Rep. Bob Goodlatte, on his third visit to Iraq in six years, said Monday that the nation’s internal security, its economy and oil business clearly are improving.

AMHERST — The cost of gas and groceries was first on the discussion list when Rep. Bob Goodlatte, R-6th District, held a meeting with constituents at lunchtime Monday.

The two members of Congress who represent the Lynchburg area take different approaches to earmarks, an often-controversial and sometimes ridiculed practice lawmakers use to steer federal money to specific projects.