Ben Cline 7Ben Cline VA-06

Current Position: US Representative of US House District 6 since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2002 – 2017
District: Including Roanoke and most of the Shenandoah Valley

Ben Cline previously served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th District from 2002-2018. In the Virginia House, Cline chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2018, Ben was an attorney in private practice. From 2007 until 2013, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg.

Ben also worked for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, beginning as a member of his legislative staff in 1994 and ultimately serving as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff.

OnAir Post: Ben Cline VA-06

Summary

Current Position: US Representative of US House District 6 since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2002 – 2017
District: Including Roanoke and most of the Shenandoah Valley

Ben Cline previously served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th District from 2002-2018. In the Virginia House, Cline chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2018, Ben was an attorney in private practice. From 2007 until 2013, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg.

Ben also worked for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, beginning as a member of his legislative staff in 1994 and ultimately serving as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff.

OnAir Post: Ben Cline VA-06

News

About

Source: Campaign page

Ben Cline 1Ben Cline’s values were shaped growing up right here in the Shenandoah Valley.  He graduated from Lexington High School in 1990, and earned a law degree from the University of Richmond.   Introduced by mutual friends, Ben and his wife Elizabeth met in 2004, and are raising their daughters in Rockbridge County.

Ben’s made a name for himself taking on the status quo in Richmond – never failing to champion common sense, conservative legislation that challenged the liberal orthodoxy of several sitting Democratic Governors.  As co-chair of the Americans for Prosperity (AFP) chapter in Virginia, Ben was at the forefront of protecting our economic freedom. From helping kill Tim Kaine’s tax hike to crafting budget cuts to our bloated state bureaucracy, Ben was at the center of the resistance against the push for bigger and unaccountable government. This year, Ben Cline’s multi-year effort to end unrecorded voice votes in the General Assembly finally became reality. Now, no bill can be killed without the public knowing which elected officials voted to do so, a major victory for transparency in Richmond.

He also stood up to his own party leadership in the House of Delegates when they pushed to join Democrats in raising taxes.  Ben wouldn’t have it.   He’s forged a path in the General Assembly as a leading conservative fighter serving as House Chairman of the Conservative Caucus, holding those in power accountable and fighting to clean up bureaucratic waste and the political cronyism that grips our system.  Ben successfully pushed the first significant tax relief since the car tax passage, while also sponsoring legislation that would ban sanctuary cities and a “Constitutional Carry” bill to allow law abiding individuals to carry concealed weapons. His leadership on protecting the 2nd Amendment is highlighted by his recent appointment as Chairman of the Militia, Police and Public Safety Committee in the House of Delegates. He is the last line of defense in the General Assembly against the Democrat’s aggressive gun control agenda.

Ben’s efforts have earned him the American Conservative Union’s (ACU)   “Conservative Excellence Award” as well as top ratings from leading conservative groups like the VA Tea Party Patriot Federation, the Virginia Family Foundation and an A+ rating from the NRA.

While in the House of Delegates, Ben is also an attorney in private practice and has previously served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney.  Prior to that, Ben owned his own small business providing marketing assistance to rural internet and high-tech companies.  Upon graduating from college, he served as an aide to Congressman Bob Goodlatte, where he eventually became Chief of Staff.

Ben and his family attend St. Patrick’s Catholic Church in Rockbridge County.  He is a  member of the Kerrs Creek Ruritan Club and the Lexington Lion’s Club.

Personal

ull Name:  Benjamin ‘Ben’ L. Cline

Gender: Male

Family:  Wife: Elizabeth; 2 Children: Catherine, Sarah

Birth Date:  02/29/1972

Birth Place:  Stillwater, OK

Home City:  Lexington, VA

Religion:  Catholic

Source: Vote Smart

Education

JD, University of Richmond School of Law, 2004-2007

BA, Political Science/Russian, Bates College, 1990-1994

Offices

Washington Office
1009 Longworth House Office Building
Washington, DC 20515
Phone: (202) 225-5431
Fax: (202) 225-9681

Harrisonburg Office
70 N Mason St, Suite 110
Harrisonburg, VA 22802
Phone: (540) 432-2391
Fax: (540) 432-6593

Lynchburg Office
916 Main St, Suite 300
Lynchburg, VA 24504
Phone: (434) 845-8306
Fax: (434) 845-8245

Roanoke Office
10 Franklin Rd SE, Suite 510
Roanoke, VA 24011
Phone: (540) 857-2672
Fax: 540) 857-2675

Staunton Office
117 S Lewis St, Suite 215
Staunton, VA 24401
Phone: (540) 885-3861
Fax: (540) 885-3930

Contact

Email: Government

Web Links

Politics

Source: none

Finances

CLINE, BEN L has run in 9 races for public office, winning 9 of them. The candidate has raised a total of$1,985,942

Source: Open Secrets

Committees

  • House Committee on the Judiciary 
    •  Chairman of the Subcommittee on Responsiveness and Accountability to Oversight
    • Subcommittee on Courts, Intellectual Property, and the Internet
    • Subcommittee on the Administrative State, Regulatory Reform, and Antitrust
  • House Committee on Appropriations 
    • Subcommittee on Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies
    • Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies
  • House Committee on the Budget

Caucuses

  • Co-Chair
    • Songwriters Caucus – Co-Chair w/ Rep. Ted Lieu
  • Government Reform
    • Bipartisan Congressional Transparency Caucus
  • Telecommunications
    • Rural Broadband Caucus
    • 5G Caucus
  • Intellectual Property
    • Creative Rights Caucus
    • Congressional Trademark Caucus
  • Family/Values
    • Pro-Life Caucus
    • Values Action Team
    • Congressional Coalition on Adoption
  • Agriculture/Natural Resources
    • Chicken Caucus
    • Small Brewers Caucus
    • Flower Caucus
    • Appalachian National Scenic Trail Caucus
    • International Conservation Caucus
    • FFA Caucus
  • Second Amendment
    • Second Amendment Caucus
    • Sportsman’s Caucus

New Legislation

Issues

Source: Government page

Economy & Jobs

Congressman Cline is focused on growing the economy and keeping more money in the pockets of hard-working Americans. The Congressman is fighting to reduce the regulatory burden on businesses and employees and is also committed to lowering taxes that stunt economic growth. He also believes in promoting free trade agreements and policies that benefit farmers and small businesses in Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District.

Below are just a few examples of pieces of legislation Congressman Cline has supported during his tenure to accomplish these goals:

118th Congress:

  • H.R. 358, the Small Business Regulatory Flexibility Improvements Act requires federal regulators to assess the full economic effects of proposed regulations on small businesses and consider alternative measures to reduce burdens before they act.
  • H.R. 23, the Family and Small Business Taxpayer Protection Act rescinds all new IRS funding for squeezing middle-class families and small businesses, while enhancing the services Americans expect to receive from their government.
  • H.R. 3400, the Small Businesses Before Bureaucrats Act updates the 1958 jurisdictional standards of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reflect modern revenue levels and ensure that such standards accurately represent the size of the economy each year.
  • H.R. 277 the REINS Act updates the 1958 jurisdictional standards of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) to reflect modern revenue levels and ensure that such standards accurately represent the size of the economy each year.
  • H.R. 857, the Presidential Budget Accountability Act withholds funds for presidential travel, official entertainment, and other expense accounts if the President fails to submit a timely budget to Congress.
  • H.R. 357, the Ensuring Accountability in Agency Rulemaking Act requires all rules proposed by federal agencies, except in limited circumstances, to be signed and issued by an individual appointed by the President, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate.

117th Congress:

  • H.R. 1712, the Death Tax Repeal Act repeals the estate tax, also known as the death tax. This tax is, in effect, a double tax on families and taxes property transferred at death. Many family businesses and farms are forced to shut down in order to pay this tax, instead the death tax should be repealed so that the next generation can continue operating and provide strength to their local economy.
  • H.R. 3625, the Middle-Class Savings Act aligns the brackets for assessing capital gains taxes with those created in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 to enable middle-class families to invest and save more through the stock market.
  • H.R. 1381, the Main Street Tax Certainty Act makes the 20 percent pass-through small business tax deduction permanent in an effort to support small businesses, help create jobs and strengthen our economy.
  • H.R. 1346, the Hospitality and Commerce Job Recovery Act provides federal tax credits to support the travel, convention, trade show, entertainment, tourism, and hospitality industries across the country impacted by the ongoing pandemic.
  • H.R. 2698, the Aluminum Pricing Examination (APEX) Act grants the Commodities Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) the statutory authority to conduct oversight of the aluminum market and to investigate price setting, benchmarking, and reporting entities.
  • H.R. 4181, the Stop Inflationary Spending Act amends the Congressional Budget and Impoundment Control Act of 1974 to require the Congressional Budget Office to conduct an analysis of the impact on inflation from certain reconciliation legislation reported or submitted pursuant to reconciliation directives in a concurrent resolution on the budget.
  • H.Res. 620 the Protect Right to Work expresses support for right-to-work laws that protect workers from being required to join and pay forced dues to a union to get or keep a job.

116th Congress:

  • H.R. 2571, the National Right-to-Work Act repeals the provisions of the National Labor Relations Act of 1938 and the Railway Labor Act that permit employers to condition employment on the requirement of employees to join a union.
  • H.R. 575, the Lessening Regulatory Costs and Establishing a Federal Regulatory Budget Act of 2019 establishes a system for reducing out-of-date regulations and requiring more efficient regulatory action.

For more information concerning work and views related to this Growing the Economy, please contact our office.

Energy & Environment

Energy Policy

With the abundance of energy sources right here in the Commonwealth, Congressman Cline supports an “all of the above” energy policy. Therefore, Congressman Cline believes in supporting policies that serve to bolster both American security and economic interests, and also safeguard our natural resources in a responsible manner that does not jeopardize Virginia’s energy jobs or burdens Virginia’s families with high energy costs.

Below are just a few examples of pieces of legislation Congressman Cline has supported during his tenure to accomplish these goals:

118th Congress:

  • H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act restores America’s energy independence and reduce costs by: increasing domestic energy production; cutting burdensome government red tape; and reforming the permitting process.
  • H.R. 21, the Strategic Production Response Act limits the drawdown of petroleum in the Strategic Petroleum Reserve (SPR) until the Department of Energy (DOE) submits to Congress a plan to increase the percentage of federal lands leased for oil and gas production.
  • H.R. 1067, the American Energy Act helps reduce the backlog at the Bureau of Land Management by extending the length of drilling permits from two years to four years.

117th Congress:

  • H.R. 420, the Blocking Rejoining Paris Climate Accord Act prohibits the use of any funds to take action providing for the United States to become a party to the Paris Agreement.
  • H.R. 684, the Keystone XL Construction and Jobs Act authorizes the TransCanada Keystone Pipeline to construct, connect, operate, and maintain the pipeline facilities in Phillips County, Montana, for the import of oil from Canada to the United States.
  • H.R. 859, the Protecting American Energy Jobs Act limits the President’s authority to prohibit or withdraw federal land or waters from energy production activities.
  • H.R. 2705, the Natural Gas Export Expansion Act revises requirements regarding natural gas imports or exports to expand the expedited application and approval process to any nation, even if not a party to a free trade agreement with the United States. The bill excludes any nation subject to sanctions or trade restrictions imposed by the United States or excluded by the President or Congress for national security reasons.
  • H.R. 6235, the Strategic Production Response Act provides for the development of a plan to increase oil and gas production under oil and gas leases of Federal lands under the jurisdiction of the Secretary of Agriculture, the Secretary of Energy, the Secretary of the Interior, and the Secretary of Defense in conjunction with a drawdown of petroleum reserves from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

116th Congress:

  • H.R. 3306, the Nuclear Energy Leadership Act directs the Secretary of Energy to establish advanced nuclear goals, provide for a versatile, reactor-based fast neutron source, make available high-assay, low-enriched uranium for research, development, and demonstration of advanced nuclear reactor concepts.
  • H.R. 4294, the American Energy First Act seeks to empower States to manage the development and production of oil and gas on available Federal land, to distribute revenues from oil and gas leasing on the Outer Continental Shelf to certain coastal States, to promote alternative energy development.

For more information concerning work and views related to Energy, please contact our office.

Healthcare

Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District is blessed to be the home of several of the top 10 hospitals in the Commonwealth of Virginia. From Carilion in Roanoke to Centra in Lynchburg, Virginia’s hospitals are vital to the health and well-being of Sixth District residents.

With the rise in premiums and deductibles and the ever-increasing cost of prescription drugs, Congressman Cline has made it a priority to address America’s healthcare issues using effective, free-market solutions, while protecting patients with preexisting conditions. He has also worked to advance legislation to combat the COVID-19 pandemic, which has had a devastating impact on the United States.

Congressman Cline believes it is a priority that Congress foster affordability and accessibility in the healthcare marketplace in a way that both parties can endorse and that is consistent with the entrepreneurial spirit of our nation.

Below are just a few examples of pieces of legislation Congressman Cline has supported during his tenure to accomplish these goals:

118th Congress:

  • H.R. 497, the Freedom for Health Care Workers Act ends the Biden Administration’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for healthcare workers and nullifies the rule issued by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services on November 5, 2021.
  • H.R. 751, the Fair Access in Residency (FAIR) Act ensures taxpayer-funded physician residency training programs create an equal path to residency for both Doctors of Osteopathic Medicine (DOs) and Medical Doctors (MDs).
  • H.R. 2407, the Nancy Gardner Sewell Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection Screening Coverage Act increases seniors’ timely access to multi-cancer early detection technology by creating a pathway to Medicare coverage.

117th Congress:

  • H.R. 725, the Personalized Care Act increases the maximum annual contribution limit for HSAs to $10,800 for individuals and $29,500 for families. The bill would also decouple HSAs from high-deductible health plans (HDHPs) and extend HSAs as an option for those enrolled in Medicare, Medicaid, and the Children’s Health Insurance Program (CHIP).
  • H.R. 2898, the Homecare for Seniors Act allows tax-exempt distributions from health savings accounts (HSAs) to be used for qualified home care.
  • H.R. 3537, the Accelerating Access to Critical Therapies for ALS Act establishes grant programs to address neurodegenerative diseases, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (also known as ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease).
  • H.R. 4390, the PROTECT 340B Act of 2021 amends title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act to ensure the equitable treatment of covered entities and pharmacies participating in the 340B drug discount program.
  • H.R. 5981, the Telehealth Expansion Act amend the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 to permanently extend the exemption for telehealth services from certain high deductible health plan rules.

116th Congress:

  • H.R. 748, the CARES Act offers economic relief to individuals and businesses caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and provides resources to hospitals and states to treat and test patients.
  • H.R. 3199, the Terminating the Extension of Rights Misappropriated (TERM) Act is bipartisan legislation that helps limit the practice of “evergreening” by drug companies and will allow the quicker introduction of generic medications to market. With prices continuing to rise, Congress must ensure that the marketplace includes affordable and accessible generic prescription drugs.
  • H.R. 5596, the Personalized Care Act expands access to Health Savings Accounts (HSAs), getting bureaucracy and insurance companies out of the way to allow patients to control their own healthcare choices.
  • H.R. 1035, the Prescription Drug Price Transparency Act requires greater transparency and accountability from pharmacy benefit managers, allowing for lower prices for patients in the Sixth District and across the United States.
  • H.R. 1398, the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019 delays the Health Insurance Tax (HIT), a harmful sales tax on health insurance coverage, until after 2021.

For more information concerning work and views related to Health, please contact our office.

Governance

Congress and Transparency

Congress was established through Article 1 of the U.S. Constitution, and as such, our Founding Fathers put the utmost responsibility in lawmakers to uphold their inalienable rights. Sadly, today’s Congress has become overreaching and dysfunctional. Congressman Cline is committed to serving the constituents of Virginia’s Sixth Congressional District by ensuring Congress has the necessary transparency and procedural ability to accomplish meaningful reform.

Below are just a few examples of pieces of legislation Congressman Cline has supported during his tenure to accomplish these goals:

118th Congress:

  • H.Res. 96, the Transparency in Federal Spending Resolution permits Members to object to the consideration of legislation that authorizes or appropriates funding for programs unless the legislation includes a table that details the funding.

117th Congress:

  • H.R. 872, the One Subject at a Time Act attempts to end the practice of including more than one subject in a single bill by requiring that each bill enacted by Congress be limited to only one subject.

116th Congress:

  • H.R. 3403, the Searchable Legislation Act of 2019 establishes a baseline that all bills, resolutions, and documents of Congress be created and stored in a manner that is electronically searchable which would increase transparency.
  • H.R. 3402, the Readable Legislation Act of 2019 requires that bills are written in a manner that shows the entire section of code it is amending, which would increase comprehensive knowledge of the effects of the legislation.

For more information concerning work and views related to Reforming Congress, please contact our office.

SUPPORTING VETERANS

Throughout his tenure, Congressman Cline has strived to honor veterans by advocating for and passing legislation, some of which has been signed into law, that deals with burn pits, suicide prevention, veteran health care options, blue water navy, the widow’s tax, reserve and national guard bankruptcy, and opening up membership into the American Legion for previously disqualified veterans.

118th Congress:

  • H.R. 4366, the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act of FY24 which provides funding for Defense Department military and family housing construction activities and remediation at closed military bases. This legislation also provides funding for the Department of Veterans Affairs’ veteran benefits programs, such as those related to disability and pension benefits, education, healthcare, and insurance and loan programs.
  • H.R. 903, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act requires the Administrator of the SBA to carry out a pilot program issuing grants to eligible Veterans to start or acquire a qualifying business, giving Veterans greater flexibility with the money they earned.
  • H.R. 4278, the Restore Accountability Act of 2023 helps the VA remove the small percentage of employees who are hurting veterans in weeks or months, rather than years. veterans’ VA-wide trust scores increasing from 59% in 2016 to 80% in 2020.
  • H.R. 1282, the Major Richard Star Act provides that combat-disabled uniformed services retirees with fewer than 20 years of creditable service may concurrently receive, without reduction, veterans’ disability compensation and retired pay or combat-related special compensation.
  • H.R. 705, the Veterans 2nd Amendment Protection Act prohibits the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) from sending information on veterans (or beneficiaries) who are assisted by a fiduciary to NICS without a judicial ruling that they are a danger to themselves or others. This would ensure that veterans are afforded the same due process that every other American receives before any action is taken that would deprive them of one of the constitutional rights that they fought to protect.

117th Congress:

  • H.R. 3967, the Honoring our PACT Act of 2022 addresses health care, presumption of service-connection, research, resources, and other matters related to Veterans who were exposed to toxic substances during military service.
  • H.R. 8017, the VA Workforce Investment and Expansion Act of 2022 expands the Department of Veterans Affairs’ (VA) workforce by enhancing VA hiring practices and incentives to better recruit and retain health care professionals, and strengthen veteran access to quality VA health care.
  • H.R. 5892, the Our Veterans Earned It Act prohibits members of the Armed Forces who refuse to receive a COVID-19 vaccination from being denied a federal benefit they are entitled to by reason of their service in the Armed Forces.
  • H.R. 2192, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 provides long-overdue judicial relief to victims of water contamination at Camp Lejeune.
  • H.R. 4471, the Improving Veterans Access to Congressional Services Act of 2021 requiring the Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs to permit a Member of Congress to use a VA facility to meet with constituents. The bill also requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to develop regulations regarding the use of VA office space by Members of Congress, mandating that the space be made available during normal business hours and in a location that is easily accessible to the Member’s constituents.
  • H.R. 4433, the Veterans Entrepreneurship Act requires the Administrator of the SBA to carry out a pilot program issuing grants to eligible Veterans to start or acquire a qualifying business, giving Veterans greater flexibility with the money they earned.
  • H.R. 1448, the PAWS for Veterans Therapy Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to implement a pilot program to provide canine training to Veterans diagnosed with PTSD as an element of an integrative health program.
  • H.R. 2974, the Military Spouse Hiring Act expands the Work Opportunity Tax Credit (WOTC) to include the hiring of a qualified military spouse.
  • H.R. 3674, the Vet Center Support Act directs the VA Secretary to submit to Congress a report on mental health care furnished by the Department of Veterans Affairs in certain States to ensure our Veterans are being properly cared for.
  • H.R. 2192, the Camp Lejeune Justice Act of 2021 ensures that applicable individuals who resided, worked, or were otherwise exposed to government-provided tap water that was contaminated with harmful chemicals, found at levels ranging from 240 to 3,400 times levels permitted by safety standards, at Camp Lejeune from August 1, 1953, to December 31, 1987, could obtain appropriate relief from harm.
  • H.R. 1476, the PFC Joseph Dwyer Peer Support Program Act requires the VA to establish the PFC Joseph P. Dwyer Peer Support Program to make grants to eligible entities (including (1) a nonprofit organization that has historically served the mental health needs of Veterans, (2) a congressionally chartered Veteran service organization, or (3) a state, local, or tribal Veteran service agency, director, or commissioner) for peer-to-peer mental health programs for Veterans.

116th Congress:

  • On July 30, 2019, I joined President Trump in the Oval Office as he signed my bill, H.R. 1641, the Let Everyone Get Involved in Opportunities for National Service (LEGION) Act. This bill expands American Legion membership criteria to include all honorably discharged veterans who served during unrecognized times of war.
  • H.R. 299, the Blue Water Navy Vietnam Veterans Act extends benefits to servicemembers that served in the territorial waters off the coast of Vietnam and were exposed to Agent Orange. (signed into law)
  • H.R. 553, the Military Surviving Spouses Equity Act eliminates an unfair deduction of benefits which is placed on surviving spouses of service members when their spouse passes away during active duty.
  • H.R. 1381, the Burn Pit Registry Enhancement Act authorizes specified individuals to update the burn pit registry with the cause of death of a registered individual. (passed in the House)
  • H.R. 3495, the Improve Well-Being of Veterans Act requires the Department of Veterans Affairs to award grants for a period of three years to eligible entities for the provision of suicide prevention services to veterans and their families.

For more information concerning work and views related to Veterans issues, please contact our office.

More Information

Services

Source: Government page

Art Competition Submissions

Each spring, the U.S. House of Representatives sponsors a high school art competition. Any high school student who is a constituent can fill out an application form and submit their artwork. The winner has their art displayed in the U.S. Capitol building for that year.Read More about the art competition »

Congressional Commendations

Fill out the online form to request a Congressional Commendation for someone living in the district.Read More about Congressional commendations »

Flag Requests

You can purchase a U.S. flag through our office. You can also request flags that have been flown over the Capitol building.Read More about flag requests »

Grant Applications

Information for people applying for Federal Grants.Read More about grants »

Help with a Federal Agency

If you are working with a federal agency and are not receiving an answer in a timely fashion, or you feel you’ve been treated unfairly, our office may be able to assist you resolve the problem or get more information.Read More about help with a federal agency »

Internships

Information on internship opportunities available in our offices.Read More about internships »

Presidential Greetings

Fill out the online form to request a greeting from the President of the United StatesRead More about Presidential greetings »

Service Academy Nominations

Information and an application form for people seeking a nomination to a U.S. Military Service Academy.Read More about service academy nominations »

Visiting Washington, DCOur staff can assist you with obtaining tickets for tours of the U.S. Capitol building and other Washington, DC attractions.Read More about visiting Washington, DC »

District

Source: Wikipedia

Virginia’s sixth congressional district is a United States congressional district in the Commonwealth of Virginia. It covers much of the west-central portion of the state, including Roanoke and most of the Shenandoah Valley. The current representative is Ben Cline (R), who has held the seat since the 2019 retirement of incumbent Republican Bob Goodlatte.

The district was an open seat in 2018. In November 2017, Goodlatte announced that he would retire from Congress at the end of his current term, and would not seek re-election.[4]

Historically, the 6th district was one of the first areas of Virginia to turn Republican. Many of the old Byrd Democrats in the area began splitting their tickets and voting Republican at the national level as early as the 1930s. It was also one of the first areas of Virginia where Republicans were able to break the long Democratic dominance at the state and local level. The district itself was in Republican hands from 1953 to 1983. Democrat Jim Olin then won the seat in 1982, and held it for a decade before Goodlatte won it.

Some counties in the district have not supported a Democrat for president since Franklin D. Roosevelt. For instance, Highland and Shenandoah counties last voted for a Democratic presidential candidate in 1932, and Augusta and Roanoke counties have not supported a Democrat since 1944. The district as a whole has not supported a Democrat for president since Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964.

Wikipedia

Benjamin Lee Cline (born February 29, 1972) is an American lawyer and politician who has served as the U.S. representative for Virginia’s 6th congressional district since 2019. A member of the Republican Party, he represented the 24th district in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018.[1]

Early life and education

Cline was born on February 29, 1972, in Stillwater, Oklahoma,[1][2] and grew up in Rockbridge County, Virginia.[3] He is the son of Philip L. Cline and Julie Cline.[2]

Cline graduated from Lexington High School in 1990,[3] and graduated with a B.A. from Bates College in 1994.[1][4] He earned a J.D. degree from University of Richmond School of Law in 2007.[1]

Career outside of politics

From 2002 to 2007, including his years in law school, Cline was president of NDS Corporation, a Virginia-based company providing sales and marketing assistance to rural Internet and technology businesses.[citation needed] After graduating from law school, he served as an assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the city of Harrisonburg until 2013.[5][third-party source needed] Before his election to Congress, Cline maintained a private law practice in Lexington, Harrisonburg, and Amherst.[6]

Political career

Cline with Bob Goodlatte in October 2005

Cline served as chief of staff for U.S. Representative Bob Goodlatte before running for office.[when?][citation needed]

Cline began his political career in 2002 in a special election to the Virginia House of Delegates, replacing incumbent delegate Vance Wilkins, who resigned due to sexual harassment allegations.[7] Cline won with 57% of the vote against Democratic former Lexington mayor Mimi Elrod.[citation needed] Cline represented the 24th district, which consisted of Bath and Rockbridge counties, the cities of Buena Vista and Lexington, and parts of Amherst and Augusta counties.[citation needed]

Cline and Bob Goodlatte at the Rockbridge Community Festival in August 2008

In 2003, Cline won again with 69% of the vote against independent E. W. Sheffield.[citation needed] In 2005, he won with 62% of the vote against Democrat David Cox. Cline ran unopposed in 2007.[citation needed] In 2009, Cline ran against Democratic Amherst native Jeff Price and won with 71% of the vote, taking the Lexington City precinct for the first time since Price’s election in 2002[verification needed] and every precinct in the 24th House of Delegates district.[citation needed] Cline ran unopposed in both 2011 and 2013.[citation needed] In 2015, Cline won 71% of the vote against Democrat Ellen Arthur.[citation needed] In 2017, he was reelected with 72% of the vote against independent candidate John Winfrey.[8]

In November 2017, Cline announced he would run for Congress in Virginia’s 6th congressional district in 2018 for the seat being vacated by retiring incumbent Bob Goodlatte.[9] On May 19, 2018, Cline won the Republican nomination on the first ballot at the district convention.[citation needed]

Cline won the election on November 6, 2018, winning 15 Virginia localities with more than 60% of the vote against Jennifer Lewis.[10][11] He resigned from the Virginia House of Delegates on December 18, 2018.[12]

State legislative career

Cline in the House Chamber next to state delegate Terrie Suit

Committee assignments

Cline served on the House of Delegates Committees on Commerce and Labor, Courts of Justice, Finance, and chaired the Militia, Police and Public Safety. He was also a member of Commerce and Labor Subcommittee #2, Commerce and Labor Special Subcommittee on Energy, Courts of Justice Subcommittee on Criminal Law, Courts of Justice Subcommittee on Judicial Systems and Finance Subcommittee #2.[13][third-party source needed] Cline also co-chaired the Virginia Joint Legislative Conservative Caucus, co-chaired in the Senate of Virginia by Mark Obenshain.[14][better source needed]

Education

In 2006, Cline patroned HB1125, which created a school sales tax holiday in the Commonwealth, and HB1135, which allowed members of the military stationed in the Commonwealth to receive in-state tuition in Virginia.[15][16] In 2007, he patroned HB2168, which created the Community College Transfer Grant Program.[17] In 2008, Cline supported the opening of an Amherst branch of Central Virginia Community College and new facilities for the Rockbridge branch of Dabney S. Lancaster Community College. In 2009, Cline patroned, but did not have included in the final state budget, amendments to cut the budget of the Virginia Lottery in half, which would in turn put those funds into the Literary Fund used to fund Virginia public schools.[18]

Government regulation

In 2006, Cline passed two bills, HB1130 and HB1131, that changed the administrative setup of the Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.[19][20] In 2009, he passed HB2285, which created a searchable database of Virginia’s agency expenditures.[21] Additionally, Cline went after the Virginia Lottery in 2009 for the allotment of over $1 million of state funds to use the likeness of Howie Mandel and Donald Trump on lottery tickets.[22]

Criminal prosecution

In 2003, Cline introduced HB2229, which deals with probation for underage alcohol possession.[23] In 2004, he introduced HB1204, which increased penalties for people with multiple offenses pertaining to driving while intoxicated.[24] In 2007, he patroned HB2453, which enhanced penalties for repeated offenders of driving without a license, and HB2459, which increased the penalties for elder abuse.[25][26] In 2008, he passed HB1362, which established a penalty for the misuse of public assets, and HB1363, which increases penalties for trademark counterfeiting.[27][28] In 2009, he patroned HB2441, which requires Virginia Department of Corrections to notify prosecutors of gang affiliation of inmates charged with an offense committed while in prison, and HB2637, which requires fingerprinting of people arrested for violating a protective order.[29][30]

Public safety

Cline introduced HB2227, which made it a felony to assault retired law enforcement officers, and HB865, which imposed the same penalty regarding assault of campus police officers.[31][32] In 2003, he introduced HB2230 and HB2232 to help local probation officers and pretrial services officers.[33][34] In 2005, he introduced HB1514, which allowed sheriffs’ offices and volunteer rescue squads to be reimbursed for the costs of responding to DUI crashes.[35] Cline was named Legislator of the Year by the Virginia Court Clerks’ Association in 2011 and by the Virginia Sheriff’s Association in 2012.[36]

Cline also introduced several bills regarding the rights of defendants and inmates. In 2003, he introduced HB2231, which gives probation officers greater access to juvenile defendants’ records so that risk assessments could be more easily prepared.[37] In 2009 he opposed the closure of the Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center, the last remaining facility solely for nonviolent offenders in the Commonwealth of Virginia at the time of its closing,[38] and introduced HB873 in 2010 to require the Department of Juvenile Justice to keep at least one facility open for nonviolent juvenile offenders.[39] In 2012, Cline helped negotiate a compromise between law enforcement and prisoner advocates regarding HB836, which restricted the usage of restraints on pregnant inmates, by supporting the intent of the legislation in the form of a rule change by the Virginia Board of Corrections, winning praise locally for his involvement on the issue.[40][41][42] In 2013, Cline helped craft and supported HB2103, which improves parole process for inmates still eligible for parole in Virginia.[43][failed verification]

Abortion

Carmen Forman of The Roanoke Times called Cline “staunchly anti-abortion.”[44] In 2007 and subsequent years, he introduced legislation requiring that information regarding the option of providing anesthesia to the baby be given to women seeking abortions after 20 weeks and requiring doctors to do so if requested by the mother.[45][46][47]

Civil liberties

In 2013, Cline patroned HB2229[48] to address ongoing concerns over the Federal National Defense Authorization Act of 2012. The allegation was that the NDAA allowed the federal government to detain and seize American citizens within the United States and hold them without access to legal counsel or trial, in violation of the United States Constitution. HB2229 stated that if the federal government wished to detain an American citizen on those grounds, it first needed to notify the chief law enforcement official in the individual’s locality or do so within 24 hours of the detention. The bill further stated that failure to comply with the law would lead to the Virginia General Assembly reviewing any Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the federal government and the Commonwealth of Virginia and that any further action on the MOU and any funding in pursuit of the MOU would be contingent on an affirmative vote of the General Assembly.

Cline introduced a similar bill in 2014 (HB1256)[48] and 2015 (HB2144).[48] In 2013, the bill passed the House of Delegates with bipartisan support 83-14 and the Senate 31–9 with an amendment. The House rejected the Senate amendment and the bill died in a conference committee due to the Virginia State Police complaining that the federal government was threatening to pull out of MOUs. The 2014 bill passed the House of Delegates unanimously, but died in the Senate without a hearing. The 2015 bill passed the House of Delegates 96–4, passed out of Senate committee 7–6, and was recommitted to the Committee at the direction of Senate Majority Leader Thomas K. Norment, where it died without another vote.

Interstate 81

Interstate 81 is the main branch of the Interstate Highway System in the 24th district. In 2005, Cline patroned HB2554, a bill that created the I-81 Safety Task Force, and HJ709, a resolution that encouraged Congress to develop a multistate I-81 initiative.[49][50] In 2006, he patroned HB1581, which created the I-81 Intermodal Rail study.[51]

U.S. House of Representatives

Elections

2018

Convention

Cline announced his candidacy for the United States House of Representatives, in a bid to replace outgoing Representative Bob Goodlatte, for whom Cline had previously served as chief of staff. He entered a field of eight candidates, his top rival being Cynthia Dunbar, the incumbent RNC Committeewoman from Virginia.

The convention process was immediately tainted by accusations that the District Committee leadership was attempting to slant the convention in Dunbar’s favor. 6th District Chairman Scott Sayre was heard admonishing the other candidates that their primary goal needed to be to defeat Cline. 6th District Vice Chair Matthew Tederick was a paid staffer for Dunbar, as were several other members of the District Committee.

Led by Dunbar supporters, the District Committee attempted to push through a “plurality” rule for the Congressional race so that whoever got the highest vote on the first ballot would win. In a field of eight candidates, that number could have been significantly lower than 51% (even as low as 20%), which elicited accusations that the District Committee thought that Dunbar couldn’t beat Cline on her own merits. This rule was challenged to the State Central Committee of the Republican Party of Virginia and overturned by the SCC. It turned out to be unnecessary since Rockingham County Clerk of Court Chaz Haywood (another candidate) dropped out of the race at the Convention and endorsed Cline.[52] With that endorsement, Cline received 52.62% of the vote to Dunbar’s 39.15%.

The final tally was: Cline, 52.62%; Dunbar, 39.15%; Douglas Wright, 3.63%; Elliot Pope, 2.59%; Michael Desjadon, 1.19%; Eduardo Justo, 0.51%; Kathryn McDaniel Lewis, 0.25%, and Haywood, who appeared on the ballot despite his late withdrawal, 0.06%. With Cline winning a majority on the first ballot, he secured the nomination and moved on to the general election.

General election

According to Amy Friedenberger of The Roanoke Times, Cline established himself in his 16 years in the Virginia House of Delegates “as a conservative who opposes abortion rights and seeks to protect gun rights… [who said] he would take his fiscal conservatism to Washington.”[10] According to the Staunton News Leader, a USA Today newspaper in Cline’s district, Cline’s House campaign website detailed “his record of supporting conservative legislation in the House of Delegates… [where he] voted against a tax increase, helped make budget cuts to the state’s ‘bloated bureaucracy,’ and sponsored legislation that would ban sanctuary cities”.[53] At his election victory celebration, Representative-elect Cline told his supporters, “Being part of the checks and balances that our Founding Fathers envisioned is a responsibility that I will guard seriously.”[53] In an interview as he arrived for his swearing in at the House, Cline described to a Staunton, Virginia, news reporter his 6th district as having 800,000 constituents in “19 cities and counties… each one [with] different character and different political affiliations”.[54]

2020

Cline was reelected in 2020 with 64.7% of the vote, defeating Democrat Nicholas Betts.[55]

Tenure

Cline’s assignments in the House include serving on the Judiciary Committee, which includes some responsibilities regarding the Mueller Report.[56]

In December 2020, Cline was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives to sign an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden defeated[57] incumbent Donald Trump.

On January 6, 2021, Cline voted against certifying the election of President-elect Biden.[58]

In September 2021, Cline was among 75 House Republicans to vote against the National Defense Authorization Act of 2022, which contains a provision that would require women to be drafted.[59][60]

Cline was among 19 House Republicans to vote against the final passage of the 2022 National Defense Authorization Act.[61]

Cline was among the 71 Republicans who voted against final passage of the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023 in the House.[62]

Immigration

Cline voted against the Further Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2020 which authorizes DHS to nearly double the available H-2B visas for the remainder of FY 2020.[63][64]

Cline voted against Consolidated Appropriations Act (H.R. 1158) which effectively prohibits ICE from cooperating with Health and Human Services to detain or remove illegal alien sponsors of unaccompanied alien children (UACs).[65]

Syria

In 2023, Cline was among 47 Republicans to vote in favor of H.Con.Res. 21 which directed President Joe Biden to remove U.S. troops from Syria within 180 days.[66][67]

Ukraine

In 2023, Cline voted for a moratorium on aid to Ukraine.[68]

In 2023, Cline voted for a ban on a Center of Excellence in Ukraine which enhances NATO activities.[69]

Israel

He voted to provide Israel with support following 2023 Hamas attack on Israel[70][71]

Committee assignments

Caucus memberships

Electoral history

Virginia’s 6th congressional district, 2018[76]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBen Cline 167,957 59.7
DemocraticJennifer Lewis113,13340.2
N/AWrite-ins2870.1
Total votes281,377 100.0
Republican hold
Virginia’s 6th congressional district, 2020[77]
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBen Cline (incumbent) 246,606 64.6
DemocraticNicholas Betts134,72935.3
N/AWrite-ins4780.1
Total votes381,813 100.0
Republican hold
Virginia’s 6th congressional district, 2022
PartyCandidateVotes%
RepublicanBen Cline (incumbent) 173,352 64.4
DemocraticJennifer Lewis95,41035.4
N/AWrite-ins4720.2
Total votes269,234 100.0
Republican hold

Personal life

Cline married Elizabeth Rocovich Cline in 2007; they have twin daughters. Since his election to Congress, he has moved from his longtime home in Rockbridge County, near Lexington, to Botetourt County.[1][54][6] He is Catholic and attends St. Patrick’s Church in Lexington.[1]

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Virginia House of Delegates Staff (2019-07-24). “Benjamin L. ‘Ben’ Cline”. State of Virginia. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  2. ^ a b Jeff Hanna, “W&L Mourns Loss of Phil Cline, Emeritus Economics Professor” The Columns 2010-01-14 https://columns.wlu.edu/wl-mourns-loss-of-phil-cline-emeritus-economics-professor/ (accessed 2022-08-23)
  3. ^ a b Who’s Who Among American High School Students (Educational Communications, Inc., 1989), p. 294 (accessed 2022-08-23 on Google Books)
  4. ^ McConville, Emily (2019-06-26). “Similar but different, Congressmen Ben Cline ’94 and Jared Golden ’11 return for Reunion”. Bates College. Lewiston, Maine. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  5. ^ Ben Cline for Delegate. “Delegate Ben Cline – Biography”. Archived from the original on 2009-02-12. Retrieved 2009-04-08.
  6. ^ a b “About Ben”. Ben Cline for Congress. Retrieved 2020-07-21.
  7. ^ Fiske, Warren; Nuckols, Christina (2002-06-14). “Wilkins Calls it Quits One Week After Sexual Harassment Allegations Surfaced, Leader Leaves Post Saying He Feels He Was ‘Abandoned’ by the GOP”. The Virginian-Pilot. Norfolk, VA. Archived from the original on 2012-10-25. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  8. ^ Virginia Department of Elections Staff (2017-11-13). “2017 November General—Official Results”. Results.Elections.Virginia.gov. Retrieved 2019-07-24.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ “Delegate Ben Cline Announces Run for Goodlatte’s Seat in Congress”. WHSV.com. Harrisonburg, VA: WHSV-TV3. 2017-11-09. Retrieved 2019-07-24.
  10. ^ a b Friedenberger, Amy (2018-11-06). “Republican Ben Cline Defeats Democrat Jennifer Lewis in 6th District Race”. The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, VA. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  11. ^ “Virginia house [election results, map]”. CNN. 2019-12-21. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  12. ^ Friedenberger, Amy (2018-11-09). “After Del. Ben Cline’s Congressional Win, Special Election to Fill Seat Set for Dec. 18”. The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, VA. Retrieved 2019-07-21.
  13. ^ Virginia House of Delegates. “Bio for Benjamin L. Cline”. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  14. ^ “Virginia Conservative Caucus”. Archived from the original on 2008-07-19. Retrieved 2008-04-23.
  15. ^ “HB 1125 Retail sales and use tax; exemption for school-related items”. Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System. Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  16. ^ “HB 1135 Tuition, in-state; educational benefits for illegal aliens military personnel and their dependants”. Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System. Virginia General Assembly.
  17. ^ “HB 2168 Community College Transfer Grant program; created”. Virginia General Assembly Legislative Information System. Virginia General Assembly. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  18. ^ “Budget Amendments – HB1600 (Member Request)”. Virginia.gov. Retrieved 2018-02-01.
  19. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1130 > 2006 Session”.
  20. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1131 > 2006 Session”.
  21. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2285 > 2009 Session”.
  22. ^ Cline, Ben. “Delegate cline announces the passage of budget transparency bill”. Archived from the original on 2009-06-10. Retrieved 2009-04-24.
  23. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2229 > 2003 Session”.
  24. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1204 > 2004 Session”.
  25. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2453 > 2007 Session”.
  26. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2459 > 2007 Session”.
  27. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1362 > 2008 Session”.
  28. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1363 > 2008 Session”.
  29. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2441 > 2009 Session”.
  30. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2637 > 2009 Session”.
  31. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2227 > 2003 Session”.
  32. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB865 > 2010 Session”.
  33. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2230 > 2003 Session”.
  34. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2232 > 2003 Session”.
  35. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1514 > 2005 Session”.
  36. ^ “Del. Ben Cline receives service award from Virginia Sheriffs’ Association”.
  37. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2231 > 2003 Session”.
  38. ^ “Del. Ben Cline says 1,700+ sign petition to keep Natural Bridge Juvenile Correctional Center open”. Archived from the original on 2014-02-01. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  39. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB873 > 2010 Session”.
  40. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB836 > 2012 Session”.
  41. ^ “Virginia prisons board tentatively OKs shackling rules”. Archived from the original on 2014-02-02. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  42. ^ “Editorial: Unshackling pregnant inmates”. Archived from the original on 2014-01-24. Retrieved 2014-01-24.
  43. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2103 > 2103 Session”.
  44. ^ Forman, Carmen (January 16, 2017). “Ben Cline’s ‘Day of Tears’ Abortion Mourning Resolution Advances in General Assembly”. The Roanoke Times. Roanoke, VA. Retrieved July 21, 2019.
  45. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2456 > 2007 Session”.
  46. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1556 > 2008 Session”.
  47. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2634 > 2009 Session”.
  48. ^ a b c “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2229 > 2013 session”. lis.virginia.gov. Retrieved 2020-08-24.
  49. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB2554 > 2005 Session”.
  50. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HJ709 > 2005 Session”.
  51. ^ “LIS > Bill Tracking > HB1581 > 2006 Session”.
  52. ^ “Convention selects Ben Cline as nominee for open seat in Va”. AP News. Harrisonburg. May 19, 2018. Retrieved October 13, 2020.
  53. ^ a b “Del. Ben Cline Wins 6th District U.S. House Race”. Staunton News Leader. Staunton, VA. November 6, 2018. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  54. ^ a b Fair, Julia (January 3, 2019). “Ben Cline Made It to Congress, Here’s How His First Day Went”. Staunton News Leader. Staunton, VA. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  55. ^ Rosario, Nicole Del (2020-11-04). “Ben Cline projected to win reelection in Virginia’s 6th Congressional District, according to NBC News”. WSLS. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  56. ^ Simon, Scott (March 23, 2019). “Rep. Ben Cline On The Mueller Report”. Weekend Edition Saturday. NPR. Retrieved July 24, 2019.
  57. ^ Blood, Michael R.; Riccardi, Nicholas (December 5, 2020). “Biden officially secures enough electors to become president”. AP News. Archived from the original on December 8, 2020. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
  58. ^ Yourish, Karen; Buchanan, Larry; Lu, Denise (2021-01-07). “The 147 Republicans Who Voted to Overturn Election Results”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-07-15.
  59. ^ Zilbermints, Regina (September 23, 2021). “House passes sweeping defense policy bill”. The Hill.
  60. ^ “H.R. 4350: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 — House Vote #293 — Sep 23, 2021”. GovTrack.us.
  61. ^ “S. 1605: National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 — House Vote #405 — Dec 7, 2021”.
  62. ^ Gans, Jared (June 2023). “Republicans and Democrats who bucked party leaders by voting no”. The Hill.
  63. ^ “Text – H.R.1865 – 116th Congress (2019-2020): Further Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2020 | Congress.gov | Library of Congress”. Congress.gov. Retrieved 2022-07-22.
  64. ^ “Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives”. clerk.house.gov. 17 December 2019.
  65. ^ “H.R. 1158: DHS Cyber Hunt and Incident Response Teams Act … — House Vote #690 — Dec 17, 2019”.
  66. ^ “H.Con.Res. 21: Directing the President, pursuant to section 5(c) of … — House Vote #136 — Mar 8, 2023”.
  67. ^ “House Votes Down Bill Directing Removal of Troops From Syria”. Associated Press. March 8, 2023.
  68. ^ “On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 11 to H R … — House Vote #304 — Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h304. Accessed 13 July 2023.
  69. ^ “On Agreeing to the Amendment: Amendment 12 to H R … — House Vote #305 — Jul 13, 2023.” GovTrack.Us, www.govtrack.us/congress/votes/118-2023/h305. Accessed 13 July 2023.
  70. ^ Demirjian, Karoun (2023-10-25). “House Declares Solidarity With Israel in First Legislation Under New Speaker”. The New York Times. ISSN 0362-4331. Retrieved 2023-10-30.
  71. ^ Washington, U. S. Capitol Room H154; p:225-7000, DC 20515-6601 (2023-10-25). “Roll Call 528 Roll Call 528, Bill Number: H. Res. 771, 118th Congress, 1st Session”. Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved 2023-10-30.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  72. ^ “Committees and Caucuses”. Representative Ben Cline. Archived from the original on 2019-02-01.
  73. ^ “As House Republicans Brace for Losses, Freedom Caucus Prepares for Growth”. Roll Call. 2018-10-31. Retrieved 2021-02-28.
  74. ^ “Featured Members”. Problem Solvers Caucus. Retrieved 2021-03-28.
  75. ^ “Member List”. Republican Study Committee. Archived from the original on 22 December 2017. Retrieved 21 December 2017.
  76. ^ “Official Results”. 2018 November General. Virginia Department of Elections. November 9, 2018. Archived from the original on November 8, 2018. Retrieved November 11, 2018.
  77. ^ “2020 November General Official Results”. Virginia Department of Elections. Archived from the original on February 3, 2021. Retrieved November 22, 2020.

External links

Virginia House of Delegates
Preceded by

Member of the Virginia House of Delegates
from the 24th district

2002–2018
Succeeded by

U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by

Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from Virginia’s 6th congressional district

2019–present
Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by

United States representatives by seniority
236th
Succeeded by


X

Ben Cline VA-06

Current Position: US Representative of US House District 6 since 2019
Affiliation: Republican
Former Position: State Delegate from 2002 – 2017
District: Including Roanoke and most of the Shenandoah Valley

Ben Cline previously served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th District from 2002-2018. In the Virginia House, Cline chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.

Prior to his election to the House of Representatives in 2018, Ben was an attorney in private practice. From 2007 until 2013, he served as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney for Rockingham County and the City of Harrisonburg.

Ben also worked for Congressman Bob Goodlatte, beginning as a member of his legislative staff in 1994 and ultimately serving as the Congressman’s Chief of Staff.

OnAir Post: Ben Cline VA-06

US House District 6 – VA 2020

Ben Cline represents Virginia’s 6th Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives, where he is a member of the House Judiciary Committee and the House Education and Labor Committee. He previously served as a Member of the Virginia House of Delegates, representing the 24th District from 2002-2018. In the Virginia House, Cline chaired the Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety.

Nicholas Betts has worked in construction and landscaping, as a graduate teaching assistant, a substitute teacher, a contract manager for a small family business, and now as a law clerk in Roanoke, Virginia. He knows what it is like to work hard and to achieve goals in the face of adversity.  If elected to Congress to represent the 6th District of Virginia, Nicholas Betts will fight hard for Freedom, and he will go to Washington to work, not to play politics.

OnAir Post: US House District 6 – VA 2020

Nicholas Betts

Current Position: Law clerk
Affiliation: Democrat
Candidate: 2020 US Representative for US House District 6

Nicholas Betts has worked in construction and landscaping, as a graduate teaching assistant, a substitute teacher, a contract manager for a small family business, and now as a law clerk in Roanoke, Virginia. He knows what it is like to work hard and to achieve goals in the face of adversity.

If elected to Congress to represent the 6th District of Virginia, Nicholas Betts will fight hard for Freedom, and he will go to Washington to work, not to play politics.

Source: Campaign page

OnAir Post: Nicholas Betts

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