ROANOKE, Va. – Republican Rep. Morgan Griffith, who represents the 9th District, said it will be an honor for President Donald Trump to speak at Liberty University's graduation Saturday, and he also expects the remarks will go beyond typical congratulatory remarks.
In an interview, Griffith said he believed Trump would comment on recent events in Washington, including perhaps some of the backstory to the firing of FBI Director James Comey.
Griffith said Comey's recent testimony before Congress may have been the last straw for the president.
“He's the guy everybody counts on. He couldn't get it right when he knew that was going to be the subject that came up, and he didn't get it right get it right in front of a congressional committee. It's not like you know a news reporter got them in the hallway and he made a mistake this was a prepared meeting where he knew he was going to have to answer some tough questions,” said Griffith. “I don't know what I would've done if I was president but I certainly can't blame the president for saying enough is enough. We're done.”
Griffith conceded that the firing seemed abrupt by Washington standards, but called it typical of the business world -- referring to Trump's background as a businessman.
On another matter, Griffith said the future of the so-called “Trumpcare" bill may be uncertain when it arrives in the Senate -- but that may not be a bad thing.
Griffith acknowledged that the Senate may have its own version of the bill, but said if they stick to the main goals everything will be fine.
“It's a bill we cobbled together. I think it's better than Obamacare. We've seen in Iowa that 96 out of 99 counties won't have an Obamacare insurance company that will carry the insurance next year. We've seen 16 counties in Tennessee that will be without a carrier next year. We've seen Aetna leave Virginia which has a lot of people scrambling to get health insurance. In Virginia it's collapsed in front of our eyes, we have to do something,” said Griffith.
“Does it have to be something that we think over time, over the next three or four years lowers insurance rates? Yes. Does it have to be a plan that we believe will keep those people with pre-existing conditions covered? Yes it does. So there are certain principles but if the Senate can come up with a better plan more power to them,” he continued.
Griffith says he believes the bill is better than Obamacare, and he pointed out that certain states are already facing situations where insurance companies are refusing to offer coverage under the current plan -- meaning Congress had no choice but to take action.
The 9th District includes Alleghany, Bland, Buchanan, Carroll, Craig, Dickenson, Floyd, Giles, Grayson, Lee, Montgomery, Patrick, Pulaski, Russell, Scott, Smyth, Tazewell, Washington, Wise and Wythe counties.
Also included are the cities of Bristol, Covington, Galax, Martinsville, Norton, Radford and Salem, as well as parts of Henry and Roanoke counties.