Sixth District Perspectives with Congressman Ben Cline

• Happy New Year!
• Nicolás Maduro is Captured by U.S. Special Forces
• Virginia Receives a Historic Investment in Rural Health Care
• Celebrating America's 250th Anniversary
• Helping a Local Veteran Through Casework

Ringing In 2026

To everyone across Virginia's Sixth District, I wish you a very Happy New Year. As your Congressman, I remain committed to working across the aisle to deliver results for the people of our Commonwealth. May 2026 bring continued success for our great nation and help lay the foundation for a more prosperous future for generations to come.

American Strength Prevails as Maduro is Captured

For years, Nicolás Maduro's regime fueled narco-terrorism and other criminal activities that have fueled the flow of deadly drugs into the United States, devastating communities and costing countless American lives Under President Trump's leadership, the United States has taken bold and decisive action to confront narco-terrorism in Venezuela and throughout the region through a successful and historic operation. I commend our brave men and women in uniform who executed this mission with both precision and professionalism. I am grateful that no American lives were lost during the capture of Maduro and his wife.

America will no longer ignore international criminals or foreign terrorist regimes that profit from violence and corruption against U.S. citizens. The United States will protect our people, our sovereignty, and our national security without hesitation. By using every lawful tool available, we will continue to combat the threat of narco-terrorism, hold those responsible fully accountable, and keep American families safe. Nicolás Maduro will now face justice for years of destruction, violence, and lawlessness inflicted on the American people and I join with the millions of Venezuelans around the world who celebrate his removal from power.

Delivering Historic Investments for Rural Health Care in the Commonwealth

Americans, no matter their ZIP code, deserve the peace of mind that quality health care is available when they need it. Rural communities are the backbone of the Commonwealth, and ensuring they have access to strong, reliable health care is vitally important. I was proud to help secure $189,544,888 in funding for rural health care improvements across Virginia by supporting the Commonwealth's application for the Rural Health Transformation Program. Created through H.R. 1, legislation I supported, this funding will strengthen access to care, support rural health workers, and modernize health care facilities across the state.

This investment will have a direct and meaningful impact in the Sixth District, which is fortunate to be served by five hospitals with rural designations, as well as many rural clinics throughout the Valley that may be eligible for support based on their rural designation. I've had the privilege of visiting several of these facilities to hear directly from hospital staff and local medical providers about their challenges, successes, and shared commitment to caring for their neighbors. These hospitals continue to serve families every day and this funding will help ensure they remain strong for years to come. Delivered to the Commonwealth, this generational investment will help ensure rural Virginians can access high-quality care close to home. It will strengthen workforce and training pipelines, modernize and expand care delivery models, and leverage technology and innovation to improve care quality. I'm proud to have championed this effort, which will make a lasting difference for rural Virginians.

Ending the Costly NFA Tax for Law-Abiding Gun Owners

As the clock struck midnight on January 1, 2026, Washington finally lifted a nearly century-old burden from law-abiding Americans. One such policy is the National Firearms Act's $200 tax stamp, which has remained in place since 1934 and applies to items such as suppressors, short-barreled rifles, short-barreled shotguns, and certain other regulated firearms.

For generations, this costly and unnecessary tax placed a financial burden on responsible gun owners exercising their Second Amendment rights, without clear evidence that it improves public safety. That is why I have supported efforts, including H.R. 404 the Hearing Protection Act, legislation I introduced, to eliminate this outdated tax and bring federal firearms policy into the modern era, and I was pleased that this important Second Amendment reform was advanced during consideration of last year's H.R. 1.

By pursuing the removal of this needless financial penalty, Congress can deliver real relief to law-abiding Americans and reaffirm its commitment to responsible firearm ownership. I am proud that we rang in the New Year by ending this burden on gun owners across America.

Celebrating a Quarter Millennium of America

As our Nation approaches the 250th anniversary of America's founding in 2026, I join millions of Americans in commemorating this extraordinary milestone in our history. To honor this historic moment, I will be launching my "Celebrating America's 250" series, highlighting the principles and ideals that define our country and make the United States a place we are proud to call home. Rooted in liberty and self-government, our Nation was built by our Founding Fathers with a vision of creating a more perfect Union, one that continues to endure and inspire generations. Last week, we rang in the New Year with a spectacular display at the Washington Monument, showcasing iconic moments from American history and celebrating our rich national heritage.

Throughout the year, I will be highlighting America's 250th anniversary across my social media platforms, including X/Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. I encourage everyone to join me in celebrating our history, honoring our values, and looking ahead to the bright future of this great Nation.

Watch the full video from the Department of War here.

Casework Success: Helping a Local Veteran

In 2025, my office delivered meaningful results for constituents across Virginia's Sixth District. Over the course of the year, we successfully recovered $29,766,030 on behalf of constituents, responded to 54,926 responses to constituent calls, emails, and letters, and directly assisted 1,492 individuals through casework. These numbers represent more than statistics. They reflect my commitment to serving members of our community when they need help navigating the federal agencies. One recent casework success showcases the importance of this work. A retired U.S. Navy veteran from Rockingham County contacted my office seeking assistance with a serious issue involving his military retirement pay. Beginning in January 2024, his retirement payments were suspended, leaving him owed more than $28,000 in earned benefits. The issue stemmed from the consolidation of his USAA bank accounts, which resulted in his direct deposit information with the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) not being properly updated. Despite repeated attempts over 18 months to resolve the matter on his own, his efforts were unsuccessful and the issue remained unresolved.

Within two weeks of opening the case, my office worked directly with DFAS to restore this veteran's retirement payments, recover the full amount owed to him, and permanently resolve the underlying account issue. Because of this effort, he received the benefits he rightfully earned through his service to our nation. I am proud of my staff for their diligent work in securing these owed retirement benefits for this veteran. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties with a federal agency, I encourage you to contact one of my district offices in Roanoke, Staunton, Harrisonburg, or Winchester for assistance.

Honoring Law Enforcement Appreciation Day

This Friday marks National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, a time we honor the brave men and women who protect our Commonwealth and communities nationwide, from local police officers and sheriffs to state troopers and federal agents. Thank you for your service. America salutes you. Your courage and dedication keep our neighborhoods safe and our families secure. Every day, you put yourselves in harm's way to uphold the law and defend our communities. Your commitment to justice and public safety sets an example for us all. We owe a debt of gratitude to every law enforcement officer in our Commonwealth who serves with honor and professionalism.

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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