From Virginia Roots to a Legal Career
Though born in Stillwater, Oklahoma, in 1972, Benjamin Lee Cline grew up in Rockbridge County, in the heart of Virginia's Shenandoah Valley. He graduated from Lexington High School in 1990 before earning a bachelor's degree in political science from Bates College in Maine in 1994. His early career path led him directly to the world of politics, where he began working for longtime Virginia Congressman Bob Goodlatte. He started as a legislative staffer and eventually rose to become Goodlatte's chief of staff. While working, Cline pursued a law degree, graduating from the University of Richmond School of Law in 2007. This legal background became a cornerstone of his professional life, leading him to serve as an assistant commonwealth's attorney
for Rockingham County and the city of Harrisonburg from 2007 to 2013, where he prosecuted criminal cases. He later opened a private law practice before his full-time return to politics.
A Long Tenure in State Government
Before he was a congressman, Ben Cline was a fixture in Virginia's state legislature for over a decade and a half. His career in elected office began in 2002 when he won a special election to the Virginia House of Delegates for the 24th district. He served in that role continuously until 2018, establishing a firm conservative record. During his tenure in Richmond, he chaired the influential Committee on Militia, Police, and Public Safety and also led the Virginia Joint Legislative Conservative Caucus. His work in the state legislature was defined by a focus on fiscal conservatism, often championing efforts to reduce government spending and increase transparency. He was reelected numerous times, often running unopposed, which solidified his political base in the region and paved the way for a congressional run.
Succeeding His Mentor in Congress
When his former boss, Bob Goodlatte, announced his retirement, Cline declared his candidacy for Virginia's 6th congressional district in 2018. After securing the Republican nomination, he won the general election and assumed office on January 3, 2019. In Washington, Cline quickly aligned himself with the conservative wing of the Republican party, joining the House Freedom Caucus. His voting record reflects strong conservative principles, earning high scores from organizations like the Heritage Action for America. His platform consistently emphasizes limited government, fiscal responsibility, and the protection of Second Amendment rights. He has been a vocal critic of what he terms government overreach and bloated bureaucracy. Cline was successfully reelected in 2020, 2022, and 2024, cementing his position as the representative for the reliably Republican district.
Key Committee Assignments and Legislative Focus
As a member of Congress, Cline's work is heavily influenced by his committee assignments. He serves on several key committees, including the House Committee on Appropriations, the Committee on the Judiciary, the House Budget Committee, and the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. These roles place him at the center of debates on federal spending, law enforcement, and national security. His legislative efforts often focus on fiscal issues, such as his reintroduction of the "No Union Time on the Taxpayer's Dime Act," which aims to prevent federal employees from conducting union-related activities during paid work hours. He has also focused on issues like voter eligibility, supporting legislation that would require proof of citizenship to register to vote in federal elections. His position on the Judiciary Committee has made him a key defender of conservative legal principles. He and his wife, Elizabeth, live in Botetourt County with their two daughters.
