{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"NC\" and year = 2014 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/media-advisoryjones-lynch-and-graham-host-press-conference-resolution-declassify-911", "***MEDIA ADVISORY***JONES, LYNCH, AND GRAHAM TO HOST PRESS CONFERENCE ON RESOLUTION TO DECLASSIFY 9/11 REPORT", "2014-12-31", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON \u2013 On Wednesday, January 7, Representatives Walter B. Jones (NC-3), Stephen Lynch (MA-8), and Senator Bob Graham (FL) will hold a bipartisan press conference on H. Res. 428, a resolution that calls on President Obama to declassify the 28 pages of the Joint Inquiry into Intelligence Activities Before and After the Terrorist Attacks of September 2001 that were initially classified by President George W. Bush and have remained classified under President Barack Obama. Senator Graham was the chair of the Select Committee on Intelligence when the Joint Inquiry was written and has repeatedly called for the 28 pages to be declassified.\u00a0 H. Res. 428 states that declassification of the pages is necessary to provide the American public with the full truth surrounding the tragic events of September 11, 2001, particularly relating to the involvement of foreign governments. Congressmen Jones, Lynch, and Massie will introduce H. Res. 428 into the 114th Congress.\nAlso attending the press conference will be representatives from 9/11 Families United for Justice Against Terrorism, and family members of victims killed in the 9/11 attacks.\nWednesday, January 7 at 9:30 AM:\nWHAT:  \n\tPress conference on the status of H. Res. 428 in the new Congress\nWHO:  \n\tCongressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)  \n\tCongressman Stephen Lynch (MA-8)  \n\tSenator Bob Graham (FL)  \n\tRepresentatives from 9/11 Families United for Justice Against Terrorism  \n\tFamily members of victims killed in the 9/11 attacks\n\n\tWHEN:  \n\t\tWednesday, January 7 at 9:30 AM\n\tWHERE:  \n\t\tCannon House Office Building, Room 121", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-cosponsors-more-bills-help-veterans-any-other-member-congress", "JONES COSPONSORS MORE BILLS TO HELP VETERANS THAN ANY OTHER MEMBER OF CONGRESS", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 In the 113th Congress, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) cosponsored a career record of 86 bills to help veterans by providing better access to more transparent healthcare, access to educational opportunities, affordable housing, and job opportunities.\u00a0 In fact, Congressman Jones cosponsored more bills to help veterans than any other member of the 113th Congress, spanning from January of 2013 through December 2014.\n\u201cI am honored to do all I can to help those who\u2019ve worn the uniform,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cOur veterans have made incredible sacrifices to defend our freedom, and it is imperative to ensure that they have access to quality healthcare, educational opportunities, and job opportunities.\u00a0 I will continue to do everything I can in the 114th Congress to help our veterans, mindful of the great sacrifices they have made to keep our country free.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-pittengers-first-term-in-review", "Congressman Pittenger's First-Term In Review", "2014-12-30", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER\u2019S\u00a0FIRST-TERM IN REVIEW \n  CHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) is committed to serving North Carolina\u2019s 9th Congressional District, with unprecedented regular office hours in 7 locations throughout the district while hiring caseworkers with many years of experience to assist constituents.\u00a0 Our office breaks from standard Capitol Hill procedure with 24/7 staff availability for emergencies and accessible to answer questions about legislation and public policy.\u00a0 Serving on The Financial Services Committee and Chair of the Congressional Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger maintains one of the top committee attendance records in all of Congress. During Congressman Pittenger\u2019s first term (2013-2014):  \n\t\u00a0\n Nearly 2200 constituents received assistance with issues including Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Veterans benefits, passports, and the IRS.\n\t62,429 letters/e-mails regarding legislation and policy issues were answered.\n\t79,179 constituents received a personal phone call as staff reached out to ensure constituents had access to services and resources.\n\tCongressman Pittenger hosted more than 30 town hall meetings.\n   \u201cServing you is my number one priority,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cWhether you need assistance cutting through federal red tape, have questions about how legislation impacts your daily life, or would like to share your thoughts or concerns or ideas, we are ready to serve you in every way possible.\u201d While more than 380 bills passed by the House of Representatives, many with bipartisan support, were blocked by Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Congressman Pittenger was successful in leading the Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act to passage in both the House and Senate and signed into law by President Obama.\u00a0 The House of Representatives also unanimously passed Congressman Pittenger\u2019s legislation to modernize outdated regulations which hinder online banking and overdraft protection transactions. \u201cIn 2015, I will remain committed to excellent constituent service, working in a bipartisan fashion to advance common sense legislation which improves the economy, helps create jobs, and cuts unnecessary red tape, and working every day to faithfully represent the people of Mecklenburg, Union, and Iredell counties.\u201d  \n\t\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/congressman-pittenger-announces-five-appointments-to-united-states", "Congressman Pittenger Announces Five Appointments to United States Service Academies", "2014-12-29", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ANNOUNCES FIVE APPOINTMENTS TO UNITED STATES SERVICE ACADEMIES \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Five outstanding local students had extra reason to be thankful this holiday season as Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) personally called to announce their appointment to United States service academies.  \n\t\u00a0\n Mr. Riley Brosnan, a senior at Charlotte Catholic, received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.\u00a0 The son and grandson of United States Marines officers, he told Congressman Pittenger that \u201cAmerica allowed my mother and her family to emigrate from Vietnam and start a new future away from that war torn country. Our nation has granted me freedom and opportunity that can best be repaid through a period of military service.\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Brosnan is the son of John and Kim Brosnan and lives in Matthews.\n\tMr. Jackson Dunn, a senior at Myers Park High School, received an appointment to the U.S. Air Force Academy.\u00a0 Mr. Dunn began his life in a Russian orphanage, which forced him to develop a strong work ethic, leadership, and teamwork skills at a young age.\u00a0 \u201cThe early years of my life were different than most people I know, but for that, I am now thankful.\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Dunn is the son of Kimberly and Bradley Dunn and lives in Charlotte.\n\tMs. Sydney Frankenberg, a senior at Cannon School, received an appointment to the U.S. Naval Academy.\u00a0 Profoundly impacted by 9/11, she remembers \u201ca sense of bewilderment at how there could be people full of such hatred for others . . . and a sense of respect for those who valiantly risked their lives that day to serve their country and help others.\u00a0 Responsibility is and always has been the price of freedom.\u201d\u00a0 Ms. Frankenberg is the daughter of Brett and Sara Frankenberg and lives in Charlotte.\n\tMs. Sera Martorelli, a senior at Grace Academy, received an appointment to West Point and quoted General MacArthur to Congressman Pittenger. \u201cDuty, Honor, Country . . . those three hallowed words reverently dictate what you ought to be, what you can be, what you will be.\u00a0 Those three words inspire me.\u201d\u00a0 Ms. Martorelli is the daughter of Andrew and Elizabeth Martorelli and lives in Matthews.\n\tMr. Sheppard Wilson, a senior at Charlotte Country Day, received an appointment to the United States Naval Academy.\u00a0 He told Congressman Pittenger that \u201cto be able to serve my country and defend the ideals of democracy and freedom would be the highest honor for me.\u201d\u00a0 Mr. Wilson is the son of Tom and Laurie Wilson and lives in Charlotte.\n   \u201cOur nation and our community are blessed by these outstanding local students who chose a life of service and sacrifice in defense of our freedom.\u00a0 Thank you, as well, to all the other local students who volunteer to serve in so many important ways,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398499", "America's New Congress", "2014-12-19", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Since I was first elected to Congress in 2004, I have heard from thousands of constituents across North Carolina\u2019s Fifth District. In recent years, there has been an understandable note of frustration in their voices over the direction that our country is headed.These folks know all too well the struggle to find a job and pay the bills. They\u2019re angry that it takes an average 111 days just to make enough to pay the government before starting to keep what they earn for the year. They\u2019ve watched an oppressive government intrusion into health care make it far too difficult and expensive for many to do business. They\u2019re discouraged by an uncertain regulatory environment that is wreaking havoc on both employers and employees. They\u2019re outraged at the president\u2019s unprecedented attempt to grant amnesty to millions of illegal aliens when there are so many individuals who have waited years for the opportunity to come to this country the right way. Over the last four years, I have worked with my colleagues in the House to do everything in our power to put this nation on a better path forward. We have passed numerous pieces of legislation to encourage job growth and strengthen America\u2019s standing in the global economy. We\u2019ve also passed bills that would decrease energy costs, allow workers to have more flexibility to spend time with their families and increase transparency in how tax dollars are spent. However, we have been stymied again and again by Democrats in the Senate. Despite the short time we have had, the obstacles we have faced and the enormity of our task, House Republicans have still managed a number of conservative victories. For example, this summer legislation I authored was signed into law to streamline the federal workforce development system, including the elimination of 15 duplicative programs. Recently, we sent a bill to the president\u2019s desk that will allow families of a severely disabled child to save for their child's long-term disability expenses in the same way that many families currently save for college through popular 529 investment plans, encouraging personal responsibility instead of increasing dependency on the government. We all wish we could have done more, much more. \u00a0However, we will have greater opportunities beginning in January with a Republican-led House and Senate. The 114th Congress offers new chances to pass legislation that will take our country down a road of economic recovery that results in lower unemployment, a fair tax code and opportunity for all. My priorities for next year include continuing efforts to increase transparency and accountability in government. While Congress cannot create prosperity, we can work to ensure entrepreneurs and employers aren\u2019t crushed under red tape. That is why the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act is the first bill I intend to introduce in the 114th Congress. This legislation would improve transparency and public disclosure of the true cost \u2014 in dollars and in jobs \u2014 that federal dictates pose to the economy. I have offered this legislation in the past four Congresses, and it has successfully passed the House with bipartisan support on three separate occasions, only to be ignored by the Senate. My hope is that next year will be different. Congress will also face off against the White House early next year over President Obama\u2019s attempts to short circuit the American immigration process. By extending funding for the Department of Homeland Security only through February 2015, the House and Senate are prepared to confront the president\u2019s unparalleled power grab without the threat of a looming, government-wide shutdown, and we will do everything we can to stop his destructive actions. Rest assured Congress will be addressing the American people's greatest priorities when we return to Washington in January. We heard your voices loud and clear in November, and we will work hard to build a better future for American families. Virginia Foxx is the U.S. representative for North Carolina\u2019s Fifth District, which covers parts of Alexander, Caldwell and Catawba counties.\r\n  \r\nhttp://www.hickoryrecord.com/opinion/virginia-foxx-column-america-s-new-congress/article_6a1b4222-87d0-11e4-a1a5-fb4bb3f995d7.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-thanks-to-new-life-919-for-21-years-of-faithful-service", "Pittenger: Thanks to New Life 91.9 for 21 years of faithful service", "2014-12-18", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 THANKS TO NEW LIFE 91.9 FOR 21 YEARS OF FAITHFUL SERVICE \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 After 21 years of service to the Charlotte region, Thursday afternoon marks the end of local programming on Union County\u2019s New Life 91.9 WRCM. Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), who has worked with New Life 91.9 on previous charitable and ministry events, had this reaction: \u201cFor 21 years, the staff of New Life 91.9 has used their radio ministry to positively impact lives in the Carolinas, including providing supplies for mothers facing unplanned pregnancies, connecting listeners with encouragement and counseling as they grieved or struggled with a loss, spread hope by participating in the \u201cPower to Change\u201d evangelistic outreach campaign, and organized community efforts to supply shoes for needy children in our community and around the world.\u00a0 Thank you for 21 years of faithful service.\u00a0 You will be missed!\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-on-uscuba-policy", "Pittenger on US/Cuba policy", "2014-12-17", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 PRESIDENT OBAMA HAS\u00a0\u2018ZEAL TO APPEASE OUR ADVERSARIES\u2019 \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), who is currently leading a bipartisan effort to dismantle Fidel Castro\u2019s anti-American voting bloc at the United Nations, had this reaction to President Obama\u2019s decision to begin normalizing relations with Cuba: \u201cPresident Obama\u2019s foreign policy of appeasement, apology, and weary surrender has resulted in the explosive growth of ISIS, the crisis in Ukraine, and growing unrest around the world.\u00a0 How exactly will rolling over on Cuba advance the cause of freedom and human rights? \u201cIn his zeal to appease our adversaries, President Obama is now providing Cuba with credibility to export their Marxist views throughout the world, while enabling access to economic trade that will strengthen the brutal and oppressive Castro regime, even as Cuba consistently works to undermine American policies around the world. \u201cCuba continues illicit arms sales to North Korea, including an attempt to smuggle fighter jets into North Korea by hiding them under bags of sugar.\u00a0 Does he think this makes the world a safer place?\u00a0 \u201cPresident Obama has just given away great leverage that could have been used to bring about substantial change in Cuba.\u00a0 His feckless and misguided foreign policy has been counterproductive in Iran, Syria, Egypt, China, and Russia.\u00a0 Re-examining American policy is good, but President Obama should recognize that the desired objective is for our adversaries to act in a way that best supports American interests.\u201d Congressman Pittenger is Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and is leading a Congressional effort to dismantle Fidel Castro\u2019s decades-old UN coalition, in which many nations consistently vote against freedom, democracy, and basic human rights.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-kilah-report-update", "Pittenger: Kilah Report update", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON KILAH REPORT:\u00a0A GOOD START, BUT MORE WORK TO DO \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Today, the United States Department of Justice provided Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) with a summary of their state-by-state report on child abuse laws and penalties, as required by the Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act.\u00a0 By law, the full report was originally due on November 20th. \u201cThe Department of Justice has made a good start, but there is more work to do, including more information on the possible range of punishment for an offender and whether or not each state has enhanced penalties for cases of severe child abuse. \u201cMy office has already provided feedback, and we expect the Justice Department to work quickly on completing this report, which is already a month overdue. \u201cRight now, we are focused on helping the Justice Department produce an easy-to-understand report that enables grassroots activists and state legislators to identify and address outdated, lenient, or unworkable child abuse laws before another family suffers a tragedy. \u201cPlease join me in praying for the Davenport family as they celebrate their first Christmas without Kilah.\u00a0 \u201cThank you to the Davenports for your tireless efforts to bring good out of great loss.\u201d The Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act, which was written and introduced by Congressman Pittenger, was signed into law by President Obama on May 20th.\u00a0 The law directed the U.S. Attorney General to issue a state-by-state report on child abuse prevention laws within six months, with a particular focus on penalties for cases of severe child abuse.\u00a0 The goal is to highlight deficient laws and provide states with the opportunity to fix those laws before another tragedy occurs.\u00a0\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364", "Congressman Meadows Named Oversight Subcommittee Chairman", "2014-12-16", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Meadows Named Oversight Subcommittee Chairman\r\r On Tuesday, Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) was appointed Chairman of the House Oversight and Government Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations. \r\rThe Government Operations Subcommittee will have oversight jurisdiction over critical issues during the final two years of the Obama Presidency, including the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), the Department of Labor and public sector unions, and the Executive Office of the President. The subcommittee will also have primary jurisdiction over the majority of legislation moving through the Committee.\r\rRep. Meadows will serve under newly named House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Chairman Jason Chaffetz (R-UT).\r\rI'm honored to serve in this new capacity and am committed to fighting for the answers that all Americans deserve, Rep. Meadows said.\r\rThe current Administration is among the least transparent in history and has stonewalled Congress at every turn. I look forward to working with Chairman Chaffetz and my colleagues on the Committee to end this Administration's legacy of secretiveness, Meadows added.\r\rCongressman Meadows has been a valued Member of the Oversight Committee. He understands the value of vigorous oversight and the importance of making sure the government runs effectively and efficiently. I look forward to working with him in his new role, Chairman Jason Chaffetz said.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-on-cia-report-very-cheap-political-shot", "Pittenger on CIA report: "Very cheap, political shot"", "2014-12-15", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n TERROR TASK FORCE CHAIR ON SIRIUS XM:\u00a0SENATE CIA REPORT A \u201cVERY CHEAP POLITICAL SHOT\u201d \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, was interviewed live on SiriusXM\u2019s \u201cThe Morning Briefing\u201d regarding the release of the Senate Intelligence Committee report on CIA interrogation activities. \u201cThis was a very cheap, political shot.\u00a0 I think you have some people in power right now . . . and they wanted to make their statement as a parting shot going out.\u00a0 If you want to do something that has real meaningful support and credibility, then do a bipartisan report.\u00a0 Interview all the people, not just a select few. \u201cCertainly, the interrogation that these terrorists went through was a major discomfort to them, but they\u2019re still alive.\u00a0 Thousands of Americans are dead.\u201d Click here for full audio of Congressman Pittenger\u2019s interview on SiriusXM\u2019s POTUS Channel.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-votes-against-11-trillion-cromnibus-bill", "JONES VOTES AGAINST $1.1 TRILLION CROMNIBUS BILL", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Last night, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the CRomnibus bill, a combination of a continuing resolution to keep the Department of Homeland Security funded through February and an omnibus spending bill to fund the government until the end of the 2015 fiscal year. Congressman Jones issued the following statement on his vote:\n\u201cAs the only member of Congress to vote against every debt ceiling increase in the last 11 years, I cannot in good conscience support a piece of legislation that does absolutely nothing to address the most pressing issue facing our country \u2013 out of control spending,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cPresident Obama got everything he wanted in this CRomnibus. This bill provides funding for his unconstitutional amnesty for illegal aliens, hundreds of billions of dollars of more deficit spending, billions of dollars in deficit-financed foreign aid, billions of dollars for his unauthorized wars, funding for Obamacare, a Wall Street giveaway, and a lot of other troubling things buried in 1,700 pages that nobody was given time to read. Instead of leading the way in trying to curb our reckless spending habit, Congress folded like a cheap suit to President Obama.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397697", "McHenry Votes to Keep Government Open", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), the Chief Deputy Whip, released the following statement on House passage of legislation to keep the government open and funded for the remainder of the fiscal year:\u201cYesterday, I supported -- and the House passed -- legislation to fund the federal government, other than the Department of Homeland Security, for the remainder of the fiscal year. \u00a0While far from perfect, this legislation was the result of bipartisan negotiations between the House and Senate. It maintains spending levels established in last year\u2019s budget agreement, spending levels which match the lowest discretionary spending in 9 years. \u00a0Additionally, this bill cuts IRS funding by $345 million, cuts funding for and staffing levels at the EPA, and prevents a taxpayer bailout of big insurance companies.\r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cMost importantly this legislation only extends funding for the Department Homeland Security through February. At that time, Republican majorities in the House and Senate can work together to fight President Obama\u2019s unprecedented executive action on immigration before his Administration begins processing applications -- without the President or Democratic Congressional minority scaring the American people with threats of the government shutting down. \u00a0The majority of Americans are opposed to the President\u2019s lawless immigration action. \u00a0House Republicans remain committed to stopping it and truly addressing our nation\u2019s immigration crisis with a larger Republican majority in the 114th Congress.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-receives-award-perfect-constitutional-voting-record", "JONES RECEIVES AWARD FOR PERFECT CONSTITUTIONAL VOTING RECORD", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 This week, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) received the Constitution Award for scoring 100 percent on The New American\u2019s Freedom Index. The Freedom Index is \u201ca congressional scorecard that rates every member of the House and Senate based on their adherence to constitutional principles of limited government, fiscal responsibility, national sovereignty, and a traditional foreign policy of avoiding foreign entanglements.\u201d Jones was one of only seven House Republicans to receive a perfect score. Among other things, Jones was recognized for his votes against increasing the deficit, against sending millions of dollars abroad in foreign aid, and against unconstitutional indefinite detentions of American citizens.\n\u201cI am honored to receive the Constitution Award from The New American,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cMy primary duty as a member of Congress is to protect our constitutional freedoms, and that duty guides every vote I make.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittengerwashington-can-work", "Pittenger: Washington can work", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 \u201cCROMNIBUS\u201d CUTS WASTEFUL SPENDING, SUPPORTS MILITARY, STRENGTHENS FIGHT AGAINST PRESIDENT\u2019S AMNESTY PLAN \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Tonight, Congressman Robert Pittenger joined a bipartisan majority in passing the FY 2015 Omnibus Spending Package, which cuts wasteful government spending, reduces unnecessary red tape, and strategically shifts the fight over President Obama\u2019s unconstitutional amnesty plan into early 2015.  \n\t\u00a0\n Prohibits taxpayer bailouts of unprofitable Obamacare insurance plans.\n\tSlashes funding for the EPA and IRS and prohibits funds for witch hunts targeting organizations based on political or religious beliefs.\n\tProvides funds to eliminate the VA\u2019s disability compensation claims backlog by the end of 2015.\n\tIncludes strong Second Amendment and Pro Life protections.\n\tProvides a pay raise for our brave troops and fully funds cost-of-living adjustments for our honored veterans.\n\tProtects farmers from unnecessary Dodd-Frank regulations requiring excessive collateral on farm loans.\n\tLowest federal spending since 2008.\n   \u201cToday\u2019s vote was a victory for hardworking American taxpayers, who are tired of Washington wasting their hard earned money,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).\u00a0 \u201cDemocrats have long ignored the normal budget process, allowing wasteful spending to continue on autopilot.\u00a0 This spending bill restores fiscal sanity by forcing Washington to live on a budget, just like ordinary American families.\u201d Today\u2019s vote also tightly restricts President Obama\u2019s unconstitutional amnesty plan by providing no new funding for amnesty-related activities, freezing the Department of Homeland Security budget at current levels, and providing DHS/immigration funding only through late February, allowing the Republican-led House and Senate to more fully address immigration in early 2015. \u201cWith today\u2019s vote, we have strategically shifted the fight against illegal amnesty to a more advantageous position, when Republicans control both the House and Senate and can focus on common sense solutions, not whatever watered-down plan might be acceptable to Senator Harry Reid.\u201d\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/terror-task-force-interrogated-terrorists-alive-innocent-americans-dead", "Terror Task Force:  Interrogated Terrorists Alive, Innocent Americans Dead", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n TERROR TASK FORCE CHAIR ON CIA REPORT:\u00a0INTERROGATED TERRORISTS STILL ALIVE . . .THOUSANDS OF INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DEAD \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, had this reaction to the release of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence report on the CIA\u2019s detention and interrogation program: \u201cThe release of the CIA report by Senator Feinstein and Senate Democrats will do great harm to our national security, increase the threat to Americans living overseas, including military, diplomatic, and humanitarian personnel, and weaken relationships with our allies. \u201cThere is no correlation between the barbaric acts of terrorists who gleefully kill innocent Americans and the critical role of the CIA to obtain vital information to protect us from those committed to our destruction. \u201cThe terrorists who were interrogated are still alive.\u00a0 Thousands of innocent Americans are dead.\u201d As Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) has participated in more than 140 private meetings regarding\u00a0\u00a0 the impact of U.S. intelligence policy on safety and security around the world, including meetings with Heads of State from across the Middle East, senior counter-terrorism officials, and outside experts. In September, Congressman Pittenger organized and hosted a first-of-its-kind forum of more than 100 Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, and other officials from 28 European nations to discuss America\u2019s intelligence policy, rebuild relationships damaged by the Snowden revelations, and discuss how to move forward together against ISIS.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398497", "Foxx Statement on House Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today issued the following statement regarding passage of the bipartisan \u201comnibus\u201d spending bill to appropriate funds for the federal government:\n\n\u201cWhile an omnibus spending bill is not ideal, it allows changes to policy that a continuing resolution simply cannot. For example, this legislation includes provisions to help meet the goal of ending the disability claims backlog at the Department of Veterans Affairs by the end of 2015. It also prevents the Army Corps of Engineers from regulating farm ponds and irrigation ditches under the Clean Water Act.\n\n\u201cAdditionally this bill will allow Congress to focus immediately on addressing the pressing issues facing our nation, including stopping President Obama from implementing his executive amnesty, when we return in January with Republican majorities in the House and Senate.\n\n\u201cThe appropriations process is an important tool for holding the vast federal bureaucracy accountable to Congress, and it\u2019s my sincere hope that next year the Senate will return to regular order, including hearings, oversight and the elimination of wasteful spending on ineffective programs, as the House has been doing for the past four years.\u201d\n\nH.R. 83, Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015, passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 219 to 206. The bill abides by the 2013 bipartisan budget agreement, and overall discretionary spending has been reduced by $165 billion since FY 2010 as a result.\n\nThe House passed seven appropriations bills this year. The Democratic-led Senate passed no appropriations bills.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=153", "Rep. Holding Named Co-Chair of India Caucus", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2014  \r\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\r\r  \r Today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) and Congressman Ami Bera (CA-07) were named co-chairs of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian Americans for the 114th Congress. They take the helm from current co-chairs Congressman Peter Roskam (IL-06) and Congressman Joseph Crowley (NY-14). See below for statements from Congressmen Holding, Roskam, Crowley, and Bera:\r\r\u201cAs I have said before, the United States-India bilateral relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of this century,\u201d said Holding. \u201cI\u2019m honored to follow Congressmen Roskam and Crowley and thank them for their commitment to this important relationship. I look forward to advancing the efforts of the Caucus as co-chair with Rep. Ami Bera. With a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability.\u201d\r\r\u201cGeorge is the perfect person for this role and I know that the caucus will be in good hands,\u201d said Roskam.\u00a0\u201cAs Republican Chair of the India Caucus, George will focus in on growing the relationship between our two democracies, emphasizing our nations\u2019 shared interests from global security to trade and international prosperity. At over 180 members, our caucus is the largest in the House dedicated to a single country. Among so many of his colleagues, and with\u00a0an unmatched work ethic and understanding of the issues, George will absolutely thrive.\u201d\r\r\u201cAmi is an accomplished physician, a staunch advocate for his constituents, and is a go-to member when it comes to working constructively in Congress,\u201d said Crowley. \u201cHis passion for the issues is impressive, and there is no question the Caucus will be in excellent hands. The Indian-American community has a wonderful partner in Ami Bera, and I look forward to working with him, and the entire India Caucus, as we continue our efforts to strengthen relations between the U.S. and India.\"\r\r\u201cAs the only Indian American serving in Congress, I\u2019m honored to have been voted co-chair of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans,\u201d said Bera. \u201cI'd like to express my gratitude to Congressmen Crowley and Roskam for their years guiding the Caucus. Under their leadership the India Caucus has grown to one of the largest caucuses in the House. I\u2019m excited to take on this new role at a critical time for the partnership between the U.S. and India. Building on Prime Minister Modi\u2019s visit to the U.S. in September and President Obama\u2019s upcoming trip to India, I look forward to working with Congressman Holding and our colleagues in the Caucus to continue to grow the economic and strategic relationship between our countries and to advocate for the Indian American community.\u201d\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=154", "Rep. Holding: Two Bad Choices Landed on Congress\u2019 Doorstep Today", "2014-12-11", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 11, 2014\r\r  \r Congressman George Holding (NC-13) released the following statement tonight after passage of the bipartisan Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act, 2015:\r\r\u201cDue to the standoff between the Democratic Senate and the Republican House,\u00a0two bad\u00a0choices\u00a0landed on Congress\u2019 doorstep\u00a0today.\r\r\u201cBad choice number one\u00a0was to\u00a0vote against the\u00a0appropriations resolution\u00a0\u2013 which would\u00a0lead straight to a government shutdown. We\u2019ve already seen this doesn\u2019t\u00a0solve problems\u00a0or\u00a0bring about spending cuts.\r\r\u201cBad choice number two\u00a0was to\u00a0vote for the\u00a0appropriations resolution.\u00a0To be sure, there\u00a0are\u00a0some worthwhile\u00a0provisions\u00a0in the\u00a0resolution\u00a0\u2013\u00a0for instance,\u00a0it provides funds to fight ISIS.\r\r\u201cThose\u00a0were\u00a0the choices, and it was\u00a0a\u00a0take it or leave it proposition. We\u00a0couldn\u2019t\u00a0amend the bill. We\u00a0either\u00a0had\u00a0to\u00a0vote for a bad bill\u00a0or\u00a0shut down the government. Period.\r\r\u201cIn the end,\u00a0I reluctantly\u00a0voted\u00a0for the bill as the lesser of two evils. But\u00a0make no mistake:\u00a0this\u00a0budget resolution encapsulated\u00a0what\u2019s\u00a0wrong with Washington politics. There wasn\u2019t a good choice. Just two bad choices.\r\r\u201cNext year,\u00a0when\u00a0there is\u00a0a Republican majority\u00a0in\u00a0the Senate,\u00a0this kind of broken politics\u00a0must\u00a0end.\u00a0Republicans\u00a0need to\u00a0offer a\u00a0real\u00a0budget rather than\u00a0proposing another last-minute resolution.\u201d\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397694", "McHenry Applauds Passage of TRIA Reauthorization", "2014-12-10", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (NC-10), the Chairman of the Financial Services Committee's Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, released the following statement on House passage of S. 2244, the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act (TRIA) of 2014, extending the program for six more years: \r\n\u201cI applaud today\u2019s passage of the Terrorism Risk Insurance Program Reauthorization Act of 2014.\u00a0 This legislation accomplishes our Committee\u2019s stated goal: a long-term extension of the TRIA program to protect against losses from possible terrorist attacks, which also reforms the program to reduce the burden on American taxpayers.\u00a0 These bipartisan reforms will provide the certainty needed for the insurance industry while also continuing the House\u2019s efforts to serve as a responsible steward of tax payer dollars. \r\n\u00a0\r\n\u201cAdditionally this legislation protects Main Street businesses by changing burdensome requirements included in the Dodd-Frank financial reform legislation that have unnecessarily harmed countless small businesses. I applaud Chairman Hensarling for his hard work leading this legislation to House passage and strongly encourage the Senate to support it as well.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=363", "Congressman Meadows' Statement on Gruber Hearing", "2014-12-09", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Meadows' Statement on the Jonathan Gruber Hearing       On Tuesday, Obamacare architect Jonathan Gruber and Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) Administrator Marilyn Tavenner testified before the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee on the continued lack of transparency with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) released the following statement:  Today, Jonathan Gruber, the Obamacare architect best known for his insulting remarks about the American people, provided a rehearsed, contrived testimony before the Committee that did little to shed light on important questions regarding the construction and implementation of the Affordable Care Act. Mr. Gruber did his best to play dumb when questioned about his knowledge of a variety of topics from whether he predicted thousands of Americans would lose their health insurance under the ACAto how much he has been paid by the federal government for helping to create Obamacare. After providing the Committee with 16 pages detailing his accomplishments and expertise related to Obamacare, Gruber spent 4 hours denying even the most basic knowledge of the construction and implementation of the ACA, Meadows said.  In a similar fashion, Ms. Tavenner continued to deny knowing about the problems plaguing the Healthcare.gov site days before the roll out, despite evidence of emails showing her knowledge of the issues. I appreciate the witnesses' willingness to apologize to the American people, but found their refusal to answer some fairly simple questions to be counter-productive, Congressman Mark Meadows added.  Watch Congressman Meadows questioning in today's hearing below:         Congressman Mark Meadows questioning Gruber and Tavenner     Congressman Mark Meadows serves on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee.     ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=152", "Rep. Holding: Administration Must Respond to Alleged Sanctions Against Israel", "2014-12-06", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Holding: Administration Must Respond to Alleged Sanctions Against Israel \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        December 6, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n        \"It is hard to tell who is friend and who is foe in the eyes of this administration.\"\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 6, 2014  \r\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\r\r  \r Congressman George Holding (NC-13) issued the follow statement after reports surfaced alleging the Obama administration is mulling sanctions against Israel:\u201cAt a time when the Obama administration has requested Congress delay passing any sanctions on Iran over its nuclear weapons program, it is now reportedly discussing sanctions on our staunchest ally in the Middle East, Israel. It is hard to tell who is friend and who is foe in the eyes of this administration. \r\r\u201cThe cornerstone of our nation\u2019s foreign policy must be that our allies trust us and our enemies fear us. These reports, however, send a clear message that longstanding relationships with allies abroad can no longer be fully trusted. \r\r\u201cThe Obama administration must issue a clear response as to whether or not they discussed or drafted sanctions against Israel.\u201d\r\r###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-applauds-bluefin-tuna-quota-increase", "JONES APPLAUDS BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTA INCREASE", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greenville, NC \u2013 Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) thanked U.S. administration officials for heeding his call to fight for U.S. fishermen and secure an increase in quota for western Atlantic bluefin tuna.\u00a0 The issue was decided in Genoa, Italy last month when the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) \u2013 the international body which manages Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks and of which the United States is a key member \u2013 decided to increase the quota from the existing 1,750 metric tons, to 2,000 metric tons, for each of the next two years.\nFor decades U.S. fishermen have been living under depressed quota levels in order to help rebuild the stock.\u00a0 However, earlier this year ICCAT scientists released new data showing that the western bluefin stock is more than twice the size suggested in previous assessments and is now more than rebuilt.\u00a0\u00a0 They also concluded that the western Atlantic quota could be increased from the existing 1,750 metric tons to up to 2,250 metric tons without hurting the stock.\u00a0 In a letter sent in October, Jones urged U.S. fisheries administrators to \u201cfollow the science and do all you can at the November ICCAT meeting to secure an increase in the western bluefin quota to 2,200 metric tons.\u201d\u00a0 While ICCAT\u2019s ultimate decision to increase the quota to 2,000 metric tons instead of 2,200 metric tons was less than preferred, it was still welcome news.\n\u201cAfter years of steep quota reductions, U.S. bluefin tuna fishermen have more than done their part,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cThe economic costs to them, their families, and the communities they support have been severe.\u00a0 Now that science shows the stock is fully rebuilt, I am pleased to see that their sacrifice will not go unrewarded.\u201d\nIn a letter sent to administration officials today, Jones thanked them for their assistance is securing the increase.\u00a0 He also encouraged them to continue to follow the science and work to secure additional quota increases at future meetings. See Congressman Jones' letter to the administration below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=362", "Meadows Authors Letter to President Demanding Answers on Israel Sanctions", "2014-12-05", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Meadows Authors Letter to President Demanding Answers on Israel Sanctions\r\r \r\r On Friday, Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) authored a letter, signed by 47 of his colleagues, to President Obama demanding clarification on recent reports indicating the Administration is considering imposing sanctions against Israel for constructing homes in East Jerusalem.\r\rEarlier this week, State Department Deputy Spokesperson Marie Harf dodged questions on whether the Administration would pursue sanctions. On Friday, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest failed to give a definitive yes or no answer when asked about the Administration's position duringthe White House press briefing.\r\rI'm appalled that the Administration would even consider the idea of sanctioning Israelone of our closest allies. We need clarification from the White House on this immediately, Meadows said.\r\rWhat message does it send to the world for the US to impose sanctions against Israel while easing sanctions against Irana state-sponsor of terror with an abysmal human rights record? Meadows added.\r\rSignatories include: Kerry Bentivolio (R-MI), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), Dave Brat (R-VA), Jim Bridenstine (R-OK), Larry Bucshon (R-IN), Curt Clawson (R-FL), Doug Collins (R-GA), Paul Cook (R-CA), Ron DeSantis (R-FL), Jeff Duncan (R-SC), Chuck Fleischmann, John Fleming (R-LA), (R-TN), Virginia Foxx (R-NC), Scott Garrett (R-NJ), Paul Gosar (R-AZ), Trey Gowdy (R-SC), Tim Griffin (R-AR), Michael Grimm (R-NY), Joe Heck (R-NV), Richard Hudson (R-NC), Sam Johnson (R-TX), Jim Jordan (R-OH), Mike Kelly (R-PA), Peter King (R-NY), Doug Lamborn (R-CO), Leonard Lance (R-NJ), Billy Long (R-MO), Tom McClintock (R-CA), Luke Messer (R-IN), Mick Mulvaney (R-SC), Alan Nunnelee (R-MS), Pete Olson (R-TX), Steven Palazzo (R-MS), Robert Pittenger (R-NC), Mike Pompeo (R-KS), Bill Posey (R-FL), Reid Ribble (R-WI), Todd Rokita (R-IN), Matt Salmon (R-AZ), Aaron Schock (R-IL), David Schweikert (R-AZ), Pete Sessions (R-TX), Adrian Smith (R-NE), Jackie Walorski (R-IN), Joe Wilson (R-SC), and Ted Yoho (R-FL).\r\r \r\rThe letter text can be read below:\r\rDear President Obama:\r\rRecent reports suggest that your Administration has held classified meetings over the past several weeks to discuss the possibility of imposing sanctions against Israel for its decision to construct homes in East Jerusalem. We urge you and your Administration to clarify these reports immediately.\r\rIsrael is one of our strongest allies, and the mere notion that the Administration would unilaterally impose sanctions against Israel is not only unwise, but is extremely worrisome. Such reports send a clear message to our friends and enemies alike that such alliances with the United States government can no longer be unquestionably trusted.\r\rFurther, at no point in time has Congress given the Administration the authority to sanction Israel. In fact, Congress has continued to show its unwavering support for Israel and has recently taken steps to increase our economic and military cooperation. At a time when you have requested an additional seven months to negotiate with Iran over its nuclear weapons program, any attempts to undermine the U.S.'s support of Israel will only further diminish the Administration's ability to get Congressional support for any potential agreement with Iran.\r\rWhile it is our hope that these reports are untrue, the fact that your Administration has failed to denounce or clarify them is deeply troubling. The United States must stand firm in its commitments to Israel, or we risk fracturing our relationship with Israel and other key partners across the globe. We urge you to quickly and sharply address these concerns, as well as take the steps necessary to demonstrate America's unwavering support for Israel. \r\r \r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-votes-against-cuts-military-benefits", "JONES VOTES AGAINST CUTS IN MILITARY BENEFITS", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DC \u2013 Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2015, which cuts military benefits and provides billions of dollars in spending toward President Obama\u2019s unconstitutional expansion of military force in Iraq and Syria.\nThe NDAA for FY 2015 cuts military benefits by requiring a $3 increase in certain pharmacy co-pays and a 1 percent decrease in the housing allowance for uniformed service members.  \n\t\u00a0  \n\tIn addition to cuts in military benefits, the NDAA for FY 2015 also includes President Obama\u2019s $5 billion request to fund Operation Inherent Resolve in Iraq and Syria.\u00a0 Of that $5 billion, $3.4 billion will be used for airstrikes against ISIS and $1.6 billion will be used for training Sunni tribes and forces in Iraq.\u00a0 Overall, the NDAA for FY 2015 authorizes $63.7 billion for Overseas Contingency Operations (OCO) in Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, Pakistan and elsewhere.\u00a0\n\u201cI cannot vote for a bill that cuts military benefits while funding wars that Congress never declared,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 Congress repeatedly authorizes spending on undeclared wars that put our troops in danger and then has the audacity to cut the benefits of those they are unconstitutionally sending overseas to fight.\u00a0 It\u2019s just not right.\u201d\u00a0\nCongressman Jones also opposed a provision in the bill which directs the U.S. government to give away 2,300 acres in Arizona to a foreign-controlled corporation (Resolution Copper) without going through a competitive bidding process and without the approval of local native American Indian tribes who consider the land home.\nThe House of Representatives passed its version of the NDAA bill in the spring, and it has been in conference with the Senate until this month. The House-Senate conference version of the NDAA was filed in the House of Representatives late on Tuesday night, and was voted on today \u2013 less than 72 hours after it was filed. Once it passes the Senate, it will be sent to President Obama for him to sign into law.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-increase-funding-for-military-suicide-prevention", "Pittenger: Increase funding for military suicide prevention", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER VOTES TO INCREASE FUNDING FOR MILITARY SUICIDE PREVENTION PROGRAMSLegislation Also Enhances Prosecution of Military Sexual Assault \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 More active-duty soldiers have committed suicide since 2001 than have been killed fighting in Afghanistan.\u00a0 In response to this epidemic, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) today voted to approve more than $45 million in funding for military behavioral and psychological health programs. \u201cOur brave men and women in uniform volunteer to risk their lives in defense of our freedom and way of life,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cSadly, many return home with wounds we cannot see.\u00a0 In response to their sacrifice, we as a nation should be honored to provide them with adequate treatment for PTSD and other mental health challenges unique to the stresses of military life.\u201d\u00a0 The National Defense Authorization Act also continues efforts to combat the scourge of military sexual assault by eliminating the \u201cgood soldier defense\u201d and providing consultation for victims on options for prosecuting the attacker. The National Defense Authorization Act, which passed the House of Representatives today by a vote of 300-119, also:\n Rejects President Obama\u2019s proposal for several years of increases to pharmaceutical co-pays for military families and veterans, replacing it with a one-year, $3 increase for select medications.\n\tSignificantly reduces President Obama\u2019s proposed cuts to the Basic Housing Allowance.\n\tProvides continued funding for airstrikes against ISIS.\n\tSupports the inherent right of religious liberty in the Armed Forces.\n   \n\tCongressman Pittenger\u2019s office has helped thousands of veterans cut through bureaucratic red tape at the Veterans Administration and Department of Defense.\u00a0 If you or a veteran you know need assistance, please call Congressman Pittenger\u2019s Charlotte office at 704-362-1060.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-president-sets-dangerous-precedent", "Pittenger: President sets dangerous precedent", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 PRESIDENT OBAMA\u2019S IMMIGRATION ACTION SETS DANGEROUS PRECEDENTCo-Sponsors Legislation to Prevent Current and Future Acts of Executive Overreach \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives in support of H.R. 5759, the Preventing Executive Overreach on Immigration Act, which Congressman Pittenger co-sponsored. \u201cEvery American should be concerned by the President\u2019s unconstitutional grab of power.\u00a0 If the President can change this law, what prevents him from this abuse of power in other policies? \u201cThis is not the only action the House will take to restrict the overreach of the President, and I am committed to continuing our efforts in the coming weeks and into the next session of Congress.\u201d H.R. 5759 upholds Constitutional provisions stating that Congress establishes Naturalization laws while the President \u201cshall take Care that the Laws be faithfully executed.\u201d\u00a0 H.R. 5759 applies to both current and future Executive Actions, preventing future Presidents (Republican or Democrat) from bypassing the Constitution via executive action. H.R. 5759 passed the U.S. House of Representatives with a bipartisan majority of 219-197. Full video of Congressman Pittenger\u2019s speech in support of H.R. 5759 is available on Congressman Pittenger\u2019s YouTube page and website.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398495", "Foxx Supports Passage of National Defense Authorization Act", "2014-12-04", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today voted in favor of the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2015, which authorizes funding for America\u2019s military and defense initiatives. It passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 300 to 119.\n\n\u201cProviding for the common defense of the United States of America is the federal government\u2019s primary responsibility,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cThis bill maintains the nation\u2019s defense readiness and ensures the continued success of our military men and woman by providing them with the best equipment, skills development and compensation.\u201d\n\nCongress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act during each of the last 52 years. This year\u2019s bill authorizes $521.3 billion in discretionary spending for national defense, which includes funding for the pay and benefits of the nation\u2019s troops and their families. Additionally it authorizes $63.7 billion for overseas contingency operations.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398494", "Foxx Praises Passage of Legislation to Help Reduce Financial Strain Facing Disabled Americans", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today voted in favor of bipartisan legislation that would allow families of a severely disabled child to save for their child's long-term disability expenses in the same way that many families currently save for college through popular 529 investment plans.\n\nH.R. 647, also known as the Achieving a Better Life Experience Act or ABLE Act, overwhelmingly passed the House of Representatives by a vote of 404 to 17.\n\n\u201cIndividuals with disabilities often face enormous financial struggles. The ABLE Act will positively impact millions of American families with a severely disabled child and help provide those families with peace of mind about the future,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cBy allowing disabled individuals to save money without jeopardizing their benefits, the ABLE Act also encourages personal responsibility instead of increasing dependency on the government.\u201d\n\nABLE accounts would be a savings vehicle for disability-related expenses that would supplement, but not supplant, benefits provided through private insurances, the Medicaid program, the supplemental security income program, the beneficiary's employment and other sources.\n\n529A accounts would be administered by participating states in a manner similar to 529 college savings accounts. Families would have a choice of investment options, and the range of investment options available would be determined by each state. Accounts would be available only to individuals diagnosed with a disability before age 26, and qualified beneficiaries could have only one ABLE account.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:44:12Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=151", "ABLE Act Will Help Millions of People with Disabilities", "2014-12-03", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 3, 2014  \r\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\r\r  \r Earlier today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) took to the House floor to share the story of a constituent from Raleigh, Kenneth\u00a0Kelty, and to voice his support of the ABLE Act (H.R. 647), which later passed with broad bipartisan support. Video and full remarks are below:\r\r[[{\"fid\":\"299\",\"view_mode\":\"teaser\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"teaser\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":\"CLICK to watch!\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"attributes\":{\"title\":\"CLICK to watch!\",\"class\":\"media-element file-teaser\"}}]]\r\r\u201cMr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for the time. Earlier today I had the privilege of meeting with Kenneth Kelty and his mother, Jacqueline. They\u2019re from my district and this is a family who would benefit directly from the ABLE Act and who shared their support of this important bill with me, just this afternoon.\r\r\u201cKenneth recently graduated from the University Participant Program at Western Carolina University \u2013 a program that allows students with disabilities to study side by side with other students at the university. In Kenneth\u2019s words, it was a chance to do all the same things as everyone else with nothing holding us back. Kenneth joined a fraternity, had a good time, learned a lot, and was able to come back and have a job. \r\r\u201cMr. Chairman, just as the University Participant Program helps people with disabilities \u2013 like Kenneth \u2013 so will this bipartisan ABLE Act. This bill will allow tax-free savings accounts for expenses such as housing, education, and employment training. Similar to 529 college savings accounts, these accounts will help provide families some peace of mind when trying to save for their children\u2019s long-term expenses. \r\r\u201cSo Mr. Chairman, I encourage my colleagues to support the ABLE Act. And I thank you, and I yield back.\u201d  \r\t\u00a0\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittengers-online-banking-legislation-unanimously-approved", "Pittenger's online banking legislation unanimously approved", "2014-12-02", "2014", "2014-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES UNANIMOUSLY APPROVES\u00a0CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER\u2019S LEGISLATION TO\u00a0SIMPLIFY ONLINE BANKING \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, the U.S. House of Representatives unanimously approved Congressman Robert Pittenger\u2019s bipartisan legislation to study and update 1980s-era regulations rendered obsolete by modern banking technology. The Regulation D Study Act (H.R. 3240) targets rules which limit online transfers and automatic withdrawals involving savings accounts to only six transactions per month.\u00a0 Credit unions and banks report that many customers are hit with unnecessary overdraft fees when Regulation-D blocks automatic overdraft protection transactions. \u201cThe regulators who created this rule never envisioned online banking and modern banking technology,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).\u00a0 \u201cAs technology advances, we need to make sure federal regulations keep pace. We can continue to protect the financial system while allowing families more flexibility to use online banking tools.\u201d Continuing Congressman Pittenger\u2019s effort to find bipartisan solutions to America\u2019s problems, H.R. 3240 was introduced with the support of Congresswoman Carolyn Maloney, a senior Democrat from New York City. Click here for full video of Congressman Pittenger and Congresswoman Maloney urging their colleagues to support H.R. 3240\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397688", "McHenry Praises Selection of Rep. Tim Moore as Speaker of N.C. House & Rep. Mike Hager as Majority Leader", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry today praised the selection of State Representative Tim Moore of Cleveland County to be the next Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.\u00a0 Moore was chosen on the first ballot by the Republican Caucus and will succeed Speaker Thom Tillis who was elected to the U.S. Senate.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cTim Moore and I were both elected to the North Carolina House in 2002 and it was clear from the very start that Tim was a natural leader and would do great things for our state,\u201d said Congressman McHenry.\u00a0 \u201cI\u2019m thrilled not just to have a Speaker from the Tenth Congressional District, but especially one of Tim\u2019s caliber serving North Carolina.\u201d\n\u00a0\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \nAnother representative from the Tenth District also claimed the position of N.C. House Majority Leader.\u00a0 Representative Mike Hager of Rutherford County was elected to the top post in the GOP Caucus.\u00a0 \u201cMike has been a solid leader on the issues of energy and economic development and he has fought tirelessly for his constituents in Rutherford and Burke Counties.\u00a0 I know he will be a great Majority Leader.\u201d\u00a0 McHenry said.\u00a0 \u201cI would be remiss if I didn\u2019t also mention my State Representative, Jason Saine of Lincoln County, who ran a strong campaign for Majority Leader.\u00a0 Jason will continue to be an influential leader in the Legislature and I\u2019m proud to call him my Representative.\u201d\nThe North Carolina General Assembly will convene in January.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206005356/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=619", "Hudson Statement on Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks", "2014-11-25", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 25, 2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0   \u00a0  Hudson Statement on Extension of Iran Nuclear Talks  \u00a0  WASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement reacting to the extension of Iran nuclear talks:  \u00a0  \u201cI remain deeply concerned about extending negotiations with Iran without considering additional sanctions. It appears that President Obama is more concerned with reaching a deal -- any deal -- than he is with stopping Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapons capability. We need to continue to tighten sanctions unless and until Iran is ready to begin negotiating in good faith to indefinitely end its nuclear program.\u201d  \u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-changing-personnel-wont-fix-weak-foreign-policy", "Pittenger:  Changing personnel won't fix weak foreign policy", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER: CHANGING DEFENSE SECRETARIES WON\u2019T FIX FOREIGN POLICY MISTAKES \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, had this reaction to the resignation of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel: \u201cPresident Obama\u2019s foreign policy of appeasement and apology has created the vacuum in which ISIS exploded into a major national security threat, Russia forcefully annexed part of Ukraine, and the Syrian crisis spiraled out of control. \u201cShuffling personnel will do nothing to address the underlying problem, which is President Obama\u2019s lack of common sense when it comes to world affairs.\u00a0 America\u2019s withdraw from the world stage is seen as an opportunity by those bent on evil. \u201cAmerica and the world have known peace when America was strong.\u00a0 Currently, even our closest allies don\u2019t know if they can trust America, and we are all in danger. \u201cSecretary Hagel honorably served America as a decorated veteran of the Vietnam War, as a dedicated Senator, and as Secretary of Defense, where he worked hard to serve our brave men and women stationed around the world.\u00a0 We thank him for his service. \u201cHopefully, the next Secretary of Defense will be allowed a seat at President Obama\u2019s inner circle and breathe fresh air into a foreign policy that has been allowed to stagnate.\u201d As Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) earlier this year hosted a major gathering of 100 Members of Parliament, Ambassadors, and other officials from 28 European nations to discuss intelligence policy and to forge stronger relationships in the fight against ISIS. Congressman Pittenger has also met privately with several heads of state, including Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, to better understand how the world views America and President Obama\u2019s foreign policy.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=150", "Rep. Holding: 'Skeptical' About Iran Nuclear Negotiations Extension", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rep. Holding: 'Skeptical' About Iran Nuclear Negotiations Extension \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 24, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 2014\r\r  \r Today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) released the following statement after the announcement of an extension of negotiations surrounding Iran\u2019s nuclear program for an additional seven months:\r\r\u201cI remain skeptical about yet another extension of the Iran nuclear talks. We\u2019ve had almost a year of negotiations and Iran has shown little willingness to make real concessions.\r\r\u201cWe have to ask ourselves: Is another extension better than a bad deal or no deal at all?\r\r\u201cAn extension is only acceptable if it leads to a deal that completely shuts the door on Iran\u2019s path to a nuclear bomb. Otherwise, it simply allows Iran to buy more time and relief from sanctions.\r\r\u201cThe administration needs to stop giving in to the demands of Iran\u2019s radical leaders to keep tens of thousands of centrifuges spinning and the Arak reactor intact. We should not enter into any deal with Iran if they will not candidly acknowledge their past deceptions about their nuclear activities and dismantle their nuclear infrastructure.\u201d\u00a0\r\r###\u00a0\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206010519/http://holding.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-holding-skeptical-about-iran-nuclear-negotiations-extension", "Rep. Holding: 'Skeptical' About Iran Nuclear Negotiations Extension", "2014-11-24", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 24, 2014\n  WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) released the following statement after the announcement of an extension of negotiations surrounding Iran\u2019s nuclear program for an additional seven months:\n\u201cI remain skeptical about yet another extension of the Iran nuclear talks. We\u2019ve had almost a year of negotiations and Iran has shown little willingness to make real concessions.\n\u201cWe have to ask ourselves: Is another extension better than a bad deal or no deal at all?\n\u201cAn extension is only acceptable if it leads to a deal that completely shuts the door on Iran\u2019s path to a nuclear bomb. Otherwise, it simply allows Iran to buy more time and relief from sanctions.\n\u201cThe administration needs to stop giving in to the demands of Iran\u2019s radical leaders to keep tens of thousands of centrifuges spinning and the Arak reactor intact. We should not enter into any deal with Iran if they will not candidly acknowledge their past deceptions about their nuclear activities and dismantle their nuclear infrastructure.\u201d\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-presidents-actions-an-affront-to-every-american", "Pittenger:  President's actions an affront to every American", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 PRESIDENT OBAMA\u2019S ACTIONS AN AFFRONT TO THE AMERICAN PEOPLE \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) had this reaction after watching President Obama announce executive action on immigration: \u201cThe unilateral actions announced tonight by President Obama are an affront to the American people and an egregious violation of our Constitution. \u201cOur Founding Fathers devised a carefully divided system of government, with checks and balances and a purposeful separation of powers.\u00a0 According to the Constitution, legislative\u00a0 power is delegated to Congress, while the President\u2019s authority is to enforce the laws, not write the laws. \u201cPresident Obama has made 22 public declarations that he cannot, should not, and must not write his own immigration laws. He should be a man of his word.\u00a0 Instead, his actions have precipitated a Constitutional crisis.\u201d Congressman Pittenger understands that the first step to sustainable immigration reform is to secure the border, and was hopeful President Obama would work with Republicans in 2015 on border security legislation. Congressman Pittenger regularly participates in Naturalization Ceremonies at the Federal Courthouse in Uptown Charlotte, where he honors those who respect America\u2019s immigration laws and welcomes our new citizens.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398493", "Foxx Welcomes Ruling to Allow Prayer at Forsyth County Commission Meetings", "2014-11-21", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today issued the following statement regarding a decision by U.S. District Court Judge James A. Beaty Jr. to lift a 2010 injunction and allow the Forsyth County Board of Commissioners to return to their former policy of allowing sectarian prayer before meetings:\n\n\u201cOnce again local officials will be able to open their meetings with prayer as long as anyone may offer the prayer and no one is required to participate. It is wonderful to know that Forsyth County\u2019s commissioners can continue the tradition of seeking heavenly wisdom in the difficult decisions they face through an opening prayer.\u201d\n\nThe recent U.S. Supreme Court decision in the case of Town of Greece v. Galloway reaffirmed the practice of prayer in public life.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:56Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397683", "McHenry Statement on Obama's Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip\u00a0Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement on President Barack Obama's announcement of executive action on immigration: \r\n\u201cThis evening we have once again seen a President more focused on pursuing divisive political gimmicks as opposed to sound policy and the wishes of the American people.\u00a0 President Obama\u2019s unilateral action on immigration is not just illegal, as he himself has acknowledged on numerous occasions in the past, but more importantly, it does nothing to actually fix our nation\u2019s broken immigration system; in fact, it makes the situation worse.\r\n\u201cIf the President were actually committed to getting something done, he would work with Congress to find a bipartisan solution that secures our nation\u2019s borders and builds an immigration system that works for the countless law-abiding people who wish to realize the American Dream. Instead he has chosen an unconstitutional executive action opposed by the majority of Americans, an action which Congressional Republicans will use the powers we possess to block.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/congressman-pittenger-on-siriusxm-1", "Congressman Pittenger on SiriusXM", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pittenger\u2019s interview from today\u2019s \u201cThe Morning Briefing\u201d on SiriusXM\u2019s POTUS Channel discussing immigration, ISIS and the 2015 Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/congressman-pittenger-on-wsic-statesville", "Congressman Pittenger on WSIC Statesville", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pittenger\u2019s interview with WSIC Statesville on President Obama\u2019s immigration plans.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-remembers-sgt-jeff-greene", "Pittenger remembers Sgt. Jeff Greene", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER REMEMBERS\u00a0UNION COUNTY SHERIFF\u2019S DEPUTY SGT. JEFF GREENE \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) addressed the U.S. House of Representatives about Union County Sheriff\u2019s Deputy Sergeant Jeff Greene, who died Wednesday morning in a tragic motor vehicle collision in Monroe, NC. \u201cSergeant Greene was committed to serving his community, both as a law enforcement officer and as an active volunteer, and he will be greatly missed.\u00a0 \u201cMay we honor all like Sergeant Greene, and remember to pray daily for them, these brave men and women, who faithfully work to protect our communities.\u201d Sergeant Greene was a 10-year veteran of the Union County Sheriff\u2019s Office, a veteran of both the United States Air Force and United States Marines, and a committed family man.\u00a0 He leaves behind his wife, April, daughters Nicolle and Allison, and five precious grandchildren. Full video of Congressman Pittenger\u2019s speech in honor of Sgt. Jeff Greene is available on Congressman Pittenger\u2019s YouTube page and website.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398492", "Foxx Blasts Obama Executive Action on Immigration", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today issued the following statement following President Obama\u2019s announcement that he will take executive action to grant amnesty to millions of immigrants illegally in the United States:\n\n\u201cPresident Obama does not have the legal authority to legislate, and his unilateral actions on immigration are a blatant overreach of his Constitutionally-granted executive authority. The president claims to believe in the Constitution, but his actions tonight demonstrate otherwise.\n\n\u201cThe president himself has even acknowledged that this is not how our democracy functions. Just last year he told Univision that he believed \u2018it is very important for us to recognize that the way to solve this problem has to be legislative.\u2019\n\n\u201cAmerica\u2019s immigration system is broken. It\u2019s not working for families, employers or taxpayers. However, it is Congress\u2019 responsibility to pursue reforms and build consensus toward a strong immigration policy that begins with border security.\n\n\u201cImmigration reform must be approached carefully and with ample public input. There is too much at stake to do anything else.\u201d\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:56Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=149", "The President Struck a Blow to Our System of Checks and Balances", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The President Struck a Blow to Our System of Checks and Balances \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 20, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2014\r\r  \r \u00a0Congressman George Holding (NC-13) released the following statement in response to President Obama\u2019s executive actions on immigration:\u00a0\r\r\u201cThe issue, after the president\u2019s address tonight, is no longer whether Congress and the president can agree on an immigration policy. The question is: Does a president have the power to alter laws without passing new statutes?\r\r\u201cThroughout our history the answer has been no.\r\r\u201cThese are strong words but, tonight, in pursuit of a political agenda, President Obama struck a blow at the checks and balances system that has been at the heart of our government \u2013 and our Constitution \u2013 for over 200 years.\r\r\u201cWhether you are Democrat or Republican, whether you agree or disagree with the president\u2019s policy on immigration, you cannot agree with his actions \u2013 no man has the power to be both president and legislator.\u201d\r\r###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206005600/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=618", "Hudson Statement on President Obama's Executive Action to Grant Amnesty to Millions", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 20, 2014 \u00a0\u00a0  \u00a0  Hudson Statement on President Obama\u2019s Executive Action to Grant Amnesty to Millions  \u00a0  WASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement reacting to President Obama\u2019s proposal to take executive action to grant amnesty to millions of illegal immigrants:  \u00a0  \u201cI am outraged at the President\u2019s irresponsible \u2018my way or no way\u2019 approach to this important issue. By bypassing Congress, President Obama is disrespecting our constitution and ignoring the American people who demanded that leaders in Washington work together to solve the problems facing our nation.  \u00a0  \u201cGranting amnesty to those here illegally is an affront to American workers and the people who are trying to join our country legally. As I\u2019ve said before, I recognize our immigration system is broken and in need of reform, but I cannot and will not support any type of immigration reform until we secure the border first. We need to pass permanent, meaningful reforms that address the root of the problem to stop the influx of illegal immigration. I will do everything in my power to block the administration\u2019s illegal amnesty policies and remain committed to working with my colleagues to secure our borders and fix our broken immigration system.\u201d  \u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206005802/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=617", "Hudson Chosen to Serve on House Energy and Commerce Committee", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  November 20, 2014\u00a0\u00a0   \u00a0  Hudson Chosen to Serve on House Energy and Commerce Committee  \u00a0  WASHINGTON, DC\u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after being selected by his colleagues to serve on the U.S. House of Representatives Energy and Commerce Committee for the 114th Congress:  \u00a0  \"I'm excited to have the opportunity to serve on a committee that is so important to North Carolina and the Eighth District. Our state has the opportunity to unleash our own energy resources, grow our economy, and create good jobs. From my position on the Energy and Commerce Committee, I will work to cut federal spending, replace Obamacare with a healthcare system that puts patients first, and go after all sources of American energy in order to lower costs for everyone and put people back to work.\u201d  \u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206010555/http://holding.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/the-president-struck-a-blow-at-our-system-of-checks-and-balances", "The President Struck a Blow to Our System of Checks and Balances", "2014-11-20", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: November 20, 2014\n  WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Congressman George Holding (NC-13) released the following statement in response to President Obama\u2019s executive actions on immigration:\u00a0\n\u201cThe issue, after the president\u2019s address tonight, is no longer whether Congress and the president can agree on an immigration policy. The question is: Does a president have the power to alter laws without passing new statutes?\n\u201cThroughout our history the answer has been no.\n\u201cThese are strong words but, tonight, in pursuit of a political agenda, President Obama struck a blow at the checks and balances system that has been at the heart of our government \u2013 and our Constitution \u2013 for over 200 years.\n\u201cWhether you are Democrat or Republican, whether you agree or disagree with the president\u2019s policy on immigration, you cannot agree with his actions \u2013 no man has the power to be both president and legislator.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-president-says-no-to-working-together", "Pittenger:  President says 'no' to working together", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER:\u00a0 AMERICANS WANT BIPARTISANSHIP, PRESIDENT OBAMA SAYS \u2018NO\u2019 \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger called on President Obama to respect the rule of law and avoid setting a dangerous precedent. \u201cAmerica is a nation of laws, and we function best when those laws are applied fairly and equally,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).\u00a0 \u201cFor President Obama to claim that picking and choosing which laws to enforce is the best way to fix our broken immigration system is an egregious abuse of power and irresponsible. \u201cWe are committed to preserving the integrity of our Constitution.\u00a0 We will not allow President Obama to arbitrarily abuse the role and purpose of the Executive Branch.\u00a0 Our Founding Fathers wisely created a three-branch government, with a careful system of checks and balances, which President Obama is now attempting to bypass. \u201cFor that reason, we will use every prudent legislative means possible to limit the execution of President Obama\u2019s plan to selectively enforce immigration law, including responsible efforts to restrict funding, action on the appointment process, and through policy initiatives. \u201cWe just completed an election where the American people clearly expect us to work together.\u00a0 Republicans are listening, but President Obama is saying \u2018no\u2019 to the American people through his unilateral actions.\u201d Congressman Pittenger understands that the first step to sustainable immigration reform is to secure the border, and was hopeful President Obama would work with Republicans in 2015 on border security legislation. Congressman Pittenger remains the only United States Congressman to regularly participate in Naturalization Ceremonies at the Federal Courthouse in Uptown Charlotte, where he honors those who respect America\u2019s immigration laws.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=361", "Meadows Calls on Abbas to Take Action in Response to Recent Attacks", "2014-11-19", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Meadows Calls on Abbas to Take Action in Response to Recent Attacks \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        November 19, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n       Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) released the following statement in response to Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas' remarks on the Israeli synagogue attack that occurred on Tuesday:\r\rOn Tuesday we saw the face of pure evil when two Palestinian men attacked and killed five Israeli men, three of whom were dual US-Israeli citizens. There are no words strong enough to condemn the barbaric, horrific attacks that took place in West Jerusalem. My thoughts and prayers are with the families of those lost.\r\rWhile many have applauded Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' condemnation of these attacks, it must be pointed out that Hamaswhich is part of the Palestinian Unity Governmentpraised this attack. As long as the Palestinian government embraces Hamas, statements condemning its terrorist acts are simply empty words. I call on President Abbas to denounce the brutal Hamas terrorists and remove them from the Palestinian government.\r\rCongressman Mark Meadows serves on the House Foreign Affairs Committee.\r\r###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/obamacare-14-cuts-for-local-seniors", "Obamacare = 14% cuts for local seniors", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n OBAMACARE HURTS SENIORSMedicare Advantage Payments Cut by 14% for Local Residents \n  WASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger today called on President Obama to work with Republicans in repealing the most damaging parts of Obamacare, including his plan to cut $156 billion from the popular Medicare Advantage program. \u201cThanks to Obamacare, Medicare Advantage payments in Mecklenburg, Iredell, and Union are being cut by almost 14 percent, or more than $1400 per senior,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cNearly 60,000 North Carolina seniors are being told their Medicare Advantage plans won\u2019t be renewed, and many more are facing substantial cost increases. \u201cHow does President Obama sleep at night, knowing his signature domestic policy achievement is causing so much pain for so many American families?\u201d According to the Charlotte Observer, \u201cNorth Carolina seniors who choose private Medicare policies are seeing an unusual level of turmoil this year, with more than 57,000 notified their plans won\u2019t be offered in 2015 and others seeing rates more than triple.\u201d Congressman Pittenger was the first Member of Congress from North Carolina to co-sponsor comprehensive legislation to replace Obamacare with a common-sense plan focused on tax incentives to make it more affordable for families to purchase the health care of their choice, instead of penalties for not purchasing President Obama\u2019s choice for their health insurance. \u201cObamacare was built on efforts to mislead the American people and bypass Congressional safeguards,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).\u00a0 \u201cNow is the time for President Obama to admit his mistake and work with Congress on honest solutions for hardworking American families.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206015055/http://www.burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.Blogs&Type=Blog&ContentRecord_id=b6982051-a190-add9-cbc7-841059f6e873", "Keystone XL Pipeline", "2014-11-18", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "November 18, 2014 - 7:27 PM \n Keystone XL Pipeline  \n   \n[Share This]\nThis evening the Senate finally took a vote to approve the Keystone Pipeline.  As an original cosponsor of the bill and supporter of its authorization, it's inexplicable that Senate Democrats and the President continue to block legislation supported by this Administration's own State Department and a strong majority of Americans.Americans want real leadership and a genuine opportunity to build a healthy economy again.  The Keystone Pipeline -- beyond creating thousands of shovel-ready jobs - would invest billions of dollars into our economy and would also improve our energy security at a time of unrest abroad.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206010004/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=616", "Hudson Honored to Help Reunite Soldier and War Dog", "2014-11-16", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\tNovember 16, 2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\n\tHudson Honored to Help Reunite Soldier and War Dog\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC \u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after helping reunite Spc. Brent Grommet and his retired military dog, Matty.\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cWhen I first learned of this situation, I was heartbroken and determined to do all that I could to get Matty back to Spc. Grommet. I am truly honored to have played a small role to help reunite these two heroes. Moreover, I am deeply humbled and grateful for the family that cared for Matty and selflessly returned him to our soldier. I spoke with Brent this morning and was thrilled to hear the details of their emotional reunion and how excited Matty was to see him. I also look forward to working with my colleagues on legislation to amend Robby's Law to ensure mishaps like this don't happen again in the future.\u201d\n\n\tBackground\n\n\tAs first reported by the New York Post, Spc. Brent Grommet and his military dog, Matty, returned from Afghanistan in July 2013 after both sustained injuries in the line of duty. Instead of allowing Spc. Grommet to adopt Matty as allowed under Robby\u2019s Law, the two were inexplicably separated.\n\n\tUpon hearing of this story, Rep. Hudson utilized his relationships with various stakeholders and was able to track down Matty\u2019s whereabouts. The family who had adopted Matty in good faith and had cared for him for almost a year graciously offered to return the dog to its rightful owner and Matty and Spc. Grommet were reunited over the weekend.\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-demands-answers-obama%E2%80%99s-strategy-against-isil", "JONES DEMANDS ANSWERS ON OBAMAS STRATEGY AGAINST ISIL", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) spoke at the House Armed Services Committee hearing with Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel on the Obama Administration\u2019s strategy for combating ISIL.\u00a0 The Obama Administration is asking Congress to authorize $5.6 billion to expand the U.S. military presence in Iraq and Syria, including $1.6 billion to train Iraqi military personnel. Last week it was announced that the Obama Administration plans to send 1,500 more U.S. military personnel to Iraq. In September, Congressman Jones voted against authorizing President Barack Obama to use U.S. tax payer dollars to arm and train so-called \u201cmoderate\u201d Muslim rebels in Syria. Congress passed the authorization which expires next month.\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cIt is the moral and constitutional duty of Congress to determine when there is a cause for war and to declare war,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cIt is not the duty of the executive branch to declare war and put our troops in mortal danger. Every true strategy has an end point, and so far no one in the Obama Administration has been able to describe an end point in the strategy fighting ISIL. I asked Secretary of Defense Hagel to submit his opinions for the record on how this new war will end. He admitted in September that our military presence in Iraq and Syria will not be brief, and I continue to believe that this endeavor will be a total failure.\u201d See the video by clicking here. See the transcript below:\u00a0\nCongressman Jones: Thank you, Mr. Secretary. It\u2019s kind of ironic; the last time that I heard before today a secretary of defense talk about military involvement in Iraq was Secretary Donald Rumsfeld. That got us into a war that was unnecessary. I know ISIL is evil. There\u2019s no question about it. They need to be taken out. But I look to some of your statements from 2002 when you were a senator and how you felt about the obligation of a member of Congress to make a decision to send a young man or woman to die.\nI also looked at your statements in 2007 when, like myself, you came out against the surge in Iraq. Now we are possibly going to be asked by the president of the United States, like we were by George Bush, to authorize an AUMF. This is nothing but an abdication of our constitutional responsibility to give any president an AUMF. We tried this past year in June when we had the NDAA bill\u2014Adam Schiff tried to sunset out the AUMF that we gave to President Bush, which has been used by President Obama. And I do not understand how we in Congress can continue to abdicate what the constitution says is our responsibility.\nBefore I get to a brief question, James Madison once said: \u201cThe power to declare war, including the power of judging the causes of war, is fully and exclusively vested in the legislature.\u201d\u00a0 And I do not believe sincerely, because when\u2014this happens to be President Obama\u2014he wants to have another AUMF, an extension of what we have. I hope that the Congress, both parties, will look seriously at what is our responsibility, because it\u2019s not going to be but so long you have sent more and more troops to Iraq to train, many of these former Saddam Hussein loyalists, and now they\u2019re fighting with ISIL and then some are still now fighting with the other side. It\u2019s very complex. I understand that. And I agree with that. But for goodness\u2019 sake, why in the world should we make such a commitment? And we don\u2019t even have an end point to it.\nI would like for you or General Dempsey\u2014I have great respect for both of you\u2014to submit for the record two things very quickly: How does this new war end in your opinion? And I realize it\u2019s just your opinion, but it\u2019s very important because of who you are. What is the end state of what we\u2019re trying to accomplish? The American people\u2014over 50% of the American people do not want our personnel in Syria or in Iraq.\nAnd I will be honest with you: I don\u2019t know how we can convince the American people that a nation that\u2019s financially broke\u2014you sat right here, General Dempsey, and you\u2019re exactly right\u2014sequestration coming your way and yet you\u2019re asking for $5 billion or $6 billion more to drop more armaments in Iraq and Syria? Where is it coming from? Please explain to the American people and to this Congress how this war is going to end someday, whether we are advisors or we\u2019re fighting.\u00a0 I hope to God we are not fighting and I hope we do not give the president a new AUMF. So if you get those into the committee for written form, then you won\u2019t have to answer the questions. But this, again, it looks like we\u2019re going down the same road that Secretary Donald Rumsfeld told us we had to do\u2014we had to do\u2014and yet we had no end point to that as well. So, thank you very much.\nSecretary Hagel: Congressman Jones, if I might respond very briefly. You very accurately described my position when I was in the United States Senate. But it\u2019s basic, as you have noted, to the responsibilities of Congress. And an AUMF comes out of Congress. The authority of the military force for a president\u2014that authority comes from the Congress of the United States. And I, too, hope that Congress will engage in this. And I have great confidence that Congress will. They need to. They must. It is a responsibility of the Congress. So I\u2019m right with you on that point, and I\u2019ll give you my best thoughts on your other question as well. Thank you.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-keystone-will-help-middle-class-families", "Pittenger:  Keystone will help middle class families", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER VOTES TO APPROVE\u00a0KEYSTONE XL PIPELINEFocused on Efforts to Ease the Squeeze on the Middle Class \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Focusing on efforts to ease the squeeze on middle class families, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) today joined a bipartisan majority to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline, despite previous efforts by President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid to derail the project.\u00a0 \u201cFor too long, hardworking American families have been at the mercy of natural disasters, conflicts in countries halfway around the globe, and even the whims of oil sheiks,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger. \u00a0\u201cWhy should your family budget be wrecked by a spike in foreign oil prices when North America has abundant and untapped energy resources? \u201cThis summer, when gas prices in Charlotte hovered above $3.50 per gallon, Senator Reid refused to take action on Keystone legislation.\u00a0 Now that a Democrat Senator from a state that would benefit from Keystone faces a tough runoff election, Senator Reid is suddenly very anxious to approve this legislation. \u201cOur focus should be on easing the squeeze on hardworking American families by promoting good policy that leads to economic growth and good paying jobs, not on playing silly Washington political games. \u201cLet\u2019s hope President Obama has the good judgment not to thwart the will of the people and derail this common sense legislation through a presidential veto.\u201d H.R. 5682 authorizes the construction, connection, operation, and maintenance of the Keystone XL pipeline, which would transport oil from Canadian oil fields to American refineries.\u00a0 H.R. 5682 was approved by a bipartisan vote of 252-161. The Keystone XL pipeline is expected to create 40,000 good paying jobs and lower energy costs for hardworking American families.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398485", "Foxx Praises Passage of Legislation to Approve Keystone XL Pipeline", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today praised passage of legislation to approve the Keystone XL pipeline. H.R. 5682 passed the House by a bipartisan vote of 252 to 161.\n\n\u201cFor more than six years, supporters of the Keystone XL pipeline have been fighting to secure the necessary approval that would allow the U.S. to take advantage of vital oil production in Canada and the northern United States,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cRepublicans and Democrats have coalesced in support of the pipeline, recognizing it will spur job creation, help us on our way to energy independence and increase access to affordable North American oil.\u201d\n\nThis is the ninth time that the House has passed legislation to authorize building the pipeline. The Senate is scheduled to consider legislation to approve the pipeline on the Senate floor next week for the first time.\n\n\u201cKeystone XL is the most studied pipeline in our nation\u2019s history. Thousands of pages prove its worth to our economy and national interest and further document its safety. There is no good reason to continue this delay,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cIt is my hope that the strong bipartisan support for the project will encourage President Obama to finally act in America\u2019s energy interests.\u201d\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:56Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141206010206/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=615", "Hudson Votes for Jobs, Energy Independence", "2014-11-14", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n\tNovember 14, 2014 \u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tHudson Votes for Jobs, Energy Independence\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\tWASHINGTON, DC- Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after voting to approve construction of the Keystone XL pipeline:\u00a0\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t\u201cToday\u2019s vote to advance construction of the Keystone XL pipeline is part of my commitment to advance solutions that grow our economy, spur job-creation and foster energy security. I will continue to focus on an all of the above energy strategy that enables us to take advantage of our resources in a responsible way, reduces our dependence on foreign energy, and lowers costs for everyone. I hope the President will end his war on affordable energy and join us in our efforts.\u201d\n\n\t\u00a0\n\n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/congressman-pittenger-on-wbt", "Congressman Pittenger on WBT", "2014-11-13", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pittenger was live at 7:05 a.m. this morning on WBT\u2019s Charlotte\u2019s Morning News:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-bomb-isis-oil-convoys", "Pittenger:  Bomb ISIS oil convoys", "2014-11-13", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n TERROR TASK FORCE CHAIRMAN:\u00a0WHY AREN\u2019T WE TARGETING ISIS OIL SHIPMENTS? \n\u00a0\nWASHINGTON \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism, says one of America\u2019s best opportunities to cripple ISIS is to actively target their funding. Speaking at a House Financial Services Committee hearing on \u201cTerrorist Financing and the Islamic State,\u201d Congressman Pittenger questioned why the United States and our allies aren\u2019t actively targeting ISIS shipments of stolen oil, which is then sold illegally to fund ISIS operations. \u201cISIS receives over $1 million each day from the illegal sale of stolen oil,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cThis oil must be shipped out in trucks.\u00a0 Why aren\u2019t we bombing these convoys? \u201cThe threat from ISIS seems to be growing exponentially.\u00a0 This summer we were told there were about 15,000 ISIS soldiers.\u00a0 Now we\u2019re told there are between 40,000 and 80,000 ISIS soldiers.\u00a0 Our best opportunity is to intercept this transport of funds coming from the sale of oil. \u201cAnother area of real opportunity is with data mining software that\u2019s available.\u00a0 With the very sophisticated software available, I hope the (Treasury) Department is making every effort to utilize this software to engage these funds as they get into the international financial system.\u201d Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and is a Member of the House Committee on Financial Services. Video highlights of today\u2019s hearing are available here.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398484", "Foxx Reelected GOP Conference Secretary for 114th Congress", "2014-11-13", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today issued the following statement following her reelection as Secretary of the House Republican Conference for the 114th Congress:\n\n\u201cI am grateful for the support of my colleagues and look forward to continuing to work with them as Conference Secretary so we may advance our shared vision of an America with expanded opportunity, protected freedoms and efficient governance.\n\n\u201cThis Conference is well-prepared to solve our nation\u2019s most pressing issues by generating and galvanizing support behind worthy policy ideas. While we may occasionally hold diverse positions on the issues, our Conference is united in its principles of hard work, honesty and virtue.\n\n\u201cIt is an honor to continue serving in the role of Secretary as our Conference works to build a better future for hardworking Americans.\u201d\n\nSecretary is one of eight elected leadership positions within the GOP Conference. During her first term as Secretary, Foxx grew participation in the daily floor debate as well as expanded the reach and activity of the GOP Job Bank.\n\nRep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., nominated Foxx for Conference Secretary. Foxx\u2019s term will last for the duration of the 114th Congress.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:56Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-welcomes-adams-to-congress", "Pittenger welcomes Adams to Congress", "2014-11-12", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER CONGRATULATES CONGRESSWOMAN ALMA ADAMS ON SWEARING IN, WELCOMES HER TO CAPITOL HILL \n  WASHINGTON \u2013 Tonight, Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) will be sworn-in to fill the remaining term of former Congressman Mel Watt, who resigned to lead the Federal Housing Finance Agency. This afternoon, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) visited Congresswoman Adams\u2019 office to congratulate her and welcome her to Capitol Hill. \u201cServing as a Member of Congress is a tremendous honor and responsibility,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cWhile we may be on different sides of the aisle, I wanted to personally welcome Congresswoman Adams and offer my assistance as she settles in. \u201cAs the newest Member of the Charlotte-area Congressional delegation, I plan to ask Congresswoman Adams to support efforts to seek an FAA decision on management of Charlotte-Douglas International Airport and invite her to join United Solutions, the bipartisan freshman caucus I co-founded and co-chair.\u201d The United Solutions caucus is focused on bipartisan efforts to restore fiscal discipline to Washington, pushing leadership to tackle tough issues including tax reform, Social Security and Medicare reform, and streamlining government.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398483", "Congressional Reps. weigh in on lame-duck session, 2015", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rowan County\u2019s \u00a0two Republican U.S. representatives say next year\u2019s majority in both the U.S. House and Senate could be a positive indicator of coming productivity, but say that the coming lame duck session could be exactly what its name implies \u2014 uneventful.Congress returns to Capital Hill this week for the first time since the midterm elections, which saw a number of Democrats across the country defeated and Republicans take a majority in the Senate. North Carolina\u2019s U.S. Senate race was perhaps the most prominent, but certainly the most expensive, with more than $100 million spent. In the race, North Carolina House Speaker Thom Tillis upset incumbent Kay Hagan by 1.64 percentage points statewide and a much larger margin in Rowan County. Both Rep. Virginia Foxx, who represents the 5th District, and Rep. Richard Hudson, who represents the 8th District, said the Republican wins across the U.S. are positive for productivity in 2015, but added that no significant bills are likely to pass in the remaining weeks of 2014. \u201cI was encouraged by the results election night because I felt like the voters rewarded house Republicans for actually doing work and voters showed their displeasure with senate members who weren\u2019t doing their work,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cWe have 380 to 390 bills sitting on (Senate Majority Leader) Harry Reid\u2019s desk and we can\u2019t even get a hearing when there\u2019s a lot of big issues the American people expect us to be addressing. I saw it as a sign that we need to get things done, solve problems, but we also need to change direction.\u201d Foxx said the House of Representatives has been extremely productive, despite frequent talk of gridlock in Washington. She added that the only work she expects to be accomplished are routine matters and non-controversial bills. \u201cIt hasn\u2019t been that they just didn\u2019t want to take tough votes, but no votes at all,\u201d Foxx said about previous productivity in the U.S. Senate. \u201cHunkering down is a bad strategy. In the House, we are going to continue to do the things we believe the American people have elected us to do. We will continue to pass bills in the House as we have for the last four years.\u201d A specific example of a bill that passed is the Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2014, which was created in response to a 2013 shooting at the Los Angeles International Airport. The bill addressed preparedness for security incidents and terrorist attacks. \u201cWe saw when that shooting happened that there were a lot of breakdowns in communication,\u201d Hudson said. \u201cWhile the men and women who responded were heroic, there were some issues. A lot of these issues we discovered and uncovered and wrote a bipartisan piece of legislation that sailed through the House unanimously and yet the Senate hasn\u2019t had a hearing yet.\u201d Hudson said he\u2019s hopeful about potential productivity in 2014, specifically saying a spending bill should be passed. For years, Congress has passed a continuing resolution instead of a new spending bill, Hudson said. A continuing resolution keeps spending levels identical from year to year. \u201cAre the senate Democrats, who didn\u2019t win re-election, willing to work with us to get a spending bill done?\u201d Hudson asked. \u201cI hope so.\u201d Foxx said Congress could quickly start passing bills when newly elected Republicans start their terms in 2015. Though not a Republican, Alma Adams, a Democrat who will represent North Carolina\u2019s 12th District, will also start a new term in January 2015. Adams, who will represent a stretch of Rowan County, will serve out the remainder of former Rep. Mel Watt\u2019s term. Adams will be sworn in Wednesday before starting her two-year term in 2015. An example of a major issue that could come up quickly in the next congressional term, according to Foxx, is the Keystone XL Pipeline. If approved, the pipeline would carry oil from the Canadian Province of Alberta through the Great Plains region and down to Port Arthur, Texas. \u201cThings will move very quickly,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cWe\u2019ve worked very closely with the Republicans in the Senate. I know that we are going to be prepared when the session opens to move bills in both houses.\u201d http://www.salisburypost.com/2014/11/11/congressional-reps-weigh-in-on-lame-duck-session-2015/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398490", "Group urges lawmakers to hire more veterans", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A group representing congressional staffers who served in the military is urging lawmakers to hire more veterans.According to nonpartisan HillVets, fewer than 3 percent of staffers in Capitol Hill offices are military veterans \u2014 a number below nearly every federal agency.  \r\n\"We have a number of veterans who are consistently looking for positions, who are very well-qualified, but, for whatever reason, they're just not getting positions,\" HillVets co-founder Justin Brown said in an interview Tuesday. Brown, a Navy veteran and Capitol Hill staffer, said veterans bring valuable insight, especially as Congress reforms the Department of Veterans Affairs and with more troops deploying to Iraq. \"They bring a broad worldview. They have a solid understanding of conflict and foreign affairs, and the interchange between diplomacy and the armed services,\" he said. \"They know when not to utilize our military.\" The group has been keeping track of offices hiring veterans. Brown said lawmakers who are veterans themselves tend to hire other former service members, but he noted that Rep. Virginia Foxx\u2019s (R-N.C.) office has more veterans than any other lawmaker. Brown said there are current opportunities for hiring veterans on the Hill, especially with a new class of Republican lawmakers coming in. The group's members have made it their goal to double the number of veterans working as congressional staffers by the end of next year. HillVets, founded in 2012, recently conducted a \"Coat Crawl,\" where it collected about 250 winter coats for distribution to the D.C. General homeless shelter. \"We were looking for a way to utilize Veterans Day as way for veterans to give back to their community,\" Brown said. \"So far, it's been hugely focused on our needs \u2014 we wanted to focus that back on the community.\" http://thehill.com/policy/defense/223702-group-urges-lawmakers-to-hire-more-veterans", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141111185236/http://www.burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.Blogs&Type=Blog&ContentRecord_id=3b65be4c-b307-ae93-979e-03768e74f8a1", "Veterans Day", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Today, across the nation, small towns and cities alike will host parades, concerts, or quiet ceremonies to commemorate Veterans Day. November 11th is set aside as a day of reflection and an opportunity to honor all those who have served -- those who served in wars past, those who are serving in combat today, and those who made the ultimate sacrifice on battlefields far from home.Every North Carolinian owes a debt of gratitude to our nation's veterans.  Every freedom we enjoy has been defended and upheld by those who have taken up arms and worn the uniform of our great nation. As we commemorate these brave men and women on this national holiday, we must remember that our thanks for their sacrifices and commitment to our nation should not be limited to a single day. Our veterans have endured the pain of being separated from their families and loved ones, the trials of repeated deployments, and the harsh realities of combat. They have done so quietly and professionally for generation after generation. Veterans Day is more than a day to commemorate the service of America's defenders; it also serves as a reminder of all that we owe them as a nation. I encourage every North Carolinian to take time to thank someone who served on this Veterans Day. May God bless our veterans and their families and may God bless the United States of America.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141113205851/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=614", "Hudson Pays Tribute to Veterans", "2014-11-11", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 11, 2014\u00a0\u00a0   Hudson Pays Tribute to Veterans  CONCORD, NC- Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement in recognition of Veterans Day: \u00a0  \u201cOur state is fortunate to be home to more than 700,000 veterans, and taking care of these retired service members and their families is one of my most sacred responsibilities. As we pay tribute to and honor these heroes for their valiant service to protect our country and make the world a safer place, we recommit ourselves to upholding the promises we made to them. I will continue working tirelessly to ensure that our active duty troops, our veterans and our military families receive the care and respect they deserve.\u201d\u00a0\u00a0  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398482", "Foxx blasts Senate, talks accomplishments", "2014-11-01", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Five-term U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx understands people have a negative view of Congress. But she thinks part of the problem is that very word: Congress.\u201cCongress is short-hand,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cCongress is both the House (of Representatives) and the Senate. They really need to segment them. The Senate is totally dysfunctional. The House is not.\u201d Foxx said the House \u2013 where she has represented North Carolina\u2019s 5th District for 10 years \u2013 has been enormously productive. \u201cWe\u2019ve passed over 400 bills to the Senate. Almost all of them pass with bipartisan support. Senate has refused to take them up,\u201d Foxx said. Foxx has policy goals that might make Democrats fume. Allowing private medical accounts in lieu of Medicare, repealing the Affordable Care Act and removing government funding from education are just some of the positions she espouses. But she was quick to point to bipartisan successes she\u2019s had in the House to contradict the narrative of her as a hyper-partisan Republican. \u201cI was the first member of my class to get a substantive bill passed,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cThe HERO act, it had broad bipartisan support.\u201d The act, Foxx said, allows servicemen and women to allocate their combat pay \u2013 which is tax-free \u2013 into individual retirement accounts (IRA) without penalties. \u201cThat came from a constituent,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cHis son was overseas and eleven-twelfths of his income was combat pay. And he, thinking of his future which was very smart, tried to set up an IRA. And the IRS came back and sent him a penalty because that income was tax-free.\u201d Foxx said her priority, if she captures a sixth term in Congress, is to help create private sector jobs while increasing the abilities of community colleges and other educational groups. \u201cThere are 4.7 million jobs vacant in this country,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cSo many people don\u2019t have the skills to do them.\u201d Foxx said a bill she introduced, originally called the SKILLS Act, would help consolidate and remove duplicative workforce training programs. \u201cThe (Government Accountability Office) did a major study on these programs that said they we need to consolidate these some of these programs,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cIn President Obama\u2019s 2012 State of the Union, he said we needed to consolidate all these programs into one.\u201d Foxx said her bill did just that and eventually received bipartisan support. \u201cKept reminding the president and the Democrats, that this was something the president himself advocated doing,\u201d Foxx said. \u201cEventually it went to the Senate where it passed with only three dissenting votes. And passed the House with only six dissenting votes, all Republicans. So it had broad support.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141102201049/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=613", "Transportation Security Chairman Hudson Statement on Anniversary of LAX Shooting", "2014-11-01", "2014", "2014-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR\u00a0IMMEDIATE\u00a0RELEASE  November 1, 2014  Transportation Security Chairman Hudson Statement on Anniversary of LAX Shooting  WASHINGTON, DC-\u00a0U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, released the following statement in remembrance of last year's shooting at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) that tragically took the life of Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Officer Gerardo Hernandez:\u00a0  \u201cLast year's attack at LAX was a tragic reminder of the perils our transportation security and law enforcement officers face every day. I commend the bravery of the officers and first responders that saved many lives that day - especially the sacrifice of Officer Gerardo Hernandez.  \u201cWhile TSA has taken positive steps to update emergency response protocols, my bill would help to solidify these changes and ensure we are fully prepared to respond to similar security threats and acts of terrorism. I'm proud that the House passed this bill and hope that our colleagues in the Senate will put this important legislation on the President's desk.\u201d  The Gerardo Hernandez Airport Security Act of 2014 (H.R. 4802) passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 22, 2014. This legislation addresses the lessons learned from last year\u2019s shooting at LAX that tragically claimed the life of TSA Officer Gerardo Hernandez. H.R. 4802 aims to ensure that domestic airports are properly prepared and equipped to respond to security incidents and terrorist attacks. In addition, the bill would require TSA to report to Congress on the overall level of preparedness at airports nationwide, identify best practices that exist across airports and share them with other airport operators.\u00a0 Finally, the bill would require TSA report to Congress on the status of (1) active-shooter training for screening personnel, and (2) law enforcement reimbursable agreements that are used to offset the costs of security at the screening checkpoints.\u00a0  In March, Chairman Hudson and Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul (TX-10) held a field hearing at LAX to review the findings of various assessments of the tragedy with TSA Administrator Pistole and local law enforcement and discuss potential changes to emergency response protocols at airports nationwide. In May, the Subcommittee on Transportation Security held a follow-up hearing on Capitol Hill to determine what lessons can be applied to better protect airports from active shooters.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-calls-administration-fight-bluefin-tuna-quota-increase", "JONES CALLS ON ADMINISTRATION TO FIGHT FOR BLUEFIN TUNA QUOTA INCREASE", "2014-10-31", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greenville, NC \u2013 Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) called on the Obama administration to stand up for U.S. fishermen and fight for an increase in quota for western Atlantic bluefin tuna.\u00a0 The issue will be decided at the upcoming meeting of the International Commission for the Conservation of Atlantic Tunas (ICCAT) \u2013 the international body which manages Atlantic bluefin tuna stocks.\u00a0 The meeting will take place November 10 - 17 in Genoa, Italy.\u00a0\nFor decades U.S. fishermen have been living under depressed quota levels in order to help rebuild the stock.\u00a0 However, last month ICCAT scientists released new data showing that western bluefin stocks are more than twice the size suggested in previous assessments and are now more than rebuilt.\u00a0\u00a0 They also concluded that the western Atlantic quota could be increased from the existing 1,750 metric tons to up to 2,250 metric tons without hurting the stock.\u00a0 In a letter sent today, Jones urged U.S. fisheries administrators to \u201cfollow the science and do all you can at the November ICCAT meeting to secure an increase in the western bluefin quota to 2,200 metric tons.\u201d\n\u201cAfter years of steep quota reductions, U.S. bluefin tuna fishermen have more than done their part,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cThe economic costs to them, their families, and the communities they support have been severe.\u00a0 Now that science shows the stock is fully rebuilt, that sacrifice should not go unrewarded.\u201d\nRead Congressman Jones' letter below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=148", "Apology Is Needed", "2014-10-31", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Apology Is Needed \r\n   \r\n    \r\n       \r\n      \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e\r\n      \r\n      \r\n    \r\n    \r\n      \r\n        Washington, DC,\r\n        October 31, 2014\r\n      \r\n       \r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      \r\n      \r\n      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2014\r\r  \r Congressman George Holding (NC-13) issued the following statement calling on President Obama and the administration official to issue an apology after disparaging comments were made about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:\r\r\u201cEarlier this week, an administration official criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using profane language.\u00a0 This is not how American officials should behave, especially to our ally, Israel.\u00a0\r\r\u201cIsrael has stood by us.\u00a0 Israel is our friend, and this is not how you treat friends.\u00a0 The president and the official should issue an apology, and clear the air.\u201d\r\r###\r\r\n    \r\n  \r\n  \r\n  \r\n    \r\n      f \r\n      t \r\n      #\r\n      e", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141031210233/http://holding.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/apology-is-needed", "Apology Is Needed", "2014-10-31", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: October 31, 2014  \n\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\n  WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman George Holding (NC-13) issued the following statement calling on President Obama and the administration official to issue an apology after disparaging comments were made about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu:\n\u201cEarlier this week, an administration official criticized Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu using profane language.\u00a0 This is not how American officials should behave, especially to our ally, Israel.\u00a0\n\u201cIsrael has stood by us.\u00a0 Israel is our friend, and this is not how you treat friends.\u00a0 The president and the official should issue an apology, and clear the air.\u201d\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397663", "McHenry Announces Opening of New Social Security Office in Hickory", "2014-10-29", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Patrick McHenry announced the reopening of the Social Security Administration's Hickory office.\u00a0 The new office will be located at 1050 U.S. Highway 321 NW, Hickory, NC 28601.\u00a0 The office will reopen on Thursday, October 30th at 9 AM.\u00a0 \r\nThe relocated office will be open Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Fridays from 9 AM to 3 PM and 9 AM to Noon on Wednesdays.\u00a0 Tenth District residents with questions about Social Security can visit the Hickory office at those times or call 1-800-772-1213 for assistance.\u00a0 Constituents can also visit the Social Security Administration's website, www.socialsecurity.gov, for additional information.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141030204537/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=612", "Rep. Hudson Welcomes Alevo to Concord", "2014-10-28", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 28, 2014\u00a0\u00a0 Contact: Rob Reid (202) 225-3715  Rep. Hudson Welcomes Alevo to Concord  CONCORD, NC \u2013 Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) issued the following statement after attending the opening of Alevo Energy at Victory Industrial Park in Concord.  \u201cToday's announcement that Alevo is bringing 2,500 high-skilled, good-paying jobs to Cabarrus County is outstanding news for all of us. We've been hit hard by manufacturing and textile job losses over the past twenty years, and we all remember the heartbreak we felt when Phillip Morris closed its doors.  \u201cTo have a rebirth of advanced manufacturing on such a large scale in Concord shows that we can once again be a leader in manufacturing for the entire state. Alevo's announcement is a great step in that direction.\u201d  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=163", "ICYMI: Congressman Meadows Hosts Veterans Solutions Seminars", "2014-10-27", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Hendersonville, NC Last week, Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC) hosted three Veteran's Solutions Seminars across the 11th District to provide practical assistance to veterans on issues ranging from driver's license renewal to assistance with Veterans Affairs (VA) claims.\r\r \r\rIn partnership with the North Carolina Department of Veteran Affairs (NCVA), the Winston-Salem Regional Benefit Office, the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), Charles George VA Hospital, and the NC Highway Patrol, Congressman Meadows and staff were able to assist more than a hundred Western North Carolina veterans over the course of two days.\r\r \r\rOne homeless veteran whose claims had been repeatedly denied because of his lack of a physical address was awarded retroactive disability on the spot. The amount he will receive will be sufficient to help him get off the streets and find a home.\r\r \r\rAnother veteran who had spent five years fighting for an increase in disability payment was granted significant retroactive payment that day. \r\r \r\rA Vietnam veteran with heart problems who had been battling with the VA was finally able to speak with someone face to face about his claims, leaving him confident he would soon get his case resolved.\r\r \r\rIt was an honor and a privilege to meet so many men and women who served our country bravely. Seeing that they have access to the proper assistance they need is a top priority of mine, Congressman Mark Meadows said. It is our duty as Americans to support those who served our country selflessly, Meadows added.\r\r \r\rSeminars were held in Waynesville, Hendersonville, and Lenoir to assist veterans of the 11th district.\r\r \r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397660", "McHenry Questions Department of Defense on Ebola Preparedness", "2014-10-24", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Patrick McHenry, the Chief Deputy Whip, participated in the Oversight and Government Reform Committee's hearing entitled The Ebola Crisis: Coordination of a Multi-Agency Response\u200b.\u00a0 During the Congressman's five minutes of questions he pushed two witnesses from the Department of Defense, Major General James M. Lariviere and Assistant Secretary Michael Lumpkin, on how prepared the Department is for dealing with an American service member being infected by the Ebola virus.\u00a0 You can view full video of the exchange by clicking the image below:\n\u00a0\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \nFollowing the hearing, Congressman McHenry appeared on CNN's @This Hour with\u00a0Berman & Michaela\u00a0and Fox Business' Varney & Company with Stuart Varney\u00a0\u200bto discuss today's Oversight hearing, the ongoing Ebola crisis, and what more the Obama Administration should be doing to ensure American's are protected from the ongoing epidemic.\u00a0 Click the images below to see full video of the interviews:\n\u00a0\n    \n        \n            \n        \n    \n\u00a0\n  \n    \n        \n            \n            \u00a0\n        \n    \n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-on-ebola-screening-finally", "Pittenger on Ebola screening:  "Finally!"", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  \n\t\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON ENHANCED EBOLA SCREENING:\u00a0 \u201cFINALLY!\u201d \n  CHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) first called for travel restrictions and enhanced screening of travelers from West Africa on October 3rd.\u00a0 His request for \u201cimmediate and decisive action to protect and prevent American citizens from further exposure to the deadly Ebola virus\u201d was reiterated in a letter he wrote to President Obama on October 8th, co-signed by a bipartisan group of 25 Members of Congress. On October 23rd, the Administration finally announced that all travelers from Liberia, Guinea, and Sierra Leone will be screened upon entry and monitored for the full 21-day Ebola incubation period.\u00a0 \u201cTwenty-seven African nations, along with British Airways and Air France, have already taken decisive action to reduce the risk of Ebola spreading to new countries,\u201d commented Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cFinally, we are joining them in taking responsible, prudent steps to protect hardworking American families. \u201cWe must never give in to fear, but we must also be wise, implementing necessary safeguards in the face of new threats until the danger has passed or our systems made ready.\u00a0 Full monitoring of all travelers from West Africa should have begun several weeks ago.\u201d Congressman Pittenger is currently exploring how the federal government can support international aid organizations on the front-line of the Ebola fight through better use of existing resources and programs.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398466", "Foxx to Host U.S. Service Academy Day on Nov. 8 for 5th District Students", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., will host a U.S. Service Academy Day on Saturday, Nov. 8, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Wilkes County Public Library, 215 10th St., North Wilkesboro, NC 28659. The event will help familiarize students with the application and nomination process for applying to the nation's five military service academies.\n\n\u201cNorth Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District has a proud tradition of military service. Every year, some of the area\u2019s finest young men and women choose to contribute to this legacy by applying to attend our country\u2019s prestigious military service academies,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cOn November 8th, I am proud to host an event to give prospective applicants the opportunity to meet with representatives from each academy. I hope it will be an informative experience for all who attend.\u201d\n\nRepresentatives from all five academies will be in attendance to explain more about their requirements and expectations. The event also will allow local students the opportunity to ask questions and receive advice about the admissions process. High school students of all ages and their parents are encouraged to attend.\n\nIndividuals wishing to attend are asked to RSVP to Richard Moxley at (336) 778-0211 or Richard.Moxley@mail.house.gov.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:40Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398481", "Foxx Presents Two Winston-Salem Students with Congressional Award Medals", "2014-10-23", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., today presented brothers Ben and William Casstevens of Winston-Salem with Congressional Award Medals for their commitment to bettering themselves and giving back to the communities in which they live.\n\nThe Congressional Award is the United States Congress\u2019 award for young Americans who set personally challenging goals and achieve them. It is non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive. The program is open to all 14- to 23-year-olds. There are six levels of the award. Participants can earn Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Certificates and Bronze, Silver and Gold Congressional Award Medals. Each level involves setting goals in four program areas: volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and expedition/exploration. Along the way participants serve their communities and learn qualities such as responsibility, citizenship and the ability to plan and organize.\n\nBen Casstevens, who attends R.J. Reynolds High School, earned the Silver Congressional Medal by volunteering more than 200 hours delivering Meals on Wheels, packing weekend and holiday meals for students, serving food to the homeless and coaching baseball.\n\nWilliam Casstevens, who attends R.J. Reynolds High School, earned the Bronze Congressional Medal by volunteering nearly 150 hours with a local public elementary school and his church\u2019s outreach ministry. As a school volunteer, he aided teachers\u2019 efforts, organized a box top collection program and managed events during Teacher Appreciation Week. Through his volunteer work at his church, William ensured local homeless and impoverished citizens had a hot meal.\n\nFor more information about the Congressional Award, please visit http://congressionalaward.org/.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:40Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=397650", "McHenry Statement on Passing of Duke Kimbrell", "2014-10-22", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Today, Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10) released the following statement on the death of former Parkdale Mills Chairman and lifelong Gastonia resident Duke Kimbrell: \r\n\u201cGaston County, the state of North Carolina, and the textile industry as a whole have lost a true titan with the passing of Parkdale Mills Chairman Duke Kimbrell.\u00a0 \r\n\"From sweeping the floors at a mill while in high school, to eventually taking over the very same company, Mr. Kimbrell grew Parkdale Mills into one of the world\u2019s preeminent textile companies in his over 70 years with the company.\u00a0 He embodied the American Dream, where hard work, intelligence and dogged perseverance are well rewarded.\u00a0 \r\n\"A World War II veteran who attended NC State University on the GI Bill, Mr. Kimbrell was a philanthropic giant and proud lifelong Gastonia resident who will be sorely missed.\u00a0 My thoughts and prayers are with his family as they mourn his passing.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-nc-dhhs-should-consult-with-sim-on-ebola", "Pittenger:  NC DHHS should consult with SIM on Ebola", "2014-10-22", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER URGES NC DHHS TO\u00a0UTILIZE EXPERTISE OF SIM MISSION AGENCY IN\u00a0PREPARATIONS FOR EBOLA \n  CHARLOTTE \u2013 This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) teleconferenced with North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Aldona Wos and State Epidemiologist Dr. Megan Davies to discuss North Carolina\u2019s preparations for a possible Ebola outbreak. Congressman Pittenger urged NC DHHS to utilize the expertise of Charlotte-based SIM, the international Christian mission agency which has been battling Ebola since long before the dramatic headlines.\u00a0 \u201cSIM\u2019s years of knowledge and experience have aided the CDC and other organizations in training new medical teams, and an SIM doctor prepared the training manual for new medical workers treating Ebola,\u201d explained Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cWe hope and pray Ebola never comes to North Carolina, but as we take responsible action to prepare, we should consult with the experts at SIM who have front-line experience in the battle against Ebola.\u201d Secretary Wos explained that NC DHHS has been in contact with SIM since the first Ebola-exposed missionaries began returning from Liberia, and will continue to work with SIM\u2019s experts in preparing for Ebola. Yesterday, Congressman Pittenger joined Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-02) in writing Centers for Disease Control Director Tom Frieden, demanding the Administration and CDC work together on travel restrictions to protect American citizens from Ebola. As Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger is concerned terrorists could use Ebola-infected travelers in an attack against the United States.\u00a0 He was among the first to call for enhanced travel restrictions and continues to encourage federal, state, and local health officials to take decisive action to prevent an Ebola outbreak.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-takes-action-preserve-taxpayers%E2%80%99-access-cape-lookout", "JONES TAKES ACTION TO PRESERVE TAXPAYERS ACCESS TO CAPE LOOKOUT", "2014-10-21", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GREENVILLE, NC \u2013 Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is raising strong objections to the National Park Service\u2019s push for unprecedented new restrictions on public access to Cape Lookout National Seashore.\u00a0 The Park Service\u2019s preferred alternative for a new rule governing off-road vehicle (ORV) use at the seashore would, among other things, impose an $80 fee for a short term permit to take a vehicle to Cape Lookout, place restrictions on nighttime driving, and implement seasonal bans on motorized access to certain areas.\u00a0 The Park Service\u2019s proposal comes at a bad time for local business owners. The number of annual visitors to the seashore has already decreased by over 100,000 since 2010, leading to millions of dollars in lost revenue and hundreds of jobs lost in the area.\n\u201cThe National Park Service\u2019s plan is a \u2018solution\u2019 in search of a problem that does not exist\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cThere is absolutely no need for more restrictions.\u00a0 The Park Service\u2019s existing ORV management strategy is serving its purpose.\u00a0 As I understand it, there have been no recorded deaths or injuries of sea turtles, shorebirds or other protected species at the seashore as a result of ORVs, day or night.\u00a0 In fact, over the past several years the number of sea turtle nests at the seashore has steadily increased, and the number of piping plovers, red knots, American oystercatchers and least terns have all improved as well.\n\u201cThe economic impact of new restrictions would devastate the communities that serve the seashore,\u201d continued Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cFewer people will visit, the local economy will suffer and more jobs will be lost.\u00a0 It just doesn\u2019t make sense.\u00a0 Taxpayers have a right to access the recreational areas they own and pay for, and I will continue to fight to preserve that right.\u201d\nCongressman Jones\u2019 letter to the Park Service outlining his objections can be found below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141024000002/http://www.burr.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=PressOffice.Articles&Type=Article&ContentRecord_id=d8f2a8b3-0374-6871-ca8f-79c55bfb8efa", "BURR: Making Ebola preparedness a priority", "2014-10-20", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "October 20, 2014 - 4:39 PM \n BURR: Making Ebola preparedness a priority \n Tax dollars needed for vaccines has been squandered on frivolous projects \n[Share This]\n\nBURR: Making Ebola preparedness a priority\nWashington Times\nOctober 20, 2014\n\n\nIt is unsettling that in discussing shortfalls in the federal government\u2019s response to the Ebola crisis, some Beltway observers have resorted to the traditional Washington shell game: blame the budget. The director of the National Institutes of Health (NIH), for example, has lamented the lack of an Ebola vaccine and therapeutics due to insufficient resources. It is not, however, all that surprising.\n\n\nThe blame-the-budget game diverts the conversation away from focusing on\u00a0NIH\u00a0accountability for past priorities and spending. Those grumbling about the lack of resources should not neglect the resources poured into low-priority and perhaps unnecessary projects at\u00a0NIH\u00a0during the last decade. For example, Senate reports looking at\u00a0NIH\u00a0waste have identified at least $8.6 million in grants that were used in part to research how much study-abroad students drink when they\u2019re away, if there is a connection between cocaine and risky sex habits of quail, whether TV reruns help people feel better, the impact of TV in rural Vietnamese villages, or why golfers need to envision a bigger hole, among other \u201cpressing\u201d topics.\n\n\nIn the midst of supporting these questionable projects, the\u00a0NIH\u00a0has had more than ample opportunity to fund valuable research on Ebola. The National Institute of Allergy and\u00a0Infectious Diseases\u00a0(NIAID), the institute within the\u00a0NIH\u00a0responsible for research on infectious diseases like Ebola, has had an average funding of $4.5 billion a year going back to fiscal 2004 \u2014 in other words, well over $40 billion over the past decade. During the same period the\u00a0NIAID, at its discretion, spent about 1 percent of this amount on Ebola-related research. As a point of comparison, last fiscal year, the\u00a0NIH\u00a0spent more than $5 billion on administrative costs. If additional funding for the\u00a0NIH\u00a0was needed for Ebola, why has the organization never asked Congress for it? The fact that, to date, the administration has not requested additional funding for the\u00a0NIH\u00a0as part of their Ebola response suggests more could still be done right now without a plus-up.\n\n\nUltimately, the\u00a0NIAID\u00a0chooses how to spend the billions of taxpayer resources it has at its disposal. Ebola needed to be higher on the list all along. In 2006, the Department of Homeland Security identified the Ebola virus as posing a material threat to our national security. If scientists at the\u00a0NIH\u00a0believe that we would have had an Ebola vaccine and therapeutics in hand today if things had gone differently, then they need to ask if the\u00a0NIH\u00a0has done all that it could do with its resources.\n\n\nWe completed a five-year doubling of the\u00a0NIH\u00a0budget in 2003, but there will never be enough resources to fund everything everyone wants to support. It\u2019s about the choices we make with the resources we have and using all of the tools at our disposal \u2014 just like how families across America every day make difficult choices about their household budgets.\n\n\nThe past few weeks have been difficult for the American people and the administration. The threat of Ebola hit home hard with the death of the first Ebola patient, confirmed transmission of the Ebola virus in the United States, and increased entry screening at American airports. The director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is scrambling to ensure that the procedures our health care workers are using work, and our overall preparedness and capacity to safely and effectively treat Ebola patients has been called into question.\n\n\nMore than 8,000 people overseas have been infected \u2014 almost half of whom have died \u2014 and despite promises, our actions to date are falling short: We are failing to turn the tide in this devastating epidemic.\n\n\nWe agree with the\u00a0NIH\u00a0director regarding the urgent need for Ebola vaccines and therapeutics. Let\u2019s stay focused on getting the medical countermeasures we need to protect the American people off the bench, through the pipeline and to the patients who need them. In doing so, we\u2019ll protect the American people from Ebola and the other serious threats we may face. This is what we should be focused on, whether we are in the midst of a crisis like we find ourselves in today, or in the calm between these storms. What we choose to prioritize determines whether we will be prepared for the threats we face.\n\n\nRichard Burr, a Republican member of the U.S. Senate from North Carolina, authored the Pandemic and All-Hazards Preparedness Act. Tom Coburn, a Republican member of the U.S. Senate from Oklahoma and a physician, serves as the ranking member on the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.\n\n\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t10/20/14 \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tBURR: Making Ebola preparedness a priority", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-demands-answers-troops-fighting-ebola", "JONES DEMANDS ANSWERS ON TROOPS FIGHTING EBOLA", "2014-10-17", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is demanding answers from the Pentagon on the purpose and scope of Operation United Assistance in West Africa, a mission President Obama has launched to send American military personnel into Ebola-stricken countries in order to contain the spread of the Ebola virus. The Ebola outbreak began in Guinea in early 2014 and quickly spread to neighboring countries Sierra Leone and Liberia.\nIn the letter to Army Secretary John McHugh, Congressman Jones asks how many service members are currently in West Africa, what kind of pre-deployment training they went through, what the role of the United States Army Medical Research Institute is in this mission, and what plans are in place to ensure the safety of U.S. military personnel in Ebola-stricken countries.\n\u201cMany Eastern North Carolinians and Americans across the country are gravely concerned about the outbreak of Ebola and the safety of U.S. military personnel in Ebola-stricken countries,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cOur service members and their loved ones deserve to understand the exact details of the mission and assurances of safety. The mission of the U.S. Army is \u2018to fight and win our nation\u2019s wars.\u2019 By that standard, I find the proposed strategy of Operation United Assistance in West Africa to be outside of the core of the Army\u2019s mission. I will take every measure to ensure the American people get clear answers from the Army on the military operation in West Africa and the safety U.S. military personnel.\u201d\nClick below to read the letter to Army Secretary McHugh.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141017041540/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=610", "Hudson Statement on TSA Administrator Pistole's Announced Departure", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 16, 2014\u00a0\u00a0   Hudson Statement on TSA Administrator Pistole\u2019s Announced Departure  WASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013\u00a0Today, U.S. Rep. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, released the following statement in reaction to Transportation Security Administration (TSA) Administrator John Pistole\u2019s announced departure:  \"I have the utmost respect for John Pistole and his important contributions to the security of our great nation. From his thirty one years in public service, to his four and a half years as Administrator of TSA, John has proven himself to be a true public servant.\u00a0 TSA has made many positive strides under John's leadership, most notably the creation of TSA Pre-Check.\u00a0 I wish John all the best in his future endeavors and look forward to working with the next Administrator to ensure that TSA continues on a path toward being good stewards of hard-earned taxpayer dollars and toward more risk-based security measures at our airports.\"  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141019043652/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=611", "Reps. Hudson and Brooks Urge CDC to Update 'Do Not Board' List", "2014-10-16", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE  October 16, 2014\u00a0\u00a0   Reps. Hudson and Brooks Urge CDC to Update \u2018Do Not Board\u2019 List  WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, U.S. Reps. Richard Hudson (R-NC), Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, and Susan Brooks (R-IN), Chairman of the Emergency Preparedness, Response and Communications Subcommittee, released the following statements after urging the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to place individuals who have been exposed to the Ebola virus on the \u2018Do Not Board\u2019 list enforced by the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) for a minimum of 21 days:  \"It is important that everyone remain calm and understand that the risk of an Ebola outbreak in this country remains extremely low,\u201d said Hudson. \u201cThat being said, it is absolutely critical that we examine our protocols and utilize every layer of security to protect public health and prevent a tragic situation from becoming worse. In light of the Dallas health care worker\u2019s ability to board a commercial flight while being monitored for signs of infection, I am urging the CDC to temporarily restrict the travel of all individuals being monitored or under quarantine.\"  \u201cThis step is necessary to protect the health of the American people,\u201d said Brooks. \u201cWe cannot allow individuals who may have been exposed to the Ebola virus to compromise the safety of airline passengers or the general public. While I am confident in our ability to manage this significant public health challenge, it\u2019s extremely vital that the CDC and other government agencies take smart and decisive steps to limit potential risks.\u201d\u00a0  The \u2018Do Not Board\u2019 list should include any health care worker assigned to the treatment of an Ebola patient, or other person being monitored as a result of possible exposure.  To learn more, click here to read the letter to CDC Director Tom Frieden.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/pittenger-discusses-need-for-travel-restrictions-to-combat-ebola-on", "Pittenger discusses need for travel restrictions to combat Ebola on SiriusXM", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pittenger was a guest today on SiriusXM POTUS Channel\u2019s \u201cThe Midday Briefing,\u201d discussing the need for travel restrictions to combat the spread of Ebola.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141017041805/http://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=609", "Rep. Hudson Calls For Enhanced Travel Restrictions to Combat Spread of Ebola", "2014-10-15", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Hudson", "H001067", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE October 15, 2014\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0  Rep. Hudson Calls For Enhanced Travel Restrictions to Combat Spread of Ebola  CONCORD, NC \u2013\u00a0Tonight, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08), Chairman of the Transportation Security Subcommittee, issued the following statement after joining Homeland Security Committee Chairman Michael McCaul and fellow subcommittee chairmen to call for enhanced travel restrictions and security measures to help combat the spread of the Ebola Virus and protect the American people:  \u201cI have great confidence in our health care professionals in North Carolina and all around the country, but recent events demonstrate the enormous challenge they face in dealing with a potential Ebola outbreak. While there is certainly no reason for any of us to panic, we must also be vigilant and take every commonsense precaution to help prevent the spread of this horrific disease. Therefore, I am calling on the State Department and DHS to impose enhanced travel restrictions and temporarily suspend the visas of individuals from West Africa until the outbreak is under control.\u201d  Click\u00a0here\u00a0to read the letter to Secretaries Kerry and Johnson.  ###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398465", "Foxx Calls on President to Drop Plans to Import Guantanamo Bay Prisoners", "2014-10-10", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., made the following statement after a recent press report indicated President Obama is considering unilateral executive action to transfer prisoners housed at Guantanamo Bay to the United States mainland:\n\n\u201cClosing the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay is a fanciful idea but importing vicious terrorists onto the United States mainland and giving them legal protections reserved for American citizens has been consistently rejected by bipartisan majorities in Congress who have worked together legally to prohibit the President from doing so.\n\n\u201cThe President\u2019s stubborn na\u00efvet\u00e9 distracts from ongoing threats to American national security and highlights the failures of his foreign policy agenda. As House Republicans continue our tireless pursuit of accountability, the President should immediately abandon any ill-conceived plans to bring dangerous terrorists to the American homeland.\u201d\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx is currently serving her fifth term as the representative of North Carolina\u2019s 5th Congressional District and is the elected Republican Conference Secretary. Dr. Foxx is the chair of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and serves as Vice Chair of the House Rules Committee.", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-06-27T22:43:40Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-to-obama-travel-restrictions-needed-to-prevent-spread-of-ebola", "Pittenger to Obama:  Travel restrictions needed to prevent spread of Ebola", "2014-10-09", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER LEADS BIPARTISAN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA CALLING FOR TRAVEL RESTRICTIONS TO COMBAT EBOLA VIRUS \n  WASHINGTON \u2013 Yesterday, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) led a bipartisan letter with 25 other House Members imploring President Obama to take aggressive action against the Ebola virus. \u201cWe specifically call on you not to \u201cpass the buck\u201d on this crucial issue. The World Health Organization (WHO) is an organization of unelected bureaucrats and political appointees of foreign countries.\u00a0 It has no duty to protect the lives and well-being of Americans, as you do. \u201cWe strongly urge the Administration to take immediate and decisive action to protect and prevent American citizens from further exposure to the deadly Ebola virus.\u00a0 The United States needs to institute travel restrictions, enhanced airport screening and possible quarantine of individuals who have traveled to, or from, the West African countries that have been most impacted by this tragic Ebola epidemic\u201d, the letter stated. Yesterday, Congressman Pittenger met with the international leadership of SIM at their headquarters in the Charlotte region.\u00a0 As conveyed by their team who is on the ground now in Liberia, the spread of the Ebola virus is expanding, not receding.\u00a0 Also discussed was the need for temporary travel restrictions with the exception of government approved flights for economic development or humanitarian relief.\u00a0\u00a0 Congressman Pittenger also visited with Mrs. Nancy Writebol, who is now free of the Ebola virus but remains very concerned over the deadly impact throughout West Africa, the continent of Africa and the world. Since the first death of the Ebola epidemic in Guinea during December 2013, the outbreak has spread to Liberia, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Nigeria \u2013 the most severe crisis recorded, which could impact the entire African continent.\u00a0 Even with nearly 7,500 reported cases and over 3,400 deaths, fears remain that we have limited knowledge of the entire caseload and these numbers could be substantially higher. While Christian mission organizations, including SIM and Samaritan's Purse, faithfully and courageously fought to contain the virus and provide medical attention to afflicted persons, their efforts were overwhelmed by the expansion of the virus. The World Health Organization (WHO) admits the outbreak is racing ahead of control efforts, and WHO Director-General Dr. Margaret Chan referred to the epidemic as the \"largest, most complex and most severe we've ever seen.\u201d \u201cMr. President, we would extend to you our deepest concern for the spread beyond the African continent, particularly with access to the United States through air travel. Either unwittingly, or through desperate and deliberate efforts to not disclose personal health concerns, we fear individuals will travel to the United States carrying this deadly virus, resulting in devastating affects upon our national health. Given the current threats America is facing, we should also not discount the possibility of terrorists and jihadists intentionally carrying this disease to America, as part of their unwavering and unrelenting resolve to destroy us. \u201cUntil such time as the WHO has determined the virus is fully contained and eliminated, we implore you to instruct the FAA to cancel all flights to and from all related countries, currently experiencing the Ebola epidemic. \u201cWe respect British Airways and other airlines, with the prudent, measured decision to cancel all flights from the affected region, and believe that the safety and security of our country is vested in your leadership and decision to protect, with all possible measures, every American during this crisis\u201d, Pittenger stated. Congressman Pittenger serves as the Chairman of the Congressional Taskforce on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare.  \n\t\u00a0\n###\nTo read the letter sent to President Obama, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-calls-ebola-travel-ban", "JONES CALLS FOR EBOLA TRAVEL BAN", "2014-10-06", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is calling on President Obama to put in place a travel ban on non-citizens entering the U.S. from Ebola-stricken countries.\u00a0 In a letter to the president, Jones points out that over twenty African nations have already placed entry restrictions on travelers from West African countries stricken with Ebola.\u00a0 On September 28, Thomas Duncan, a traveler to the U.S. from Liberia, entered Texas Presbyterian Hospital with Ebola symptoms.\u00a0 He tested positive for Ebola on September 30.\u00a0 His family and others he came in contact with are being watched closely for Ebola symptoms.\n\u201cMany Eastern North Carolinians and Americans across the country are gravely concerned about the outbreak of Ebola in the United States,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cImposing a travel ban on non-citizens coming into the U.S. from Ebola-stricken countries is common sense.\u00a0 Over twenty African nations have already put in place a travel ban in order to curb the spread of Ebola across the continent, and it\u2019s a rational precaution.\u00a0 I urge the president to take immediate action to make sure non-citizens from Ebola-stricken countries cannot spread the virus in the U.S.\u201d\nTo read Congressman Jones' letter to President Obama, click below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-blasts-obama-plan-allow-illegal-aliens-serve-us-military", "JONES BLASTS OBAMA PLAN TO ALLOW ILLEGAL ALIENS TO SERVE IN U.S. MILITARY", "2014-10-03", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is taking a stand against the Pentagon\u2019s new initiative to allow illegal aliens to serve in the U.S. military.\u00a0 In a letter to Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, Jones raised a series of questions about the Defense Department\u2019s expansion of the Military Accessions Vital to National Interests program (MAVNI).\u00a0 Under a DOD announcement made late last month, the MAVNI program will now allow illegal immigrants to enlist in the military.\n\u201cAt a time when tens of thousands of U.S. citizens are being removed from active duty military ranks, it is unacceptable for the Department of Defense to expand the MAVNI program at will to include the children of illegal aliens,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cHow will the Defense Department make sure that qualified U.S. citizens and legal residents are not unfairly displaced by this program expansion?\u00a0 How will security clearances and background checks be conducted on individuals whose next of kin are violating U.S. law?\u00a0 It is important the American people have answers to these questions, and I will make sure the Defense Department provides answers.\u201d\n\u201cThis is yet another example of the Obama administration\u2019s defiance of Congress and President Obama\u2019s agenda to grant benefits to illegal aliens by executive overreach.\u00a0 I have consistently voted to stop illegal immigration into this country and to stem the flow of benefits to those who have broken our immigration laws.\u00a0 I will continue to do everything I can to ensure American citizens are not displaced by illegal aliens in active duty military ranks.\u201d\nTo view Congressman Jones' letter to Secretary Hagel, see below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-statement-one-year-anniversary-obamacare-rollout", "JONES STATEMENT ON ONE-YEAR ANNIVERSARY OF OBAMACARE ROLLOUT", "2014-10-01", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) issued the following statement marking the one-year anniversary of the Obamacare rollout:\n\u201cLast October, the Obamacare exchanges opened for business to disastrous results,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u00a0\u201cAmericans in Eastern North Carolina and around the country have lost their jobs, been kicked off of their health care plans, and the cost of this government-run health care program continues to rise. \u00a0Earlier this year, the Congressional Budget Office stated that the agency could no longer assess the overall fiscal impact of Obamacare because the Obama administration continually delays and alters parts of this expansive law and not others. \u00a0Obamacare will continue to choke the American job market and drive up the cost of insurance while dialing back the quality of care. \u00a0This law does not enable freedom, it stifles it. \u00a0That is why I voted against Obamacare each time it was considered in the House and why I have cosponsored every bill aimed at repealing or defunding the law.\u00a0 I will continue to do everything I can to end this unconstitutional government takeover of our healthcare system.\u201d", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/media-analysis-pittenger-top-6-in-congress-for-committee-attendance", "Media Analysis:  Pittenger top 6 in Congress for committee attendance", "2014-10-01", "2014", "2014-10", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n WASHINGTON EXAMINER:\u00a0 CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER IN TOP 6 FOR COMMITTEE ATTENDANCE IN 113TH CONGRESSCommittee Meetings Are Where the Nuts-and-Bolts Work of Congress Gets Done \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) has one of the best committee attendance records in all of Congress, according to a new analysis by Washington Examiner Senior Watchdog Reporter Luke Rosiak: \u201cThe Examiner analyzed 1,000 committee and subcommittee hearing minutes published by the Government Printing Office for the present Congress. \u201cAmong members with the best attendance record is Rep. John Conyers Jr., D-Mich., who missed only one of 39 House Judiciary Committee hearings this session. \u201cOnly five other House members had rates as good as or better than Conyers:\u00a0 Democrat Al Green of Texas and Republicans Andy Barr of Kentucky, Bill Huizenga of Michigan, Scott Garrett of New Jersey and Robert Pittenger of North Carolina. \u201cDozens of members of the U.S. House of Representatives have missed two-thirds of this session\u2019s committee meetings, where much of the nuts-and-bolts work of Congress gets done.\u201d \u201cCommittee meetings are often tedious, but they are where much of the real work of creating and refining legislation takes place,\u201d explained Congressman Pittenger.\u00a0 \u201cAs your Representative in Washington, I am focused on serving you and putting in the hours necessary to produce legislation which helps grow the economy, create jobs, and reduce unnecessary red tape.\u201d Congressman Pittenger is a Member of the House Committee on Financial Services and serves on the Financial Institutions and Consumer Credit Subcommittee, as well as the Monetary Policy and Trade Subcommittee.\u00a0 Congressman Pittenger also serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and was appointed by Speaker John Boehner to serve on the Congressional-Executive Commission on China, which monitors human rights. Click here to read the full report from the Washington Examiner.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=147", "Congressman Holding Meets with Indian Prime Minister Modi", "2014-09-30", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "\"There is limitless potential between our two democracies...\"\r\n          share:\r\n          f \r\n          t \r\n        \r\n      \r\n      FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2014  \r\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\r\r  \r[[{\"fid\":\"296\",\"view_mode\":\"teaser\",\"fields\":{\"format\":\"teaser\",\"field_file_image_alt_text[und][0][value]\":\"\",\"field_file_image_title_text[und][0][value]\":\"\"},\"type\":\"media\",\"attributes\":{\"class\":\"media-element file-teaser\"}}]]\r\r Today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) issued the following statement after meeting with India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the U.S. Capitol:\r\r\u201cThe United States-India bilateral relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of this century.\r\r\u201cThere is limitless potential between our two democracies when it comes to economic, defense, and counterterrorism operations. And with a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability.\r\r\u201cI look forward to continuing my efforts to advance the U.S.-India relationship and today\u2019s conversation with Prime Minister Modi firmly reinforces my belief that we have a partner ready to seize the opportunity before us.\u201d\r\rBackground:\r\rThis is Prime Minister Modi\u2019s first visit to the United States following India\u2019s election earlier this year. A leader on U.S.-India relations, Congressman Holding led a U.S. Congressional delegation to India earlier this year and is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.\r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20141003023309/http://holding.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-holding-meets-with-indian-prime-minister-modi", "Congressman Holding Meets with Indian Prime Minister Modi", "2014-09-30", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 30, 2014  \n\tCONTACT: Alex Miehls, 202-226-8159\n  \nWASHINGTON, D.C.\u00a0\u2013 Today, Congressman George Holding (NC-13) issued the following statement after meeting with India\u2019s Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the U.S. Capitol:\n\u201cThe United States-India bilateral relationship can be one of the defining partnerships of this century.\n\u201cThere is limitless potential between our two democracies when it comes to economic, defense, and counterterrorism operations. And with a shifting geopolitical situation in Asia, unwavering cooperation between the U.S. and India is essential to promoting peace and stability.\n\u201cI look forward to continuing my efforts to advance the U.S.-India relationship and today\u2019s conversation with Prime Minister Modi firmly reinforces my belief that we have a partner ready to seize the opportunity before us.\u201d\nBackground:\nThis is Prime Minister Modi\u2019s first visit to the United States following India\u2019s election earlier this year. A leader on U.S.-India relations, Congressman Holding led a U.S. Congressional delegation to India earlier this year and is a member of the Congressional Caucus on India and Indian-Americans.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-urges-speaker-schedule-vote-isis-war", "JONES URGES SPEAKER TO SCHEDULE VOTE ON ISIS WAR", "2014-09-29", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Friday, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) sent a letter to Speaker Boehner calling for a debate and a vote on an authorization to expand military force in Iraq and Syria when Congress reconvenes in November.\u00a0 Congressman Jones issued the following statement: \u201cCongress must uphold its constitutional duty to authorize the use of our military,\u201d said Congressman Jones. \u201cThe commencement of US airstrikes in Syria this week adds more urgency to the grave situation in Iraq and Syria.\u00a0 I urge Speaker Boehner to call a debate and a vote on an authorization regarding Iraq and Syria when Congress reconvenes in November.\u00a0 We should not wait until 2015 to have a full debate on this pressing issue when Americans are already spending between $7 million and $10 million a day on missiles in that region. Congress needs to determine whether we want to engage in a potential perpetual war, not President Obama.\u201d\nIn July, Congressman Jones introduced H. Con. Res. 105 to prohibit the deployment of U.S. armed forces in a sustained combat role in Iraq without congressional authorization.\u00a0 The resolution passed with 370 votes.\u00a0\nIn August, Congressman Jones, Congressman McGovern, and Congresswoman Lee formed a bipartisan coalition to urge the House Foreign Relations Committee to draft an authorization regarding Iraq and Syria.\u00a0 They also urged Speaker Boehner to bring up the authorization for a debate and a vote before Congress recessed at the end of September.\nCongressman Jones' letters to Speaker Boehner can be viewed at the link below:", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-to-faa-stop-making-excuses", "Pittenger to FAA:  Stop making excuses", "2014-09-29", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER TO FAA:\u00a0STOP MAKING NEW EXCUSES, ISSUE RULING ON AIRPORT COMMISSION \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Today, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) provided yet another excuse for not making a decision on an operating certificate for the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport Commission. In a letter to Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), the FAA stated their review of the proposed management transfer \u201chas not been triggered with respect to Charlotte Douglas International Airport because the current airport sponsor (the city of Charlotte) has not requested that FAA transfer sponsorship.\u00a0 Moreover . . . . FAA will refrain from evaluating the request where the ownership and control of the airport remains the subject of an ongoing legal dispute.\u201d \u201cFirst, the FAA told me they couldn\u2019t make a decision until the lawsuit was resolved.\u00a0 Then they told me they couldn\u2019t make a decision until the General Assembly clarified specific points of the legislation which created the Airport Commission.\u00a0 Now they tell me they can\u2019t start the process until the City of Charlotte makes a request,\u201d said Congressman Pittenger. \u201cWhy does the FAA keep dragging out new excuses?\u00a0 Why wasn\u2019t all of this information disclosed during our first meeting in April of 2013?\u00a0 Charlotte Douglas International Airport is key to creating jobs and growing the economy.\u00a0 Uncertainty over who runs the airport is bad for the economy and threatens the thousands of jobs which could be created by the new intermodal transport facility.\u201d Congressman Pittenger is focused on obtaining a clear decision from the FAA to resolve the ongoing dispute over airport governance and has not taken sides in the debate.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/pittenger-today-we-remember-sweet-kilah", "Pittenger:  Today we remember sweet Kilah", "2014-09-29", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON KILAH DAVENPORT:\u00a0INDICTMENT IS GOOD, BUT PREFER SHE WAS STILL WITH US \n\u00a0\nCHARLOTTE \u2013 Today, Joshua Houser was indicted in the death of Kilah Davenport and will now face second degree murder charges.\u00a0 Mr. Houser has already been convicted of felonious child abuse related to his beating of Kilah, which led to her death in March. \u201cToday we must again acknowledge this heinous act through the indictment of Joshua Houser, as we also pause to remember sweet Kilah, her suffering, and the unspeakable pain endured by the Davenport family,\u201d commented Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09).\u00a0 \u201cKilah should never have become the face of child abuse legislation, and no grand jury should ever have needed to take up such a grievous case.\u00a0 We are supportive that Joshua Houser will now be tried for Kilah\u2019s murder, but we\u2019d much prefer to see her smiling on the playground. \u201cOn behalf of the community, thank you to Union County Sheriff Eddie Cathey and his department, Cabarrus County Sheriff Brad Riley, and Union County District Attorney Trey Robison for their tireless efforts in reviewing Kilah\u2019s case, her cause of death, and ultimately presenting evidence which led to today\u2019s indictment.\u201d On May 20th, President Obama signed the Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act into law.\u00a0 Written and introduced by Congressman Pittenger, the new law directs the U.S. Attorney General to issue a state-by-state report on child abuse prevention laws by the end of November, with a particular focus on penalties for cases of severe child abuse.\u00a0 The goal is to highlight deficient laws and provide states with the opportunity to fix those laws before another tragedy occurs.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://web.archive.org/web/20140928183220/http://meadows.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=633", "Meadows' Statement on US Compromise on Nuclear Iran", "2014-09-26", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "web.archive.org", null, null, "legacy", "Location  Image  Map URL    Washington D.C. Office  Washington D.C. Office 1516 Longworth HOB Washington, DC 20515 Phone: (202) 225-6401 Fax: (202) 226-6422 Hours: M-F, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM    http://goo.gl/maps/bmdwE    Henderson County Office  Henderson\u00a0County\u00a0Office Main District Office Henderson County Court House 200 N. Grove Street, Suite 90 Hendersonville, NC 28792 Phone: (828) 693-5660 Fax: (828) 693-5603 Hours: M-F, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM    http://goo.gl/maps/6d5aI    Caldwell County Office  Caldwell County Office Health and Human Services Bldg. 2345 Morganton Blvd. Lenoir, NC 28645 Phone: (828) 426-8701 Hours: M-F, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM    http://goo.gl/maps/15e5n    Mitchell County Office  Mitchell County Office Mitchell Country Chamber of Commerce Building 11 Crystal Street Spruce Pine, NC 28777 Phone: (828) 765-0573 Hours: M-F, 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM    http://goo.gl/maps/q40Fr    Haywood County Office   Haywood County Office Haywood County Justice Center 285 N. Main Street, Suite 1300 Waynesville, NC 28786 Phone: (828) 452-6022 Hours: M, W, Th, F, 9:00 AM-5:00 PM      http://goo.gl/maps/qUVJ1     Cherokee County Office  Cherokee County Office Murphy Power Board 107 Peachtree Street Murphy, NC 28906 Phone: (828) 835-4959 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/JT3GE    Clay County Office  Clay County Office Clay County Courthouse 261 Courthouse Drive Paul Jordan Conference Room Hayesville, NC 28904 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/Yzu2l    Graham County Office  Graham County Office Graham County Courthouse 12 N. Main Street Robbinsville, NC 28771 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/Cu7ux    Buncome County Office   Buncombe County Office Skyland Fire Department 9 Miller Road Asheville, NC 28776 By Appointment Only      ttp://goo.gl/maps/E92EQ     Avery County Office   Avery County Office Avery County Sheriff's Office 300 Shultz Circle Newland, NC 28657 By Appointment Only      http://goo.gl/maps/aWlVv     Jackson County Office  Jackson County Office Southwestern Commission Building 125 Bonnie Lane Sylva, NC 28779 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/n6Zcr    Macon County Office  Macon County Office Macon County Courthouse 5 W. Main Street, Room 332 Franklin, NC 28734 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/E4AMg    Madison County Office  Madison County Office Madison County Courthouse 1 N. Main Street Grand Jury Room Marshall, NC 28753 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/AKPTF    Burke County Office   Burke County Office Morganton City Hall 305 East Union Street, Suite A100 Morganton, NC 28655 By Appointment Only      http://goo.gl/maps/b4EFo     \u00a0  \u00a0  \u00a0  \u00a0    McDowell County Office  McDowell County Office McDowell County Health Department 408 Spaulding Road Marion, NC 28752 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/WmwOm    Qualla Boundary in Cherokee  Qualla Boundary in Cherokee Ginger Welch Building 810 Acquoni Road Cherokee, NC 28719 Phone: 828-554-6714 10:00 AM \u2013 3:00 PM\u00a0    http://goo.gl/maps/d9G2R    Swain County Office  Swain County Office Swain County Administration Building 101 Mitchell Street Bryson City, NC 28713 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/iIAz3    Transylvania County Office  Transylvania County Office Community Services Building Second Floor, Conference Room A 98 East Morgan Street Brevard, NC 28712 2:00 PM \u2013 5:00 PM    http://goo.gl/maps/tYAVt    Yancey County Office  Yancey County Office Burnsville Town Hall 2 Town Square Downstairs Board Room Burnsville, NC 28714 By Appointment Only    http://goo.gl/maps/vUgIK", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/press-releases/icymi-pittenger-op-ed-on-tax-reform", "ICYMI: Pittenger op-ed on Tax Reform", "2014-09-24", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\u00a0\n IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:\u00a0CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER\u2019S OP-ED ON TAX REFORM \n\u00a0\nBURGER KING\u2019S NOT THE PROBLEM, WASHINGTON IS  \n\tBy Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09)  The Washington Examiner  \n\tThursday, September 18, 2014\n  \n\tShame on Burger King for moving to Canada? Or shame on us for being unresponsive to businesses and job creators? The current debate about corporate inversions has once again brought out the tired, progressive-socialist rhetoric railing against corporate profits. Burger King, Chiquita, and other iconic American brands are seeking more attractive tax provisions to better manage their businesses, as they also absorb the high impact of our costly regulatory environment, including the mandated requirements of the Un-Affordable Care Act. All of a sudden it is un-American to seek a lower tax burden to operate in dynamic and highly competitive world markets. American corporations suffer the burden of the highest corporate tax rate in the industrialized world. What basis do we have to pout and shudder when they find a smarter way to do business? A decade ago I served three terms in the North Carolina State Senate. At that time, Democrat policies had caused North Carolina to require the highest corporate and marginal tax rates in the southeast, greatly impeding our ability to attract new business. North Carolina was losing by default, as companies relocated to Tennessee, South Carolina, Florida and Georgia, taking advantage of their lower corporate and marginal tax rates. Often, new companies would pop up just across the state line into South Carolina. Were we justified to berate these companies for not coming to North Carolina? No! They were following good, common sense business management. North Carolina's economy struggled because of an expanding and bloated state government which had an insatiable appetite for new revenue, advocated by the Democrat leadership, who had governed the state since Reconstruction. New Republican majorities in the North Carolina House and Senate, and a Republican governor, turned this around. North Carolina is now projected by the independent Tax Foundation to rank 17th nationally in tax climate, a vast improvement in three years from its previous rank of 44th. We have announcements on a near-weekly basis of companies moving to North Carolina, bringing capital investment and new jobs. The challenge is no different regarding international markets. While corporations are competing, building success and becoming profitable, let's also recognize that corporate profits fund the expansions that create new jobs and provide dividends for shareholders to reinvest in our economy or for seniors as retirement income. Corporate profits are essential to continue research and development as they are the lifeblood of innovation and economic growth. Corporations generously fund philanthropy to hospitals, universities, and numerous non-profits important to our communities. Should we celebrate corporate losses instead? Our objective is clear: We need to restructure America's tax code to be simpler and fairer for all. Special interests invade Congress every year seeking carve outs for their industries. Congress must eliminate the vast number of loopholes and deductions created for thousands of well-connected entities, now buried in America's 70,000 pages of tax code. Former Democratic Sen. Max Baucus, Chairman of the Senate Finance Committee, and Rep. Dave Camp, R-Mich., Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, provided a great working proposal for tax reform that would have reduced the corporate rate to 25 percent and lowered the tax burden for all Americans, while helping create nearly 2 million new jobs and adding over 3 trillion dollars to our gross domestic product. Regrettably, the plan was nixed by President Obama and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., who insisted on $800 billion in new government revenue. Obama and Reid denied American families the opportunity for revenue-neutral tax reform. The administration's adherence to a non-territorial tax policy has also discouraged repatriation of $2 trillion in profits which could be reinvested for future growth and jobs. Other industrialized countries do not tax profits from foreign markets, yielding another non-competitive edge. America's tepid recovery can be reversed with sound regulatory and tax policies similar to those enacted by President Reagan in the 1980s, with bipartisan Congressional support, which created 400,000 to 500,000 jobs each month (one month creating one million jobs), or like my own state of North Carolina, which has seen a transformation in economic development from pro-growth tax reform. Burger King isn't the villain. Overstuffed Washington politicians and bureaucrats are the problem. Let's use our common sense and recognize now the course corrections that must be made for the future of our country. Read the full op-ed and comments in the Washington Examiner here: https://washingtonexaminer.com/burger-kings-not-the-problem-washington-is/article/2553556?custom_click=rss.\n\u00a0\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-continues-fight-enc-waterways", "JONES CONTINUES FIGHT FOR ENC WATERWAYS", "2014-09-23", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is working with a bipartisan coalition of coastal members of Congress fighting to make sure that America\u2019s inlets and waterways get their fair share of funding from the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF).\u00a0 Jones and 57 of his colleagues are calling on House negotiators on the fiscal year 2015 government funding bill to increase the amount of money annually disbursed from the Fund.\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\n\u201cThe maintenance of our inlets and harbors is vital to the economic success of Eastern North Carolina,\u201d said Congressman Jones.\u00a0 \u201cCongress must step up and increase the disbursement rate of HMTF revenue so that the waterways in our region and throughout the country can be improved.\u201d\nMoney flows into the Harbor Maintenance Trust fund from a tax on shippers based on the value of goods shipped through ports. \u00a0In years past, revenue coming into the fund has far exceeded appropriations from the fund for waterway maintenance. \u00a0As a result, ports, harbors and inlets across the country have received far less money than necessary to maintain safe navigation. \u00a0This includes many waterways in Eastern North Carolina such as Oregon Inlet, Hatteras Inlet, Morehead City Harbor, Bogue Inlet, New River Inlet and others.\u00a0\nA copy of the coalition\u2019s letter to House appropriators can be found here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/congressman-pittenger-on-siriusxm-0", "Congressman Pittenger on SiriusXM", "2014-09-23", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Pittenger was interviewed live on SiriusXM\u2019s POTUS Channel about ISIS, Congressional action against ISIS, and the Parliamentary Forum.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov//media-center/in-the-news/congressman-pittengers-washington-examiner-op-ed", "Congressman Pittenger's Washington Examiner op-ed", "2014-09-23", "2014", "2014-09", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Shame on Burger King for moving to Canada? 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