Op-Eds

When I assumed the role of Representative for Virginia’s 7th District, I knew that 54,685 veterans in my district would depend on me and my team for assistance. From the outset, I made serving our veterans a priority. I let these veterans know that they had access to congressional resources just by simply reaching out to my office. And not long ago, I hired a one-star general, Janice Igou, to oversee all veterans’ casework and communication. Since I came to Congress, my office has handled over 3... Read more

When I visited Bon Secours in Richmond, the forensic nurses there detailed horrific, sad stories of human trafficking that happen right here in the 7th District. I was surprised to find the extent to which trafficking happens just under our noses, and we are often unaware of those being afflicted. After my conversation with the nurses, I met with local law enforcement to ask them more about this issue. In particular, I spoke with Henrico Sheriff Mike Wade and Chesterfield Sheriff Karl Leonard. S... Read more

The following op-ed originally appeared in the July 30, 2018 edition of the Wall Street Journal This week a congressional conference committee gets to work resolving the differences between the House and Senate versions of the 2018 farm bill, which authorizes the federal food-stamp program. Among the most contested issues will be the work requirements for able-bodied, single adults passed by the House. Republicans must stand up for fiscal responsibility and the dignity that comes with work. I am... Read more

The following op-ed originally appeared in the June 14, 2018 edition of the Culpeper Star-Exponent. The opioid crisis is real, and it needs to be addressed. That is why I introduced a bill, H.R. 5889, the Recognizing Early Childhood Trauma Related to Substance Abuse Act of 2018. This legislation assists victims of the opioid crisis and provide professionals working with those victims the resources they need to assist. I am pleased to announce that H.R. 5889 passed on the House floor this week. ... Read more

This column originally appeared in the June 3rd, 2018 edition of the Richmond Times-Dispatch. People fed up with high-tax, slow-growth areas of the country migrate in large quantities to low-tax, high-growth areas of the country. Despite fleeing areas with less favorable economic conditions, when they get to the low-tax, high growth areas, they vote in favor of policies that undermine the economic environment they were attracted to in the first place! Simply put, flourishing red areas of the cou... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the May 7, 2018 edition of the Fredericksburg Free Lance-Star. MEMBERS of the media are pushing the narrative that tax cuts are unpopular with voters. The truth is that they aren’t unpopular. American families like—and need—tax cuts. Taxes are unpopular because voters know they can spend their money better than Washington can. They can invest it, they can save it, and they can donate it to the causes they care deeply about. Taxes are also unpopular because Washing... Read more

The following op-ed appeared at FoxNews.com on April 30th, 2018. Very soon, Mexican and Canadian officials are going to push the Trump administration to approve and finalize a “NAFTA 2.0,” which is supposedly a renegotiation of the original 1993 North American Free Trade Agreement. The administration’s primary representative in this effort is the U.S. Trade Representative, Ambassador Robert Lighthizer. While we are being told by Ambassador Lighthizer and others that this will be a good deal for ... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the April 29, 2018 edition of Richmond Times-Dispatch. What voters hate more than anything are politicians who say one thing on the campaign trail, and then abandon those promises when they get into office — especially on big-ticket items. That’s why it was disappointing to see Gov. Ralph Northam go back on his word to Virginians about sanctuary cities. A 2017 Harvard-Harris poll showed that 80 percent of voters say, “Cities that arrest illegal immigrants for crim... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the April 19, 2018 edition of The Central Virginian. For those who waited until the last minute to file their taxes, they can take solace in the fact that Tax Day on Tuesday marked the end of the old tax code, which was outdated, confusing, and —most importantly ­— took too much of hardworking Americans’ hard-earned money. Because Republicans passed legislation late last year to provide long overdue tax relief to ordinary Americans, starting next year, filing taxe... Read more

The following op-ed appeared in the April 13, 2018 edition of The Washington Times. Conservatives are horrified by the staggering $21 trillion in debt as well as the trillion dollar deficits we are running each year as a result of the latest omnibus bill and spending trajectory. Last month, my office’s phones were ringing off the hook with constituents dismayed that Washington is once again dramatically growing the size of government and their kids’ debt bill. Adhering to the principles that I r... Read more