Goodlatte to lead bipartisan group on policing challenges

STAUNTON – Congressman Bob Goodlatte spoke at the Kiwanis Club of Staunton luncheon on Monday, highlighting his work on police relations with communities, national security and more before heading out to meet with Donald Trump and Mike Pence in Roanoke.

Goodlatte is running for re-election, and said his platform will focus on issues such as police and community relations, healthcare, national security and efforts to grow the national economy.

Along with Democratic Congressman John Conyers of Michigan, Goodlatte was recently named to head a bipartisan committee looking into policing in the nation, including use of excessive force by police and violence against police.

"It is very important that people understand that it is absolutely unacceptable to shoot, attack and kill a police officer," Goodlatte said. He said he has already held one meeting to discuss police in Roanoke, and will continue to meet with communities and police across the nation to help foster better police relations in communities.

Goodlatte, who is chairman of the House Judiciary Committee, said another major focus of his is looking at national security, including terrorism and immigration laws.

"We are a nation of immigrants," Goodlatte said, referencing America's long history of immigration. "But we are also a nation of laws."

Repealing and replacing Obamacare and helping to combat the 'sluggish' growth of the economy are two more of Goodlatte's major focuses right now.

"Economic growth is taking place in the country, but it's taking place in a way that is too slow, it's not strong enough and the wages of average Americans are going down and have been going down for a number of years now," Goodlatte said.

Goodlatte told the Kiwanis how he has continually pushed for a balanced national budget, and said he consistently votes for the most conservative budget.

After the meeting, Goodlatte headed straight to Roanoke to see Trump and Pence. Goodlatte is happy with Trump's selection for Vice President. He worked with Pence for over a decade, and said he is 'an outstanding individual'.

"I know him very well and I am very pleased," Goodlatte said.