The Shadow
Last week, we saw meaningful steps taken to set our country back on the right track. President Trump continued his work to return control of education to the states, refocus the FBI on fighting crime, and bring more relief at the pump and grocery stores by restoring American energy production. In Congress, I cosponsored legislation to support local law enforcement and help secure our border. Here in the district, I had the opportunity to meet with students, honor a local hero, and visit job creators across the Shenandoah Valley. I’ll continue working to advance the commonsense policies that matter most to the people of Virginia’s Sixth District.
Restoring Education to Parents and Communities
President Trump took historic action last Thursday to return control of education to parents and local communities. His Executive Order begins the long-overdue process of dismantling the bureaucratic Department of Education and shifting authority back to the states, where it belongs.
Since its creation in 1979, the Department has spent over $3 trillion with little to show for it. Student achievement has declined, with today’s 13-year-olds scoring lower in reading and math than they have in decades. More spending hasn’t meant better outcomes; it has just meant more bureaucracy.
This Executive Order puts an end to the federal government’s top-down, one-size-fits-all approach. Key functions will now be moved to more effective agencies:
- The administration of student loans moved to the Small Business Administration (SBA)
- Special needs and nutrition programs moved to Health and Human Services (HHS)
- Remaining programs will be barred from pushing DEI or gender ideology
The Department of Education has become a vehicle for radical agendas and red tape. Under the Biden Administration, it wasted over $1 billion on progressive initiatives and rewrote Title IX to impose gender ideology on schools. I proudly support President Trump’s action and urge the House to take up legislation to codify the policy into law. Education decisions should be made by parents and local educators, not unelected bureaucrats in Washington.
I’ll keep fighting to return education to the people who know students best: their families and communities.
Restoring the FBI’s Focus on Crime, Not Politics
The FBI is beginning to return to its core mission of protecting the American people and keeping our communities safe. Under the leadership of Director Kash Patel, the Bureau is refocusing its efforts on investigating and apprehending dangerous criminals.
This shift comes after years of serious concern. Under the Biden Administration, a memo from the FBI’s Richmond Field Office targeted traditional Catholics for their religious beliefs, labeling them as potential threats simply for practicing their faith. Also during their Administration, the FBI was directed to work with local law enforcement and U.S. attorneys to identify and prosecute parents who spoke out at school board meetings. These actions were an unacceptable abuse of federal power and a direct threat to our constitutional rights.
Thankfully, we are beginning to see a change in direction. In just the last two months, the FBI has arrested three of the FBI’s “Ten Most Wanted” list. These arrests signal a renewed focus on removing violent criminals from our streets and protecting law-abiding citizens. I will continue to support efforts that bring accountability to federal agencies and ensure they are focused on their proper role.
Lower Prices at the Pump and in the Grocery Store
After years of painful inflation and skyrocketing prices under President Biden, American families are finally seeing some long-overdue relief. Thanks to efforts by President Trump and House Republicans to roll back harmful regulations and restore American energy production, prices are starting to come down.
Gas prices in Virginia have dropped from an average of $3.37 per gallon last year to $2.89 today. Across the country, prices have fallen for four straight weeks, with 34 states now averaging below $3 per gallon. These lower prices are in part the result of returning to pro-energy, pro-growth policies that put the American people first. By this point in the Biden Administration, gas prices had already climbed by nearly 50 cents per gallon, placing a heavy burden on families and small businesses.
Families are also getting some relief at the grocery store. Egg prices have dropped by nearly 50 percent since January 21, falling from $6.55 to $3.45 per dozen. That’s a $3.10 drop in less than two months. I will continue to support commonsense policies that lower costs, restore economic stability, and ease the burden on working families across the Sixth District.
Legislative Update: Backing Law Enforcement to Secure the Border
The Left’s open-border policies have turned every community into a border community, including right here in the Shenandoah Valley. With millions of illegal immigrants crossing into our country, local law enforcement must have the tools to help protect our communities.
That is why I proudly cosponsored the 287(g) Program Protection Act. This bill allows local agencies to partner with ICE, giving officers the training and authority to assist with immigration enforcement. It also requires the Department of Homeland Security to respond to these agreements within 90 days and notify Congress if an application is denied.
This legislation supports President Trump’s commitment to border security and helps restore order by strengthening cooperation between federal and local law enforcement. I will continue working to keep our communities safe and uphold the rule of law.
Casework Update
One of the most important responsibilities of my office is assisting constituents who are having issues with federal agencies. Whether it’s the Social Security Administration, the IRS, the State Department, or the VA, my team is here to help folks across Virginia’s Sixth District get the answers and the results they need.
In one recent case, a constituent from Roanoke contacted my district office after experiencing an extended delay with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). He had submitted his application for a required medical certification on August 1, 2024, but after more than six months without any resolution, he came to us for help. On March 4, 2025, my staff contacted the FAA to get answers. Just three days later, on March 7, 2025, the agency granted his medical certificate.
Constituent service is a central part of my work in Congress, and I am proud of the role my office played in helping cut through months of bureaucratic red tape. If you need help with a federal agency, always feel free to contact my office by going to cline.house.gov.
Congressional Art Competition
My office is currently hosting our annual Congressional Art Competition! If you are a high school student in VA-06 interested in participating, entries are due by Friday, April 25. For more information and to sign up, visit my website here.
Thank you for the opportunity to serve as your Congressman. If my office can ever be of assistance, please contact my Washington office at (202) 225-5431.
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