Congressman Ben Cline Calls For Ethics Investigation into Virginia Lawmakers' Threats against VMI Board

Per a Feb. 20, 2025 Press Release from his Office provided to The Cadet, Congressman Ben Cline (R-VA) is calling for an immediate ethics investigation into reports that members of the Virginia General Assembly engaged in political coercion. Cline charges they are "attempting to strong-arm members of the Virginia Military Institute (VMI) Board by threatening to withhold funding if they do not extend the contract of VMI's superintendent." Congressman Cline sent a letter to the Clerks of the Virginia House and Senate calling for the inquiry. "The idea that members of the General Assembly would use their positions of power to intimidate VMI Board members by conditioning funding on the extension of the superintendent's contract is not just inappropriate, it is an outright abuse of power," said Congressman Cline. The full text of the letter, as provided by his office to The Cadet follows and is available for download in The Cadet online at www.cadetnewspaper.com: Congress of the United StatesHouse of RepresentativesBen Cline, 6th District, Virginia2443 Rayburn House Office BuildingWashington, D.C. 20515(202) 225-5431www.cline.house.gov February 18, 2025 Hon. G. Paul Nardo, Clerk of the HouseHon. Susan Clarke Schaar, Clerk of the SenateVirginia State Capitol1000 Bank StreetRichmond, VA 23219 Dear Mr. Nardo and Mrs. Schaar, I write to you today to share reports I received regarding conduct of a member of the General Assembly related to the Virginia Military Institute and the employment contract of its Superintendent. The reports I received are deeply troubling and, if accurate, each body of the General Assembly should impanel their respective Standards of Conduct subcommittees to further review these actions. As Congressman for Virginia's Sixth Congressional District, I am proud to represent the Virginia Military Institute. This storied institution produces outstanding young men and women prepared to serve our nation in many capacities, and it is the responsibility of all those who serve Virginia to support and strengthen it. The Institute is also a significant economic driver in this region, and many of my constituents earn their livelihoods from the Institute. Within the last few weeks, members of the General Assembly have attempted to pressure the Board of Visitors to extend the employment contract of VMI's superintendent, General Cedric Wins. These members have suggested they would take official acts as legislators if the General did not receive a lengthy contract extension. These actions, specifically the direct threats made by Senator Jennifer Carroll-Foy, are unbecoming, inappropriate, and ethically questionable. Senator Carroll-Foy recently spoke to a Board member claiming that certain members of the leadership of the General Assembly had "placed in peril" funding for VMI, and that it could only be rectified if General Wins received a four-year contract extension. According to the Board Member, Senator Carroll-Foy said the following: "I am just trying to help VMI. Cedric is African American. The leadership of the General Assembly is African American. Your board appointments and budget amendments are in peril. You can fix this by giving Cedric a four-year contract extension." These race-related comments, wholly unbecoming of a member of the General Assembly and completely inconsistent with the values of our nation, make plain that the leadership of the General Assembly is attempting to exert undue influence on the decisions of the Board in exchange for funding priorities of VMI. Contract decisions are the prerogative of the Board of Visitors for each institution, as set out by the Constitution and state law. Attempting to coerce Board members under the threat of taking official acts on state funding is inappropriate and ethically questionable, at best. In my sixteen years of service in the General Assembly, I never witnessed any legislator threaten to take official acts if a Board of Visitors did not accede to their demands related to the contract of a university president. I respectfully request you forward this letter to the appropriate panels of the House and Senate for additional review. Sincerely, Ben ClineMember of Congress