Rob Wittman*
wittman.house.gov

I am running to support small businesses, support service members and ensure a strong national defense, stand up for law enforcement and secure communities against crime, support parents and students for success in schools and the workplace, and hold Congress accountable to the people we represent. I have had the honor of serving at several levels of government and have listened to the concerns of our community. These challenges require real solutions that are both pragmatic and inspiring, and I am focused on getting real results for families from Washington.

Herb Jones
herbjonesforvirginia.com

No Response

Rob Wittman*

• Jobs and the economy: I am focused on creating more jobs and opportunities for all Virginians and promoting pro-growth policies to support small businesses, create more jobs for hard-working Virginians and increase paychecks. Under the Biden administration, we have seen unprecedented economic disruption. We must continue to incentivize rehiring, remove regulatory barriers to job creation, and return our supply chain back from China and other foreign adversaries.
• Fiscal accountability: The longer we fail to address our nation's spending problem, the harder it becomes to solve our crippling debt. While we can start with eliminating duplicative programs, wasteful spending and fraud, if we don't address the broken budget and appropriations system producing these spending deals, we won't ever solve this problem. Returning to regular order—moving spending bills through the committee process where we read, debate and vote on them—will go a long way toward bringing transparency back. I authored three related bills to hold Congress accountable.
• Energy and environment: In my role on the House Natural Resources Committee, I am proud to fight to protect and conserve our environment. I want clean air and water and environmental protection, but those do not have to be achieved at the expense of jobs, prosperity and national security. The U.S. leads the world in reducing greenhouse gas emissions through innovation and technological development, and we should focus on removing barriers to their deployment. These sources of energy are readily available within America, which ensures energy independence and lowers energy costs.

Herb Jones

No Response

Rob Wittman*

I signed onto the Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act to require the Biden administration to remove its overreaching barriers to domestic agricultural production and provide immediate relief to families. Ensuring our agricultural producers have needed access and resources is essential to providing food security throughout the globe and lowering food prices for consumers. I'm committed to working with my colleagues to promote domestic agriculture production by allowing farmers to do their jobs without regulatory barriers.

Herb Jones

No Response

Rob Wittman*

I voted in favor of the 2018 Farm Bill and am proud to have been a part of this legislation to help Virginia farmers, which included much-needed reforms to promote work and individual success and self-sufficiency. It helped rural communities combat the opioid crisis, improved broadband delivery services to rural areas through the ReConnect Program, and strengthened the safety net for all farmers, foresters and ranchers. It strengthened key conservation initiatives, especially the Environmental Quality Incentives Program, which serve as a prime example of how voluntary, incentive-based conservation beats burdensome, arbitrary and costly regulations.

Herb Jones

No Response

Rob Wittman*

The Clean Water Act was never intended to place the livelihoods of American farmers at risk. Its intended goal was to create a limited federal regulatory presence in cooperation with the states. Bureaucrats in Washington twisted the language to the act until they could justify their intended purpose: granting authority over almost every body of water in the U.S. to the EPA. The ecological variety throughout the nation makes a one-size-fits-all approach unworkable. I agree with the Supreme Court's ruling in West Virginia v. EPA, which ruled that the agency's rule making on WOTUS clearly surpasses the EPA's congressional authority to define WOTUS.

Herb Jones

No Response

Rob Wittman*

The task of reporting and tracking emissions data would fall to farmers who lack the means to document the necessary disclosure information. The increased production costs and difficulty in supplying emissions data to public companies will hinder the ability of U.S. farmers to compete in global markets and encourage further market conciliation and vertically integrated supply chains. I signed on to the Protect Farmers from the SEC Act, which would prohibit the SEC from requiring an issuer of securities to disclose greenhouse gas emissions from upstream and downstream activities in the issuer's value chain arising from a farm.

Herb Jones

No Response

Rob Wittman*

It is no secret labor shortages continue to plague our economy—the agricultural and processing sectors in particular. Despite innovative efforts to attract employees with bonuses, wage increases and other benefits, processing facilities across the country remain woefully understaffed. The Reducing Farm Input Costs and Barriers to Domestic Production Act requires the administration to reverse its regulatory barriers to domestic agricultural production and provide immediate relief to farmers.

Herb Jones

No Response

Elaine Luria*
elaineforcongress.com

No Response

Jen Kiggans
jenforva.com

I have witnessed the effects of liberal, one-party rule in both Richmond and Washington D.C. We are witnessing 40-year high inflation, record-high gas prices and weakness on the global stage. Furthermore, we are seeing flagrant expansion of federal power. I am running to stop the reckless spending and government overreach that is crushing the American taxpayer.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

First, I am running to restore strength in the American economy by stopping out-of-control spending. Next, I am running to restore our strength on the world stage by giving our military the tools and resources they need to keep our country safe. Finally, I am running to restore strength in our communities by treating our law enforcement like heroes, and our criminals like criminals.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

The federal government has paid people to stay home for far too long, and we are now dealing with the consequences of that decision, worsening our inflation and labor shortages. We must work to restore the dignity of work in our communities! Our agricultural community has been the focal point of government regulation for long enough. One way to help with the supply issues is to lift regulations that slow production of agricultural goods.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

The 2018 Farm Bill was a good piece of legislation for Virginia farmers, and I would have supported it. The farm bill maintained crucial funding while offering critical protections to farmers during difficult or uncertain times. At the end of the day, the farm bill was an integral step in protecting our food supply and increasing opportunities within the industry.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

The WOTUS rule would significantly hinder the agricultural communities and be a step backward from where we are currently. WOTUS should be opposed, and further burdensome government regulations must be avoided so the industry can continue their everyday activities without the threat of government overreach.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

Our agricultural community has been plagued with regulatory burdens and government overreach for too long. We must give our farmers credit for the work they have done in stewardship of the environment. We must encourage them to become more energy efficient, not scrutinize them for things out of their control. This can be accomplished through increasing credits offered to the industry, and reducing regulation so they can take care of their families and our communities.

Elaine Luria*

No Response

Jen Kiggans

We have seen a steady movement in Virginia to push our processing to out-of-state companies because of a lack of facilities. We must work with private industry to incentivize more processors to come to the commonwealth to create jobs and lessen our dependence on out-of-state entities. Additionally, we must work to decrease the cost associated with running processing facilities. The cost burden is a primary driver of lack of capacity in Virginia and must be addressed.

Bobby Scott*
bobbyscottforcongress.com

No Response

Terry Namkung
namkungforvirginia.com

No Response

Donald McEachin*
donaldmceachin.com

No Response

Leon Benjamin
benjamin4congress.com

My heart is to serve all the constituents of the 4th District, lower inflation and protect our children and families (urban, suburban, rural and farmlands). Defend the Constitution against foreign and domestic enemies.

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

Parental choice: Parents know what’s best for their children, not the government!

Election integrity: We must have free, fair, and transparent elections!

Restoring our God-given and constitutional rights: Stop tyrannical overreach!

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

We must restore our energy independence again and bring back jobs that have moved overseas. America is a producer, and we must begin to grow, produce and make our own products and not depend on foreign countries to be our main supply source.

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

I would have voted for the farm bill to help promote nutrition programs and crop insurance to cover expenses or losses during certain periods. Farmers need the assurance that their livelihood will be protected and given the free ability to create innovation and new ways of farming.

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

Government overreach is usually a sign and signal that waste of time, energy and money is inevitable. We should take a limited role in government and not let the WOTUS rule restrict the farmers and lift regulations that hinder growth and future development of the farmlands.

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

Climate change is a false narrative created by the left to force businesses and industry to submit to more regulations and taxation that stifle true innovation and entrepreneurship.

Donald McEachin*

No Response

Leon Benjamin

They would want us to believe that meat consumption is responsible for releasing greenhouse gases such as methane, CO2 and nitrous oxide. These gases contribute to climate change, such as global warming. Livestock farming contributes to these greenhouse gases in several ways. I believe God created these animals for our good and for food consumption. We must not allow science assertions that are not proven to regulate our industry, especially that which pertains to our survival as a culture and way of life. I believe we can be creative and innovative in how we process our meats, and instead of decreasing our way of life, we make it better and can still take care of the planet without destroying our culture and ways to make a living.

Bob Good*
bobgoodforcongress.com

I am completing my first term in Congress and seeking reelection to a second term to help save our republic, advance our nation’s founding principles and hold the Biden administration accountable for their unlawful and unconstitutional actions.

Josh Throneburg
joshforvirginia.com

I'm a former pastor who decided to run after seeing how the incumbent's policy agenda hurt people across my district. The desire to serve has been central to my pursuits, and I'm deeply worried about the uncertain future my daughters are inheriting. I believe there is hope and opportunity! We can fight climate change and create jobs while building a more equitable future for all, but we need compassionate and common sense leadership.

Bob Good*

My priorities are to 1) secure our southern border, 2) end the reckless spending and balance the federal budget, 3) stop the harm being done to children and our education system by unconstitutional federal intrusion, 4) restore individual freedom and return to our nation’s founding principles, and 5) help exercise the appropriate congressional oversight for an executive branch that has betrayed the American people.

Josh Throneburg

Climate change: We can incentivize switching to renewable energy sources while creating jobs, uplifting rural communities, protecting ratepayers’ pockets and requiring renewable resource companies to employ local workers.

Revitalizing small towns and rural areas: We need to prioritize our small family farms by giving them the same access to capital as big agribusiness and sparing them the regulations that weren’t designed for small operations. Rural communities need access to safe schools, quality hospitals and broadband infrastructure.

Racial justice: I live in Charlottesville and am part of a multiracial family. Sadly, the average Black American family owns 1/10 of the wealth of the average white American family. We have made strides in legislating equal rights for all citizens, but they are undermined by existing systemic racial inequities. I support policies to reverse the racial wealth gap, including supporting farmers of color who have disproportionately lost land to consolidation and buyouts.

Bob Good*

I believe that we need to return to America-first policies that put Virginia's producers first. When it comes to addressing this issue, the government is part of the problem, not the solution. Reducing regulation and removing barriers to trade exports allows farms to prosper. I also believe that the best food and energy can be produced in America, and we must reduce our dependence on foreign nations for vital resources. To address the labor shortage, it is also imperative that we end the incentives and subsidies that discourage work, and get more Americans back into the labor force.

Josh Throneburg

We must reprioritize producing things here and keeping local control over manufacturing. A guest worker program where people from other countries come to the U.S. on short-term, renewable work visas would help. They could live in the U.S. during growing seasons, make a fair wage, pay taxes and return home to their families. We don't benefit from pretending that people don't come here illegally to work and that agriculture does not rely on their labor and should instead create a legal framework.

Bob Good*

I was not in office in 2018. I strongly support crop insurance and keeping conservation programs voluntary for Virginia's farmers. I oppose subsidies for inefficient "green" energy and dangerous environmental regulations that hurt our farmers’ productivity. I oppose welfare spending and regulations which discourage work and contribute to our labor shortage. I would vote to reform the food stamp program to include strong work requirements for able-bodied adults, or to remove it from the farm bill altogether.

Josh Throneburg

I was not in office, but would have voted in favor of the 2018 Farm Bill. Growing up in a farming family, I know firsthand the importance of strong federal support, whether that's through financing and loans, land usage and conservation policies, or policies that bring stability and clarity to the industry. Farmers that feed our people and livestock are a foundational piece of our country, and I would vote to support them.

Bob Good*

The Obama-era WOTUS rule is a disaster for farmers, and it is unsalvageable. I oppose "updating" it or any new iteration that the Biden administration tries to force on the American people. I am proud to have signed on to amicus briefs opposing the Biden administration's attempt to restore Obama's WOTUS rule, and I pray that the Supreme Court stops Biden's implementation of this rule when it decides Sackett v. EPA in its next term. I am hyper anti-regulation and would support any policy blocking implementation of the Obama-Biden WOTUS rule.

Josh Throneburg

It is important to clearly define what waters are regulated to avoid confusion and unnecessary litigation. We should safely loosen overreaching regulations, while preserving a system of protections. If a neighboring farmer uses a pesticide that runs off into a water system and damages my crop, I need to have recourse. The initial policy was intended to clarify the regulated waters and give latitude to farmers. Some studies showed that the EPA’s jurisdiction over farms shrank under those rules.

Bob Good*

I believe that man has little impact on the climate, and that farmers, not the government, know best how to conserve our resources and protect the environment. I oppose any new regulation on farmers in the name of "climate change" and would fight to keep any conservation program on a voluntary basis. We do not need more costly mandates. Our environmental policies should be common-sense based and take into consideration jobs, costs and other economic concerns.

Josh Throneburg

Climate change is an existential threat to all of us, especially farmers. While I think agriculture has a role to play in mitigation, my primary concern is large-scale manufacturing and transport of goods and people. I support market-based incentives but not pollutant credit trading, which hasn't proven helpful. I favor creating a progressive corporate tax on carbon emissions from energy conglomerates and incentivizing businesses to switch from fossil fuels to renewables.

Bob Good*

It is a tragedy that a Virginia farm family who produces some of the best beef in the country is unable to sell to their local grocery stores due to onerous federal regulations. While health and safety are essential, meat inspection regulations are inefficient and have created incredible backlogs since the beginning of the coronavirus. That is why I am a co-sponsor of H.R. 3835, the Prime Act, which would exempt any meat being sold intrastate from federal regulation, and allow Virginia's producers to provide high quality meat to local grocery stores, schools and restaurants. I believe we need to greatly reduce federal regulation and empower state processing capabilities.

Josh Throneburg

Overregulation has made life difficult for small farmers. Local processing would make direct sales more efficient, remove livestock transport costs and make it easier for farmers to keep livestock pastured rather than sending them out for finishing. It would reduce the health risks posed by CAFOs and enormous consolidated processors. It would help pave the way for more direct production and sales of dairy, another area where overregulation is stifling direct sales.

Ben Cline*
bencline.com

I am seeking re-election to the House of Representatives to provide effective and responsive representation which reflects the values of the citizens of the 6th District and gives my constituents a voice in Washington.

Jennifer Lewis
friendsofjenniferlewis.com

No Response

Ben Cline*

• Providing effective, responsive and transparent representation. I have done this by holding over 40 public town hall meetings and using the concerns gathered directly from constituents to propose and influence legislation. My office also has responded to and resolved thousands of casework issues dealing with federal agencies.
• Expanding individual liberty by reducing the size of government. I seek to reverse the trend of legislative and executive authority being ceded to unelected federal bureaucrats resulting in a government that is less responsive to the people.
• Getting the American economy back on track. Years of reckless spending and poor monetary policy have resulted in the worst inflation crisis in 40 years. Reining in wasteful spending and unleashing the power and innovation of the free market will get our nation back on the path to prosperity.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Ben Cline*

This 6th District is the No. 1 agricultural producing congressional district in Virginia. As such, our local economy is incredibly sensitive to the supply chain issues that have been affecting the agriculture industry. Many of our producers were left in precarious situations when large processors experienced labor shortages or shutdowns at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Many of the producers in the 6th District rely on migrant visas to meet the labor demands of their operations. I have and will continue to support an efficient and effective visa system that allows producers to meet these demands, as well as programs which train domestic workers in the skills sought after by agriculture sector employers.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Ben Cline*

While I was not in Congress in 2018, I believe the 2018 Farm Bill made important refinements to the farm safety net including strengthening the federal crop insurance program to continue to give agricultural producers the peace of mind that they need in tough times. Additionally, the bill improved upon conservation policy giving farmers more manageable goals regarding environmental stewardship.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Ben Cline*

The 2015 WOTUS rules received widespread criticism from farmers, homeowners and small business owners. The rules were so vague that the former president Barack Obama’s administration had to clarify that puddles were excluded from the definition of “waters of the U.S.” The September 2019 repeal and replacement of these regulations created a more balanced regulatory environment for our agriculture producers that both protects our waterways from pollution and encourages economic growth. In March 2022, I signed a letter along with over 200 of my colleagues in Congress calling on the EPA and the Army Corps of Engineers to halt their revisions to WOTUS rules which would expand federal regulation until clear legal guidance could be provided by the Supreme Court.

Being stewards of our environment is an important responsibility. However, this must not come at the cost of crippling the ability of producers to effectively operate their businesses.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Ben Cline*

I believe that the innovation of farmers to adapt and thrive in a competitive market has done far more to increase the efficiency—including the reduction of emissions—than any government mandate. Over-reporting to environmental agencies is rampant in the agriculture sector and often does little to reduce pollution or waste while adding a significant burden to producers—especially family farms.

A healthy environment is critical to America’s agriculture production capacity, that is why stewardship and conservation are important components of our regulatory policy. It is essential that these policies are targeted to achieve real results and are responsive to the feedback of producers.

I am opposed to the designating of carbon credit systems like cap and trade as free market solutions. Ultimately, arbitrary carbon limits on American industry have and will continue to incentivize exporting manufacturing jobs to overseas countries with lower environmental safety standards.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Ben Cline*

I support easing regulations on small, local processors. Increasing the number of local processors gives farmers more options for their produce and gives consumers increased access to local, fresh products. The COVID-19 pandemic revealed the risks of consolidated processing capacity and many of the agriculture producers in my district were left without any options when large processors were shut down either to government mandate or illness.

Jennifer Lewis

No Response

Abigail Spanberger*
abigailspanberger.com

I’m proud to represent Virginia’s 7th District in the U.S. House of Representatives and to serve the people of our district on the U.S. House Agriculture Committee and as chair of the Conservation and Forestry Subcommittee. I look forward to continuing this important work into the future, especially as we begin the important work of drafting the 2023 Farm Bill.

Yesli Vega
yeslivega.com

Our country is at a crossroads, and we’re in desperate need of new leadership. My parents immigrated to this country from war-torn El Salvador with the hope of a better future, which gave me the opportunity for the American dream. I’m running for Congress to ensure that everyone has that same opportunity. This is the greatest country in the history of the world, and we must fight for it.

Abigail Spanberger*

My priorities include lowering costs for American families and businesses, including lowering the cost of prescription drugs and addressing the supply chain challenges that have been driving up costs for businesses; expanding high-speed broadband internet access; and restoring trust in government through good governance and ethics reforms, such as banning members of Congress and their spouses from trading individual stocks.

Yesli Vega

Economy: Our country is in a recession, and everyone is struggling, from the producer to the consumer, to make ends meet with soaring gas and food prices. My top priority will be working to relieve the burden of increasing costs on our nation’s citizens and reduce unnecessary taxes and regulations that are crushing our small businesses, especially our ag operations.

Public Safety: Competition in education is necessary and breeds excellence. As a law enforcement officer, I believe in the rule of law. Crime is spiraling out of control due to the defund the police movement and bad policy pushed by failed leadership. I will prioritize fully funding law enforcement, protecting communities, keeping law-abiding citizens safe and holding criminals accountable.

Education: I will be an advocate for parental rights, ensuring that our students receive the best education possible, whether it be private, public, charter or home school, and will work to make sure that schools focus on the fundamentals of math, reading and writing, as opposed to the divisive political rhetoric in many of our schools now. It is important to educate all Americans on the producer-to-consumer pipeline and how our rural ag communities provide high-quality food for large urban and suburban communities.

Abigail Spanberger*

I introduced the bipartisan American Food Supply Chain Resiliency Act to establish “Supply Chain Regional Resource Centers” to offer locally tailored coordination, technical assistance and grants to small- and medium-sized producers and agribusinesses. I convened Undersecretary Jenny Moffit, farmers and other relevant stakeholders in Culpeper to discuss ways to alleviate supply chain challenges. I introduced the bipartisan Strengthening Supply Chains Through Truck Driver Incentives Act to create a tax credit for truck drivers and an enhanced tax credit for new truck drivers who drive over 1,900 hours in a year in order to incentivize people to join and stay in the trucking industry. I voted to pass the Farm Workforce Modernization Act to improve the H-2A program and ensure farmers across all commodities, including dairy, can benefit from the program. I am pursuing legislation to improve workforce development programs in Virginia for livestock professions.

Yesli Vega

For too long, liberal members of Congress have tied Americans and more importantly, their employers, up in unnecessary regulatory burdens. These cumbersome regulations have been a major factor for our supply chain issues and labor shortages. For far too long, we have shipped manufacturing jobs overseas. We must undue cumbersome regulatory burdens that will allow businesses to flourish here in the United States to ensure that WE are in control of our supply chains, including attracting high-quality talent to address labor shortages. We must also respect the heritage and tradition that agriculture communities have created over the years, including employment opportunities for youth, as long as the work environment is safe and healthy.

Abigail Spanberger*

I was not in office, but would have supported this critical legislation. The creation of the Dairy Margin Coverage Program has significantly benefited dairy producers across Virginia, creating stability and better risk management. I was pleased that steps were taken to strengthen commodity support programs and protect crop insurance from reforms that would gut the program. We must ensure farmers are able to manage risk in a manner that recognizes the unique challenges they face and reduce burdensome regulations. I am pleased that the bill made technical changes to existing USDA conservation programs to reduce red tape for farmers, improve the implementation of these programs and add greater flexibility for state offices and users.

Yesli Vega

Yes, I would have supported the 2018 Farm Bill. It is not a government handout as many have mischaracterized. This comprehensive agriculture bill provides for crop insurance, conservation incentives, rural development, trade and international food aid, forestry, support for veteran farmers and ranchers, and a safety net for struggling dairy farmers. It also provides crucial provisions for broadband services used to help connect rural communities to internet services, key to any communities’ growth. I believe that everyone should have the flexibility to choose the tools that help their businesses thrive and the farm bill does just that.

Abigail Spanberger*

I am deeply concerned by the piecemeal approach being taken by the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers with respect to federal Clean Water Act regulations in the issuance of the “step 1” WOTUS rulemaking. The pre-2015 regulations do not do enough to provide clarity to farmers, producers, small businesses and all Americans regarding what water and activities are covered by federal regulations. Before any repeal of the current regulatory regime, I believe it is the responsibility of the EPA and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to develop a clear framework—in consultation with the American ag industry—for how they will enforce the important environmental principles of the Clean Water Act in a manner consistent with the law that does not unnecessarily burden our farmers.

Yesli Vega

Confusion, regulatory uncertainty and litigation have surrounded our nation’s navigable waterways for decades. The current administration has proposed plans that would trample upon this process and further jeopardize rural Americans’ best interest when it comes to the water on their private lands. We must limit federal government overreach as much as possible and give stakeholders a voice in practical rule making. Rural communities across the country are dedicated to clean water and do not deserve to be punished by far-reaching, burdensome regulations that would create excessive federal government overreach on waters located on private land.

Abigail Spanberger*

Climate change threatens our national security, economy and agricultural industry as extreme weather events, more frequent droughts, the intrusion of new pests and other changes to the natural world affect our infrastructure, communities, crops and wildlife habitats. It is critical we embrace solutions that will help us both reduce our emissions and adapt to these changes. These solutions must recognize that farmers are the original conservationists and are already playing an important role in solving this crisis. I support climate policies that recognize the unique role played by growers and producers in promoting conservation, and I’ve sought to amplify the work they are already doing through market-based mechanisms like private carbon markets, bolstering existing voluntary conservation programs at USDA and expanding best practices through additional conservation technical assistance. I introduced the bipartisan Growing Climate Solutions Act to empower USDA to help farmers navigate voluntary private carbon markets with confidence.

Yesli Vega

Any pollution credit or conservation credit should be on a voluntary basis, period. Our ag communities deserve to be free of unnecessary regulatory burdens. We can utilize voluntary collaborative opportunities that deliberately improve existing programs, systems and processes, by removing regulatory burdens that block responsible management. I also support an all-of-the above approach when it comes to harnessing American energy. Ensuring we have access to a mix of sources such as hydropower, wind, solar, natural gas, nuclear and coal/natural gas is imperative to driving down energy prices. I believe that the U.S. has the ability to incorporate all of these sources onto the grid, providing greater grid security for everyone.

Abigail Spanberger*

I often hear from producers that the lack of competition in meat processing is driving their share of the retail value of beef down rapidly. I will advocate for solutions that will increase meat processing capacity and hold big processors accountable for any anti-competitive practices harming Virginia livestock producers. I led the Butcher Block Act with Rep. Dusty Johnson to build on USDA’s work to offer loans and grants to increase meat processing capacity. I introduced the bipartisan Meat and Poultry Special Investigator Act with Sens. Tester, Grassley and Rounds, as well as Rep. Miller-Meeks, to create an office to focus on addressing anticompetitive practices among meatpackers and strengthen enforcement of the Packers and Stockyards Act. I led an amendment to the Agriculture Appropriations Bill to increase funding for investigatory staff in the Packers and Stockyards Division.

Yesli Vega

It’s vital that we take a serious look into the regulations that protect the health and well-being of consumers, while maintaining economic competitiveness for our agriculture industry. We can focus on the state and local level, including increasing the number of USDA-certified inspectors at state processing plants and incentivizing the construction of new processing plants. We also must continue the federal investigation into the “Big Four” meatpackers that are crushing our small operation farmers and ranchers. We must do everything we can to bring the focus back to those who raise the livestock, not the middlemen padding their pockets by price gouging our livestock producers.

Don Beyer, Jr.*
friendsofdonbeyer.com

No Response

Karina Lipsman
karinaforcongress.com

Note: The Lipsman campaign does not participate in surveys but has submitted a statement in lieu of a questionnaire response.

The American farmer is, and always has been, at the core of American life. While farming has become increasingly challenging as inflation and disrupted supply chains have ravaged the economy and squeezed farmers, they still have been producing so that we can feed our families. When I am in Congress, I will support Virginia’s farmers in every way possible. I will look to curtail expansive regulations, bring parity and predictability to the H-2A visa program, simplify compliance and keep federal regulators away from state and local matters. I want to enable capital availability and deregulation in such a way that more farmland can come online for production. We want farmers to use that freed up capital to expand their acreage, invest in machinery and take care of their families. Farmers deserve intelligent and supportive policies from Congress so that they can succeed in doing what they do best—supporting our everyday lives.

Morgan Griffith*
morgangriffithforcongress.com

No Response

Taysha DeVaughan
devaughanforcongress.com

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*
jenniferwexton.com

I am running for reelection because I want to continue my service to the families of Virginia’s 10th Congressional District. Fighting for the unique needs of the small businesses and farms in our district has been a top priority for me, including as the founder of the bipartisan Congressional Agritourism Caucus.

Hung Cao
hungcaoforcongress.com

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

My main priority as a candidate is continuing to provide economic relief directly to the constituents and businesses of our district. I also will work to ensure that the health and health care access of Virginia-10 families are protected and made more affordable. We also must build for a full and strong economy that allows for continued economic success in our district. Improving our infrastructure, including rural broadband, investing in our education and jobs training programs, and supporting our local agritourism industry will allow our farm and agriculture businesses to continue to thrive here in Virginia-10.

Hung Cao

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

One of my top priorities in Congress is doing all I can to address rising costs for Virginia’s families, which is why I was proud to vote for the bipartisan Lower Food and Fuel Costs Act. This important legislation would deliver vital support for farmers and ranchers facing growing challenges and help tackle rising gas and grocery prices for Virginia’s families. It takes important steps to strengthen the food and agriculture supply chain, including helping to make fertilizer cheaper, bringing down grocery costs, ensuring fair competition in the meat and poultry industry, and working to lower gas prices.

Hung Cao

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

I was not in Congress in 2018. However, there are many things that the 2018 Farm Bill did to help farmers in Virginia-10. It helped retain agriculture jobs, invested in research and conservation programs, secured our domestic food supply and protected other farm programs. In the next farm bill, I would like the USDA to establish an office or program that focuses on agritourism businesses that would allow these farmers to share best practices, support one another and raise awareness for the industry.

Hung Cao

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

As with all pieces of regulatory legislation, I believe in making appropriate balance between the benefits and burdens, and I generally prefer using incentives rather than heavy-handed regulations to accomplish our goals. Our nation’s waterways are crucial to the health of our communities and our planet, in addition to serving as channels for commerce throughout the country and the world. I am dedicated to ensuring that farmers have the resources and support that they need to be good stewards of their land and waterways. I have voted for several pieces of legislation which recognize the important role of farmers, ranchers and foresters in protecting the environment and invest in providing support and resources to help them do so.

Hung Cao

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

Climate change and sea level rise are real threats to Virginia and our nation. I believe we need to be good stewards of the environment and that we must protect our land, air and water for our children and future generations. Farmers and the agriculture industry at large are important partners in doing so. That is why I voted for several pieces of legislation which would help farmers to deploy climate-smart, cost-effective and efficient practices, including expanding access to precision agriculture technology and loan programs such as the Environmental Quality Incentive Program and Conservation Stewardship Program.

Hung Cao

No Response

Jennifer Wexton*

I am a proud cosponsor of the bipartisan Butcher Block Act, which makes important investments to develop new and expand existing meat and livestock processing capacity through direct or guaranteed loans and grant programs. This legislation was included in a package of bills which I voted for and passed in the U.S. House of Representatives in June 2022.

Hung Cao

No Response

Gerry Conolly*
gerryconnolly.com

No Response

Jim Myles
mylesforcongress.com

I've served my country in the U.S. Air Force and as a federal judge. When I retired last year from the bench, I decided it was time to step up and serve my country in Congress. I couldn't sit by watching my beloved country be taken away and pushed down an extreme, radical socialist path. As a country, we must all do better.

The 11th District deserves better, and I look forward to continuing my commitment to serving our community and serving as the next representative for the 11th Congressional District.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

1. Education - I'll make improving schools here at home and across America a top priority. Parental choice is a very important issue for me. Parents have a fundamental right to send their kids to a school that suits their needs and protects their values, not undermine them.
2. Public Safety - Public safety is a core responsibility of government. I will DEFEND the police, not DEFUND them. I will ensure that the police are respected and supported by their elected officials. To ensure we keep our communities safe, we must also hold accountable these soft-on-crime district attorneys who keep refusing to prosecute criminals.
3. Inflation - Rents and home prices in Northern Virginia are unaffordable for most. Putting food on the table, getting to work, cooling and heating our homes and everything else is becoming unaffordable because of my opponent's policies. It's time for a new direction.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

Virginia farmers feed, fuel and clothe our commonwealth safely and efficiently, so we need to make sure that our farmers do not have their hands tied behind their backs with overly burdensome regulations on pesticides that have gone through lengthy and rigorous testing before being made available to the public. We also need to continue to invest in agricultural supply chain infrastructures, such as AFID grants for local canneries, meat processors and local farm-to-fork markets.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

I was not in office at the time of the 2018 Farm Bill. However, I would have voted for it. The 2018 Farm Bill enhanced farm support programs, improving crop insurance, maintaining disaster programs and promoting and supporting voluntary conservation, all of which provide the necessary support, certainty and stability to our nation's farmers, ranchers and forest managers.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

I feel that the proposed regulations make it much more difficult for our farmers since the proposed rule would create much more ambiguity and gives the EPA authority over drainage ditches, etc.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

Farmers have shown themselves to be incredible stewards of the land and some of the original conservationists willing to take on voluntary practices to improve their land and diminish any runoff. We need to continue to make sure that our voluntary programs such as BMPs and cost-share practices are being fully funded in order to help our farmers meet the goals set forth in phase III of the Watershed Implementation Plans.

Gerry Conolly*

No Response

Jim Myles

I believe that we need to continue investing in our agricultural communities with tools such as AFID grants, creating that infrastructure of local livestock processing facilities with USDA inspection services enabling the livestock producers to sell for retail or wholesale locally.