AG Cuccinelli Addresses Fredericksburg Chamber

Virginia Attorney General Ken Cuccinelli addressed members and guests of the Fredericksburg Chamber of Commerce this morning.  Mr. Cuccinelli is a controversial figure in politics today with a variety of lawsuits filed against the federal government on issues ranging from climate change to the health care bill.  One might expect Mr. Cuccinelli’s remarks to be all political fire and brimstone and while there was plenty of criticism of current federal policies, he was measured in his comments, thoughtful in his responses, and straightforward in his goals. 

Mr. Cuccinelli’s main goal is to protect Virginia’s economy and its businesses from a toxic regulatory environment imposed by those in Washington.  He views the Administration’s attempt to regulate greenhouse gases outside of the congressional process through a strictly regulatory action as unconstitutional.  The kind of regulations that the government’s environmental agency is trying to impose will stifle opportunity and economic growth for future generations.  He also views the health care bill’s mandate to carry health insurance as unconstitutional and will soon litigate a case in the Eastern District of the Federal Circuit Court that defends Virginia’s law that releases the Commonwealth’s citizens from that mandate.  The case is expected to proceed quickly and Mr. Cuccinelli anticipates a ruling as early as November. 

Mr. Cuccinelli is certainly very passionate about all of the irons he has in the fire, but he also stressed the importance of the many other duties that the employees of the Attorney General’s office carries out.  The vast majority of the work that his office does is one of public service and safety.  The office’s staff assist local Commonwealth’s Attorneys with such cases as child pornography, gang involvement, and computer crime. 

Mr. Cuccinelli is one of the most active Attorneys General in the country.  He is certainly someone to watch in Virginia politics both as a current public servant and a future seeker of higher office.