.

I am particularly concerned about the lack of a thorough cost-benefit analysis of the renovation and failure to include security improvements to the building in the project’s plans. Recently I learned that the United States District Court for the Western District of Virginia, one of the largest employers in the Poff Building, had requested that GSA examine alternatives to the renovation of the Poff Building for security and efficiency reasons and was refused. Our federal district courts have many controversial criminal and civil trials and security must be a top priority.

Additionally, I have strong concerns about the significant impact of the renovation on the tenants of the Poff Building. It has come to my attention that the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Roanoke Regional Office will be moved to four different locations. Not only will this be difficult for the employees of the VA Roanoke Regional Office but it will cause an increase in already lengthy delays in processing veterans’ claims and place an unnecessary burden on our area veterans when they are seeking assistance from the Department of Veterans Affairs.

How can GSA spend nearly $51 million of the taxpayers’ money to renovate the Poff Federal Building and yet not address the needs of the building’s tenants? Recently Senators Warner and Webb, recognizing that this project is ill-conceived, wrote to the Secretary of Veterans Affairs and the Administrator of GSA suggesting that the Poff building renovation be halted.

The path to our economic recovery starts with fiscal responsibility in Washington and that’s why I have strongly urged GSA to immediately halt the wasteful and misguided renovation of the Poff Federal Building. I will continue working to see that a thorough investigation into this matter is completed. We must ensure that any improvements made to the Poff Federal Building will be beneficial to the taxpayers, the federal government, and the Poff Building tenants.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Working for peace in the Middle East

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
R - 6th Congressional District

Earlier this month I had the invaluable opportunity to travel to Israel as part of a Congressional delegation. The delegation met with a variety of Israeli and Palestinian government leaders to discuss issues related to the ongoing violence in the region and efforts to further the peace process.

Arab-Israeli conflict has marked practically every decade since the founding of Israel and numerous attempts at the peace process have failed. During my visit, which was organized by the American Israel Education Foundation, I saw firsthand the challenges that face Israel, challenges that are often shared by the United States. Protecting Israel, much like the United States, against global terrorism, is a vigilant effort. With every attack in the Middle East, it only emphasizes the fact that we need to remain vigilant in our war against global terrorism.

The delegation traveled to Jerusalem where we met with Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel. At the meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, we discussed the future of the peace process and negotiations with the Palestinian National Authority.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has been calling for direct negotiations with the Palestinians for the past fifteen months. For peace talks to be successful all issues, including the economic and security arrangements for an independent Palestinian nation and recognition of the right of Israel to exist in peace without threat of terrorist or other attacks emanating from a new Palestine, must be decided as part of these negotiations. The delegation also met with Salam Fayyad, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian National Authority, with whom we specifically raised this issue, reminding the Prime Minister that direct negotiations are key to a real and lasting peace in the region and the future economic prosperity of the Palestinian people.

Additionally, during our meeting Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his concerns regarding Iran and their stated goal of destroying the state of Israel. Prime Minister Netanyahu stressed the importance of expanded sanctions against Iran. An Iranian government in possession of nuclear weapons would be intolerable for most of its Middle East neighbors and the rest of the world as they are already the sponsor of most of the terrorist attacks out of Gaza and Lebanon and thus the biggest obstacle to peace in the Middle East. For this reason the Congress recently passed, with my support, and President Obama signed into law the Comprehensive Iran Sanctions, Accountability and Divestment Act. This legislation significantly strengthens the sanctions against Iran in an effort to restrict their illegal nuclear activities. Prime Minister Netanyahu expressed his strong support for this legislation and spoke of the vital role it will play in promoting peace in the Middle East.

The Middle East is an area rich in a history marked by long-standing hatreds and disputed land claims. While the quest for peace is daunting, we must remain steadfast in our pursuit, for we have a vested interest in trying to stop the terrorist violence that occurs daily in Israel, the West Bank, and the Gaza Strip.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

We shouldn't bank on bailouts

By Rep. Bob Goodlatte
R-VA 6th CD

The free flow of money is fundamental to our capitalist system and the entrepreneurial spirit that defines America. Investors vote with their wallets and the best ideas prevail. However, this only works when the government does not inject itself into otherwise private matters.

Abuses have occurred recently in our financial industry and they must be addressed. Unfortunately the legislation which House Democrats pushed through last week will only perpetuate mistakes that have already been made. As America continues dealing with the sluggish economy and unemployment hovers around ten percent, the House passed, without my support, the so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act”, which will expand government at the expense of families and small businesses.

Specifically the legislation allows a team of federal bureaucrats to decide if a private business poses a risk to the economy. The legislation would allow the federal government to take over those private businesses and would even give the government the right to sell off the businesses' assets.

While the alleged purpose of this bill is to prevent a concentration of money and power in a small number of large corporations, the bill would have the opposite effect. Knowing that the federal government will swoop in and take over any companies that it deems "too big to fail," creditors and investors will be drawn to lend money to the largest corporations because of the implied guarantee that the federal government will step in to repay these loans. The natural flow of capital will thus be interrupted and flow to the largest corporations rather than to small businesses and entrepreneurs with good ideas, which are the true innovators and job creators of the U.S. economy.

Additionally, the legislation expands the reach of government in the marketplace by creating several new bureaucratic offices and agencies, including a Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and an Office of Financial Research. These government offices will have broad authority to impose burdensome regulations on any business that lends money, extends credit, or enters into repayment plans with consumers. These new federal regulations would hit everyone from doctors and hospitals to furniture and department stores.

To address the need for reform of the financial industry, I am a strong supporter of the Consumer Protection and Regulatory Enhancement Act. Rather than guarantee future government bailouts, this legislation would force companies to bear the responsibility of their bad decisions, rather than force taxpayers to pick up the tab. It would do this by creating a new chapter of the bankruptcy code to make it more efficient and better suited for resolving these issues. This legislation would also ensure consistent enforcement, accountability and transparency by modernizing the current federal financial regulatory agencies overseeing our nation's financial institutions.

Congress should not be passing over-reaching legislation like the so-called “Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act”. Instead government must make it possible for small businesses and entrepreneurs to access capital to innovate and create the jobs that are so desperately needed today.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Tragedy in the Gulf

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
R-VA 6th District

Nearly two months ago an explosion occurred on the Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig off the coast of Louisiana in the Gulf of Mexico. This explosion, which tragically took the lives of eleven hard working Americans, resulted in an environmental catastrophe like we have never seen before. The oil spill continues to have an enormous impact on the Gulf Coast region, its economy, and the environment.

Our first priority must be to stop the leak and do everything possible to preserve the livelihoods of those in the area. The most recent estimates suggest that between 40 million and 115 million gallons of oil have been spilled into the Gulf. This far exceeds the Exxon Valdez disaster. While all of the initial attempts to stop the leak have failed, BP has been successful in containing approximately 15,000 barrels of oil per day while they drill two relief wells which should stop the leak altogether.

The U.S. Coast Guard has already deemed both Transocean, the owner of the Deepwater Horizon rig, and BP, the owner of the well that was being drilled at the time of the explosion, at fault in this horrific accident. This means that Transocean and BP are responsible, under U.S. law, for one hundred percent of all cleanup costs, including those incurred by any government agencies. American taxpayers shouldn’t pay a dime.

I continue to have grave concerns regarding the Federal government’s slow response to this disaster. The effort has been disorganized and distracted from the beginning, and it hasn’t provided the effective, energetic, hands-on leadership that is necessary during a crisis.

I also have strong concerns about the Administration’s recent announcement that there will be a six-month moratorium on deepwater drilling. This will have a devastating economic impact on the Gulf Coast communities who are already suffering. Deepwater wells generate 80 percent of the Gulf's oil production and 45 percent of its natural gas. The moratorium will affect 33 oil rigs and companies have already started moving those rigs out of the Gulf to foreign waters where they are allowed to drill. Some reports have estimated that the moratorium on offshore drilling could result in the loss of as many as 120,000 jobs. In an already struggling economy this will have a devastating effect. It will also immediately make us far more dependent on foreign oil and the environmental risk that comes with many more oil tankers bringing oil from foreign countries into U.S. waters.

It is important that we learn from this disaster to strengthen the safety and security of oil and natural gas exploration and production. Our country needs to become energy independent and cutting off our access to these supplies is not the answer.

I remain committed to finding solutions to lessen our reliance on foreign energy, and allow us to become energy independent. A comprehensive energy policy which encourages environmentally-responsible exploration, innovation, and conservation is the only way to lower energy prices for the long term for consumers and create millions of new jobs.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Congress needs to pass a federal budget to restrain spending

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte
R-6th Congressional District

Just last week the U.S. Treasury Department issued its “Annual Report on Public Debt” which confirmed that the national debt will soar to record levels. The report estimates that the total debt for fiscal year 2010 will reach $14.75 trillion which is over 93 percent of our gross domestic product (GDP). This current rate of government spending is having a crippling effect on our economy and overall job creation.

While federal spending is spiraling out of control, the House Democratic Leaders have failed to even propose a budget for the next fiscal year. Without a budget, there is no procedural enforcement mechanism to constrain spending. So far through the first eight months of the current fiscal year, which began last October 1st, the federal government amassed $941 billion in deficit spending which puts us on the dangerous track to an annual deficit (the amount by which government spending exceeds tax revenues) approaching last year’s record $1.4 trillion.

We are simply on an unsustainable course but there seems to be no end in sight to the Congressional spending spree. In fact, when White House Budget Director Peter Orszag was pressed on whether he would send a package of budget cuts to Congressional Democrats, he described it as a “fruitless exercise” with a “low probability of success” that would “go nowhere.”

Without the passage of a federal budget the reckless spending that has run rampant in Congress will only continue. A recent Gallup poll shows that this point is not lost on the majority of Americans. Seventy nine percent of Americans view the federal debt as a serious threat to the “future well being” of our country. In addition, one hundred American economists recently wrote to House Leadership saying the way to boost the economy and create private sector jobs is to take immediate action to rein in federal spending. It is the key to boosting the economy and creating private sector jobs.

Not only must Congress produce a budget but it must also work toward balancing it as soon as possible. I am a strong supporter of several measures that promote the establishment of a balanced budget and the elimination of wasteful government programs, including a Constitutional amendment that I introduced which requires the federal government to balance its budget each year. Congress must steadfastly hold the line on government spending which is why I have consistently voted for the tightest budgets offered each year.

The American people know that we can’t borrow and spend our way back to prosperity. The path to our economic recovery starts with fiscal responsibility in Washington. The federal government must follow the example set by our nation’s families and businesses – set a budget which eliminates unnecessary and wasteful spending. The future of America depends on it.

To contact me about this or any other matter, please visit my website at www.goodlatte.house.gov.

Protecting consumers from identity theft

By Congressman Bob Goodlatte (R-VA 6th)

The Federal Trade Commission recently estimated that as many as 9 million Americans have their identities stolen each year.

Identity thieves use identifying information such as a consumer’s Social Security number, credit card numbers, or other financial account information in order to conduct such fraud as opening up new credit cards and gaining access to bank accounts. The ramifications can be financially disastrous for citizens and can be extremely difficult to resolve.

In fact, the fear of identity theft is consistently cited as a reason many Americans are cautious about engaging in more transactions online. This is unfortunate because of the multitude of ways the Internet can help consumers shop, do business and communicate efficiently and at low cost.

Identity theft is a serious and growing threat and we must crack down hard on these technological thieves. While the U.S. has many federal statutes targeting identity theft, some of these laws were weakened by a recent Supreme Court case. In 2009, the Supreme Court ruled that the language of those federal statutes require not only that the criminal use the identification documents of another person, but also that the criminal knew the documents were those of another actual person.

The context of that case was that an illegal alien had given an employer counterfeit social security and alien registration cards containing his name but the identification numbers of other individuals. He was charged with two immigration offenses as well as aggravated identity theft. The Supreme Court overturned the conviction on the aggravated identity theft count explaining that the language of the relevant statutes required prosecutors to prove not only that the defendant used identity documents that were not his own, but also that the defendant knew the identity documents were those of another actual person.

With identity theft growing, we must be particularly mindful of how we can strengthen our privacy and protection laws, which is why I was pleased to introduce bipartisan legislation to strengthen the federal criminal laws punishing identity theft. My legislation would amend these federal statutes to make clear that when an identity thief intentionally and unlawfully uses identity documents that are not his own, prosecutors do not need to show that the criminal also knew that the identity documents were those of another actual person.

Identity theft occurs when someone intentionally and unlawfully uses identity documents that are not his own. Our federal statutes should reflect this reality. By strengthening our laws we will help prosecutors put identity thieves behind bars and will help safeguard American citizens from their crimes.

To learn more about how you can protect yourself from identity theft, please visit my website at http://goodlatte.house.gov.

McDonnell, Bolling, Goodlatte endorse Averill for 6th District Chair

Trixie Averill stood in 2007 against anti-war protester Cindy Sheehan in Charlottesville. Trixie, a military mom whose son Sgt. Marcus Averill was deployed 3 times to Iraq and once to Afghanistan, rallied with others in support of America's troops. Trixie's sign says, "3 Tour Military Mom." This is my favorite photo of her. It shows she has been boots-on-the-ground throughout the years and not just at political rallies.

~6th District Convention today~

Trixie Averill is the real deal, someone who has been in the trenches for 30 years working for conservative causes, principles, and candidates, crisscrossing the Commonwealth and especially the 6th District to do so. She has campaigned for everyone from George Allen to Jim Gilmore to Bob Goodlatte to Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and Ken Cuccinelli.

Trixie has been endorsed by Gov. Bob McDonnell, Lt. Gov. Bill Bolling, and Rep. Bob Goodlatte as she runs for Chairman of the 6th District at this weekend's convention in Lynchburg.

Anyone who knows her knows an animated, upbeat, and patriotic military mom whose energy rallies others to work their hardest for our candidates. Recently, while speaking at the Rockingham County mass meeting, she read the duties of a District Chairman from the Republican Party of Virginia Party Plan and emphasized that a chairman does the business of the Party by supporting Republican candidates and the Reublican Platform.

From Article IV, Section D of the Party Plan - Duties of a chairman:

2. District Chairman
a. The District Chairman shall be Chairman of the District Committee.

b. He shall issue calls for District Conventions and Party Canvasses, and shall preside until a temporary organization is effected. See Article VIII, Section A.

c. He shall convene the District Committee when the needs of the Party so demand, but in no event less than once during each calendar quarter, with no more than four (4) months between each meeting, and shall preside at the meetings of the Committee. He shall be responsible for sending written notice of the call for a Committee meeting to all members of the Committee,which shall include the agenda for the meeting.

d. He shall be responsible for the operation of the District Headquarters, hiring such personnel as he shall deem necessary and for which funds are budgeted and shall be accountable therefor to the District Committee.

e. He shall be responsible for providing a prescribed time and place, which shall be supervised by the District Chairman, or a designated representative, for filing such declaration of candidacy and petitions as may be required by state law of a candidate in any primary election.

The 6th District has had its share of issues the past two years and Trixie will be ready to step in and mediate where necessary. Her grassroots activism goes back 30 years and she was voted by her peers onto State Central Committee and then, in 2009, as Western Vice Chairwoman.

Trixie walks the walk ... she doesn't just talk the talk. Leadership demands more than just words ... it demands action.

A brief outline of Trixie's conservative work throughout the years:

- Conservative: pro-life, pro-2nd Amendment, believes in Virginia GOP Creed
- Worked on campaigns for George Allen, Jim Gilmore, Mark Earley, Jerry Kilgore, Bob McDonnell, Bill Bolling, and others
- Traveled all of the Western part of the state since 1993 representing statewide candidates
- Spent countless hours attending and organizing meetings, fundraisers, rallies, parades, breakfasts, lunches, dinners, and untold numbers of barbeques
- Made phone calls, lists, distributed materials, worked Headquarters, sent thousands of emails, poked, prodded, and pushed candidates and volunteers alike to work harder to win the race
- Member of the 6th District Committee and the State Central Committee since 1992 - Currently serves as the Western Vice-Chairwoman

Trixie explained her reason for seeking the 6th District Chairman position:

Now, after 16 years of traveling the West, I’d like to focus right here in my home district. The political landscape has changed and we can no longer assume that the 6th will go red, just because it always has. I do believe that we can still win and win big, but we have to buckle down, work together, and stay focused on the goal.

The 6th District Convention is Saturday, May 22, in Lynchburg. I've worked with Trixie as a volunteer for 11 years and have seen her in action all those years. Email me if you would like more information about her or about the upcoming 6th District Convention.

Photo by SWAC Girl
Lynn Mitchell