Rep. Ben Cline's first year in Congress
Photos from Rep. Ben Cline's first year in Congress.
Swearing in
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi of California, fourth from left, poses during a ceremonial swearing-in with Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, fifth from right, on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Jan. 3, during the opening session of the 116th Congress.
Navigating D.C.
A reporter grabs Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, to ask him about a closed meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington D.C. on Oct. 30. Matthew Hanrahan, right, Cline's communication director, watches. Cline was able to retain many staffers who worked for his predecessor, Rep. Bob Goodlatte, in addition to hiring new people like Hanrahan.
Difficult transition
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, joined Congress in January amid a partial government shutdown and as the House of Representatives flipped to Democratic control.
D.C. office
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, heads into his office in the Longworth Building on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 30.
Legislative experience
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, worked for several years for former Republican Rep. Bob Goodlatte, of Roanoke County, and served for 16 years in Virginia's General Assembly, which his colleagues say has helped him be an effective member of Congress.
Staying busy
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, had a busy day in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 30, as he attended meetings on college affordability legislation and foreign affairs, meetings with residents and advocates, and other events.
Policy wonk
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, proposed amendments related to student loans, transparency and accountability as part of a legislative package on college affordability. His amendments were defeated during a meeting of the House Education and Labor Committee on Oct. 30.
Congressman with experience
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, has been able to get four bills signed into law in his first year in office, which is rare for a freshman member of Congress.
Walking shoes
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, keeps the shoes he wore when he walked the distance of the 6th Congressional District as part of his campaign last year on a shelf in his Washington, D.C., office.
Cline's office
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, in his office in the Longworth Building in Washington, D.C. When the incoming members of Congress participated in a drawing to pick offices, Cline got the first choice.
Weaving the halls
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, on his way to the floor of the House of Representatives to deliver a speech in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
College affordability debate
Rep. Russ Fulcher, a Republican from Idaho, speaks about college affordability at a House Education and Labor Committee meeting as Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, listens.
Community service
Christine Riggleman, left, wife of Rep. Denver Riggleman, R-Nelson, along with other wives of politicians, join Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, in making care packages for the United Service Organizations, which supports service members and their families.
Caffeine jolt
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, makes a pit stop at Dunkin' Donuts in the Longworth Building in Washington, D.C., for a caffeine pick-me-up before heading to a meeting.
Always working
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, looks over papers on his way to the floor of the House of Representatives. Cline, who previously was a part-time prosecutor focusing on domestic violence cases, was wearing a purple ribbon in recognition of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.
Discussing criminal justice reform
Mark Smith (left), government relations and corporate development with The Da Vinci Group, meets with Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, and Matthew Miller, Cline’s chief of staff, to discuss criminal justice reform.
Listening to residents
People involved in the group Green Virginia discuss their concerns about the Atlantic Coast and Mountain Valley pipelines being constructed in Virginia. From left to right, Jill Averitt, of Nelson County; Sari DeCesare, of Penny, New Jersey; and Irene Leech, who owns property in Rockbridge County but lives in Montgomery County, share their personal stories while (right) Richard Averitt, of Nelson County, listens. The landowners brought policy suggestions to Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, and (back, left) Nicole Manley, Cline's legislative director, took notes.
At the Capitol
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, looks over some papers in the U.S. Capitol.
Longworth Building
The Longworth Building on the left houses lawmakers and committee meetings on Capitol Hill.
On Capitol Hill
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, in his office in Washington, D.C.
Policy talks
Rabbi Yaakov Weiss (front, right) and Karl Notturno, a lobbyist with Stonington Global, walk the halls with Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, to discuss criminal justice reform on Cline's way to the floor of the House of Representatives.
Meeting with Green Virginia
A group of people with Green Virginia visited Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, to discuss their concerns about the natural gas pipelines being constructed in Virginia. (left to right) Richard Averitt, of Nelson County; Lynn and Bill Limpert, of Bath County; Carolyn Givens, owner of a 200-acre farm in Giles county; Jill Averitt, wife of Richard; Sari DeCesare, of Penny, New Jersey; and Irene Leech, who owns property in Rockbridge but lives in Mongtgomery County; brought policy proposals to Cline at his office.
Cline in D.C.
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, rides an elevator to attend a meeting on Capitol Hill. This is Cline's first year in Congress after spending 16 years in Virginia's General Assembly.
On the move
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, navigates the many stairwells between buildings on Capitol Hill during a busy day.
Committee hearing
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, and Rep. Mark Walker, a Republican from North Carolina, listen to discussion on college affordability during a meeting of the House Education and Labor Committee on Oct. 30.
Daily hustle
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, rushes between meetings in the hallways of the Longworth Building on Capitol Hill.
Cline and Riggleman
Reps. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, right, and Denver Riggleman, R-Nelson, hosted a joint town hall at the Bedford campus of Central Virginia Virginia Community College on Oct. 9.
Bedford town hall
Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, speaks during a town hall at the Bedford campus of Central Virginia Community College on Oct. 9. Since he was elected to Congress a year ago, Cline has hosted a town hall in each of the 19 counties and cities in Western Virginia he represents.
Speaking at Salem VA
Flanked by Salem Veterans Affairs Medical Center Director Rebecca Stackhouse (left) and regional director Deanne Seekins, Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, speaks during the 85th anniversary celebration of the dedication of the Salem VA Medical Center on Oct. 19.
Cline in Roanoke
Army Veteran Bill King (left), shakes hands with Rep. Ben Cline, R-Botetourt, with Roanoke City Councilman Bill Bestpitch at center during the Roanoke Valley Veterans Council Memorial Day Ceremony in Lee Plaza on May 27.
As featured on
WASHINGTON — Rep. Ben Cline walked out of a meeting about the ballooning cost of higher educ…
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