President Trump recently addressed Congress, focusing on achievements related to the America First agenda. He discussed economic growth, domestic energy production, and national security initiatives.
During his State of the Union address, President Trump highlighted efforts by House Republicans to improve affordability for families. According to the President, “Weekly earnings are now growing faster than prices, and private sector workers have seen real wage gains totaling approximately $1,400 over the past year.” He also pointed out that exports of liquefied natural gas (LNG) had surpassed 100 million metric tons, which he said could help lower energy costs across the economy.
The President noted a decline in crime rates in major cities and described new measures at the southern border aimed at restoring law and order. “For nine consecutive months, no illegal immigrants were released into the interior of the United States,” he stated. The address also included reference to increased military spending: “President Trump signed the largest military budget in history…including funding for the proposed Golden Dome missile defense system.”
President Trump urged passage of the SAVE America Act in the Senate. Congressman Ben Cline commented on this legislation: “I was proud to cosponsor this important legislation aimed at safeguarding free and fair elections…its swift passage is critical to protecting the integrity of our democratic process.” The State of the Union event featured an appearance by members of the U.S. men’s national hockey team; Cline noted meeting Jack Hughes during this occasion.
In foreign policy matters, Cline addressed Iran’s nuclear ambitions and state sponsorship of terrorism. He praised Operation Epic Fury as a response to actions by Ayatollah Khamenei’s government: “President Trump did what others refused to do: he confronted Ayatollah Khamenei’s ruthless rule and put America First by defending our citizens and restoring American strength on the world stage.” Cline credited VMI Alumni General Dan “Razin” Caine and Ambassador Michael Waltz with contributing to national security policy.
Cline introduced new legislation called the No Tax on Takings Act after hearing from a constituent affected by federal taxes following an eminent domain case. He explained: “When property is involuntarily taken through eminent domain, owners should not face an additional federal tax burden…I was proud to introduce [this] legislation that would eliminate unfair federal taxes on compensation paid to property owners when their land is seized through eminent domain.”
He also supported repeal of certain provisions within existing housing policy. Referring to recent House-passed legislation targeting regulations from previous laws encouraging electric appliances over gas options, Cline stated: “These mandates have significantly increased the cost of building a new home…Improving housing affordability requires reducing costs and increasing supply, not imposing additional regulations.”
Cline recounted a case where his office assisted a constituent who experienced errors with their retirement annuity from OPM. His staff worked with OPM until benefits were corrected.
Cline marked George Washington’s birthday by participating in a bipartisan reading of Washington’s Farewell Address on the House Floor.
Ben Cline has represented Virginia’s 6th District in Congress since 2019 after serving in Virginia’s House of Delegates from 2002-2018. More information about his background notes that he was born in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1972 and lives in Fincastle; he graduated from Bates College with a BA before earning his JD at University of Richmond.
