Congressman Ben Cline, who represents Virginia’s 6th district in the U.S. Congress, has posted a series of statements on social media regarding the ongoing government shutdown and its impact on federal employees and essential services.
On October 3, 2025, Cline wrote: “It’s been 60 hours since the #SchumerShutdown began. Our law enforcement officers and ICE agents are on the job without pay. Those on the frontlines deserve better. @HouseGOP voted to support them by passing the CLEAN CR.”
Later that day, he commented further: “It’s official, the #SchumerShutdown is now set to continue into the weekend after Senate Democrats voted down a clean CR. Why do they insist on playing partisan games instead of doing what’s best for our country?”
The following morning, Cline addressed his own compensation during the shutdown: “I refuse to take my paycheck during the #SchumerShutdown. @HouseGOP is putting our money where our mouth is and we’re fighting to keep the government OPEN and essential services running for the American people. “
Ben Cline has served as a member of Congress since 2019 after replacing Bob Goodlatte and previously held office in the Virginia House of Delegates from 2002 to 2018. Born in Stillwater, Oklahoma in 1972, Cline currently resides in Fincastle at age 51. He holds a BA from Bates College (1994) and earned his JD from the University of Richmond in 2007.
