This past week was another one spent in the District meeting with and talking to people across Central and Southside Virginia.
With the news of the severe weather and tornadoes that made their way through the Fifth District this past week, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with all of those who were affected by the destructive storms and suffered the terrible loss of life, injury, property devastation, and other damage.
I had the opportunity to visit Halifax County and tour the areas and talk to the families who were affected by the weather, and I want to commend the local law enforcement and emergency personnel for their brave and tireless efforts to help their community during this difficult time.
The Governor’s office has requested federal disaster assistance for Halifax County, and as we continue to work with both federal and local officials in responding to this event, I encourage all Central and Southside Virginians to contribute to the cause of those who have lost so much, and many who have lost everything, as a result of the damaging storms. For disaster-related assistance, please contact any of our District offices or visit our website hurt.house.gov for additional information.
Throughout the rest of the week, I made stops in Lynchburg, Bedford, Albemarle, Charlottesville, Rocky Mount, and Rustburg, and I heard from constituents who were concerned about the continuing rise in gas prices. Gas prices have doubled under the President’s watch and now stand at over $4 per gallon. These soaring costs directly and negatively affect individuals, families, and businesses and destroy jobs at a time when we can least afford it.
I support an all-of-the-above energy approach to lower prices, create new American jobs, and reduce our dependence on foreign oil, and I was proud to co-sponsor the “Virginia Access to Energy Act,” which allows for the exploration off of Virginia’s Outer Continental Shelf (OCS) to help increase our domestic supply.
Unfortunately, the President continues to pursue anti-energy policies that block American energy production, drive up gas prices, and cost jobs. While the Administration fails to offer real solutions that adequately address this problem, House Republicans once again are leading the way to put policies into place that will help reduce the pain at the pump. To that end, the House will begin to consider three pieces of legislation over the coming weeks that seek to remove the President’s moratorium on drilling along the OCS to allow for more domestic production.
It is my hope that the White House and Congressional Democrats will work with us in a bipartisan way to help address this problem that affects all Fifth District Virginians.
If you need any additional information on these or any other issues, please visit my website at http://hurt.house.gov, or call my Washington office: (202) 225-4711, Charlottesville office: (434) 973-9631, Danville office: (434) 791-2596, or Farmville office: (434)395-0120.
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