CongressmanBob Goodlatte

A new year brings new opportunities for our country. It’s a time to refocus and, with a fresh perspective, look ahead at all that must be accomplished. As we ring in 2016, Congress has much to do to address the priorities of the American people. The tasks before us touch every American. We must continue our work to dismantle the President’s health care law, and reform the health care system in a way that puts patients first. Congress also has a responsibility to the American people to promote a... Read more

Each month, my office receives thousands of phone calls, letters, e-mails, and Facebook messages from folks across the Sixth District about current issues before Congress. Here are a few of the inquiries I have received recently: I am concerned that the Department of Labor’s proposed retirement rule will limit my right to choose a financial professional who fits my budget and needs. Like you, I’m concerned that this rule will limit retirement choices and have a negative impact on many small bus... Read more

Then pealed the bells more loud and deep: “God is not dead, nor doth He sleep; The Wrong shall fail, The Right prevail, With peace on earth, good-will to men.” For many, this year has brought moments of great joy and for others grief. Some families have seen their share of challenges, and our nation as a whole faces new threats from those who seek nothing more than to spread terror. We need the reminder from Longfellow’s poem Christmas Bells that the wrong shall fail, the right will prevail, wi... Read more

We’ve known for some time that vulnerabilities exist in our immigration system. It should come as no surprise that terrorists have and will continue to exploit the holes in our immigration laws. Contrary to what President Obama may say, recent events both abroad and in the United States are proof that the terrorist threat of ISIS is real and clearly not contained. It’s a matter of national security that we improve the immigration system. Legitimate concerns have been raised that ISIS terrorists... Read more

Most of us can recall a favorite teacher – the one who made an impact or taught a lesson that will be long remembered. I’ve had the opportunity to meet many educators in schools throughout the Sixth District who work hard each day to provide their students with the best education possible. Teachers have an invaluable impact on our children, and the ability of educators to actually teach the next generation should not be hindered by outdated federal mandates. All too often we see the federal gov... Read more

Have you ever tried to crack open a copy of the federal criminal code? It’s not exactly light reading. The expansion of the federal code to nearly 5,000 criminal statutes, as well as over 300,000 regulations carrying criminal penalties, has resulted in a code that no average American citizen could be expected to read and understand. Some of these laws and regulations impose criminal penalties on people who have no idea they are even violating a law. Earlier this month, the House Judiciary Commi... Read more

The American people watched in horror as one of our oldest allies was rocked by a series of ISIS terrorist attacks just days ago. It was a stark reminder that ISIS poses a real threat to our allies and America. However, this reality is not clearly seen by our President. The Administration’s failed foreign policy in the Middle East, and failure to take the ISIS threat seriously, are responsible for the flood of Syrians currently leaving their country. We all remember when the President told us t... Read more

Put down the pen and phone, Mr. President. That was the message from a federal appeals court just a few days ago. In a victory for the Constitution and the American people, the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld an injunction preventing President Obama’s executive amnesty on immigration from being implemented. Next week marks one year since President Obama announced that he would act on his own to change our immigration laws. These actions would allow up to five million unlawful immigrants t... Read more

The American Idea – it’s what guided our Founders in creating a system of self-government. It’s at the root of American innovation, and the push by generation after generation to go places we have not before gone. The American Idea is about opportunity and freedom to prosper. As a Congress and as a nation, this Idea is something we cannot afford to ignore. Just a few days ago, our nation witnessed an important moment in our history. Representative Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin was sworn in as the 5... Read more

They protect and defend – spending months away from home and loved ones, risking their lives for the cause of freedom. The sacrifice of the U.S. Armed Forces is great, and these men and women in uniform know all too well the danger they face. They know it’s not a game, and shouldn’t be treated as one. Ensuring our military has the resources they need to operate effectively and protect the American people is nothing to be delayed or held hostage by one signature. But with just a stroke of his pe... Read more