State and National Government

RICHMOND, Va. (AP) – A political action committee says they plan to donate an additional $1.5 million to help flip the Virginia General Assembly and increase the number of female Democrats in the House and Senate races who support abortion rights.Emily’s List announced the contribution Monday. The Washington Post reports the donation, coupled with a $600,000 contribution Emily’s List jointly made with Priorities USA, is the largest investment the PAC has ever made in an individual state’s legislative elections.President Stephanie Schriock says legislative races are underfunded and endorsing 39 women in the race is vital as Virginia hits a possible turning point.The paper says Virginia is the only state where control in the assembly can be flipped in upcoming elections. Virginia Republicans lead the House 51-to-48 and the Senate 20-to-19.

WFIR/Evan Jones

The group behind efforts to see Amtrak service extended to the New River Valley say state transportation officials are firmly behind the idea — but local supporters must be prepared to remain patient. Rail advocates say visit last week from Secretary of Transportation Shannon Valentine to Christiansburg was very encouraging. WFIR’s Evan Jones has the story:

 

Rep. Morgan Griffith

9th District Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith says President Trump “could have used better language” in his telephone call with Ukraine’s president that prompted his Democratic colleagues to renew calls for impeachment. Speaking in some of the most animated manners we have seen from Griffith, he said the president did nothing improper in asking Ukraine to look into possible alleged improprieties involving former Vice-President Joe Biden.

Democratic Party leaders in Congress say Trump asked a foreign government to create something negative about a potential presidential opponent in 2020, and among other things, that violates his Constitutional oath.

Griffith appeared live on the Roanoke Valley’s Morning News. Here is the full conversation:

 

Republican Congressman Morgan Griffith says his Democratic party colleagues are intent upon undermining President Trump’s efforts to secure the southern border and reduce illegal immigration. It comes after the House approved legislation today that would terminate the national border emergency the president declared in February. As happened in March, a presidential veto is expected.

GRIFFITH STATEMENT: “The Trump Administration is using its lawful powers to try to secure our borders and reduce illegal immigration, but Speaker Pelosi and House Democrats are intent on undermining his efforts. Instead of working with Republicans on legislation to help American families, they chose to use the House’s time to vote yet again on a resolution ending the national emergency President Trump declared in response to the crisis on the southern border. This resolution is wrong.”

Bob Good (Campbell Co. photo)

First-term Republican Congressman Denver Riggleman will face a challenge next year from within his own party. Bob Good promises a formal announcement soon, but in a news release, he says Riggleman has “betrayed the trust” of the conservative Republican base in the 5th District. Good serves on the Campbell County Board of Supervisors, and he is Senior Associate Athletics Director at Liberty University.

NEWS RELEASE: Bob Good has announced his candidacy for Virginia’s 5th Congressional District, stating the following: “Denver Riggleman has betrayed the trust of the conservative Republican base that comprises the bulk of the 5th District with his votes against the border wall in favor of increased immigration… ignoring President Trump’s policy on American jobs for American workers, and even restricting the ability of ICE to do their jobs, just to name a few.”

Mr. Good went on to add  “…it’s my contention and many others that he has so severely damaged himself within the party that he’s made himself unelectable in a general race next November. So I can confirm and will confirm that I responded to the call from the party to give our voters a concerted choice as their nominee and I do plan to formally announce my candidacy soon.”

The expected challenge comes shortly after the Rappahannock County Republican Party in Virginia censured Riggleman, accusing the freshman GOP congressman of “abandoning party principles” on fiscal spending, foreign policy and immigration.