Ben Cline - Virginia 6th Congressional District
Ben Cline
Ben Cline’s values were shaped growing up in the Shenandoah Valley. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1990, received his B.A. degree from Bates College, and earned his law degree from the University of Richmond. Introduced by mutual friends while Ben was in law school, Ben and his wife Elizabeth married in 2007 and are raising their daughters in Botetourt County. Prior to his election to Congress, Ben worked as an attorney, first serving as an Assistant Commonwealth’s Attorney in Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County, and then opening a private practice with offices in Lexington, Amherst, and Harrisonburg. In 2002, Ben was elected to represent the 24th House District in the Virginia General Assembly. While in the House, Ben made a name for himself by taking on the status quo in Richmond – never failing to champion common sense, conservative legislation that challenged the establishments of both the Republican and Democratic parties. As Chairman of the Conservative Caucus, Ben was at the forefront of protecting our liberties and conservative values. From helping to stop massive tax hikes to crafting budget cuts to Virginia’s bloated bureaucracy, Ben was at the center of the resistance against the push for bigger and unaccountable government. Ben has a reputation of holding those in power accountable – even in his own party – and fighting to clean up bureaucratic waste and the political cronyism that grips our system. Upon his election in 2018 to the House of Representatives for the Sixth District of Virginia, Ben was placed on the House Judiciary and Education and Labor Committees. He hit the ground running and was the first freshman Republican to successfully pass legislation which was signed into law. Concluding his first legislative session, ratings from congressional observers and scorecard groups have shown that Ben has kept his campaign promises and continued his record of fiscal responsibility and adherence to the Constitution. Citizens of Waynesboro may contact Ben's local office in Staunton at (540) 885-3861 or visit the office directly at 117 S Lewis Street, Suite 215.
Serving The Community
Since taking congressional office in January 2019, Representative Cline has sponsored or cosponsored nine bills which have become law and was the first freshman Republican to sponsor legislation which was signed into law.
Sponsored the Small Business Reorganization Act which was signed into law. The law streamlines existing bankruptcy procedures and provides new tools to increase a small business’ ability to achieve a successful restructuring.
In 2019, Ben kept his campaign promise to be accessible and to listen to his constituents so that he could carry their voice to Congress by holding a town hall meeting in every city and county in the Sixth District! He also visited countless organizations and businesses within the district to hear their concerns.
Named Ranking Member of the House Committee on Education and Labor’s Subcommittee on Civil Rights and Human Services. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over issues relating to employment, welfare reform programs, human services programs, Community Services Block Grants, nutrition programs, child abuse and domestic violence issues, and civil rights among other areas of focus. Ben is the only freshman Republican to serve as a Ranking Member on the Education and Labor Committee.
Joined over 100 Members of Congress and nearly 50,000 Americans in a pledge to oppose any legislation which would "Defund the Police."
United By A Common Goal
While serving in the Virginia General Assembly, Ben made a name for himself by taking on the status quo in Richmond – never failing to champion common sense, conservative legislation that challenged the establishments of both the Republican and Democratic parties.
One of only 29 House Members named a "Taxpayer Super Hero" by the Council for Citizens Against Government Waste.
Ben Cline’s voting record concluding his first year in office earned him high marks from several congressional observers and scorecards including the Susan B. Anthony List, FreedomWorks, and Heritage Action for America which judge votes cast by members of Congress on their adherence to conservative and constitutional principles.
Works across the isle - Teamed with Democratic Rep. Dean Phillips to establish a 48-hour period for politicians and their staff to look through the text of bills before they go to a vote, update the Lobbying Disclosure Act, which has not been updated in more than 10 years, and to consolidate government data centers and require federal agencies to keep an eye on software purchases and resources to reduce unnecessary costs, as well as require documents be electronically sent to the National Archives and Records Administration to streamline requests and data access.
Joined his colleagues in introducing the Freedom From Regulations Act, which will reduce bureaucratic red tape and lessen the burden on the American people.