{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "is_view": false, "human_description_en": "where party = \"Republican\", state = \"NC\" and year = 2015 sorted by date descending", "rows": [["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/sen-burr-recaps-strategic-legislative-accomplishments-for-2015-", "Sen. Burr Recaps Strategic Legislative Accomplishments for 2015", "2015-12-30", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.30.15\n\t\t\t Sen. Burr Recaps Strategic Legislative Accomplishments for 2015  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) revisited several of his high profile legislative accomplishments for 2015 including an important conservation program renewal, education funding for low-income families, military reforms and transportation improvements.\r\nSenator Burr said: Over the last year, I successfully wrote several bills that have since become law. These new laws will enhance the lives of our veterans, help children from low-income families get better education and enable transportation improvements for high traffic corridors. Im pleased that I delivered for North Carolina in 2015. Every day, my staff and I work to make sure that our federal dollars are efficiently used in the state. This year was a productive one in Congress, and that means $24 million to children from low-income families, and a revitalized military in North Carolina. As Intel Committee Chairman, I introduced legislation which was signed into law that addresses serious weaknesses in our ability to protect Americans against cyber-attacks. I can and will keep fighting for North Carolina families.\r\nA few of Sen. Burrs legislative successes from 2015:\r\nTitle II Education Funding Reform in the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) \r\n \r\nIn addition to repealing the common core mandate, ESSA includes language sponsored by Burr that fixes an inequity in federal education funding that for 15 years has not only shortchanged North Carolinas teachers and schools, but also the low-income students they serve across North Carolina.\r\nThe funding fix will add $24 million each year for school programs.\r\nSenator Burr introduced on April 16th 2015.\r\n \r\n \r\nSigned into law December 10th 2015.\r\n \r\nCybersecurity Information Sharing Act of 2015\r\n \r\nThe Cybersecurity Information Sharing Act helps protect Americans personal privacy by taking steps to stop future cyber-attacks before they happen. This legislation creates an environment that encourages the sharing of information about cyber threats, allowing all participants to get a better understanding of the current threats that may be used against them.\r\nA series of high profile hacks exposed the personal information of millions of Americans to online identity thieves, including Americans with high level security clearances.\r\nSenator Burr introduced the legislation on March 17th 2015 and was marked up the following day.\r\nSigned into law December 18th 2015.\r\n \r\nLand and Water Conservation Fund Reauthorization (LWCF)\r\n \r\nSen. Burr began advocating for a full, permanent reauthorization of the popular conservation fund several years ago. The authorization of the fund expired in September, but after leading the fight in the Senate to renew this fund, Congress passed a three year extension.\r\nEstablished in 1964, the LWCF is one of Americas most successful federal conservation programs, conserving irreplaceable lands and improving outdoor recreation opportunities throughout the nation. It requires no taxpayer funding.\r\nSenator Burr introduced February 3rd 2015.\r\nSigned into law December 18th 2015.\r\n \r\nNorth Carolina Highway Improvements in the Transportation Bill, Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act)\r\n \r\nIncluded in the comprehensive transportation bill (FAST Act) areprovisions introducedby Senators Tillis and Burr that amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and designate the following North Carolina highways as high priority corridors and future interstates:\r\n\r\nRaleigh-Norfolk Corridor from Raleigh, North Carolina, through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia.\r\nU.S. Route 70 from its intersection with Interstate Route 40 in Garner to the Port at Morehead City, and U.S. Route 117/Interstate Route 795 from U.S. Route 70 in Goldsboro to Interstate Route 40 west of Faison.\r\nThe designation of the highways advances the North Carolina Department of Transportations Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors that will become part of the Interstate system once they are fully built and upgraded to interstate standards.\r\nSens. Tillis and Burr introduced the legislation on May 14th 2015.\r\nSigned into law on December 4th 2015.\r\n\r\n\r\n \r\nMilitary Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 (MSORA)\r\n \r\nThe Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 (MSORA), introduced by Senator Burr, requires the Department of Defense to directly report sex offenders convicted or punished under article 47 of the Uniform Military Code of Justice (UCMJ) to the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. Previously, sex offenders convicted under UCMJ were required to self-report to a local jurisdiction upon their release.\r\nUnder these new laws, communities can be fully aware of former offenders in their neighborhoods.\r\nSenator Burr introduced the legislation February 6th 2015.\r\nSigned into law in June of 2015.\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398788", "Clemmons man inspires new legislation adopted by Congress", "2015-12-28", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It has taken nearly five years, but a Clemmons financial advisors idea to alter language on the federal IRA accounts was adopted by the U.S. House of Representatives last week.Shepherded through by U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, the bill streamlines SIMPLE IRA rollovers. Paul Johnson of Clemmons first brought it to her attention. Johnson said the process had given him some indication about how cumbersome the law making process can be. In some ways, I am glad bills take a while to get passed. I think my clients are going to be pleased that Congresswoman Foxx managed to get this bill passed. I faxed Senators Burr and Tillis last week, asking them to support the Senate version that included my bill, he said. With rare bipartisan support, the legislation corrects a technical limitation preventing the rollover of tax-deferred retirement funds into existing SIMPLE IRA accounts. When I received an email from Congresswoman Foxx policy advisor I was excited that my small idea for a bill was passed this month, said Johnson One of the best retirement plans for small businesses is the SIMPLE IRA. Owners can offer employees a way to save for retirement without all those fees in 401(k)s. My clients were frustrated when they could not roll their other retirement savings into their SIMPLE IRA and have just one account. I wondered if Congress could reverse the prohibition on employees to consolidate of other accounts into the SIMPLE IRA. My respect for Congresswoman Foxx led me to reach out to her. Five years ago, after her re-election in 2010, I sent a fax asking for a change in the law so that clients could consolidate. She met with me and replied that she would work on it. She and her staff spent over 35 hours researching the ERISA regulations, the history of the bill and wrote it. She had to get acceptance that it was revenue neutral and find a Democrat as a co-sponsor. She told me that she went to a Democrat from Massachusetts and asked for his co-sponsorship by saying I have a constituent who says this is important for his clients and I imagine there are advisors in your district with the same concerns. Thats all a lot of work! Congresswoman Foxx stayed with it when it couldnt get the light of day in the term of 2011 and 2012. I attempted to enlist help from my professional organization, NAIFA [National Association of Insurance and Financial Advisors], but it was Foxx work that led to the co-sponsor. Ive been so happy for her work during the next five years. She kept her staff on it and even had to find a new co-sponsor when the previous one lost his re-election. She got the bill re-written two more times. She and her policy advisor stayed in touch with me over these five years. I know that many of my clients will be happy to roll their other retirement accounts into the SIMPLE IRA instead of just having a Rollover IRA. The language is part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which provides permanent tax relief for American families, college students, charities, small businesses and enterprises on the forefront of innovation. Individuals should be able to consolidate their retirement funds in a way that best meets their needs, and Im pleased this legislation includes language that will simplify retirement planning and ensure a complex tax code does not prevent sensible financial planning decisions, said Foxx. This legislation is an important first step on the long road to ensuring our tax system works for Americans, not against them. SIMPLE IRAs face a 25 percent early withdrawal penalty during the first two years of their existence compared to 10 percent for other IRAs. In order to prevent account holders from unknowingly rolling their IRA funds into SIMPLE IRAs and being surprised by an increased early withdrawal penalty, current law prohibits rolling funds over into a SIMPLE IRA from other retirement accounts. However, SIMPLE IRAs have the same early withdrawal penalty as other IRAs after that initial two-year period, and consumers and financial planners have struggled with the rollover restrictions as they attempt to consolidate accounts. Foxxs language allows for rollovers into SIMPLE IRA accounts that have met the two-year threshold. By making a number of temporary tax provisions permanent, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act delivers certainty to American taxpayers and makes it easier for employers to plan ahead, hire new workers, grow their businesses and invest in their communities. http://www.clemmonscourier.net/2015/12/28/clemmons-man-inspires-new-legislation-adopted-by-congress/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senators-burr-and-tillis-recap-north-carolina-military-and-veterans-related-legislative-and-policy-gains-for-2015", "Senators Burr and Tillis Recap North Carolina Military and Veterans Related Legislative and Policy Gains for 2015", "2015-12-24", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.24.15\n\t\t\t Senators Burr and Tillis Recap North Carolina Military and Veterans Related Legislative and Policy Gains for 2015 \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC) today recapped the significant gains for veterans, military bases and the military organizations that call North Carolina home. Senators Burr and Tillis worked over the year to secure critical military upgrades that will ensure that America and the state remain prepared amid growing terrorist threats, as well as important legislation for veterans who have suffered from exposure to toxic chemicals at both Camp Lejeune and aboard C-123s in Vietnam. Additionally, all North Carolina military installations are scheduled to receive significant infrastructure upgrades as a result of legislation passed in 2015.\r\n\"2015 represented a number of legislative gains for both military installations and organizations in North Carolina, as well as national gains for veterans and active duty personnel,\" said Senator Burr. \"Senator Tillis and I worked together to maintain North Carolina's status as a premier military hub by successfully securing additional capabilities at Seymour Johnson Air Base (NC) as well as the preservation of the 440th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg (NC). It's critical for both North Carolina and the country to continue to support our Special Operations Forces, given the current terrorist threats to both the homeland and our allies overseas. Additionally, I continued to fight for justice on issues such as those affected by the contaminated water at Camp Lejeune (NC) and those vets across the country who were finally granted disability status from illnesses caused by Agent Orange exposure in C-123s planes over Vietnam and afterwards. The Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 was signed into law this year and closed a loophole that predators have used to evade law enforcement detection for years. 2015 was a productive year for our efforts to make a difference in NC and nationally and I'm proud of our accomplishments.\"\r\nSenator Burr and I worked hard this past year to preserve and strengthen North Carolinas rich military tradition and advocate on behalf of the more than 800,000 North Carolinians who have honorably served our nation, said Senator Tillis. We fought against the Pentagons strategically flawed attempt to shutter the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Airfield, and I was proud to join Jerry Ensminger, Senator Burr, and the Camp Lejeune Community Assistance Panel in the successful effort to pressure the VA to provide a level of justice for the victims of toxic water contamination at Camp Lejeune. While 2015 resulted in several key victories for our states military and veteran communities, there is still more to be done, and I look forward to continue working with Senator Burr and the rest of the North Carolina Congressional delegation to deliver more results for our great state.\r\nAccomplishments\r\nCamp Lejeune (NC):\r\nIn 2015, after sustained Congressional pressure from both Tillis and Burr, the Department of Veterans Affairs announced that victims of Camp Lejeunes poisoned water who are diagnosed with one or more of eight illnesses will be granted disability status.\r\nDescription: The Department of Veterans Affairs initially refused to acknowledge that exposure to toxic chemicals in Camp Lejeunes water from 1953-1987 caused a number of serious illnesses that in some cases led to death. In 2012, the President signed Senator Burrs bill to require veterans and their families access to VA healthcare if they were stationed at the base and fell ill as a result. In 2015, the VA has expanded presumption to include disability compensation for eight conditions. The reversal demonstrates a major policy shift and a significant victory for victims of toxic exposure for decades at Camp Lejeune.\r\n440th Airlift Wing:\r\nSenators Burr and Tillis have engaged the various military services to ensure North Carolinas military readiness by maintaining the 440th Airlift Wing. The Senators introduced and passed an amendment requiring the Air Force to validate its plan to close the 440th Airlift Wing with the Army.\r\nDescription: The legislation postponed Air Force action to September 30th, 2016 and permits the Air Force to continue only after it validates its plan with the supported commanders. Air Force is implementing a plan to consolidate its C-130 fleet and reduce its overall number of C-130H. Under the current plan, the Air Force wants to deactivate the 440th Airlift Wing, a reserve airlift unit comprised of approximately 1300 personnel stationed at Pope Army Airfield. The Air Force contends it can support Fort Bragg from remote airbases; Army commanders contend it is logistically unfeasible and the 440th fulfills the most pressing training requirements of the global reaction force.\r\nSeymour Johnson Air Force Base KC-46A Tanker:\r\nSeymour Johnson was recently selected as the preferred alternative for the basing of the KC-46A tanker fleet over three other states. Seymour Johnson is currently undergoing an environmental study prior to the decision being final.\r\nDescription: Sens. Burr, Tillis and other members of Congress have advocated for Seymour Johnson as an ideal location for this new tanker fleet, which will be the first on the East Coast and an important element of military readiness. This preliminary study is an indicator that the Air Force is serious about basing the tanker fleet at Seymour Johnson.\r\nMilitary Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015:\r\nSigned into law in June of 2015.\r\nDescription: The Military Sex Offender Reporting Act of 2015 (MSORA), introduced by Senator Burr, requires the Department of Defense to directly report sex offenders convicted or punished under article 47 of the Uniform Military Code of Justice (UCMJ) to the National Sex Offender Registry (NSOR) administered by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and the Dru Sjodin National Sex Offender Public Website. Previously, sex offenders convicted under UCMJ were required to self-report to a local jurisdiction upon their release. A Department of Defense Inspector General report issued in 2014 revealed an estimated 242 of 1,312 released sex offenders failed to self-report under the previous law. Given the significant DOD communities in 2015, under these new laws, communities can be fully aware of former offenders in their neighborhood.\r\nC-123 Toxic Exposure to Agent Orange:\r\nDepartment of Veteran Affairs extended presumptive condition status for Agent Orange exposure to veterans serving on C123K aircraft after Vietnam.\r\nDescription: The VAs reversal of position came after four years of Congressional pressure and multiple medical studies. The latest Institute of Medicines report on Post-Vietnam Dioxin Exposure in Agent Orange-Contaminated C-123 Aircraft left the VA with little choice but to begin approving claims after sustained pressure from Congress. Senator Burr first began pressing for answers in 2011.\r\nThe Omnibus Bill passed by the House and Senate includes a number of important military construction projects for North Carolina.\r\nNavy Procurement\r\n \r\n6 additional F-35B for Marine Corps aviation.\r\n \r\nAir Force Procurement\r\n \r\nKC-46A  Tankers to be stationed at Seymour Johnson.\r\nC-130H Modernization  Air National Guard. Improvements to include 145th Airlift Wing in Charlotte, NC\r\n \r\n \r\nEngine Modifications - $33,200,000\r\n8 Blade Propellers - $10,000,000\r\nIn flight prop balancing - $1,500,000\r\nElectronic Propeller Control System - $13,500,000\r\nAvionics upgrades - $70,000,000\r\n \r\nArmy National Guard\r\n \r\nApache Helicopters  Sec. 8120 prohibits any funds from being used to transfer more than the previously agreed upon 48 Apache helicopters from the National Guard to the active Army prior to June 30, 2016.\r\n \r\nMilitary Construction\r\nNorth Carolina will receive $412 million in specified Military Construction.\r\nApproved projects include:\r\n \r\nCamp Lejeune: 2nd Radio Battalion Complex Operations Consolidation, Simulator Integration/Range Control Facility, Special Operations Combat Service Support Facility, Special Operations Marine Battalion Company/Team Facilities\r\nCherry Point Marine Corps Air Station: KC 130J Enlisted Air Crew Trainer Facility, Unmanned Aircraft System Facilities\r\nNew River: Operational Trainer Facility, Radar Air Traffic Control Facility Addition\r\nSeymour Johnson AFB: Air Traffic Control Tower/Base Ops Facility\r\nFort Bragg: Butner Elementary School Replacement, SOF 21 STS Operations Facility, Special Operations Battalion Operations Facility, Special Operations Indoor Range, Special Operations Intelligence Training Center, Special Operations Special Tactics Facility\r\nCharlotte/Douglas IAP: Replace C-130 Squadron Operations Facility\r\n \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/5th-member-of-local-family-heads-to-naval-academy", "5th member of local family heads to Naval Academy", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\nCONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ANNOUNCES FIRST MILITARY ACADEMY APPOINTMENT OF 2015-2016  Ardrey Kell senior will become fifth family member to attend Annapolis\n\nCHARLOTTE  Congressman Robert Pittenger is excited to announce the 9th Congressional Districts first military academy appointment of the 2015-2016 academic year. Ms. Annalise Heyward, a senior at Ardrey Kell High School, received a prestigious appointment to the United States Naval Academy, where she will follow her great-grandfather, grandfather, father, and brother as a Midshipman. Being part of a Navy family of four generations, I am surrounded by the Navy, whether it is attending football games or seeing my dads Naval Officer Sword and Scabbard hanging on the wall, Ms. Heyward explained to Congressman Pittenger. It would be an absolute honor to be the first female in my family to attend the Naval Academy, graduate, and serve my country. Ms. Heyward is the daughter of Doreen and Alexander Heyward and lives in south Charlotte. What an amazing legacy, said Congressman Pittenger. America is blessed to have families like the Heywards who are committed to defending our freedom. We are proud of Annalise and congratulate her on this achievement. Earlier this month, Congressman Pittenger formally nominated 44 outstanding local students for appointments to West Point, U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Additional appointments are expected in the coming weeks. Local students interested in attending a United States Service Academy should contact Congressman Pittengers Charlotte office at 704-362-1060 for more information on the nomination process.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/cruz-meadows-to-secretary-kerry-close-the-palestinian-liberation", "Cruz, Meadows to Secretary Kerry: Close the Palestinian Liberation Organizations Office in Washington, D.C.", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C. Last week, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, requesting that the State Department revoke the Palestinian Liberation Organizations (PLO) waiver to maintain an office in Washington, D.C.The letter, signed by 32 members of Congress, cites Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) reports that the PLO funds terrorism by paying salaries to Palestinians who are put in Israeli jails as a way of rewarding and incentivizing terror attacks.\nOurclose ally Israel is enduring another wave of Palestinian terrorismin the form ofcar-ramming, rock-throwing, and brutal knife attacks, Sen. Cruz said. These horrific acts of terrorismare due tothe continued incitement and glorification of violenceby Palestinian leadership.Just last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the recent attacks a justified popularuprising following his remarks in September, in which he said,We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem. It is long past time for theUnited States tohold the PLO and its leaders accountable forengaging in such rampant incitement, for celebrating the murder of Jews,and forproviding payment to Palestinian terroristsjailed in Israel and their families. Wemustmake it clear suchactions are blatantly unacceptable and close the PLO office in Washington, D.C.\nFor too long the PLO has not just tolerated acts of terrorism against the Israeli people-but incited others to commit acts of violence in the name of jihad, Rep. Meadows said. It goes against everything we stand for as an American people to allow the PLO to retain an office in our nations capital, considering its long and well-documented history of encouraging violence and terror against our Israeli allies. Its time we send a clear signal that the United States does not tolerate extremism and demonstrate our unwavering support for our allies in Israel by revoking this waiver.\nThe full text of the letter can be read here or below:\n\nThe Honorable John F. Kerry\nSecretary of State\nU.S. Department of State\n2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520\n\nDecember 18, 2015\n\nDear Secretary Kerry,\nPalestinian incitement to violence is a serious and ongoing threat to peace. In recent months, Israel has seen a dramatic increase in deadly attacks carried out by Palestinians sympathetic to the message of hatred and intolerance proclaimed by leaders within the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The spike in violence in Israel is directly connected to the Palestinian governments teaching of hate and glorification of terrorism.\nPalestinian Media Watch (PMW) reported that the PLO funds terrorism by paying salaries to Palestinians who are put in Israeli jails as a way of rewarding and incentivizing terror attacks. The longer the term, the higher the salary. Each year, the PLO provides about $150 million to terrorists imprisoned in Israel and families of deceased terrorists.\nShockingly, despite being complicit in spreading hatred and terror, the PLO retains an office in Washington, D.C. In the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987, Congress forbade the PLO from establishing or maintaining an office in the United States. However, each year since 1994, a President has signed a waiver allowing the PLO office in Washington, D.C. to remain open.\nThis fall, both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed resolutions condemning Palestinian incitement. The United States government has an obligation to publicly denounce the PLOs actions and should immediately revoke its waiver. Allowing the PLO to maintain an office in Washington, D.C. provides no benefit to the United States or the peace process.\nWe ask that the State Department revoke the Palestinian Liberation Organizations waiver to maintain an office in the United States. Closing the PLO office in Washington, D.C. would send a clear statement that the kind of incitement to violence perpetrated by the PLO and its leaders will not be tolerated. \nSincerely,\nMark Meadows\nMember of Congress\n\nTed Cruz\nUnited States Senator\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=402", "Cruz, Meadows to Secretary Kerry: Close the Palestinian Liberation Organizations Office in Washington, D.C.", "2015-12-21", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Last week, U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) sent a letter to Secretary of State John Kerry, requesting that the State Department revoke the Palestinian Liberation Organization's (PLO) waiver to maintain an office in Washington, D.C.The letter, signed by 32 members of Congress, cites Palestinian Media Watch (PMW) reports that the PLO funds terrorism by paying salaries to Palestinians who are put in Israeli jails as a way of rewarding and incentivizing terror attacks.\r\rOurclose ally Israel is enduring another wave of Palestinian terrorismin the form ofcar-ramming, rock-throwing, and brutal knife attacks, Sen. Cruz said. These horrific acts of terrorismare due tothe continued incitement and glorification of violenceby Palestinian leadership.Just last week, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas called the recent attacks a justified popularuprising' following his remarks in September, in which he said,We welcome every drop of blood spilled in Jerusalem.' It is long past time for theUnited States tohold the PLO and its leaders accountable forengaging in such rampant incitement, for celebrating the murder of Jews,and forproviding payment to Palestinian terroristsjailed in Israel and their families. Wemustmake it clear suchactions are blatantly unacceptable and close the PLO office in Washington, D.C.\r\rFor too long the PLO has not just tolerated acts of terrorism against the Israeli people-but incited others to commit acts of violence in the name of jihad, Rep. Meadows said. It goes against everything we stand for as an American people to allow the PLO to retain an office in our nation's capital, considering its long and well-documented history of encouraging violence and terror against our Israeli allies. It's time we send a clear signal that the United States does not tolerate extremism and demonstrate our unwavering support for our allies in Israel by revoking this waiver.\r\rThe full text of the letter can be read here or below:\r\r \r\rThe Honorable John F. Kerry\r\rSecretary of State\r\rU.S. Department of State\r\r2201 C Street NW Washington, DC 20520\r\r \r\rDecember 18, 2015\r\r \r\rDear Secretary Kerry,\r\rPalestinian incitement to violence is a serious and ongoing threat to peace. In recent months, Israel has seen a dramatic increase in deadly attacks carried out by Palestinians sympathetic to the message of hatred and intolerance proclaimed by leaders within the Palestinian Liberation Organization (PLO). The spike in violence in Israel is directly connected to the Palestinian government's teaching of hate and glorification of terrorism.\r\rPalestinian Media Watch (PMW) reported that the PLO funds terrorism by paying salaries to Palestinians who are put in Israeli jails as a way of rewarding and incentivizing terror attacks. The longer the term, the higher the salary. Each year, the PLO provides about $150 million to terrorists imprisoned in Israel and families of deceased terrorists.\r\rShockingly, despite being complicit in spreading hatred and terror, the PLO retains an office in Washington, D.C. In the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1987, Congress forbade the PLO from establishing or maintaining an office in the United States. However, each year since 1994, a President has signed a waiver allowing the PLO office in Washington, D.C. to remain open.\r\rThis fall, both the House of Representatives and the Senate unanimously passed resolutions condemning Palestinian incitement. The United States government has an obligation to publicly denounce the PLO's actions and should immediately revoke its waiver. Allowing the PLO to maintain an office in Washington, D.C. provides no benefit to the United States or the peace process.\r\rWe ask that the State Department revoke the Palestinian Liberation Organization's waiver to maintain an office in the United States. Closing the PLO office in Washington, D.C. would send a clear statement that the kind of incitement to violence perpetrated by the PLO and its leaders will not be tolerated. \r\rSincerely,\r\rMark Meadows\r\rMember of Congress\r\r \r\rTed Cruz\r\rUnited States Senator\r\r \r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-votes-against-11-trillion-deficit-spending-bill", "JONES VOTES AGAINST $1.1 TRILLION DEFICIT SPENDING BILL", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.--This morning, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the $1.1 trillion, 2,009-page omnibus spending bill that does nothing substantive to curb the thousands of Middle Eastern refugees entering the United States. The bill passed the House 316 to 113 and passed the Senate 65-33. It is expected to be sent to President Obama for his signature. Congressman Jones issued the following statement on his vote:\nAs the only member of Congress to vote against every debt ceiling increase in the last 12 years, I cannot in good conscience support a bill that makes the most pressing issue facing our country  out of control federal spending  significantly worse.\nPresident Obama, party leaders in Washington on both sides of the aisle, and the special interests all supported this bill. And why wouldnt they? They wrote the bill behind closed doors then dropped it in the dead of night, giving the public less than 57 hours to review its 2,000 pages before it was voted on. It should be no surprise that the bill reflects their priorities, not the peoples.\nThe bill provides a free pass to terrorists trying to enter our country disguised as refugees, and it fully funds the rest of the Presidents radical, open borders immigration agenda. It includes hundreds of billions of dollars of more deficit spending, billions of dollars in deficit-financed foreign aid for countries that hate us, billions of dollars for President Obamas unauthorized wars, funding for Obamacare, and funding for Planned Parenthoods butchery. Its also chock full of Christmas goodies for special interests, only a fraction of which we know about at the present time because of the size of the bill and the lack of time given to review it.\nOnce again, the Washington Establishment wins, and the people lose. Its sickening.\nCongressman Jones has long been a leader in the fight to cut wasteful spending, eliminate the deficit and pay down the debt. Since 2004, Congressman Jones has voted against more spending bills than all but one of his Republican colleagues in Congress.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398064", "Growing Our Economy & Keeping Americans Safe", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after the House passed the consolidated appropriations bill by a vote of 316 to 113: Today, the House passed a bipartisan government funding bill which will help grow our economy and keep Americans safe. The bill passed today repeals the 1970s-era oil export ban, allowing us to fully realize the potential of our booming domestic energy industry. It reins in out of control federal bureaucrats at the IRS and EPA by freezing funding and staffing levels. This bill keeps us safe from threats both domestically and abroad. It reverses the sequesters draconian cuts to our military and strengthens the Visa Waiver Program, requiring any individual who has travelled to terrorist hot spots be properly screened before coming to the US.  Additionally it includes no new funding for Obamacare, prevents a taxpayer bailout of the laws risk corridor program, and ensures no taxpayer funding for abortion. While not perfect, this bill keeps our government funded and allows Congress to return to regular order in the new year.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398065", "McHenry Applauds End of HAMP Program", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10), the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, released the following statement on passage of the consolidated appropriations bill and, more specifically, Title VII which terminates the Making Home Affordable Initiative effective December 31, 2016:For more than four years, I have been front and center in trying to help homeowners and protect the American taxpayer by ending President Obamas wasteful and failed mortgage modification program. I am pleased to say that day has finally arrived. \n\nWith passage of today's consolidated appropriations bill, Congress has finally ended the Home Affordable Mortgage Program (HAMP), which harmed the very people it was intended to help: those who were struggling to keep their homes after the financial crisis. While I would prefer the money saved by eliminating the program be put towards reducing our deficit, I am grateful that we have finally acknowledged HAMP for what it is: a failed government program that hurt those in need. BACKGROUND: On February 28, 2011 Chief Deputy Whip McHenry introduced H.R. 839, the HAMP Termination Act of 2011, to end the HAMP program. On March 29th of that year, H.R. 839 passed the House on a bipartisan vote of 252-170-1.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-congress-votes-to-strengthen-america", "Pittenger: Congress votes to strengthen America", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER JOINS BIPARTISAN MAJORITY TOSTRENGTHEN NATIONAL SECURITY, REIN IN OBAMACARE, END BAN ON OIL EXPORTS, GROW ECONOMY AND CREATE JOBS \n\nWASHINGTON  This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger joined a strong bipartisan majority to pass the Consolidated Appropriations Act (omnibus spending bill). Today, Congress worked together to responsibly fund the government, strengthen national security, and help grow the economy and create jobs, said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09). No, this bill isnt perfect. No bill is perfect. But this bill strengthens America and brings to a close the era of governing by crisis. The Consolidated Appropriations Act includes several of Congressman Pittengers priorities:  \n\t\n TERRORISM: Included Congressman Pittengers initiative to significantly strengthen security in the Visa Waiver program, making it more difficult for terrorists to slip into the U.S. undetected.\n\tNATIONAL SECURITY: Reversed President Obamas potentially dangerous cuts to defense spending and readiness.\n\tOIL EXPORTS: Lifts the 1975 ban on oil exports, which experts predict will create 1 million new jobs. There are also enormous geopolitical implications, as many American allies are currently at the mercy of adversarial states like Russia for energy supplies.\n\tOBAMACARE: Stopped taxpayer funded bailouts of health insurance companies under Obamacare. As part of Thursdays separate tax legislation, Obamacares Cadillac tax and Medical Device Tax were also delayed by two years.\n\tVETERANS: Speeds up VA claims processing, prioritizes the modernization of VAs electronic records system, ensures veterans receive the health benefits they deserve.\n\t\t\n The Consolidated Appropriations Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 316-113.  \n\t\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398787", "Foxx Statement on House Passage of Omnibus Appropriations Bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "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 bipartisan \u201comnibus\u201d spending bill to appropriate funds for the federal government. The House passed the legislation by a vote of 316-113.\n\n\u201cAs a legislator, I am often responsible for making a decision on the legislation before me rather than the legislation I\u2019d like to see,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cWhile an omnibus spending bill is not ideal, this legislation includes a number of conservative victories and advances Republican priorities in spite of a divided Washington.\u201d\n\nAmong the provisions included in the bill is language that lifts the government\u2019s 40-year-old ban on crude oil exports, which will help shift energy dependence of emerging democracies away from bad actors like Russia and Iran. The legislation also strengthens national security by tightening requirements under the visa waiver program and increasing resources for our military so that troops have what they need to carry out their mission.\n\nAdditionally the bill rejects funding for new or expanded EPA regulatory programs and holds the agency to its lowest spending levels since 2008. It also prohibits new funding for Obamacare and prevents a taxpayer bailout of Obamacare\u2019s risk corridor program.\n\nEarlier this year Senate Democrats vowed to block consideration of spending bills, causing the regular appropriations process to come to a halt and forcing this year-end omnibus legislation.\n\n\u201cCompleting the appropriations process is Congress\u2019 constitutional duty. It\u2019s my sincere hope that next year the Senate will stop invoking the threat of harmful government shutdowns and complete its work under regular order as the House has done for the past five years, subjecting the vast federal bureaucracy to congressional oversight and allowing the elimination of wasteful spending on ineffective programs,\u201d said Foxx.\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", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rouzer-votes-strengthen-military-provide-national-defense-supporting", "Rouzer votes to strengthen military, provide for national defense by supporting omnibus bill", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Congressman David Rouzer voted in support of H.R. 2029, the Consolidated Appropriations Act, commonly referred to as the omnibus. This bill provides funding for appropriated programs established under the FY16 budget  including providing for our national defense, strengthening our visa system to prevent terrorists from using loopholes to enter our homeland, solidifying our role as a dominant energy player in the global market, and prohibiting the IRS from targeting conservative groups and citizens for exercising their right to free speech.\nThe national security threats to our homeland increase by the day, said Rep. David Rouzer. The biggest danger we face right now is radical Islamic extremists working to enter our country and cause us harm. I voted in support of the omnibus bill because it not only increases defense funding to provide our military with the necessary resources to keep us safe, but it also closes dangerous loopholes within our visa system that will help prevent terrorists from entering our country. \nAs the Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee, Im grateful for Congressman Rouzers support on this critical bill to provide our men and women in uniform with much-needed funding to win the fight against terrorism, said Chairman Mac Thornberry of the House Armed Services Committee. The military installations and servicemembers of North Carolina are vital to strengthening and maintaining our national security and the safety of American citizens during this time of great uncertainty.\nH.R. 2029 also includes the following provisions:\n Prevents the transfer of detainees from Guantanamo Bay to American soil;\n\tLifts the crude oil export ban which will strengthen our national security interests and add as much as $170 billion annually to our national gross domestic product (GDP);\n\tSecures stability for our farmers through regulatory relief and other helpful measures;\n\tBlocks the EPAs overreach by withholding funding for new or expanded programs, putting its appropriations at 2008 levels;\n\tPrevents the IRS from discriminating against and unfairly targeting non-profit conservative groups;\n\tProhibits taxpayer dollars to fund abortions;\n\tProhibits gene editing of human embryos and prohibits funding for the creation and destruction of embryos; and,\n\tProhibits members of Congress from receiving an automatic increase in pay.\n H.R. 2029 passed by a vote of 316-113. The bill now heads to the Senate for its consideration.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-fights-washingtons-spending-habits", "Walker Fights Washington's Spending Habits", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) voted today against the omnibus spending bill in the House. This 2,000+ page bill spends over $1 trillion over the next nine months and continues to waste taxpayers money on bloated, wasteful and ineffective priorities.\nThe omnibus continues to violate the American peoples trust by continuing Washingtons habits of increased debt and dysfunction, said Walker. As President Obama enters his final year in office, this vote may have been our last opportunity to stand against the Obama regime in regards to stopping the funding of his promised transformation. My constituents sent me to Washington on the pledge of reviving our economy and reducing the government. This omnibus does not fit that pledge, Walker added.\nThe omnibus spends $1.149 trillion over the next nine months. It fails to divert federal dollars from Planned Parenthood to other womens health care facilities, defund President Obamas de facto amnesty, curb harmful regulations, or repeal Obamacare.\nAlthough the bill does advance some meaningful Republican priorities  such as strengthening the Visa Waiver Program, prohibiting new funding for Obamacare, and blocking EPA overreach  its good intentions only serve as Washington talking points that virtually ignore the threats our nation faces from enemies abroad and President Obamas ideology at home.\nThe bill passed the House today 314-112.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-statement-on-omnibus-", "Burr Statement on Omnibus", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Burr Statement on Omnibus  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) made the following statement after voting against the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2016 (HR.2029): \r\nToday, I voted against the large scale spending in the Omnibus bill. There was much in this bill that I have supported, championed and voted for as standalone measures, including vital defense and intelligence related bills and reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund. Unfortunately, these critical national priorities were buried in a massive 2,000 plus page omnibus package. The spending caps I voted for in 2011 were an important step towards fiscal sanity, but the omnibus obliterates those intelligent limits on spending. The omnibus also wastes another opportunity to reform the tax code, which at this point, is negligently complex and patently unfair. Finally, I am disappointed that the omnibus did not take enough steps to rein in the Administrations overreaching regulatory agenda. Americans trust us to appropriate and legislate responsibly, and I could not support this legislation.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-tillis-welcome-charlotte-courthouse-improvements", "Burr, Tillis Welcome Charlotte Courthouse Improvements", "2015-12-18", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.18.15\n\t\t\t Burr, Tillis Welcome Charlotte Courthouse Improvements \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) and Sen. Thom Tillis (R-NC) welcome the inclusion of funding that will allow for long-awaited judicial infrastructure priorities in appropriations legislation. This will allow for an annex to the Jonas courthouse in Charlotte which opened in 1934 and is not large enough to meet current needs. North Carolinas Senators released the following statement on the funding:\r\nWe applaud Senator Boozmans work to secure sufficient funding for our courthouse system, including the courthouse in Charlotte. The Charlotte courthouse has been sitting on the priority list for necessary upgrades to our judicial infrastructure for far too long. These funds will ensure that the federal judicial system has adequate resources to swiftly and fairly process cases.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398062", "Tax Reform to Help Families & Small Businesses", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington-- Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after House passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act:Americans have long sought clarity and certainty when it comes to our tax code and today the House provided just that with passage of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes (PATH) Act. This bill is a victory for both families and small businesses. It provides families with greater tax savings by making permanent important individual deductions while also enabling businesses to grow by incentivizing them to reinvest in new equipment.\r\n\r\nAdditionally our bill includes a two year moratorium on Obamacares job-killing medical device tax and protects Americans from IRS abuse. Most importantly, this bill sets the stage for what our tax code truly needs: a comprehensive rewrite that simplifies the code and lowers rates across the board. BACKGROUND- The PATH Act includes a number of provisions to lower the tax burden on individuals and small businesses. Included in the legislation are: Corporate Provisions  \r\n Research and development (R&D) credit  Allows a company to deduct from their tax liability the amount of their R&D expenditures.  \r\n Section 179 - Allows businesses to deduct the full purchase price of qualifying equipment and/or software purchased or financed during the tax year.  \r\n Employer wage credit for employees on active duty - Employers receive a tax credit of 20% on wages paid, up to $20,000 for a maximum credit of $4,000, for the time the employee is on active duty. Individual Provisions  \r\n Deduction for teacher classroom expenses  Allows a teacher to deduct from their income tax liability any classroom supplies they personally furnished.  \r\n 100% Exclusion on gains from the sale of small business stock  Money earned from the sale of small business stocks is exempted from federal income taxes Charitable Donations  \r\n Food inventory deduction  Allows individuals to deduct the cost of food purchased and donated to food banks.  \r\n IRA charitable rollover - Allows you to deduct charitable donations from your IRA  \r\n\r\nProgram Integrity Requirements The bill includes reforms to ensure the integrity of the Earned Income Tax Credit, the Child Tax Credit, and the American Opportunity Credit. These reforms would prohibit an individual from making retroactive claims for any of these credits for any year in which the individual, or, in the case of the CTC, the child, did not have a social security number for the purposes of the EITC, or an IRS taxpayer identification number for the purposes of the CTC or AOC. These reforms are intended to ensure that no illegal immigrant can utilize these credits. Tax Administration Provisions The bill includes a number of provisions intended to better protect taxpayers from abuse and ensure IRS employees are acting in compliance with the law and in the best interest of the taxpayers. Medical Device Tax Moratorium Section 174 would impose a two-year moratorium (through calendar year 2017) of the Obamacare 2.3% medical device excise tax.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398786", "House Passes Foxx-Authored Provision to Streamline SIMPLE IRA Rollovers", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", "foxx", "https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx", "scraper", "WASHINGTON \u2013 The House of Representatives today passed bipartisan legislation that includes language by Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., to correct a technical limitation preventing the rollover of tax-deferred retirement funds into existing SIMPLE IRA accounts.\n\nThe language is part of the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act, which provides permanent tax relief for American families, college students, charities, small businesses and enterprises on the forefront of innovation.\n\n\u201cIndividuals should be able to consolidate their retirement funds in a way that best meets their needs, and I\u2019m pleased this legislation includes language that will simplify retirement planning and ensure a complex tax code does not prevent sensible financial planning decisions,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cThis legislation is an important first step on the long road to ensuring our tax system works for Americans, not against them.\u201d\n\nSIMPLE IRAs face a 25 percent early withdrawal penalty during the first two years of their existence compared to 10 percent for other IRAs. In order to prevent account holders from unknowingly rolling their IRA funds into SIMPLE IRAs and being surprised by an increased early withdrawal penalty, current law prohibits rolling funds over into a SIMPLE IRA from other retirement accounts. However, SIMPLE IRAs have the same early withdrawal penalty as other IRAs after that initial two-year period, and consumers and financial planners have struggled with the rollover restrictions as they attempt to consolidate accounts. Foxx\u2019s language allows for rollovers into SIMPLE IRA accounts that have met the two-year threshold.\n\nBy making a number of temporary tax provisions permanent, the Protecting Americans from Tax Hikes Act delivers certainty to American taxpayers and makes it easier for employers to plan ahead, hire new workers, grow their businesses and invest in their communities.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-and-tillis-applaud-dept-of-veterans-affairs-decision-to-finally-grant-disability-status-to-camp-lejeune-veterans", "Burr and Tillis Applaud Dept. of Veterans Affairs Decision to Finally Grant Disability Status to Camp Lejeune Veterans", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Burr and Tillis Applaud Dept. of Veterans Affairs Decision to Finally Grant Disability Status to Camp Lejeune Veterans \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) made the following statements on todays U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs announcement that victims of Camp Lejeunes poisoned water who are diagnosed with one of eight illnesses will be granted disability status:\r\nThe VA has conceded that it will no longer deny disability benefits to Camp Lejeune victims based on ridiculous scientific claims, said Sen. Burr. This is victory for those who have long suffered as a result of the toxic exposure to chemicals while serving our country at Camp Lejeune. In 2012, the President signed my legislation into law that provided health care to veterans and their families who were poisoned at Camp Lejeune and I will continue to advocate for them. I thank Jerry Ensminger for his unending support of Lejeune victims. God bless all of these men and women.\r\nThe VA is finally granting some justice to veterans who were exposed to contaminated drinking water while assigned to Camp Lejeune, said Sen. Tillis. The victims of this tragedy have waited far too long to receive disability benefits, and I thank Jerry Ensminger, Senator Burr, and the entire Camp Lejeune Community Assistance Panel for their tireless efforts in advocating on behalf of the victims and keeping pressure on the VA to do the right thing.\r\nThe eight illnesses are as follows:\r\n \r\nKidney Cancer\r\nLiver Cancer\r\nNon-Hodgkin Lymphoma\r\nLeukemia\r\nMultiple Myeloma\r\nScleroderma\r\nParkinson's Disease\r\nAplastic Anemia / Myelodysplastic Syndromes\r\n \r\nIn July 2015, after years of Congressional pressure, Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) announced that the VA would begin the process to grant presumptive disability status to veterans at Camp Lejeune who have certain cancers and conditions known to be associated with long term exposure to the chemicals that contaminated the base water system from 1953-1987.\r\nIn September 2015, both Senator Burr and Senator Tillis pressed the VA at a Senate Veterans Affairs Committee hearing on Camp Lejeune for answers about granting Lejeune veterans disability status. Bureaucratic red tape and internal resistance at the VA delayed a final decision for years.\r\nIn August of 2012, President Obama signed the Honoring America's Veterans and Caring for Camp Lejeune Families Act of 2012 bill into law. This legislation, introduced by Senator Burr, requires the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide health care to veterans and their family members who have certain diseases and conditions as a result of exposure to well-water contaminated by human carcinogens at Camp Lejeune in North Carolina.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-on-conservation-fund-and-senate-passage-of-lautenberg-chemical-safety-act", "Burr on Conservation Fund and Senate Passage of Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act", "2015-12-17", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.17.15\n\t\t\t Burr on Conservation Fund and Senate Passage of Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC) released the following statement on the Senates passage of the Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act:\r\nAs a co-sponsor and longtime supporter of the Lautenberg bill, I applaud the tireless efforts of Senators Inhofe and Udall to finally update our chemical safety standards that keep Americans safe. Im also pleased that we reached bipartisan agreement to extend the Land and Water Conservation Fund for three years after Congress let it expire at the end of September. This short-term reauthorization is a good starting point to get this important program back on its feet. LWCF is designed to protect our natural treasures for generations to come, and I will continue to fight for its permanent reauthorization.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398057", "McHenry Statement on the Federal Reserve's Action on Interest Rates", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10), the Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee, released the following statement in response to the Federal Reserve's decision to raise its benchmark interest rate for the first time since 2006:Todays decision by the Federal Reserve serves as an important reminder that the how and why are as important as when the Fed decides to raise rates. Year after year, the Federal Reserve and the Obama Administration have over-promised and under delivered in terms of cutting the debt, strengthening the economy, and promoting jobs. Meanwhile, Dodd-Frank has created a new framework under which it is now harder for firms to mitigate risk and provide liquidity to the stressed capital markets. While I appreciate the Feds return to a more normalized rate, I fear that the Fed is far too worried about when to raise rates, rather than addressing the failed policies that got us here.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/hizballah-sanctions-bill-heads-to-the-president-s-desk", "Hizballah Sanctions Bill Heads to the Presidents Desk", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015, H.R. 2297, on Wednesday, a landmark bill using financial sanctions to cripple the terrorist organizations foreign assets and global criminal operations. The bill, originally introduced in the 113th Congress by Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), will now head to President Obamas desk for a signature.\nThis legislation also targets Hizballahs international narcotics trafficking, its media arm and propaganda tool, al-Manar, and will require the President to designate the terrorist organization as a Transnational Criminal Organization, allowing the U.S. Department of the Treasury and law enforcement personnel the ability to crack down on Hizballahs criminal and terrorist activities.\nThe United States cannot sit back idly and allow Hizbollahs terrorist and criminal operations to continue unabated. Hizballah poses a direct threat to the United States and our allies abroad, particularly Israel. We must do all that we can in our power to stop Hizballahs global terrorist reach, said Congressman Meadows.\nThis bipartisan bill passed the House unanimously in the 113th Congress. It was re-introduced in the 114th Congress by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elliot Engel (D-NY). In the Senate, Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the companion legislation, which advanced with broad support before being sent back to the House with an amendment. \nIm grateful to Senators Rubio and Shaheen for their bipartisan efforts to advance this critically important legislation, which will truly help make the world a safer place. The Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act will cripple the terrorist organizations extensive, illegal financial network. Hizballahs days of unhindered criminal operations and terrorist activity are numbered, Meadows said.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=401", "Hizballah Sanctions Bill Heads to the Presidents Desk", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The U.S. House of Representatives passed the Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act of 2015, H.R. 2297, on Wednesday, a landmark bill using financial sanctions to cripple the terrorist organization's foreign assets and global criminal operations. The bill, originally introduced in the 113th Congress by Congressman Mark Meadows (R-NC), will now head to President Obama's desk for a signature.\r\rThis legislation also targets Hizballah's international narcotics trafficking, it's media arm and propaganda tool, al-Manar, and will require the President to designate the terrorist organization as a Transnational Criminal Organization, allowing the U.S. Department of the Treasury and law enforcement personnel the ability to crack down on Hizballah's criminal and terrorist activities.\r\rThe United States cannot sit back idly and allow Hizbollah's terrorist and criminal operations to continue unabated. Hizballah poses a direct threat to the United States and our allies abroad, particularly Israel. We must do all that we can in our power to stop Hizballah's global terrorist reach, said Congressman Meadows.\r\rThis bipartisan bill passed the House unanimously in the 113th Congress. It was re-introduced in the 114th Congress by House Foreign Affairs Committee Chairman Ed Royce (R-CA) and Ranking Member Elliot Engel (D-NY). In the Senate, Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) introduced the companion legislation, which advanced with broad support before being sent back to the House with an amendment. \r\rI'm grateful to Senators Rubio and Shaheen for their bipartisan efforts to advance this critically important legislation, which will truly help make the world a safer place. The Hizballah International Financing Prevention Act will cripple the terrorist organization's extensive, illegal financial network. Hizballah's days of unhindered criminal operations and terrorist activity are numbered, Meadows said.\r\r \r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-feinstein-committee-is-not-investigating-debate-comments-", "Burr, Feinstein: Committee Is Not Investigating Debate Comments", "2015-12-16", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.16.15\n\t\t\t Burr, Feinstein: Committee Is Not Investigating Debate Comments  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) and Vice Chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee, Senator Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), today released the following statement:\r\nThe Committee is not investigating anything said during last nights Republican Presidential debate.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-demands-info-secret-talks-regarding-no-fishing-zones", "JONES DEMANDS INFO ON SECRET TALKS REGARDING NO FISHING ZONES", "2015-12-15", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) has signed onto a Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) request to the Department of Interior, asking for all correspondence relating to federal lands that were considered, analyzed, or designated as national monuments since January 20, 2009, when President Obama began his first term as president. In the past six years, special interest groups have been pushing the Obama administration to use the Antiquities Act to lock up large tracts of federal land  both onshore and offshore  by designating these areas national monuments.\nLed by Arizona Congressman Paul Gosar, the FOIA request comes in response to increasing speculation that President Obama may follow the example of his predecessor George W. Bush and unilaterally designate large swaths of America as national monuments. In September, Congressman Jones became a cosponsor on H.R. 330, the Marine Access and State Transparency (MAST) Act. The bill would prevent President Obama, or any future president, from unilaterally designating offshore areas as national monuments and restricting the publics ability to fish there. Instead, the bill would require a president to get the approval of Congress and the legislature of each state within 100 nautical miles of the monument before any monument designation could take effect.\nPresidents from both parties have abused their monument designation authority for far too long, said Congressman Jones. No president should be allowed to just lock up millions of acres of fishing grounds by fiat, with no public input whatsoever. Frankly, its un-American, and it must be stopped. The public deserves to know about any back room conversations between special interest groups and the Obama administration regarding shutting down large parts of our coast to fishing.\nClick on the link below to read the FOIA request letter.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398785", "Davidson Water hosts congresswoman for gathering", "2015-12-14", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, spent the afternoon with community members and employees of Davidson Water on Monday discussing the importance of water conservation in the country.Foxx joined community business leaders and elected officials in the discussion of raising awareness of the ongoing water shortages that plague parts of the country. During her visit, Foxx spoke with Davidson Water employees privately, thanking the group for their service in an unappreciated industry. I want to thank you all, Foxx said in addressing a large group of employees. I know the people of this area dont tell you how much they appreciate you because they dont know how much they appreciate you until the water stops. I hope people become more acquainted with how precious water is to us and get to be more appreciative of you all and what you do. After attending a public forum last month in which Foxx addressed Thomasville citizens on a variety of issues, Davidson Water General Manager Ron Sink said he felt drawn to invite the congresswoman to his water system. Sink said he offered to host Foxx whenever she was available and got a call the next day from her saying she would love to make it happen. It was funny, when she called, it was restricted, and I had just been at my moms, and so I answered the phone and said mom what did I forget? Sink said, joking he and the congresswoman talked pinto beans before setting up the appearance. I invited her to come visit to see what we do, Sink said. Were one of the largest rural water systems in America and ... I thought she would be interested in knowing who we are and what we do. Our part of the county is new to the 5th District, so I think its important for her. For Sinks employees, he said, Foxxs appearance proves her commitment to their work and their passion. We have a representative in Congress, and they are looking after our best interests, he said. Were just proud to be able to host her and show her a little bit of our county in north Davidson. Were proud of our community, and we like showing off. Davidson Water Inc. formed in 1968 as the brainchild of five residents who believed the community needed a reliable source of water to continue to thrive. Member-owned since its inception, Davidson Water now serves over 150,000 people, making it the seventh largest water system in North Carolina. The company operates more than 1,800 miles of pipeline and boasts 19.25 million gallons of storage capacity. We feel like water is vital, and were pleased that shes willing to come down and see us and know us and know what we do and what were about, Davidson Water President Lee Comer said. We could live forever without diamonds, but cant live more than a few days without water. Sink and Comer detailed the companys history and scale to Foxx during the event, showing off plans for expansion and growth. Sink credited the companys board for the success it has enjoyed over the years. We have a board that they dont have a political agenda, Sink said. They only have one agenda, and that is to represent the members and to provide safe, reliable drinking water at the lowest possible cost. http://www.the-dispatch.com/article/20151214/news/151219903", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398784", "Medals remember fallen sailor", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "While many of us were shopping for Christmas bargains on the weekend after Thanksgiving or feasting on turkey sandwiches at home, U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx spent that Saturday afternoon presenting medals to a Navy sailors family. Willis Tom Bradshaw, who grew up in Gastonia, was killed in action Nov. 13, 1942 while aboard the light cruiser USS Juneau that was sunk during the Battle of Guadalcanal.Bradshaws family now lives in Clemmons and had asked for Foxxs help in getting his medals. Foxx does a lot of things, but she pays great attention to the presentation of service medals to veterans and their families. Bradshaws daughter, Bonnie Ford, who was 7 when her father left for World War II, was presented with his World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin and a Purple Heart. The Juneau had a short and very eventful life. It sank with four battle stars to its credit. The ship was part of a massive building effort after Pearl Harbor. It was quickly thrown into battle against the Japanese navy. The ship repeatedly shot down Japanese bombers as it sailed in defense of the vital American carriers. During pitch black conditions at Guadalcanal, the American and Japanese ships found themselves intermingled. Juneau was seriously damaged and had to withdraw. Limping away, it was later hit by another torpedo and exploded, breaking in two. The ship sank in 20 seconds. Two nearby ships assumed all were lost and abandoned the site. In fact, 100 sailors had survived and were left in the water. Eight days later when they were spotted by a rescue aircraft, only 10 had survived the elements  and the feasting sharks. One of the most noted stories of the Juneaus sinking was the deaths of the five Sullivan brothers, all serving on the same ship. They had enlisted with the stipulation that they all serve together. From a Wikipedia story about the brothers: The brothers parents learned of their deaths on January 12, 1943. That morning, the boys father, Thomas, was preparing for work when three men in uniform  a lieutenant commander, a doctor and a chief petty officer  approached his door. I have some news for you about your boys, the naval officer said. Which one? asked Thomas. Im sorry, the officer replied. All five. Three of the Sullivans died in the explosion. Two others died of exposure. Willis Tom Bradshaw was among those 687 fatalities. The stories of heroism and hardship from World War II are countless. That Greatest Generation faced wars on both oceans and in Europe, Africa and Asia. Unlike today when the Navy is considered a safer assignment than the Army, ships were sunk with great regularity in World War II. The Japanese with kamikaze pilots and the Germans with U-boats were treacherous menaces at sea. Technology has changed the way we fight wars. The Sullivan parents didnt learn of their sons deaths for more than a month. Today, the news travels much faster. What hasnt changed is the blood and tears shed by soldiers and their families. Rep. Foxxs attention to old soldiers and their families is a fitting tribute to their sacrifice. http://www.ourdavie.com/2015/12/10/medals-remember-fallen-sailor/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398053", "McHenry Recognizes Gaston County Institutions", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Yesterday, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) took to the floor of the House of Representatives to recognize two Gaston County institutions celebrating milestone anniversaries this year. McHenry first recognized Belmont's Holy Angels of North Carolina which is celebrating its 60th anniversary this year. McHenry then recognized Gastonia's Tony's Ice Cream which is celebrating their 100th anniversary this year. Complete video of Congressman McHenry's remarks can be accessed here or by clicking the image below.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-demands-transparency-at-secretive-government-regulator", "Pittenger demands transparency at secretive government regulator", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER DEMANDS TRANSPARENCYAT POWERFUL FINANCIAL STABILITY OVERSIGHT COUNCIL \n\nWASHINGTON  Major Charlotte employers, including Bank of America, Wells Fargo, MetLife, Ally Financial, and BB&T, are regulated by the Financial Stability Oversight Council, a shadowy federal entity which holds two-thirds of its meetings in secret. Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) officially introduced H.R. 4210, legislation that would require Voting Members of the Financial Stability Oversight Council (FSOC) to publicly testify before Congress at least twice each year, or allow Members of the House Financial Services Committee to attend the secret FSOC meetings. The fate of the American economy is in the hands of a secretive, highly-partisan board, with all but one member appointed by the President, said Congressman Pittenger. There is no transparency. No oversight. We dont really know what takes place in their meetings. This isnt how we operate in the United States. Currently, Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is the only FSOC member required to testify before Congress, with a focus on FSOCs annual report. The other nine voting members, including FHFA Director Mel Watt and CFPB Director Richard Cordray, are not required to answer questions from the Peoples elected representatives about their FSOC votes, which can include decisions potentially leading to taxpayer-funded bailouts, increased fees charged to consumers, or the loss of jobs. Earlier this week, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen declined to testify before the Financial Services Committee regarding her activity as an FSOC voting member. The Financial Stability Oversight Council has broad authority over the U.S. financial system, including power to designate Systemically Important Financial Institutions (SIFIs). The House Financial Services Committee is expected to consider H.R. 4210, Congressman Pittengers FSOC transparency legislation, in January.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/reports/china-report-congressional-delegation-trip", "China Report - Congressional Delegation Trip", "2015-12-10", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "As the worlds most populous nation, China plays an important role in world affairs. Recently, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-9) led a Congressional delegation to China to meet with leaders and dialogue about important issues facing the United States and China. Click here to download the full report.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398781", "NC, local schools should benefit from education overhaul bill", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Legislation that supporters say will significantly reduce federal control of local classrooms and has drawn support from congressional lawmakers on opposite sides of the political spectrum  U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th, and U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., for example  is heading to President Barack Obamas desk.  \r\n                \r\nThe U.S. Senate on Wednesday passed the Every Student Succeeds Act, or ESSA, by a vote of 85-12, a week after the U.S. House passed it 359-64.North Carolina schools stand to receive more money under a provision added to the bill by U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican. But the larger impact is that the 2002 No Child Left Behind Act will be dramatically overhauled, limiting the federal governments role in education policy but keeping the annual testing requirements for public-school children. The bill returns to the states the authority to decide how to use students test performance in assessing teachers and schools, and it ends federal efforts to encourage such academic standards as Common Core. As a grandmother, educator and former school board member, I know students are best served when teachers, parents and administrators are the driving force behind improving education, Foxx said last week after the House vote. This legislation does just that by reducing the federal footprint in the nations classrooms and restoring control to the people who know their students best. On the Senate floor Wednesday, Warren said: We have only one goal in mind: To give all our children the best possible education. The challenge has been to figure out the right role for the federal government to do that. This bill  moves away from rigid standardized tests, and it respects the vital work that teachers do every day. Burr added a provision, aides said, that fixes an outdated part of the funding formula. Under the flawed formula, money was allocated based on 2001 population numbers, without factoring in North Carolinas population growth. As a result, aides said, students were not receiving their fair share of funding. Money follows students under the Burr provision, spokeswoman Taylor Holgate said. Schools in North Carolina stand to receive an additional $24 million a year once it is phased in over seven years. This is a big deal, Burr said. Making sure that low-income children, regardless of where they live, get their fair share of funding could be the education civil-rights issue of our generation, he said. Congress has the obligation to properly fund schools that need this funding the most. Divided among North Carolinas 115 school systems, its unclear how much of an effect an additional $24 million would have but officials with Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools said they could use every extra dollar. Theo Helm, the spokesman for Winston-Salem/Forsyth County Schools, said the school system could use any additional support from federal funding, especially given the reduction in Title I funding this year. Title I is federal program designed to support schools with high percentages of low-income students. Under ESSA, money previously reserved for school-turnaround programs would be rolled into the Title I program, possibly freeing up money for schools facing the challenges that many students have living in poverty. Helm said the school system also appreciates the reauthorizations continued focus on subgroups of students, such as minorities, economically disadvantaged and English-language learners. The school system has made closing achievement gaps among different groups of students a priority. Among those in the House who voted against passage of the bill were four members of North Carolinas congressional delegation: U.S. Reps. Walter Jones, R-3rd; Mark Walker, R-6th; Mark Meadows, R-11th; and George Holding, R-13th. Walker voted against the bill because he thinks education is a decision best made at the state and local level, as evidenced by his A-PLUS Act, which allows states to opt-out of federal mandates but maintain federal funding, his spokesman Kyle Hall said. Among the new federal programs, Hall said, the prekindergarten program alone will cost $250 million annually. You cannot give education power back to the states by creating more federal programs, Hall said. http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/nc-local-schools-should-benefit-from-education-overhaul-bill/article_ca8caa54-11ad-526f-8c0e-7f7071887eba.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398783", "N.C. schools would gain $24 million in No Child Left Behind rewrite", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Republican U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis and the majority of North Carolinas congressional delegation supported bipartisan education legislation set to replace some federal laws introduced in the 2001 No Child Left Behind Act.Burr, North Carolinas senior senator, called the Every Student Succeeds Act one of the most important education policy changes of our time. The bill, passed by the Senate in a 85-12 vote Wednesday, would reduce the federal governments say over classroom standards but would keep in place a requirement that states conduct yearly standardized testing of students. President Barack Obama is expected to sign the bill into law Thursday morning, and he has said it removes a one-size-fits-all mandate on public schools. U.S. Reps. George Holding, Walter Jones, Mark Meadows and Mark Walker, all N.C. Republicans, opposed the legislation in a House vote last week. But the states other Republicans, along with all three Democrats, supported the bill. Republican Rep. Virginia Foxx, who sits on the U.S. House Education and the Workforce Committee, said in a statement of support the bill gets Washington out of the business of running schools. Burr was vocal in the Senate this year about a provision to change the way Title II education dollars, which are aimed at increasing the number of experienced educators in schools, are sent to states. Until now, funding levels have been frozen since 2001, based on population. Proponents of the change argued state allocations should be decided based on current population, taking into account the number of low-income children who have moved into new schools since No Child Left Behinds passage. The change would net N.C. schools an extra $24 million per year for professional development for educators, according to the Congressional Research Service. Proposed tweaks to funding invited a long fight, Burr said in a statement. There were many influential groups committed to maintaining the status quo, even though many states with population shifts like North Carolina were getting shortchanged. Earlier this year, Burr proposed a separate amendment on Title I funding, hoping to change the formula used to decide how millions of federal dollars targeted to help educate poor students are provided to states. That effort failed following fierce opposition from states that stood to lose money if the Title 1 funding changed. Burr and other supporters of rewriting and replacing No Child Left Behind found common ground on shifting $250 million from a grant-based program and using it to pay directly for a new pre-kindergarten program. This earned praise on Wednesday from N.C. Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson, who said pre-K education is critical to graduating college and job-ready students. Research is rich indicating how important it is to have preschool education. ... It makes a difference, Atkinson said in an interview. Atkinson also voiced support for the bill pulling back on federal mandates, which critics say have burdened school districts and states  particularly those associated with the Common Core curriculum. She said the bill lets North Carolina customize how it addresses low-performing schools. Although the Every Student Succeeds Act would put more money toward pre-K programs, Atkinson said she would have liked to have seen Congress send those federal dollars to the states education department  a more direct route, she said, to school districts than through the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services, as called for in the bill. North Carolina will use the additional $24 million for educator training, retention and hiring to support teachers and others who are at the core of high student achievement and growth, Atkinson said. Although the legislation gives more local control, some Republicans opposed the bill, saying it isnt enough to reduce the federal governments influence over school policies and curriculum. The only votes against the bill came from Republican House and Senate members. Jones, a staunch No Child Left Behind critic since its original passage, said in a statement that the Every Student Succeeds Act extends what he calls ineffective programs and big-government education. The law would take effect mid-year 2017. North Carolinas waiver exempting the state from adopting many No Child Left Behind standards will end. http://www.newsobserver.com/article48884515.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-and-massie-introduce-bill-cut-post-speaker-office", "JONES AND MASSIE INTRODUCE BILL TO CUT POST-SPEAKER OFFICE", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and Congressman Thomas Massie (KY-4) introduced legislation to de-authorize the post-speaker office that retired speakers enjoy for up to five years after they leave office. The practice started in 1971 when former Speaker John McCormack retired. In the past 44 years, the perk has grown to include office allowances, franking privileges, and staff help for the former speaker. Former Speaker Dennis Hastert spent $1.9 million in taxpayer money running his post-speaker office. Meanwhile, he was making big money as a Washington, DC lobbyist and had the disposable income to pay $1.7 million to someone who was blackmailing him over allegedly molesting young boys.\nIt is ridiculous that a former speaker needs 5 years and millions of taxpayer dollars to maintain an office in the Capitol building, said Congressman Jones. They are no longer a member of Congress. Upon leaving office, former speakers have access to many perks and opportunities, including government pensions, book deals, lobbying, speaking engagements, and consulting. If they want an office, they can pay for it themselves. We need to cut this unnecessary taxpayer-funded perk and deal with our $18 trillion debt.\nIm confident that when we get this legislation to the floor, every member of Congress will vote with us to eliminate this waste of taxpayer dollars, Massie said. This week's omnibus presents an immediate opportunity to defund the ex-speaker's office, but the most probable vehicle is an amendment containing Mr. Jones' legislation, that we can offer next summer during the appropriations debate, he added.\nClick on the link below to read the bill de-authorizing the post-speaker office. Congressman Jones also sent a letter to Speaker Ryan today about the need to de-authorize to the office. Watch video of Congressman Jones remarks at the press conference here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398051", "McHenry Statement on Eugenics Compensation Legislation Clearing House Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform passed S. 1698, The Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act, by unanimous consent during their business meeting this morning:  \nTodays news is a positive development in our continued efforts to right the wrongs committed during this shameful period of our states history. We can never fully repay the victims of this horrific program but our legislation at least ensures they are not victimized again. Id like to thank Chairman Chaffetz and members of the Oversight Committee for their swift action on my bill. I look forward to seeing this important legislation come to the House floor early next year.On July 8th, Congressman McHenry along with Congressman G.K. Butterfield (D, NC-01) introduced the House companion legislation to S. 1698, H.R. 2949 also titled The Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act. The legislation passed the Senate by unanimous consent on November 30th. Following approval by the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform the legislation now moves on to be considered by the full House. Further Background: During the early decades of the 20th century, over 30 states implemented eugenics or compulsory sterilization laws which led to the mandated sterilization of more than 60,000 citizens. Those sterilized were overwhelming poor and were often unaware they were being victimized. At the time, North Carolina was known to have one of the most aggressive sterilization programs, with only two states having been known to sterilize more of their citizens. In 2013, North Carolina passed legislation becoming the first state to compensate victims of forced sterilization. This legislation set aside $10 million in the state budget to compensate victims of the state's eugenics program. As of the beginning of 2015, more than 200 victims have been awarded approximately $20,000 each in compensation.  H.R. 2949 was introduced to further assist victims of these programs by ensuring the payments victims receive do not count towards their eligibility for, or amount of, any benefits they receive from the Federal government. This includes Medicaid, Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (food stamps), unemployment, Supplemental Security Income, and any other Federal benefits.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/terrorism-financing-task-force-reauthorized-pittenger-continues-as-vice", "Terrorism Financing Task Force reauthorized, Pittenger continues as Vice Chair", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n TERRORISM FINANCING TASK FORCE REAUTHORIZED,CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER APPOINTED VICE CHAIR \n\nWASHINGTON  The House Financial Services Committee has unanimously voted to reauthorize the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing and appoint Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) to continue as Vice Chairman of the Task Force. Countering terror financing remains a strategic priority for this country. I believe it is one of the best avenues for defeating our enemies, said Congressman Pittenger shortly before Tuesdays vote. Our task force has accomplished significant work this year. We have identified many of the threats we face, and the sources of financing that they use. We still have much to do, and I am pleased Chairman Hensarling and this committee have brought the bipartisan task force back up for reauthorization. Click here for full video of Vice Chairman Pittengers statement on reauthorization of theTask Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing. In 2015, the Task Force investigated links between organized crime and terrorists, uncovered the lack of information sharing between government agencies tasked with intercepting terrorist financing, evaluated security threats to the U.S. financial system, and examined how the Iran nuclear deal will impact terrorism financing. Congressman Pittenger also serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/meadows-connolly-fraud-prevention-bill-passes-committee", "Meadows - Connolly Fraud Prevention Bill Passes Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced the bipartisan Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015, H.R. 4180, introduced by Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to combat fraud at federal agencies and save American taxpayer dollars.\nThe Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported nearly a $125 billion in improper payments just last year, much of which is the result of individuals deliberately defrauding federal agencies. The Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015 would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Comptroller General to establish government-wide guidelines for agencies to monitor, detect, and combat fraud in real-time, rather than relying on end-of-year audits.\nThe bill also calls for the creation of a working group tasked with building multi-agency data channels to fight fraud with the power of big data.\nDetecting, preventing, and eliminating fraud within our federal agencies is an important bipartisan issue that will save taxpayer dollars. Federal agencies must be pro-active, not reactive in their anti-fraud efforts, Chairman Meadows (R-NC) said.\nThe fight against fraud and improper payments is a long-standing challenge transcending Presidential administrations and affecting all federal agencies, said Representative Gerry Connolly. Our committee has investigated this issue in-depth, and when it comes to rooting out fraud, we would be wise to heed Benjamin Franklins famous axiom that, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure, said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee for Government Operations.\nSenatorsThom Tillis (R-NC) and Tom Carper (D-DE) are leading the Senate-version of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=400", "Meadows - Connolly Fraud Prevention Bill Passes Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House Oversight and Government Reform Committee advanced the bipartisan Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015, H.R. 4180, introduced by Government Operations Subcommittee Chairman Mark Meadows (R-NC) and Ranking Member Gerry Connolly (D-VA) to combat fraud at federal agencies and save American taxpayer dollars.\r\rThe Government Accountability Office (GAO) has reported nearly a $125 billion in improper payments just last year, much of which is the result of individuals deliberately defrauding federal agencies. The Fraud Reduction and Data Analytics Act of 2015 would require the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) and the Comptroller General to establish government-wide guidelines for agencies to monitor, detect, and combat fraud in real-time, rather than relying on end-of-year audits.\r\rThe bill also calls for the creation of a working group tasked with building multi-agency data channels to fight fraud with the power of big data.\r\rDetecting, preventing, and eliminating fraud within our federal agencies is an important bipartisan issue that will save taxpayer dollars. Federal agencies must be pro-active, not reactive in their anti-fraud efforts, Chairman Meadows (R-NC) said.\r\rThe fight against fraud and improper payments is a long-standing challenge transcending Presidential administrations and affecting all federal agencies, said Representative Gerry Connolly. Our committee has investigated this issue in-depth, and when it comes to rooting out fraud, we would be wise to heed Benjamin Franklin's famous axiom that, An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure,' said Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA), Ranking Member of the Oversight Subcommittee for Government Operations.\r\rSenatorsThom Tillis (R-NC) and Tom Carper (D-DE) are leading the Senate-version of the bill.\r\r \r\r###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-moves-eugenics-legislation-through-committee", "Walker Moves Eugenics Legislation Through Committee", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today supported The Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act through the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, of which he is a member. This bipartisan legislation protects federal benefits for compensated eugenics victims.\nWe will never be able to justify North Carolinas sterilization program, nor will we be able to delete this page of our states history. However, we can acknowledge these injustices and make restitutions, Walker said. I applaud Senator Tillis for leading this effort in North Carolina and in Washington. This bill should serve as a reminder that every life is precious and I look forward to seeing its passage in the House, Walker added.\nState-run eugenics and compulsory sterilization laws victimized more than 60,000 Americans in 33 states from the 1920s to the 1970s. State governments often targeted specific groups for sterilization, including unmarried women, African-Americans, and children from poor families Victims were often sterilized without their consent or knowledge.\nIn 2013, North Carolina became the first state to pass legislation creating a fund to compensate living victims of the states sterilization program. North Carolina victims were awarded their first compensation payment of approximately $20,000 each in 2014. The second eugenics compensation payments of an additional $15,000 were awarded last month.\nThe Treatment of Certain Payments in Eugenics Compensation Act was originally introduced in the Senate by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Tom Carper (D-DE). This legislation will help assist living eugenics victims receiving compensation payments by excluding their payments from being used in determining eligibility for, or the amount of, federal public benefits such as Medicaid, Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program, Supplemental Security Income, and SSI-Disabled. Without this legislation, many eugenics victims who receive compensation payments could see their federal benefits reduced or even have their eligibility eliminated.\nThe bill passed the Senate last week with unanimous support and the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. It now heads to the House floor.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/24-million-per-year-for-nc-schools-common-core-repeal-heads-to-presidents-desk", "$24 Million per Year for NC Schools, Common Core Repeal Heads to Presidents Desk", "2015-12-09", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.09.15\n\t\t\t $24 Million per Year for NC Schools, Common Core Repeal Heads to Presidents Desk \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, the Senate passed the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) by a 85-12 vote, sending the bill to President Obamas desk. ESSA ends the unpopular No Child Left Behind Program, Common Core mandate and also revamps education programs across the country.\r\nIn addition to repealing the common core mandate, ESSA includes language sponsored by Burr that will fix an inequity in federal education funding that for 15 years has not only shortchanged North Carolinas teachers and schools, but also the low-income students they serve across our state. The funding fix will add $24 million each year for school programs.\r\nThis is a big deal, said Sen. Burr. Making sure that low-income children regardless of where they live get their fair share of funding could be the education civil rights issue of our generation. Congress has the obligation to properly fund schools that need this funding the most. It will bring an additional $24 million per year in funding to poorest children in North Carolina and put a stop to the Common Core mandate.\r\nEducation officials in North Carolina have said that the additional funding could allow school districts to hire teacher assistants.\r\nTodays vote marks the final stop before heading to the Presidents desk.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398773", "Local GOP reps: Obama has no new strategy to deal with ISIS", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Republican members of North Carolinas congressional delegation said Monday that the strategy proposed by President Barack Obama to deal with terrorism in the United States and abroad covered no substantive new ground.Radical Islamic extremists have a plan and the entire world is aware of it, U.S. Rep. Mark Walker, whose 6th Congressional District includes Surry and Stokes counties, said Monday. The unwillingness to adopt a comprehensive strategy by President Obama is another prime example of his administrations failed foreign policy. Walkers comment comes a day after Obama spelled out his strategy in a televised speech Sunday night. Among his ideas were a diplomatic push for a cease-fire in Syria; new authorization by Congress for military actions underway against the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, or ISIS; deploy Special Operations forces to assist Syrian and Iraqi allies; and order the departments of State and Homeland Security to review the fiance visa program that the female shooter in California used to enter the U.S. Obama referred to a visa waiver program that Congress is also reviewing, but the White House later clarified he meant the fiance program. Many of Obamas critics said that he announced no significant shift in strategy and offered no new policy prescriptions for defeating ISIS. At the same time as groups like the Islamic State expand their physical reach, the intelligence community and our law enforcement agencies have fewer tools available to combat these threats, said U.S. Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., chairman of the U.S. Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. Its time to invest in the authorities and capabilities those on the front line need to defeat these groups. Obama also reiterated his call for broader gun control legislation. Congress should pass legislation to bar guns from being sold to people on a no-fly list, Obama said, calling it a matter of national security. But Obama stands little chance of getting the Republican-led Congress to agree to any gun control measures. On Thursday, the Senate rejected legislation barring people the government suspects of acts of terrorism from purchasing firearms. Burr and U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis, R-N.C., were among those who rejected it. Gun rights advocates say such a ban would violate the rights of people who havent been convicted of crimes. U.S. Rep. Alma Adams  a Democrat whose 12th Congressional District seat stretches from Charlotte to Greensboro roughly along Interstate 85 and includes parts of Winston-Salem  said she agreed with Obama that the mass shooting that killed 14 people in San Bernardino, Calif., was an act of terrorism. So far, we have no evidence that the killers were directed by a terrorist organization overseas, or that they were part of a broader conspiracy here at home, Obama said. But it is clear that the two of them had gone down the dark path of radicalization, embracing a perverted interpretation of Islam that calls for war against America and the West. They had stockpiled assault weapons, ammunition and pipe bombs. So this was an act of terrorism, designed to kill innocent people, Obama said. For her part, Adams said she would follow the investigation closely. We must take this incident, the recent mass shooting in Colorado and domestic terrorism that takes place every day in this country as the result of guns falling into the wrong hands, more seriously. Its way past time for Congress to act on gun violence, Adams said. Foxx, whose 5th Congressional District includes parts of Winston-Salem and most of Northwest North Carolina, said Obamas speech revealed that he has no comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS. We need to know what can be done with our military, our intelligence-gathering and our international partners to defeat those who seek to harm us and want to destroy our way of life. We are facing a new era of violence and terrorism where danger exists both abroad and on American soil. We must do all that we can to eliminate this extremist threat, Foxx said. http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/local-gop-reps-obama-has-no-new-strategy-to-deal/article_1bdee6de-85f7-5b76-adff-e6e23712792a.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/media-advisory-jones-and-massie-host-press-conference-bill-de-authorize-post-speaker", "***MEDIA ADVISORY***  JONES AND MASSIE TO HOST PRESS CONFERENCE ON BILL TO DE-AUTHORIZE POST-SPEAKER OFFICE", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON  Tomorrow, December 9, Representatives Walter B. Jones (NC-3) and Thomas Massie (KY-4) will hold a press conference on their bill to de-authorize the office allowances, franking privileges, and staff help that former speakers of the House enjoy when leave office. The practice has been used by speakers of both parties at the expense of the taxpayer. Former Speaker Dennis Hasterts post-speaker office cost taxpayers $1.9 million over five years, but could have cost up to $4 million. Former Speaker Boehner and future retired speakers will also enjoy these office allowances unless Congress de-authorizes the program.\nWednesday, December 9 at 9:00 AM:\nWHAT:  \n\tPress conference on the bill to de-authorize the post-speaker office.\nWHO:  \n\tCongressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)  \n\tCongressman Thomas Massie (KY-4)\nWHEN:  \n\tWednesday, December 9 at 9:00 AM\nWHERE:  \n\tHouse Triangle", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398050", "Sensible Reforms to Protect Our Homeland", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act of 2015:Last weeks attack in California was yet another tragic illustration of the grave threat posed by radical Islamic terror and the urgent need for action to protect our homeland. Today, the House continued that effort by passing H.R. 158 which addresses glaring vulnerabilities in our Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The VWP is a well-intentioned program, designed to support our tourism industry by allowing visitors from our closest allies abroad to travel here more easily. Howeverlike many government programsit includes loopholes and vulnerabilities that radical jihadists could seek to exploit in order to attack our homeland. Our bipartisan bill makes sensible reforms to address these vulnerabilities such as requiring those who have traveled to terrorist hot spots to obtain visas and allowing the Secretaries of State and Homeland Security to alter the list of participating countries and those that require greater scrutiny. Todays legislation is but a first step and House Republicans remain fully committed to doing all in our power to confront the threat of ISIL and ensure all Americans can live without fear for their safety.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/preventing-terrorism-pittengers-visa-security-legislation-approved", "Preventing Terrorism:  Pittenger's visa security legislation approved", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n BIPARTISAN MAJORITY JOINS CONGRESSMAN PITTENGERTO APPROVE VISA SECURITY LEGISLATION \n  WASHINGTON  In a strong bipartisan vote, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed legislation co-sponsored by Congressman Robert Pittenger to modernize the Visa Waiver Program and address vulnerabilities which could be exploited by terrorists. We are at war with radical Islamist terrorists, and it is vital that we review and update our security procedures, said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09). Right now, a European citizen who joined ISIS could exploit the Visa Waiver Program to slip into the U.S. undetected. We are fixing that vulnerability while still preserving visa waivers, which are beneficial to our economy. Currently, citizens of 38 U.S. allies are given the privilege of bypassing the visa process when traveling to the U.S. for vacation or business. Many of the 5000 Europeans who have traveled to Iraq and Syria to join ISIS are citizens of U.S. allies participating in the Visa Waiver Program. The Visa Waiver Program Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158):  \n\t\n Requires citizens of Iraq or Syria, or anyone who has visited Iraq or Syria in the past 5 years, to undergo the full visa process, including stringent screening.\n\tRequires countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to share counterterrorism information with the U.S., so we can better cross-check applicants.\n\tRequires those applying for a visa waiver to be checked against INTERPOL databases.\n\tRequires countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to enhance passport security, including the use of biometrics.\n\tRequires countries participating in the Visa Waiver Program to participate in the INTERPOL stolen passport database, making it much more difficult for terrorists to travel using stolen documents.\n   \n\tH.R. 158 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 407-19. Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and as Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.\n  \n\t###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398772", "Foxx Votes to Strengthen Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "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 praised passage of bipartisan legislation that would help the Department of Homeland Security identify and stop terrorists with Western passports from entering the United States.\n\n\u201cNational security is the number one job of the federal government, and this bipartisan legislation is one step toward reducing the risk that terrorists pose to our nation,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cWe need a comprehensive review of how foreigners gain admittance to the United States \u2013 whether through the refugee process, border crossings or visas \u2013 so we can take the necessary steps to protect America and her people.\u201d\n\nH.R. 158, the Visa Waiver Program Improvement Act of 2015, passed the House by a vote of 407-19. The legislation is designed to strengthen the security of the Visa Waiver Program to better ensure that individuals entering the United States through the program are not security risks while also maintaining the program\u2019s ability to facilitate legitimate foreign business travel and tourism.\n\nThe Visa Waiver Program allows citizens of 38 participating countries to travel to the United States without a visa for stays of 90 days or less when they meet certain requirements.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-votes-strengthen-visa-system-syrians-iraqis-reforming-visa-waiver", "House votes to strengthen visa system for Syrians, Iraqis by reforming Visa Waiver Program", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Today, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer, the House of Representatives passed the Visa Waiver Improvement and Terrorist Travel Prevention Act (H.R. 158) to close security gaps and strengthen the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) by prohibiting individuals who have been to countries of concern as well as countries designated as State Sponsors of Terrorism, such as Syria, Iraq, and Iran, from entering the United States unless they are interviewed by U.S. officials and have obtained a visa.\nAt a time when we are encountering increased threats to our homeland, we must ensure that those who are from any one of the thirty-eight countries participating in our Visa Waiver Program (VWP) and who have recently traveled to countries with terrorist hotspots undergo stringent screenings before obtaining a visa, said Rep. David Rouzer. H.R. 158 takes reasonable and commonsense steps to ensure that the Visa Waiver Program is not used as a loophole for terrorists to exploit and enter our country.\nOur current visa system, designed years ago to encourage tourism and facilitate commerce with other countries, allows individuals from 38 designated countries to travel to the United States for up to 90 days. Instead of going to a U.S. consulate to obtain a visa, citizens from countries who participate in the Visa Waiver Program must only provide detailed background information through an online form that is screened against U.S. security systems and have a passport from their home country.\nH.R. 158 prevents individuals who have connections to countries with significant terrorist activity, such as Iraq and Syria, from entering the United States under the Visa Waiver Program (VWP). The bill also demands other countries share their intelligence and law enforcement information to help the U.S. better identify potential terrorist and foreign fighters from VWP countries.\nH.R. 158 passed the House by a vote of 407-19.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-op-ed-we-promised-do-everything-possible", "Walker Op-Ed: We Promised To Do Everything Possible", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Repealing Obamacare is one of the most unifying and politically advantageous issues for Republicans. We have won historic Congressional majorities based on how terrible the law is for small businesses and families.\nThe law is doing irreparable harm to our nations healthcare system and economic future.\nRepublicans have made our case to the American people (convincingly, as a consistent majority of Americans oppose the law) and we have promised to do everything possible to repeal as much as possible of Obamacare.\nBut the House missed its chance. As passed through budget reconciliation, our version of Obamacare repeal only addressed 6 of 419 sections of the law  or 1.4%.\nAs the more conservative body, our constituents and the American people deserved more than this hollow effort. We ducked the tough issues  mostly because House Leadership claimed we couldnt do more because of the Senates Byrd Rule.\nSenator Mike Lee and I have been working on repeal through reconciliation for months and those excuses were never convincing. Medicaid expansion, additional taxes and billions in spending were ignored in the House version and (inexcusably) left intact.\nLast week, the Senate proved House Leaderships assertions incorrect and decided to make good on Republican promises of repealing Obamacare and establishing meaningful health care reform.The Senate bill actually had teeth  it wasnt designed to make the Chamber of Commerce happy.\nI commend the Senate for stepping up and passing a reconciliation bill that truly repeals the infrastructure of Obamacare and defunds Planned Parenthood, instead of simply rubberstamping the Houses inadequate attempt at repeal.\nNow its time for the House to act quickly. Lets get the Senate version to the floor and to the Presidents desk. We can force a national debate on the Presidents namesake law and its a debate we know we can win.\nPublished in The Hill", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/feinstein-burr-legislation-would-require-tech-companies-to-report-online-terrorist-activity", "Feinstein, Burr Legislation Would Require Tech Companies to Report Online Terrorist Activity", "2015-12-08", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.08.15\n\t\t\t Feinstein, Burr Legislation Would Require Tech Companies to Report Online Terrorist Activity \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashingtonSenate Intelligence Committee Vice Chairman Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) and Chairman Richard Burr (R-N.C.) today introduced the Requiring Reporting of Online Terrorist Activity Act, a bill to require technology companies to report online terrorist activity to law enforcement.\r\nThe bill would not require companies to monitor customers or undertake any additional action to turn up terrorist activity. Rather, it requires that if companies become aware of terrorist activity such as attack planning, recruitment or distribution of terrorist material, they must report that information to law enforcement.\r\nThis provision is modeled on a law that requires technology companies to report online child pornography when they become aware of it.\r\nWere in a new age where terrorist groups like ISIL are using social media to reinvent how they recruit and plot attacks, Senator Feinstein said. That information can be the key to identifying and stopping terrorist recruitment or a terrorist attack, but we need help from technology companies. This bill doesnt require companies to take any additional actions to discover terrorist activity, it merely requires them to report such activity to law enforcement when they come across it. Congress needs to do everything we can to help intelligence and law enforcement agencies identify and prevent terrorist attacks, and this bill is a step in the right direction.\r\nTerror groups have become adept at taking advantage of social media platforms to spread their message, Senator Burr said. Social media is one part of a large puzzle that law enforcement and intelligence officials must piece together to prevent future attacks. Its critical that Congress works together to ensure that law enforcement and intelligence officials have the tools available to keep Americans safe. The stakes have never been higher and having cooperation with these outlets will help save lives here and abroad.\r\nThis legislation was approved unanimously by the Senate Intelligence Committee in June as part of the annual intelligence authorization bill, but was later removed from the bill in order to allow the underlying legislation to move through the Senate. The requirements of this standalone bill are the same as those approved unanimously by the committee earlier this year.\r\nExamples\r\nAccording to press reports, around the time of last weeks deadly attack in San Bernardino, Calif., one of the shooters, Tashfeen Malik, posted her allegiance to ISIL on her Facebook page. Facebook removed the account because the act was a violation of the companys rules.\r\nPrior to his death, Syrian-based terrorist Junaid Hussein contacted and radicalized individuals and incited attempted terrorist attacks in the United States and the United Kingdom. He regularly used social media sites like Twitter and switched among multiple user accounts to continue posting after Twitter shut down individual accounts.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t Press Contact \n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\r\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398777", "House GOP Seeks to Block NLRB Joint Employer Decision", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Between 40 and 60 House Democrats would support a policy rider to the omnibus spending bill that would block the National Labor Relations Board's recent joint employer ruling, Rep. Brad Ashford (D-Neb.) told reporters Dec. 7.The rider, which seeks to undo an Aug. 7 NLRB decision that a company can be the joint employer of workers provided by another organization, ranks among Republicans' top priorities, said Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas) on the same conference call. This NLRB blocking provision is one of the key riders that we are demanding be part of any year-end spending bill, Flores said. We're pushing, pushing, pushing to make this one of the top priorities on our side of the aisle in terms of the riders that go into the omnibus, added Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) during the call. It's just bad policy. Rush to Beat Dec. 11 Deadline Although the NLRB's Aug. 27 decision only addresses whether employees of a temporary staffing firm can be included in a bargaining unit, business groups worry that it could have a spillover effect to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration's multi-employer worksite policy (Browning-Ferris Indus. of Calif., Inc., N.L.R.B., 362 NLRB No. 186, 8/27/15). Those fears were stoked by an internal memo circulating within OSHA, which suggests that the agency's lawyers are mulling whether joint employer liability can be imposed on a franchisor. Foxx also said the rider offers a faster way of nullifying the NLRB decision than the Protecting Local Business Opportunity Act (H.R. 3459, S. 2015), which was introduced Sept. 9 but remains stuck in committee. It's a much more efficient way of doing it, and it accomplishes the same thing, Foxx said. The current government funding expires on Dec. 11. Republicans and Democrats in the House have been working to hammer out a deal and avoid a government shutdown, with policy riders believed to be a sticking point in the closed-door meetings. Research Highlights Economic Peril Earlier the same day, a research firm called FRANdata issued a report finding that at least 40,000 small businesses are at risk of failure because of the NLRB ruling. Dave Gronewoller, a franchisor who operates 12 Golden Corral restaurants in North Carolina and South Carolina, said during the call that he has put on hold his plans to build three new restaurants out of concern that he may be deemed a joint employer along with his franchisees. But Catherine Ruckelshaus, general counsel and program director at the National Employment Law Project, called the pushback against the Browning-Ferris decision a real tempest in a teapot, in part because the decision has nothing really to do with franchising. Rather, the decision focuses only on a staffing agency that sent workers to a waste management location run by the now-defunct Browning-Ferris Industries of California Inc. Franchising is not mentioned at all in the decision, Ruckelshaus said. Franchisees Welcome Decision, NELP Says She further said many franchisees actually welcome the decision because it releases them from the sole responsibility for making sure working conditions are complied with. That can be particularly helpful when a franchisor issues sweeping, exacting commands to its franchisees about how to run the business. We've been contacted by franchisees saying they don't understand the International Franchise Association's rhetoric portending doom, because they don't see it as a negative, Ruckelshaus said. So I'm a little perplexed about these claims that the sky is going to fall. Moreover, employers needn't worry that the NLRB decision will hurt them financially as long as they are good actors, Ruckelshaus said. From a franchisor's perspective, it would want to enter into a franchise agreement with good, highly capitalized, sophisticated companies, and then they're never going to hear workers complain about unpaid wages or unionization, Ruckelshaus said. It's a quality check on how fast you're expanding your business. Impact on OSHA Debated Other worker activists have argued that the NLRB ruling should have no bearing on OSHA's multi-employer worksite policy, which specifically states that the employer who has actual control of the worksite, or who has the ability to exercise control by contract, may be a controlling employer. Nevertheless, employer groups have argued that the ruling is suggestive of a broader effort, joined by the White House, to clamp down on the business community. https://www.bgov.com/core/news/#!/articles/NZ0KHL3H0JK0", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-honors-autism-advocate-community-hero-month", "Walker Honors Autism Advocate as Community Hero of the Month", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GREENSBORO, NC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) honored Wanda Curley as the North Carolina Sixth Congressional District Community Hero of the Month.\nEach month, Rep. Walker awards a constituent, business, or organization in his district for displaying extraordinary acts of service and for making a difference in the lives around them. Greensboros Wanda Curley, an Autism Resource Specialist with the Autism Society of North Carolina, was selected as the December Community Hero of the Month.\nWhether it is hosting support groups, educating the public, or lending her expertise to parents of children with autism, Wanda Curley is a prime example of what it means to truly make a difference in our community, Walker said. Im inspired by her dedication to empowering and educating families who are part of the autism community, Walker added.\nCurly is the parent of an adult child with autism. She began working with the Autism Society of North Carolina as a local leader in Guilford County. Her role now includes direct support to families and professionals across the region. The organization has 18 Autism Resource Specialists  all parents of children with autism  who provide these services and more.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-statement-president-obamas-oval-office-address", "Walker Statement on President Obama's Oval Office Address", "2015-12-07", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) issued the following statement following President Obamas Oval Office Address on Sunday, December 6, 2015: \n\"President Obama owes the American people a clear strategy in dealing with ISIS and the growing threat of radical Islamic terrorism. Like many others, I listened intently to hopefully hear a decisive plan, but only heard that we will continue to stay the course and hope for better days. Radical Islamic extremists have a plan and the entire world is aware of it. The unwillingness to adopt a comprehensive strategy by President Obama is another prime example of his Administrations failed foreign policy.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398775", "Policy makers must take meaningful steps to address gun violence", "2015-12-06", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "When will Americans realize gun violence is a problem, and enough people die every year to warrant significant action?It hasnt happened recently. Too many mass shootings to recount have occurred in the past two years, but wide-ranging policy discussions among lawmakers havent occurred. Most recently, 14 people were killed and 21 injured while attending a holiday party in San Bernardino, Calif. Again, were left waiting for leaders to enact changes that prevent more Americans from being brutally slain or injured. The aforementioned incident and all mass shootings represent acts of terror. When someone who follows Islam commits the crime, we call it terrorism. Ethnicity, religion and other demographic characteristics are irrelevant. Its always terrorism. North Carolina is not immune to gun violence. Salisbury residents witnessed a string of violence in 2015; police connected it to gang activity. Its unclear whether weve actually addressed the problem. The Salisbury Police Department and Rowan County Sheriffs Office announced a partnership to combat the outbreak. However, the same shootings are just as likely to happen today as they were in September. We cant wait several weeks after a shooting to address gun violence. The argument is moot. Waiting a month, a week even, will only delay meaningful discussion long enough for another shooting to occur. A website thats gained national attention in the past week for its analysis of mass shootings estimates 35 such incidents have occurred in North Carolina from 2013 to 2015. Called Mass Shooting Tracker, it sets the bar at four people shot instead of four murdered. The website uses local media reports as evidence that an incident occurred. It is only logical that a mass shooting is four or more people shot in one event. Here at Mass Shooting Tracker, we count the number of people shot rather than the number of people killed because, shooting means people shot, the site states. By that definition, seven mass shootings occurred in Charlotte from 2013 to 2015. Three occurred in Fayetteville. With injuries and deaths combined, a Jan. 11, 2015, shooting in Hope Mills  near Fayetteville  is the most significant mass shooting in North Carolina since 2013. Two were killed and five were injured. The shooting occurred during a house party. The website estimates more than 350 mass shooting incidents have occurred nationwide since the start of 2015. To gauge opinions of Rowan Countys members of Congress, the Salisbury Post sent the same request to our countys three U.S. representatives and two U.S. senators. Four responded. Sen. Richard Burrs office did not send a response. Rep. Alma Adams, D-12, sent the most detailed response. Adams and the three other members of Congress who responded supported starting a conversation. Why, then, hasnt one gained enough traction to make it to President Barack Obamas desk for a signature? As Adams points out, meaningful legislation hasnt been discussed. It has been disheartening to see the amount of gun violence that has taken place in this country since I was first sworn into Congress, Adams said in her statement. What is even more disheartening is the lack of effort on behalf of Congress to bring meaningful gun safety measures to the floor of the House and Senate. And, unfortunately, I cannot say when House and Senate leadership will finally stand up to criminals by forcing floor debate on legislation that will have a real impact on banning prohibited purchasers from obtaining firearms. To be clear, Adams said law-abiding gun owners shouldnt suffer from any legislation passed by Congress. She proposed several talking points to begin conversations, including: a stronger background check system, guaranteeing purchasers cannot obtain firearms through loopholes in current laws, increasing penalties for those who buy firearms for individuals who cant buy guns themselves and making gun trafficking a federal offense. Adams called her proposals bipartisan ideas for which legislation has been introduced and even voted on, on the Senate floor after the Sandy Hook incident. Rep. Richard Hudson, R-8, said mental illness is common in mass shootings. Hudson pointed out hes a co-sponsor of a bill called the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act. He characterized the bill as directing federal efforts to make psychiatric care available for families dealing with mental health crises. A knee-jerk reaction for more gun control laws does nothing to address the root cause of these senseless acts of violence and will only infringe upon the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens, Hudson said in his statement. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-8, said the problem of evil cannot be legislated away. Mental illness is where policy makers should focus their attention, she said. Likewise, U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis focused on mental health. In his statement, Tillis said hes supported legislations strengthening Second Amendment rights of law-abiding citizens while cracking down on criminals and bad actors. So, when will we address our nationwide gun violence problem? Our members of Congress seem ready, but Americans and North Carolinians will only benefit when meaningful legislation is passed. I look forward to continuing working with my colleagues in Congress to address mental illness and gun violence without infringing on our constitutional rights, says Hudson. http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/12/06/bergeron-policy-makers-must-take-meaningful-steps-to-address-gun-violence/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398776", "Political notebook", "2015-12-05", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Rowans state legislators will have authority over a range of topics  from energy policy to unemployment insurance  following a number of committee assignments this week by leaders in the N.C. General Assembly.Leaders in the N.C. General Assembly announced interim committee assignments this week. The interim committees are mostly only used while the state legislature isnt in session, according to Sen. Andrew Brock, R-34. Brock said topics of interim committees often mirror standing committees, but chairman and vice chairman positions may vary. The committees study and review related matters, including the potential to amend or repeal related laws. Brock, in the midst of his seventh term, is the only Rowan legislator who serves as chairman of multiple committees. He is chair of the Joint Legislative Commission on Energy Policy and chair of the Agriculture and Forestry Awareness Study. Brock was also assigned as a member to the Joint Legislative Committee on Elections Oversight, the Joint Legislative Commission on Government Operations and the Joint Legislative Committee on Information Technology. Hes an ex-officio member of the Environmental Review Commission. Rep. Carl Ford, R-76, was assigned to the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Health and Human Services. Ford is also the chairman of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Local Government. Ford is serving his second term in the legislature. Rep. Harry Warren, R-77, was picked as the vice chairman of the Joint Legislative Oversight Committee on Unemployment Insurance. He doesnt have any other committee assignments. Warren is serving his third term in the legislature. Sen. Tom McInnis, R-25, was assigned to three total joint legislative oversight committees: Agriculture, Natural Resources and Economic Resources; Economic Development and Program Evaluation Oversight. McInnis is serving his first term in the legislature. Rowan reps among members of Congress voting against highway bill U.S. Congress passed a five-year highway bill by a wide margin this week. The count among North Carolinas members of Congress, however, was a bit closer. The highway bill passed both houses of Congress with more than 80 percent of legislators in favor. Eight North Carolina House Representatives voted for the bill and five  including Richard Hudson and Virginia Foxx  voted against the bill. The House vote count works out to about 61 percent of members voting in favor. Both of North Carolinas U.S. Senators voted for the bill, increasing the local margin of passage. A news release from Foxxs office about the highway bill called it reckless. Foxx said the bill doesnt address a growing gap between the Highway Trust Funds revenues and expenses. Instead, it expands the gap to increase federal spending. That spending relies on $70 billion from taxpayers through a transfer from the General Fund that is offset with gimmicks, Foxx said in a prepared statement. It is the wrong way to proceed. We need a long-term solution that reevaluates the federal governments transportation priorities and makes aggressive reforms on federal regulations and mandates. Its past time to correct the federal governments role in transportation programs and give states more control. In a joint news release with Burr, Tillis said the passed highway bill ensures the Raleigh-Norfolk and U.S. 70 corridors become part of the interstate system. The end result will be tremendous benefits for the people of North Carolina, including enhanced local economic development, reduced traffic congestion, and improved access to our military bases, Tillis said. In a news release, Rep. Alma Adams, who voted for the highway bill, pointed out four key provisions, including:  Increase surface transportation funding for North Carolina by $490 million, with $34 million of that being for public transportation.  Boost commerce and strengthens our economic competitiveness by providing dedicated funding specifically for freight projects, including freight rail, for the first time.  Inject $3.7 billion over five years into bus funding  a 75 percent increase over current levels. This will reduce traffic congestion, by providing more public transportation options.  Authorize $10.2 billion for intercity passenger rail investment, including Amtrak, while providing $199 million in guaranteed funding to help commuter railroads implement Positive Train Control systems. Gov. McCrory uses media criticism to raise campaign cash Bumper stickers are the latest method Gov. Pat McCrory is using to criticize the media. This week, McCrory announced he was running for governor, but he also released a bumper sticker that reads I dont believe the Raleigh News and Observer. It features the newspapers logo. In an email advertising the bumper sticker, McCrorys campaign says: The liberal media, radical left and professional protesters have been attacking the governor since Day 1. Just yesterday, the N&O launched another attack on the governor. Reporters at the News and Observer played with the bumper sticker, changing it to read I dont believe how awesome the News and Observer is. McCrorys latest beef with the newspaper started with a story that revealed the governor brokered a meeting with state officials for a friend and campaign contributor. Specifically, the story found McCrory set up a meeting for a Charlotte developer who ultimately secured a prison maintenance contract. http://www.salisburypost.com/2015/12/05/political-notebook-brock-the-only-local-legislator-with-chairman-assignment/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398774", "GOP division emerges from $305B bill", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The $305 billion, five-year transportation bill heading to President Barack Obama after clearing the U.S. Senate and House this week includes provisions submitted by U.S. Sens. Richard Burr, R-N.C., and Thom Tillis, R-N.C., to boost projects in North Carolina.Passage of the bill  with broad bipartisan support  also served to further highlight divisions within the GOP as most opponents were Republicans. In the Senate, presidential candidates Ted Cruz, Rand Paul and Marco Rubio were among 14 Republicans who voted against the bill, which passed 83-16 Thursday. Bernie Sanders, the Democratic presidential candidate, did not vote. In the House, the bill passed 359-65. Among North Carolinas 13-member delegation, five Republicans voted against it, including U.S. Reps. Mark Walker, R-6th, and Virginia Foxx, R-5th. The bill boosts highway and transit spending and assures states that federal help will be available for major projects. It doesnt include as much money or last quite as long as many lawmakers and the Obama administration would have liked. Nor does it resolve how to pay for transportation programs in the long term. In Forsyth County, the bill bolsters such projects as the renovation of Business 40 and the beltway project from U.S. 52 north of Winston-Salem to the existing Interstate 74/U.S. 311 freeway running between Winston-Salem and High Point, according to Pat Ivey, the division engineer for the N.C. Department of Transportation in Forsyth County. In addition, the bill adds money toward one of Forsyths longest-running problems: bridge repairs or replacement. Of the 355 bridges countywide, 115 have been classified as structurally deficient, according to the latest state transportation department statistics. Federal money represents about 25 percent of the state transportation budget, he said. All of these projects use federal funds. This will all go a long way  and helps in terms of freight movement and traffic movement.  These federal funds actually expand the number of bridges eligible for federal funding, and that will help reduce the number of structurally deficient bridges in Forsyth County. This is a big deal, Ivey said. Burrs office highlighted some of the major projects that the bill may help move along: the Raleigh-Norfolk Corridor, which runs from Raleigh through Rocky Mount, Williamston and Elizabeth City to Norfolk, Va., as well as sections of the U.S. 70 corridor. This five-year deal will ensure that North Carolinas critical highway corridors will see needed infrastructure updates, Burr said. Tillis, referring to a bipartisan team effort, said: The end result will be tremendous benefits for the people of North Carolina, including enhanced local economic development, reduced traffic congestion, and improved access to our military bases. A big shortcoming in the bill is how its financed. The main source of revenue for transportation is the trust fund, which comes mostly from the 18.4-cents-a-gallon gasoline tax. That tax hasnt been raised since 1993 even though transportation spending has risen. But raising the gas tax is viewed by many lawmakers as too politically risky. To make up the shortfall, the bill uses about $70 billion in mostly budget ploys, including one that would move $53 billion from the Federal Reserve Banks capital account to the general treasury. Its counted as new money on paper, but is actually just a transfer of funds from one government account to another, federal budget experts said. Foxx said in an email that she opposed a provision in the bill that renews the Import-Export Bank, a lending agency that some conservatives describe as a form of corporate welfare, and she also raised concerns about how taxpayers will pay for the bill. This legislation ... does not address the growing gap between the Highway Trust Funds revenues and expenses, instead expanding that gap to increase federal transportation spending, Foxx said. Walkers office could not be reached for comment. http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/gop-division-emerges-from-b-bill/article_623bfc83-1712-52c2-b819-25c4e99180d9.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-to-obama-we-are-at-war-with-islamist-terrorists", "Pittenger to Obama:  We are at war with Islamist terrorists", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n  \n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA:WE ARE AT WAR WITH ISLAMIST TERRORISTS \n\nCHARLOTTE  Congressman Robert Pittenger, Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism, had this comment following reports that one of the California attackers pledged her allegiance to ISIS: Unfortunately, President Obama refuses to acknowledge that we are at war with radical Islamist terrorists. This misjudgment and his lack of a comprehensive strategy to defeat ISIS will continue to imperil the lives of Americans. In response to the growing threat of sleeper cells and lone wolf attacks, Congressman Pittenger earlier this year released a Preparedness Manual for Terrorist Attacks. Developed in cooperation with retired military officers and qualified experts, the manual provides easy access to common sense steps for preparing your home, family, and business for potential terrorist attacks. The manual is available for free download at PrepareNow.com. Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-applauds-senate-obamacare-repeal", "Walker Applauds Senate for Obamacare Repeal", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) released the following statement in response to the passage of a budget reconciliation bill in the U.S. Senate yesterday evening, which repealed significantly more of the Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) than the reconciliation bill passed by the U.S. House in October.\nI commend the Senate for stepping up and passing a reconciliation bill that truly repeals the infrastructure of Obamacare and defunds Planned Parenthood, instead of simply rubberstamping the Houses inadequate attempt at repeal, Walker said.\nSince passage of Obamacare in 2009, Republicans pledged to fully repeal Obamacare. Further, in order to pass the Fiscal Year 2016 Budget Resolution, House Leadership promised that the resolutions passage would arm Congress with the tool of budget reconciliation  a process capable of bypassing the filibuster  for the express purpose of repealing Obamacare.\nHowever, despite repeated warnings and appeals by Rep. Walker and his colleagues, the U.S. House passed a reconciliation package that fell terribly short of the promise Republicans made to the American people. The House version only repealed 6 of Obamacares 419 sections, or 1.4% of the law, and left major sections of the law intact.\nHouse Leaderships attempts to blame the Senates Byrd Rule for their unwillingness to take tough votes and really push for full repeal were exposed with yesterdays vote in the Senate. The Senate bill cuts five times more funding and repeals six times more of Obamacares taxes that are crippling small businesses and hindering our economy.\nThe Senate reconciliation package passed 52-47.\nAs the more conservative body, our constituents and the American people deserved more than the hollow repeal bill from the House. The Senate proved House Leaderships assumptions incorrect and decided to make good on our promises of repealing Obamacare and establishing meaningful health care reform.I will continue to lead on this issue and call on the House to take up and pass the Senate version as soon as practical, Walker added.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/nc-road-and-infrastructure-improvements-head-to-the-presidents-desk-soon-to-become-law", "NC Road and Infrastructure Improvements Head to the Presidents Desk, Soon to Become Law", "2015-12-04", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.04.15\n\t\t\t NC Road and Infrastructure Improvements Head to the Presidents Desk, Soon to Become Law \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  The U.S. Senate last night voted on the final version of the five-year highway bill, H.R. 22, Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act), which authorizes federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year (FY) 2020. In a vote of 83-16, the bill now heads to the Presidents desk and will be signed into law.\r\nIncluded in the final legislation are provisions previously introduced by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) that amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and designate the following North Carolina highways as high priority corridors and future interstates:\r\n \r\nRaleigh-Norfolk Corridor from Raleigh, North Carolina, through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia.\r\n \r\n \r\nU.S. Route 70 from its intersection with Interstate Route 40 in Garner to the Port at Morehead City, and U.S. Route 117/Interstate Route 795 from U.S. Route 70 in Goldsboro to Interstate Route 40 west of Faison.\r\n \r\nThe designation of the highways would advance the North Carolina Department of Transportations Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors that will become part of the Interstate system once they are fully built and upgraded to interstate standards.\r\nI am pleased that we were able to come together and pass a bipartisan long-term highway bill that will help ensure that the Raleigh-Norfolk and US-70 corridors soon become part of the Interstate system, said Sen. Tillis. The inclusion of the provisions improving North Carolinas infrastructure is a direct result of our states Congressional delegation working together as a bipartisan team. The end result will be tremendous benefits for the people of North Carolina, including enhanced local economic development, reduced traffic congestion, and improved access to our military bases.\r\nThis five year deal will ensure that North Carolinas critical highway corridors will see needed infrastructure updates, said Sen. Burr. Im thankful for Sen. Tillis work on this bill and Im encouraged that the Senate and House produced bipartisan legislation that will solve many of the United States transportation issues, as well as contributing economic benefits to the state. I look forward to the President signing this into law.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-continues-defense-us-taxpayers", "JONES CONTINUES DEFENSE OF U.S. TAXPAYERS", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the Conference Report to H.R. 22, the Fixing Americas Surface Transportation (FAST) Act. The 1,000-page bill includes a five-year, $305 billion reauthorization for federal highway and transit programs. The bill would also reauthorize the unrelated Export-Import Bank (Ex-Im), which expired in June. The measure passed the House on a vote of 359 to 65, and now goes to President Obama for his signature.\nNot only did Congress reauthorize Ex-Im, which puts U.S. taxpayers on the hook for future bailouts when foreign companies cant pay their bills, it made no substantive changes to the insolvent Highway Trust Fund to ensure it will be sustainable in the long run, said Congressman Jones. \"With our debt already over $18.5 trillion, we just can't afford to keep doing this to taxpayers.\"", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-votes-against-no-child-left-behind-extension", "JONES VOTES AGAINST NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND EXTENSION", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, D.C.  Last night, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against the Conference Report to S. 1177, Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015, which extends No Child Left Behind (NCLB) programs and big-government education. The Conference Report passed 359 to 64. Congressman Jones voted against the House version of this NCLB extension, The Student Success Act, when it was considered by the House in July of this year. He also voted against NCLB when it originally passed the House in 2001 and has consistently opposed federal involvement in education.\nNo Child Left Behind took effect in 2002, and has cost American taxpayers billions of dollars every year. Studies have shown that NCLB has not definitively improved the quality of public education in America, including a 2013 U.S. Department of Education study on literacy which revealed that illiteracy rates in the United States have not decreased since NCLB took effect, with 19 percent of high school graduates unable to read.\nWe need to get the feds out of the classroom, not expand their influence, which is exactly what this Conference Report does by doubling down on No Child Left Behind, said Congressman Jones. In the thirteen years since No Child Left Behind took effect, has the quality of public education in the United States gotten better or worse? According to studies, No Child Left Behind has not improved the quality of public education in the United States despite the billions of dollars American taxpayers have put into NCLB programs in the past thirteen years. In my meetings with parents, teachers, students, and other stakeholders over the years, opposition to the one-size-fits-all approach to No Child Left Behind has been overwhelming. To improve education in the United States, we need to empower parents and teachers, not the feds.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-helps-pass-bipartisan-transportation-bill", "Pittenger helps pass bipartisan transportation bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n  \n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER HELPS PASS FIRST REGULAR, LONG-TERM TRANSPORTATION BILL IN A DECADE \n\nWASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) joined a strong bipartisan majority to pass the first regular-order, long-term transportation funding bill in a decade. This bipartisan transportation bill provides North Carolina more than $5 billion to meet critical infrastructure needs, and its fully paid for, said Congressman Pittenger. For too long, Congress has lurched from crisis to crisis, passing stop-gap transportation bills and ignoring long-term needs. This is governing. Today, we did our job. This is how government is supposed to work. Key provisions of the transportation bill include:  \n\t\n Five-year funding bill for highway-related programs through the Highway Trust Fund\n\tNorth Carolina will receive $5.5 billion between FY16 and FY20 (averaging $1 billion each year through FY20)\n\tFully paid for without raising taxes\n\tPassed Congress following the regular, orderly process of legislation  the way Washington is supposed to work, instead of last-minute, hastily-written stopgaps\n   \n\tThe Conference Report to Accompany H.R. 22  Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives by a strong bipartisan vote of 359-65.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-on-joshua-houser-guilty-plea", "Pittenger on Joshua Houser guilty plea", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON HOUSER GUILTY PLEA:LETS FOCUS ON KILAH \n\nWASHINGTON  Today, Joshua Houser pled guilty to second degree murder in the death of his stepdaughter, Kilah Davenport, whom he rammed through a wall in 2012. While the guilty plea provides formal closure to this very sad tragedy, the mission of Kilahs life continues. We wont remain focused on Joshua Houser or his mug shot. Instead, lets focus on sweet Kilah and the happy memories she left behind, said Congressman Pittenger. Lets give thanks for the extraordinary Davenport family, who has worked tirelessly to bring much good out of great evil. Lets continue to support their efforts to strengthen child abuse laws in North Carolina and around the country, so that other families might be spared the same sorrow. In 2014, President Obama officially signed the Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act (H.R. 3627) into law. Written and introduced by Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09), the law directed the U.S. Attorney General to issue a state-by-state report on child abuse laws, with a special focus on penalties for severe child abuse. The goal is to highlight deficient or outdated child abuse laws and spur action before another tragedy occurs. The Department of Justice issued their first report in July, with a follow-up report planned in 2018. Click here to read the report: https://ojp.gov/newsroom/pdfs/davenportreport.pdf.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398771", "Foxx Votes against Reckless Transportation Bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "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 released the following statement regarding her vote against the conference report for a five-year surface transportation package costing more than $300 billion that also includes language to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank:\n\n\u201cThis legislation does not address the growing gap between the Highway Trust Fund\u2019s revenues and expenses, instead expanding that gap to increase federal transportation spending. That spending relies on $70 billion from taxpayers through a transfer from the General Fund that is offset with gimmicks. It is the wrong way to proceed. We need a long-term solution that reevaluates the federal government\u2019s transportation priorities and makes aggressive reforms on federal regulations and mandates. It\u2019s past time to correct the federal government\u2019s role in transportation programs and give states more control.\n\n\u201cAs I previously shared when voting against stand-alone legislation reauthorizing the bank, I believe the Export-Import Bank conflicts with core conservative principles on the free market and unfairly allows the government to pick winners and losers while requiring taxpayers to bear the risks of private companies\u2019 activities.\u201d\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/bipartisan-bicameral-education-bill-allow-nc-opt-out-common-core-passes", "Bipartisan, bicameral education bill to allow NC to opt out of Common Core passes House", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "BIPARTISAN, BICAMERAL EDUCATION BILL TO ALLOW NORTH CAROLINA TO OPT OUT OF COMMON CORE PASSES HOUSE\nWashington, D.C.  Last night, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer, the House of Representatives passed the Conference Report for S. 1177  the Every Student Succeeds Act which reduces the role of the federal government in K-12 education, restores local control, promotes school choice and empowers teachers and parents. The Every Student Succeeds Act also allows states to opt-out of Common Core by prohibiting the federal government from incentivizing, forcing or coercing states into adopting the federal standards.\nThough this bill doesnt go as far as I would like, it certainly is an improvement over current law, said Rep. David Rouzer. Ive heard from teachers and parents all throughout the district who are frustrated with Common Core and over-burdened by the heavy hand of the federal government in education. The Every Student Succeeds Act gives much more control to the states, and I urge the President to sign it immediately so that North Carolina can begin to opt-out of Common Core. The limitations on the amount of testing as well as the use of test results will be welcome news to teachers and administrators.\nThe House education bill, H.R. 5, the Student Success Act and the Senate version, S. 1177, Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 went to a House-Senate Conference to iron out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the bill. The Every Student Succeeds Actthat was voted and passed by the House of Representatives last night now heads to the Senate for a final vote. Following the passage of the Conference Report in the Senate, the Every Student Succeeds Act will head to the Presidents desk for his consideration.\n\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rouzer-amendment-protect-rural-consumers-manfactuers-passed-bipartisan", "Rouzer amendment to protect rural consumers & manufacturers passed in bipartisan energy bill", "2015-12-03", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  Today, the House of Representatives passed an amendment authored by Congressman David Rouzer to protect consumers and small businesses from the increased costs of a recent rule introduced by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).\nIn early March of 2015, the EPA published a final rule that established costly new standards for the manufacture of wood heaters. This onerous rule will result in substantial new production costs effectively pricing wood heaters out of the market at a time when the use of wood heathers to reduce energy costs is increasing. \nThe EPA has no business meddling with how wood heaters are made  much less putting in place new regulations that would effectively price them out of the market, said Rep. David Rouzer. More and more families are using wood heaters to help lower their energy costs during these tough economic times. I thank my colleagues for supporting this common sense amendment, which strikes down these new and unnecessary regulations. \nCongressman Rouzers amendment was included and passed by way of H.R. 8, the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. This broad energy bill seeks to maximize America's energy potential, update and modernize outdated policies, make our energy infrastructure more resilient and create jobs.\nH.R. 8, which included Congressman Rouzers wood heater amendment, passed the House of Representatives with a vote of 249-174.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398778", "East Bend rings in Christmas season", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "For such a small town, East Bend sure knows how to ring in the holiday season in style.On Saturday residents gathered at the East Bend Fire Station for the annual Small Town Christmas celebration. There were vats of chicken stew and pinto beans and desserts galore. Organizers for the event said they werent sure exactly how many years the Small Town Christmas event has been happening, but it has become a tradition for many area residents. I just wouldnt miss it, said Carol Powell. Its wonderful and I look forward to it. I get to see all my friends and its to help the community and the firemen, weve got to remember them because theyre always here when we need them. And the food and everything is yummy. Following a brief welcome from the event organizers and Fifth U.S. District Rep. Virginia Foxx, everyone gathered in front of East Bend Elementary school for the lighting of the tree. Robin Fitzgerald, a new Methodist minister in the community, gave a brief devotional before the tree was lit. She reminded attendees that this is season of light. A lot of times we put out Christmas lights, but we dont necessarily think about the lights stand for, Fitzgerald said. I wanted to remind us today why we are people of light, a community of light. I just want us to remember that our job is to be the light, as a community and as individuals and as families. We are in the season of light and we can help people who are lonely and be the light for them. And when we do this we show that God is the light in the darkness. The Christian-based theme of the Small Town Christmas event is part of what so many in the community enjoy about the celebration. I think it is wonderful, said Regina Martin. Where else can you gather and celebrate Christ except in a small community? Martin noted the annual God and Country Celebration hosted by the town around July 4 each year, another celebration that puts a focus on God for those of the Christian faith. Fire Chief Ronnie Boles said the faith aspect of the event was also important to him. The firefighters and ladies auxiliary group does a lot of work to clear out the station in order to welcome the community for the celebration, he said, but it is worth it. To me, as a Christian and the fire chief, I think its an awesome opportunity, Boles said. Following the devotional time, the tree was lit and residents headed back inside to enjoy bowls of chicken soup and pinto beans. Commissioner and Mayor-elect Archie Hicks said he hopes the Small Christmas Celebration would be a tradition that would continue for many years to come in East Bend. http://yadkinripple.com/news/2051/east-bend-rings-in-christmas-season", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398779", "Schooling Time for New Crop of Hill Education Leaders", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "One of the more remarkable aspects of the bipartisan agreement on a replacement for the No Child Left Behind law, which the House is on course to embrace this week, is the team of authors relatively modest level of collective devotion to education policy.This is especially true on the south half of Capitol Hill, which is on the backside of a changing of the guard for House members who make improving our schools one of their big interests. The timing of the rewrite of federal policies on elementary and secondary education is notable for more than the fact that its eight years overdue. The legislation is getting done a year before the retirement of John Kline, the Minnesotan who was catapulted over eight more senior colleagues into the top Republican slot on the Education and the Workforce Committee six years ago. Once hes gone, no one whos run that committee will be left. George Miller, an education policy maven for three decades and the last Democratic chairman, retired in January. So did fellow Californian Howard Buck McKeon, the GOPs chairman in 2006. And the chairman for the five years before that, John A. Boehner, of course gave up his Ohio seat and the speakership a month ago. Not a single Republican on the committee was there when No Child Left Behind became law in 2002  with Boehner and Miller its principal House stewards  and three out of five seats on the GOP half of the dais are now occupied by members whove arrived in this decade. The brain drain on the other side is almost as complete: Robert C. Scott of Virginia, now the ranking member, and Susan A. Davis of California are the only Democrats who were part of the committees No Child markup. Half the partys seats are occupied by members in office five years or less. Committee turnover of that magnitude is hardly unprecedented, given the collection of wave elections in recent years. But, along with the intensely politicized nature of the debate during the past decade over the federal role in pedagogy, it may help explain why the laws revamping took quite so long. The original law got widespread praise for boosting expectations of the nations elementary, middle and high schools, but its intense focus on testing and its strict accountability standards soon earned the enmity of parents and educators alike. Republicans and Democrats generally agreed that the next iteration should return authority to states and local school districts and away from Washington. What bogged the debate down for years were disagreements about the future of school choice, the allocation of funding and ways to measure and combat the academic achievement gaps of low-income and minority children. Negotiators wrote a bill telling the states to set and enforce academic standards in their schools. No longer will the Education Department condition federal aid to the states on their adoption of Common Core academic standards. The federal schedule of 17 reading, math and science tests in grades 3 through 12 will remain, but the states will have leeway to decide how to use those scores in holding schools accountable. Districts identified by their states as under-performing will be eligible for federal money, but the federal government wont prescribe what changes must be made. With those deals in hand, the conferees decided to abandon what most divided them: changes to the formula for dividing Title I federal aid among poor schools, and proposals for permitting federal dollars to help pay tuition at private or parochial schools. In broad strokes, the bill can fairly be described as the sort of bipartisan splitting of the differences thats become a lost art in recent years  because it leaves unhappy the most ideologically pure at each end of the political spectrum. (In this case, the most conservative members lament the bill doesnt give enough control back to the states, while the most liberal lawmakers say schools will still be able to deny civil rights to their students without consequence.) Its also the case that the rewrite expires in four years, meaning the next president will have an opportunity to alter the shape of schools policy  and so will the next generation of congressional powers on education. Scott looks poised to remain the top Democrat on the House committee as long as he stays in office, while Virginia Foxx of North Carolina is easily the best bet to succeed Kline with the gavel. Shes already in the leadership as GOP Conference secretary, her colleagues will be eager to have at least one woman among the committee chairmen, and her career includes a dozen years on a local school board and eight years as president of a community college. Theres much more overt stability at the Senate Health, Labor Education and Pensions Committee. Although a third of its members are in their first terms, another five have been on the panel since No Child was written. GOP Chairman Lamar Alexander is just starting his third term and has a resume for his position without equal at the Capitol, having spent two years at the start of the 1990s as secretary of Education and three years before that as president of the University of Tennessee system. Patty Murray, who had other options but chose to become the top HELP Democrat this year, is a safe bet to win a fifth term in Washington next fall and has a solid rapport with Alexander. And yet a year is a lifetime in politics and, especially if theres a Democratic takeover of the Senate, the leadership dominoes could include Murray moving elsewhere. If that happens, seniority would position Vermonts Bernard Sanders for the chairmanship  an acceptable (and fascinating) consolation prize for pursuing progressive ideals on the assumption his presidential campaign doesnt work out. http://blogs.rollcall.com/hawkings/schooling-time-new-crop-hill-education-leaders/?dcz=", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398769", "Foxx Praises Passage of Legislation to Improve K-12 Education, Restore Local Control", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "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 praised passage of legislation to improve K-12 education by replacing No Child Left Behind with new policies to help every child access a high-quality education.\n\n\u201cAs a grandmother, educator and former school board member, I know students are best served when teachers, parents and administrators are the driving force behind improving education,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cThis legislation does just that by reducing the federal footprint in the nation\u2019s classrooms and restoring control to the people who know their students best.\u201d\n\nThe House passed the conference report accompanying S. 1177, the Every Student Succeeds Act, by a vote of 359-64. The Senate is expected to consider the conference report next week. Foxx participated in the committee that ironed out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the legislation.\n\nThe compromise between the House-passed Student Success Act and the Senate-passed Every Child Achieves Act of 2015 gets Washington out of the business of running schools. It protects state and local autonomy by prohibiting the Secretary of Education from coercing states into adopting Common Core and by preventing the secretary from imposing requirements on states and school districts through executive fiat.\n\nThe legislation eliminates the burdensome, one-size-fits-all accountability system that has done more to tie up states and school districts in red tape than to support local efforts to educate children. It also reduces the size of the federal education bureaucracy by eliminating 49 ineffective and duplicative federal programs and requiring the Secretary of Education to reduce the department\u2019s workforce accordingly.\n\nThe legislation also provides eligible school districts the ability to have federal, state, and local funds follow students to the schools they attend, which will encourage excellent schools to enroll students who are harder to serve.\n\n\u201cCurrently states are forced to choose between the fundamentally flawed policies of No Child Left Behind, which doubled down on federal programs, mandates and spending, and the Obama administration\u2019s controversial temporary, conditional waiver scheme, which has imposed the administration\u2019s preferred policies and heightened the level of uncertainty shared by states and school districts,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cAmerica\u2019s students deserve better. By reversing Washington\u2019s one-size-fits-all micromanagement of classrooms, Congress is giving parents, teachers and local education leaders the tools they need to repair a broken education system and help all children reach their potential.\u201d\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:33:33Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/-senators-fight-to-hold-irs-bureaucrats-accountable-with-new-legislation", "Senators Fight to Hold IRS Bureaucrats Accountable with New Legislation", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t  Senators Fight to Hold IRS Bureaucrats Accountable with New Legislation \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Mike Enzi (R-WY), Chuck Grassley (R- IA), Dean Heller (R-NV) Johnny Isakson (R-GA), and Tim Scott (R-SC) introduced the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) Accountability Act of 2015. This legislation will keep IRS bureaucrats accountable to the American people by giving the IRS Commissioner new authority to fire senior executives who have failed in their performance or committed misconduct. This legislation is based on a law Congress passed last year in the wake of the VA health care scandal that enables the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to fire senior executives for misconduct. \r\nCurrently, the IRS Commissioner does have the authority to fire high ranking employees for certain forms of misconduct, but has not yet used this authority against those who engaged in political targeting of taxpayers. The Administration has claimed that only mismanagement occurred at the IRS and that mismanagement is not a crime and has used this logic to justify its failure to act in the case of Lois Lerner and others who targeted Americans based on their political beliefs. This bill seeks to rectify this problem by giving the Commissioner clear authority to fire employees who fail to meet the standards of conduct and performance we should demand of senior managers at Federal agencies.\r\nIts extremely troubling that these problems have persisted for so long, said Sen. Burr. IRS employees must be held accountable for misconduct. Under the current policy, high ranking IRS officials can cheat on their taxes, lie to Congress, even threaten to audit people for personal gain  all without risking their six figure government salaries. This misconduct is absolutely unacceptable and I am confident we will put a stop to it. The American people deserve better.\r\nIRS employees should swiftly be held accountable for their misdeeds, Sen. Enzi said. This legislation could bring that needed accountability to an agency that has a history of serious misconduct.\r\nThe American people are rightly frustrated when senior federal employees get away with misconduct and poor performance, Sen. Grassley said. It sends the wrong message that anything goes at the top tiers of the federal bureaucracy. Sometimes, a personnel change is what it takes to begin turning things around.\r\nThe IRS has an obligation to taxpayers in Nevada and across the country to ensure it lives up to its mission of providing top quality service and enforcing the law with integrity and fairness to all, said Sen. Heller. It is totally unacceptable for IRS employees to discriminate and commit misconduct based on a taxpayers political views. There must be ramifications for this egregious behavior. Last year, I was an adamant supporter of giving the Secretary of Veterans Affairs the ability to fire senior executives for misconduct. Granting the IRS Commissioner similar authority to fire senior executives who have failed in the performance of their duties is desperately needed at the IRS.\r\nFor far too long, so many of our taxpayer-funded federal agencies have operated unchecked under a culture of waste, fraud and abuse, said Sen. Isakson. As chairman of the Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs, I have seen firsthand the bureaucratic hurdles that prevented leadership at the scandal-ridden Department of Veterans Affairs from holding bad actors appropriately accountable for their misdeeds and inappropriate conduct. Thats why Congress gave the secretary of the VA firing authority to remove employees that are found to be directly responsible for misconduct. Mirroring the reforms we enacted last Congress at the VA, I strongly support this measure to hold errant employees at the Internal Revenue Service accountable and help restore Americans trust in the IRS.\r\nFor too long the American people have been told there was nothing the IRS Commissioner could do to hold IRS employees who targeted conservative and religious organizations accountable for their actions, said Sen. Scott. Thats not good enough for the American people and thats not good enough for me, and thats why Im pleased to join my colleagues to introduce legislation making it easier to fire poorly performing senior executives at the IRS.I am committed to working with my colleagues to get all the answers about what happened at the IRS and preventing it from happening again, because Americans on all ends of the political spectrum need to be able to live without fear of being targeted by their own government for their political beliefs.\r\nThis legislation applies to the highest ranking IRS employees in the Senior Executive Service (SES). Actionable examples of misconduct include but are not limited to: threatening to audit someone for personal gain, conducting a seizure without approval, assaulting, harassing or violating the civil rights of a taxpayer or a coworker, lying under oath, falsifying or destroying records, concealing information from Congress, underreporting income, and failing to file a tax return on time.\r\nThe IRS Accountability Act has been endorsed by the National Taxpayers Union (NTU) and is part of a package of bills Sen. Burr has introduced to clean up the mess at the IRS. In October, Sen. Burr introduced the No Bonuses fox Tax Cheats Act, which would prohibit IRS employees who cheat on their taxes from getting tax-payer funded bonuses.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/nc-road-and-infrastructure-improvements-clear-hurdle-in-highway-bill-conference", "NC Road and Infrastructure Improvements Clear Hurdle in Highway Bill Conference", "2015-12-02", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "12.02.15\n\t\t\t NC Road and Infrastructure Improvements Clear Hurdle in Highway Bill Conference \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  The U.S. Senate and House of Representatives conferees yesterday approved a final version of the five-year highway bill, H.R. 22, Fixing Americas Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act) authorizing federal surface transportation programs through fiscal year (FY) 2020. Included in the final legislation are provisions previously introduced by Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Burr (R-NC) that amend the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA) of 1991 and designate the following North Carolina highways as high priority corridors and future interstates:\r\n \r\nRaleigh-Norfolk Corridor from Raleigh, North Carolina, through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina, to Norfolk, Virginia.\r\n \r\n \r\nU.S. Route 70 from its intersection with Interstate Route 40 in Garner to the Port at Morehead City, and U.S. Route 117/Interstate Route 795 from U.S. Route 70 in Goldsboro to Interstate Route 40 west of Faison.\r\n \r\nThe designation of the highways would advance the North Carolina Department of Transportations Strategic Transportation Corridors Vision, which aims to provide North Carolina with a network of high priority corridors that will become part of the Interstate system once they are fully built and upgraded to interstate standards.\r\nI am pleased that the Senate and House were able to agree on a five-year highway bill that would designate the Raleigh-Norfolk and U.S. 70 corridors as future interstates, said Sen. Tillis. This legislation would produce long-lasting benefits for North Carolina, including reduced traffic congestion, improved access to military bases, and increased investments in our states transportation and infrastructure.\r\nWith North Carolina highway improvements locked into the final highway bill, road upgrades are looking more promising than ever before, said Sen. Burr. This is an enormous step in the right direction, and these improvements are vital for our state's infrastructure and encourages economic expansion by connecting some of the east coasts largest ports to North Carolinas cities and towns.\r\nThe bill will return to the House and Senate for a final vote.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/media-advisory-jones-hold-grand-opening-two-new-constituent-service-centers", "***MEDIA ADVISORY***  JONES TO HOLD GRAND OPENING OF TWO NEW CONSTITUENT SERVICE CENTERS", "2015-12-01", "2015", "2015-12", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "GREENVILLE, NC  On Friday, December 4th, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) will hold a grand opening of two new constituent service centers in the Third District. Congressman Jones will be speaking at both ribbon cutting ceremonies along with local officials and leaders. These new constituent centers will provide service to citizens of the Third District, in addition to Congressman Jones existing office location in Greenville, North Carolina.\nFriday, December 4th at 11:00 AM:\nWHAT: Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony\nWHO: Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)  \n\t County and city officials\nWHEN: Friday, December 4th at 11:00 AM\nWHERE: Onslow County Government Center  \n\t 234 NW Corridor Blvd, Room 313B  \n\t Jacksonville, NC 28540\nFriday, December 4th at 2:00 PM:\nWHAT: Grand opening and ribbon cutting ceremony\nWHO: Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3)  \n\t County and city officials\nWHEN: Friday, December 4th at 2:00 PM\nWHERE: Havelock City Hall  \n\t 1 Governmental Ave  \n\t Havelock, NC 28532", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-on-fox-news-radio-american-leadership-lacking", "Pittenger on Fox News Radio:  American leadership lacking", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ON FOX NEWS RADIO:MIDEAST LEADERS DISMAYED BY OBAMA FOREIGN POLICY \n\nWASHINGTON  During a live interview with Brian Kilmeade on Fox News Radio, Congressman Robert Pittenger today discussed his recent trip to Afghanistan, Egypt, and Saudi Arabia as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare. Responding to Brian Kilmeades question about Americas priorities in fighting radical Islamist terrorism, including Iranian-backed terrorists, Congressman Pittenger stated: The lack of the American Presidents leadership. Its not a matter of boots on the ground, its leadership. We never invaded the Soviet Union, but without firing a shot they collapsed. We continued with economic pressure, military pressure, human rights pressure . . . even Pope John Paul II was involved. Weve done just the opposite with Iran. Weve done just the opposite with our efforts in Syria. We have to have a plan, and Ive met with the Emir in Qatar, the Crown Prince, and President el-Sisi, and so many others; they are dismayed by the feckless foreign policy of this President. Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) also discussed:  \n\t\n Willingness of Middle East allies to fight ISIS\n\tWarning he received to not ignore Al-Qaeda and other terrorist organizations\n\tSurprising level of support between Israel and Egypt\n   Congressman Pittengers full interview with Fox News Radio is available here: https://bit.ly/1OAiOyr Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) is Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Vice Chairman of the Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing, and a Member of the House Financial Services Committee.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-travels-to-afghanistan-egypt-saudi-arabia", "Pittenger travels to Afghanistan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER RETURNS FROM AFGHANISTAN, EGYPT, AND SAUDI ARABIAMeets NC troops, Egyptian and Afghan Presidents, Saudi Arabian Ministers \n\nCHARLOTTE  This morning, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) returns to Charlotte from the Middle East, where he joined House Leadership colleagues for high-level discussions regarding efforts to defeat radical Islamist terrorism, including ISIS and the Taliban. As Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, Congressman Pittenger traveled to Egypt for discussions with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and top military leaders, Afghanistan for discussions with Afghan President Mohammad Ashraf Ghani and US/NATO/Afghan military commanders, and Saudi Arabia for discussions with government ministers and Saudi military leaders. Leaders in each country expressed concern over ISIS, but also raised the alarm about Irans serious threat to regional stability, including the threat of nuclear proliferation and Irans ongoing support of terrorist organizations. We must be united and vigilant, with clear objectives, as the world will respect and follow American leadership to intercept and destroy radical Islamist terrorists, said Congressman Pittenger. Clearly, President Obamas no strategy strategy is not working. The recent attacks in Paris, Nigeria, Mali, Egypt, and Lebanon demonstrate the American people deserve a coherent strategy from President Obama to effectively address the threat of terrorism. Two weeks before the Paris attacks, Congressman Pittenger hosted 100 Members of Parliament and other leaders from 25 European nations for a forum to address security vulnerabilities and the need for ongoing Intelligence collaboration on cyber security and terrorism financing. While in Afghanistan, Congressman Pittenger was honored to meet North Carolina military personnel during meals at Bagram Airfield and Kandahar Airfield. As the world faces hideous threats from ISIS, let us be thankful for the brave men and women who will spend Thanksgiving far from home, risking their lives to defend our freedom and way of life. We are proud of each soldier, sailor, airman, and Marine from North Carolina! Photos from Congressman Pittengers trip are available here: https://goo.gl/photos/F2eL1bxc2FPWkHA38.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-meadows-thanks-senator-tom-apodaca", "Congressman Meadows Thanks Senator Tom Apodaca", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C. Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11) released the following statement following North Carolina State Senator Tom Apodacas announcement that he wont seek re-election and will retire after this term:\nThank you to Senator Tom Apodaca for his years of principled public service in the North Carolina General Assembly. Sen. Apodaca loves the state of North Carolina and has worked tirelessly with a joyful heart representing the people of Henderson, Buncombe, and Transylvania County. While Sen. Apodaca has served in a public role as Chairman of the NC Senate Rules Committee, he has also quietly done more behind the scenes than most. Senator Apodaca has never let a call for help go unanswered. His leadership and servants heart will be missed and Im grateful for what he has accomplished for our great state.\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=399", "Congressman Meadows Thanks Senator Tom Apodaca", "2015-11-30", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Meadows", "M001187", "meadows.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Meadows Thanks Senator Tom Apodaca \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 30, 2015\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 (NC-11) released the following statement following North Carolina State Senator Tom Apodaca's announcement that he won't seek re-election and will retire after this term:\r\rThank you to Senator Tom Apodaca for his years of principled public service in the North Carolina General Assembly. Sen. Apodaca loves the state of North Carolina and has worked tirelessly with a joyful heart representing the people of Henderson, Buncombe, and Transylvania County. While Sen. Apodaca has served in a public role as Chairman of the NC Senate Rules Committee, he has also quietly done more behind the scenes than most. Senator Apodaca has never let a call for help go unanswered. His leadership and servant's heart will be missed and I'm grateful for what he has accomplished for our great state.\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://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398766", "WWII Veteran's Family Presented Service Medals in Clemmons", "2015-11-28", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The family of a WWII veteran in Clemmons received multiple service medals Saturday afternoon.Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., presented the medals to the family of Willis Tom Bradshaw at Foxx's office in Clemmons. Bradshaw served as a Seaman Second Class in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was killed in action in 1942 when the USS Juneau sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Bradshaw's daughter, Bonnie Ford of Clemmons, received his medals for him. Bradshaw received the WWII Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin and a Purple Heart, a medal given to military members killed or wounded by enemy action. Ford's son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter accompanied her to the ceremony. \"It was a privilege to assist the Ford family in obtaining these medals,\" Rep. Foxx said in a news release. \"As a country, we are uniquely blessed. We live in a nation where each one of us has the opportunity for nearly limitless fulfillment and prosperity in the world's finest democracy. That freedom and opportunity has been made available to us because of sacrifices of people like Willis Tom Bradshaw.\" Foxx's office said it is available to help veterans and families with replacing lost or stolen medals along with getting medals that still need to be presented. http://www.wfmynews2.com/story/news/2015/11/28/wwii-veterans-family-presented-service-medals-clemmons/76503980/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398767", "WWII Veteran Honored 73 Years Later", "2015-11-28", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A veteran of war was honored 73 years after his death.Rep. Virginia Foxx presented the family of Willis Tom Bradshaw with the medals he earned during service in World War II on Saturday in Foxx's Clemmons office. Bradshaw was a Seaman Second Class in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was killed in action on November 13, 1942, when the USS Juneau was sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Bonnie Ford, Bradshaw's daughter, received her father's World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin and a replacement Purple Heart, a medal given to members of the military wounded or killed by enemy action or in action against the enemy. Ford was 7 years old when her father was killed. She will be accompanied by her son and daughter-in-law Dennis and Susan Ford, as well as her granddaughter Paige Ford. \"I wish my Momma had lived long enough to see them,\" said Ford. \"When she died, her last breath was, 'I'm going to be with Willis.'\" http://www.wfmynews2.com/story/life/2015/11/28/wwii-veteran-honored-73-years-later/76518440/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398770", "Foxx to Present Service Medals to WWII Veteran\u2019s Family", "2015-11-27", "2015", "2015-11", "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., will present the family of Willis Tom Bradshaw with the medals he earned during service in World War II on Saturday, Nov. 28, at 4 p.m. in Foxx\u2019s Clemmons office.\n\nBradshaw was a Seaman Second Class in the U.S. Navy Reserve. He was killed in action on Nov. 13, 1942, when the USS Juneau was sunk during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal.\n\n\u201cIt was a privilege to assist the Ford family in obtaining these medals,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cAs a country, we are uniquely blessed. We live in a nation where each one of us has the opportunity for nearly limitless fulfillment and prosperity in the world\u2019s finest democracy. That freedom and opportunity has been made available to us because of the sacrifices of people like Willis Tom Bradshaw.\u201d\n\nBradshaw\u2019s daughter Bonnie Ford of Clemmons will receive her father\u2019s World War II Victory Medal, Honorable Service Lapel Pin and a replacement Purple Heart, a medal given to members of the military wounded or killed by enemy action or in action against the enemy. Ford was seven years old when her father was killed. She will be accompanied by her son and daughter-in-law Dennis and Susan Ford as well as her granddaughter Paige Ford.\n\nIn addition to helping residents of North Carolina\u2019s 5th District navigate the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Foxx\u2019s office is available to assist veterans and their families with replacing military medals that have been lost or stolen as well as obtaining medals that still need to be presented.\n\nFoxx\u2019s Clemmons office is located at 3540 Clemmons Road, Suite 125, Clemmons, NC 27012. The medal presentation is open to members of the media.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398760", "Congresswoman Foxx visits Newton, speaks to students", "2015-11-25", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Students got a unique perspective on their curriculum with a special guest lecture from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx on Tuesday at the 1924 Courthouse in Newton.Foxx, who represents North Carolinas Fifth District in the U.S. House of Representatives, spoke to two history and government classes from Catawba Valley Community College and answered a wide range of student and faculty questions following the lecture. Foxx has a vested interest in college education, as she serves as the Chairwoman of the House Subcommittee on Higher Education and also held several administrative positions at Appalachian State University. Richard Eller, a professor of history at CVCC, said having Foxx talk to the students was a perfect fit. She is a perfect example of someone with a varied experience, Eller said. What theyre doing matters very much to her. Eller added the Foxxs lecture had the ability to touch on both government and history. This coexistence, he said, is very important. I want (them) to understand the importance of government in our nations history, Eller said. Foxx opened her lecture by warning students that forgetting history is a very dangerous prospect. I think unfortunately we are losing that knowledge of history in our country and that puts us at risk, Foxx said. We can lose our country if we lose our knowledge of history. Foxxs lecture branched out to various topics including opportunity in the United States, how attitudes toward policy are shaped and the importance of the Constitution. Pulling out her pocket-sized copy of the Constitution, Foxx read several sections to the students and warned of the possibility of overbearing government. Im very much a believer in federalism, Foxx said. One of our main problems in our government is that we have government doing way too much. Nothing about the Constitution is accidental. After lecturing for approximately 45 minutes, Foxx opened up the floor for questions. Student questions covered a wide variety of topics from her experience as a woman in public office, her thoughts on immigration and how many bills she has historically voted for and against. Some students gathered after the lecture to meet Foxx personally and ask more questions, but the message Foxx left them with was an encouraging one that told them to chase the opportunities available to them. You live in the greatest country in the world, Foxx said. You do not have to come from privilege to reach high office in the U.S. There are opportunities out there for people who want to work hard. I believe that with all of my heart. http://www.hickoryrecord.com/news/congresswoman-foxx-visits-newton-speaks-to-students/article_c6dc4c1c-9333-11e5-b41f-df4efa1a88c2.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://holding.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=161", "Congressman Holding on Carolina Newsmakers", "2015-11-24", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "George Holding", "H001065", "holding.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Congressman Holding on Carolina Newsmakers \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, 2015\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 Holding sits down with Don Curtis to discuss ISIS,\u00a0the economy and the unfortunate state of politics in Washington. Listen to the broadcast\u00a0of Carolina Newsmakers here.\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://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398765", "Department of Education Must Get Straight With Its Student Loan Servicers", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A Government Accountability Office (GAO) study criticized the Department of Education's (ED) performance in overseeing its student loan servicers, the companies it hires to manage and collect the payments of federal student loans. Some 40 million Americans make payments on these loans every month. The November 18 report spelled out the key weaknesses that prevent ED from adequately managing its servicers.The GAO found that ED gives no consistent instructions to servicers on how to deal with borrowers. As a result, borrowers have no idea what to expect from their servicers. Borrowers are assigned a servicer in a random fashion. \"You could have the same borrower with the same financial circumstances, and they might get completely different advice depending on which servicer they contact,\" said Melissa Emry-Arras, the GAO's director of education who signed off on the report. \"Federal student loan borrowers do not have a choice in which servicer the department assigns to manage their loans.\" Existing student loan servicer contracts end in 2019; higher ed experts hope some reforms will be in place by then. Currently, the Big Four loan servicers are Navient (formerly Sallie Mae), NelNet, Great Lakes Education and the Pennsylvania Higher Education Assistance Agency. A hearing convened last week by Republican House leaders used the GAOs report to lambaste the Department. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C), the ranking Republican on the higher education subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee, called out the office of Federal Student Aid (FSA) for being rife with inefficiencies that have led to a lack of communication with students, institutions and loan servicers; improper payments; inaccurate reporting of data; failure to ensure borrowers are aware of the repayment options available to them; mismanagement of contractors and vendors; and poor customer service. The FSA is the ED division responsible for handing out student loans and grants. An object of the GOPs ire was James Runcie, the FSAs chief operating officer. While the FSA's management and leadership were soundly criticized during the hearings, dissatisfaction with servicers has been bi-partisan. Senator Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and other Senate Democrats called in August for an investigation into an ED report that cleared student loan servicers of ripping off military service members and violating the Servicemembers Civil Relief Act. Warren and others believe that military personnel are routinely jobbed by their student loan servicers. \"The Department has had some missteps in its management of the student loan program and has been criticized by the GAO and OIG over those problems,\" said Mark Kantrowitz, an expert in college financing. \"The current five-year plan is focused on addressing these issues. But some of the criticism argues that the Department sets its own goalsand sometimes moves the goal posts. There have been innovations, Kantrowitz said, but added that \"customer service could be improved, as could the Department's oversight of its contractors.\" \"For example, the Direct Loan servicers each operates independently of the others, with no sharing of best practices and little guidance from the Department,\" he added. \"There are also opportunities for improved efficiency that have been overlooked. For example, when a borrower's servicer changes, the borrower is forced to sign up for auto-debit all over again. If the Department were to centralize the auto-debit processes, it would eliminate this problem. Regularly scheduled payments are deducted from a borrowers bank account through auto-debit. Kantrowitz added that \"these issues are also attracting attention because of the changing of the guard at the Department of Education.\" \"Many of the senior management, who had been there for decades, are gone,\" he said. \"Dan Madzelan (a former senior analyst who began with the Carter administration) and David Bergeron (former acting assistant secretary of post-secondary education) retired, and Jeff Baker (current director of policy liaison and implementation) is likely to retire soon. The funding to the Departments Advisory Committee for Student Financial Assistance (ACSFA) ended, so that committee is no longer around to advise Congress. Many of the people currently in charge are new. AFSCFAs funding was cut in October. In his testimony last week, Runcie claimed that the end of bank-subsidized student loans and the switch to Direct Loans taxed ED's abilities. In 2010, the Obama administration ended government subsidies to banks who acted as middlemen in the federal student loan program. Runcie said that in preparing for the switch to Direct Loans, ED left it mainly to the servicers to decide how they should manage borrowers loans, he said. In order for us to quickly ramp up, we had to leverage their commercial practices, Runcie said. \"As the department negotiates new contracts for loan servicing, starting in January, the department will standardize common practices among the loan servicers.\" http://business-news.thestreet.com/denver-post-consumer/story/department-of-education-must-get-straight-with-its-student-loan-servicers/13376058", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-asks-answers-south-atlantic-red-snapper-closure", "JONES ASKS FOR ANSWERS ON SOUTH ATLANTIC RED SNAPPER CLOSURE", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Greenville, NC  Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) is standing up for fishermen in Eastern North Carolina and throughout the Southeast and demanding answers on the National Marine Fisheries Services (NMFS) closure of the South Atlantic red snapper fishery to commercial and recreational harvest in 2015. The decision was announced in June of this year by the South Atlantic Regional Office of NMFS. In a letter to NMFS Southeast Regional Director, Dr. Roy Crabtree, Congressman Jones raised a number of specific questions about the decision and the science, or lack thereof, behind it. Those questions include:\n How the agency could justify closing a fishery based on illogical data which estimated that total removal of South Atlantic red snapper in the extremely abbreviated 2014 fishing year was nearly three times the estimated removal for the full fishing year in 2013, and was similar to the average annual catch estimates for the period of 1992 to 2009 when fishing occurred year round?  \n\t Why the agency has waited six years to update its last stock assessment on the species, a stock assessment that was highly controversial from the start?  \n\t What the agency has done to address the widely known flaws in both the quantity and quality of the data on this species?  \n\t Why the agencys Southeast Science Center has apparently rebuffed fishermens efforts to conduct fisheries dependent and independent research to augment poor data in the South Atlantic red snapper stock assessment?\nThe NMFS decision to keep the South Atlantic red snapper fishery closed for 2015 is a textbook example of the shortcomings of federal fisheries management at the current time, said Congressman Jones. Everyone acknowledges the data is poor, and has been for quite some time. But rather than taking steps to improve it years ago, either in-house or through cooperative research, little was done. And who suffers? Not the agency, but the fishermen who pay the taxes to support the agency. Its unacceptable, and the agency needs to provide some answers on how theyre going to make it right.\nClick on the link below to read Congressman Jones' letter to the NMFS.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rouzer-introduces-bill-honor-fallen-veterans", "Rouzer introduces bill to honor fallen veterans", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, D.C.  This month, in honor of Veterans Day, Congressman Rouzer introduced H.R. 3914  the Half-Staff for Homeland Heroes Act  to require the American flag to be flown at half-staff when members of our Armed Forces are killed in the line of duty on American soil.\nIt is because of our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines that our nation remains the land of the free and home of the brave. We should never fail to honor our active duty servicemembers or veterans when it is due. The Half-Staff for Homeland Heroes Act will ensure that our fallen heroes are always honored in this manner when theyve made the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.\nCongressman Rouzer introduced this bill due to the events which followed the terrorist attacks in Chattanooga, Tennessee this past summer. It was only after President Obama received sharp criticism from the American people and the media that he ordered all flags at federal offices and buildings to be flown at half-staff.\nTo read a copy of H.R. 3914, please click here.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/update-wilmington-va-health-care-center-new-hanover-county-cape-fear", "Update on Wilmington VA Health Care Center from New Hanover County,  Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and Congressman David Rouzer", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "New Hanover County, N.C.  New Hanover County, Cape Fear Public Utility Authority and Congressman David Rouzer convened a meeting on Thursday, November 12 on the status of the Wilmington VA Health Care Center as part of their ongoing effort to resolve the water quality issues at the Wilmington VA and obtain their mutual goal of providing quality healthcare to the veterans in the area and their families.\nThe following was discussed at the meeting:\n New Hanover Countys representatives outlined for the Congressman the procedure that has been established to ensure that the root cause of the water quality issues is identified and that the situation is remedied.\n  The building owner/landlord has hired a Wilmington-based engineering firm to conduct the investigation and to recommend steps to mitigate the source of the problem. Upon completion of the necessary corrective action a repeat analysis of the water from the buildings fixtures will be conducted to ensure its potability. As soon as it can be demonstrated that the water is potable, the New Hanover County Department of Health Do Not Use Water notice will be removed.\n  According to VA officials, the majority of the facility is operational, and the full range of services the building was designed to provide are available to Veterans except gastroenterology and urology procedures. These services include primary care, dental, mental health, audiology, optometry, pharmacy and specialty clinics and more.\n Every party involved is committed to resolving this issue as quickly as possible for our veterans, said Rep. David Rouzer. Im confident that this is the best process to determine the source of the contamination so that we can get this issue resolved. \n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-takes-action-fight-terrorism", "Walker Takes Action to Fight Terrorism", "2015-11-23", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) has introduced the Define It to Fight It Act, a bill that withholds ten percent of United States funding to the United Nations until the intergovernmental organization adopts a definition for international terrorism.\nSince the 9/11 attacks, the United Nations should have been leading a global response to the increasing threat of terrorism, but they fail to even provide a simple definition to the term international terrorism, Walker said. In the wake of yet another terrorist attack in Paris, the world still waits on the U.N. to lead and present a clear understanding of what theyre fighting. The American taxpayers should not be the largest bankroller for an organization that fails to define what were up against, Walker added.\nThe U.N. Security Council adopted Resolution 1373 on September 28, 2001, which created the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC) to become the lead U.N. agent in the war on terror. Since then, the CTC has failed to name a single terrorist, terrorist organization or state-sponsor of terrorism. The three U.S.-identified state sponsors of terror  Iran, Syria and Sudan  have submitted reports to the CTC about their compliance with Resolution 1373. In the absence of any U.N. definition of terrorism, all three states have readily proclaimed that they are engaged in a vigorous campaign to combat terrorism despite clear and irrefutable evidence to the contrary.\nIn 2015, the U.S. contributed over $650 million to the U.N. budget  over 22% of their budget  making the U.S. the largest contributor.\nThe Define It to Fight It Act (H.R. 4123) introduced by Rep. Walker last week withholds ten percent of U.S. contributions to the U.N. each year until a definition of international terrorism is adopted. Contributions withheld go directly to the U.S. Treasury for debt reduction.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-and-tillis-question-obama-administration-on-release-of-gitmo-prisoner", "Burr and Tillis Question Obama Administration On Release Of GITMO Prisoner", "2015-11-20", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.20.15\n\t\t\t Burr and Tillis Question Obama Administration On Release Of GITMO Prisoner \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON, D.C.  Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Thom Tillis (R-NC), along with Senators Tom Cotton (R-AR), Pat Roberts (R-KS), Jerry Moran (R-KS), John Boozman (R-AR), Ron Johnson (R-WI), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Rob Portman (R-OH), and Susan Collins (R-ME) sent letters to the Secretary of Defense, Ashton Carter, and the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff (CJCS), General Joseph F. Dunford, Jr., expressing concern over the Obama Administrations recent release of Shaker Aamer from the detention facility at Guantanamo Bay.\r\nThe letters note that the notification of transfer for Mr. Aamer did not list the Joint Chiefs of Staff as one of the entities concurring and approving of the transfer, as is normally the case. This indicates that the CJCS did not agree with the Administrations decision to release Shaker Aamer. The letters go on to request Secretary Carter and General Dunford answers to questions about this transfer to the Senate and House Armed Services, Intelligence, Foreign Relations, Homeland Security, and Appropriations Committees.\r\nThe full text of the letters can be found here and here.\r\nSenators Tillis and Burr oppose President Obamas short-sighted proposal to close Guantanamo Bay and transfer the worlds most dangerous terrorists to prisons in the United States. The Senate recently passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) in a resoundingly bipartisan 91-3 vote, which included a provision that legally bans the transfer of terrorists at Guantanamo to facilities in the United States.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398763", "Ed Dept. in the Hot Seat", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "A top Education Department official was on the defensive Wednesday, responding to a wide range of criticisms from congressional lawmakers and government watchdogs about the departments management of the federal student aid system.James Runcie, chief operating officer of the Office of Federal Student Aid, which disburses student loans and grants and oversees colleges' participation in those programs, testified at a congressional hearing that focused largely on his offices failings. The Republican leadership of two House subcommittees -- one focused on higher education and one on government oversight -- convened a joint hearing Wednesday to discuss the office's management and leadership, which they said was lacking on numerous counts. Representative Virginia Foxx, the top Republican on the higher education subcommittee of the House Education and Workforce Committee, said that FSA is rife with inefficiencies that have led to a lack of communication with students, institutions and loan servicers; improper payments; inaccurate reporting of data; failure to ensure borrowers are aware of the repayment options available to them; mismanagement of contractors and vendors; and poor customer service. Loan Servicing Problems A study released Wednesday by the Government Accountability Office criticized the Education Department for not doing a good job of overseeing the companies it hires to collect and manage the student loan payments of tens of millions of federal borrowers. The problem, the GAO said, is that department officials have not provided consistent instructions to its loan servicers. \"Servicers treat borrowers differently,\" said Melissa Emrey-Arras, who directs GAO's education team. \"You could have the same borrower, with the same financial circumstances, and they might get completely different advice depending on which servicer they contact.\" Federal student loan borrowers do not have a choice in which servicer the department assigns to manage their loans. Runcie explained that there are variations and inconsistences among how the governments student loan servicers operate because the Education Department allows each servicing company to use its own practices. In the rush to prepare for a flood of new direct federal student loans after the Obama administration successfully ended the bank-based lending program in 2010, the Education Department largely deferred to its loan servicers for how they should manage borrowers loans, he said. In order for us to quickly ramp up, we had to leverage their commercial practices, he said. As the department negotiates new contracts for loan servicing, starting in January, Runcie said, the department will standardize common practices among the loan servicers. But the current loan servicer contracts end in 2019, meaning that there will be a transition period for making those changes, Runcie said. There is a lot of blame being foisted upon the servicers, Foxx said. Thats not where the problem is -- the problem is with the leadership of the FSA. Rollout of Gainful Employment Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Financial Aid Administrators, criticized what he said were the departments lack of effective communication with financial aid officers and its excessive delays in closing federal audits of colleges. Some of those audits, he testified on Wednesday, drag on for months or even years, providing uncertainty for colleges about whether they will be found out of compliance with any of the departments complex rules governing student aid. Inside Higher Ed reported in 2013 that the Education Departments audits at two institutions -- Yale University and the University of Colorado at Boulder -- were outstanding for more than a decade before the department finally took action and imposed fines against the institutions. Runcie dismissed those concerns. This anecdotal information about our performance is just not accurate, he said. He said the average processing time for the department to finish an audit of a college is 249 days, a 72 percent decrease from 2011. In addition, Draeger said, the departments recent implementation of its gainful employment rule was particularly challenging, calling it a time-consuming debacle for financial aid offices. Although colleges repeatedly sought guidance from the Office of Federal Student Aid on how they should report data to the department, it was only after the deadline passed that the department began to provide effective guidance and tools to help colleges properly submit accurate data. In the meantime, Draeger said, the department sent several rounds of letters threatening to find colleges out of compliance with federal rules, which could ultimately result in their removal from federal aid programs. Draeger said the gainful employment issue was reflective of a larger problem in how the Office of Federal Student Aid works with college financial aid offices. Colleges over all gave the feds lower marks this year on its \"ease of doing business\" survey, which is one of the department's own internal metrics. The lower scores fell below the departments own target rate this year, according to its annual report released last week. Even though it failed that benchmark, the department wrote in the report that the lower rate of satisfaction among colleges was \"an indication of FSA's outreach and support efforts.\" Draeger said the episode pointed to the problem with the department's self-assessment of its performance. \"Even when the department fails, they deem it a success,\" he said. Error Rates Criticized Republican lawmakers also criticized the Education Departments decision last year to change its methodology for estimating how much it improperly paid out in Pell Grants and student loans after its initial methodology revealed large jumps in the rate of erroneous payments. A report from the department's Office of Inspector General this year was highly critical of the department for retroactively seeking permission from the White Houses Office of Management and Budget to recalculate its improper payment rate using a revised methodology that produced estimates that showed fewer improper payments. Representative Mark Meadows of North Carolina, a Republican, said he was troubled the department would change the goalpost when it didnt like the numbers. Runcie responded: The methodology we use has been approved by OMB. Data Security of Student Loan Information Both Democrats and Republicans also raised concerns about how the Education Department protects the personal information, including Social Security numbers, contained in one of its large student loan databases. Katherine Tighe, the departments inspector general, said her investigators were having a difficult time obtaining from the departments contractor and subcontractor information they need to assess the data security of the large computer system the Education Department uses to track loan disbursements. She said it was concerning that the department has a contractor operating a major system and has absolutely no visibility into the data security of that system. https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2015/11/19/lawmakers-government-watchdogs-question-education-department-management-student", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398764", "Government watchdog blasts Federal Student Aid office for shoddy oversight", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Government watchdogs criticized the Office of Federal Student Aid, in charge of managing more than $1 trillion in federal student loans and grants, for inadequate communications with borrowers, colleges and loan servicing companies, raising questions from lawmakers about the division's ability to continue administering the programs.The Government Accountability Office on Wednesday chided the FSA, which issues subsidized, unsubsidized and Plus loans, for lax oversight and \"absent, unclear and inconsistent guidance\" to schools receiving aid and student loan servicers. In a joint House hearing, the GAO detailed \"key weaknesses\" at the FSA that has trickled down to servicers \"resulting in inconsistent and inefficient services to borrowers.\" The GAO found servicers have not been given clear instructions on how to apply over or under payments and there is no clarification about how to handle reporting to credit agencies. The GAO suggested the department create a detailed manual for servicers, among other things. While FSA chief James Runcie vowed to make changes to address issues raised by the GAO, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C, ripped into Runcie saying, \"It is clear the FSA cannot administer this program\" because it is far too complex. \"It appears there is a lot of blame being foisted upon the servicers. That's not where the problem is. The problem is with the leadership with the FSA. If you gave clear guidelines to the servicers, if you did things in a timely fashion, we would not have this problem,\" said Foxx, chairwoman of the House subcommittee on higher education and workforce training. \"You are harming the people you are supposed to be helping.\" http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2015/11/19/Government-watchdog-blasts-Federal-Student-Aid-office-for-shoddy-oversight/5251447954654/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-rejects-show-vote-refugees-reiterates-call-defunding", "JONES REJECTS SHOW VOTE ON REFUGEES; REITERATES CALL FOR DEFUNDING", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Walter Jones", "J000255", "jones.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington, DCToday, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) voted against H.R. 4038, The American SAFE Act, which would do nothing to cut off the funding for President Barack Obamas plan to import tens of thousands of Middle Eastern refugees into the U.S., and would allow the Obama administration to continue to decide how many refugees to let in, and who. The bill was voted on under a closed rule and no amendments were allowed to be considered. The bill passed the House 289 to 137 and is unlikely to be taken up in the Senate until after Thanksgiving.\nCongressman Jones made this statement on the vote: Defunding President Obamas refugee program is the only way to ensure that America can actually stop a refugee influx until we can determine without question that we are not giving terrorists a free pass into the United States. Congress can defund the program in the appropriations bill which will come to the floor in early December. To ensure our safety, Congress must seize that opportunity and use its constitutional power of the purse. Short of that, even if todays bill were to pass the Congress and be signed into law, the President would still retain the power to let in whoever, and however many, refugees he pleases. And given the Presidents unwavering support for open borders, unchecked illegal immigration, and mass importation of foreign refugees, we know he cant be trusted with that authority.\nOn Monday, November 16, Congressman Jones wrote a letter to Speaker Paul Ryan calling for Congress to block funds for the Obama administrations massive Middle Eastern refugee resettlement program when Congress appropriates money for the Boehner-Obama debt deal before the end of the year. In the letter, Congressman Jones states that he will not vote for any bill that provides funding for the Obama administrations dangerous Middle Eastern refugee resettlement program.\nCongressman Jones is also a cosponsor on H.R. 4032, the States Right of Refugee Refusal Act of 2015, which would protect the right of states to reject participation in President Obamas refugee program.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398044", "A Common Sense Step to Protect Our Homeland", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after House passage of H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015: Throughout our history, no country has done more to assist the innocent bystanders to foreign conflicts than the United States. Howeveras evidenced by the horrific attacks in Paristhe grave danger posed by ISIL and Islamic extremism require a reevaluation of our strategy. With passage of the SAFE Act, the House has taken an important step towards ensuring all refugees brought to the United States are properly vetted and certified by not just law enforcement but also our intelligence community. It is a common sense step to protect our homeland and provide safety to all Americans. In spite of the SAFE Acts bipartisan support, President Obama has threatened a veto. This is regrettable but not surprising from a leader who has consistently shown he would rather disparage political opponents than present a realistic strategy to defeat ISIL and the global threat posed by radical Islam.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-congress-acts-to-protect-american-people", "Pittenger: Congress acts to protect American people", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER VOTES TO IMPROVE SCREENING OF SYRIAN REFUGEES, TEMPORARILY HALT ADMISSIONS \n  WASHINGTON  By a bipartisan vote of 289-137, the U.S. House of Representatives today passed the American Security Against Foreign Enemies Act (H.R. 4038), introduced by Homeland Security Chairman Mike McCaul and sponsored by Congressman Robert Pittenger.\n Temporarily suspends the admission of refugees from Syria and Iraq, based on intelligence that ISIS is exploiting the refugee crisis to insert terrorists into the U.S. and Europe.\n\tRequires the FBI to certify the background check of each new refugee.\n\tRequires the Homeland Security Secretary, FBI Director, and Director of National Intelligence to certify to Congress that each new refugee is not a security threat.\n\tRequires an independent assessment by the Homeland Security Inspector General to ensure high-risk individuals do not slip through.\n   President Obama is already threatening to veto our legislation, yet its the failure of his no strategy policy that brought us to this point. These refugees should have been protected with a no-fly zone and safe haven instead of being forced to flee. Congress is acting decisively to protect the American people, while still welcoming individuals who are not a threat. Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) is Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-increase-access-to-mortgages", "Pittenger:  Increase access to mortgages", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n  \n\t\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER URGES SUPPORT FOR COMMUNITY BANKS, ACCESS TO MORTGAGES \n\nWASHINGTON  Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) urged colleagues to support the Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act (H.R. 1210), which relaxes CFPB regulations making it difficult for many Americans to obtain a mortgage. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureaus Qualified Mortgage rule is forcing one-size-fits-all rules on the mortgage business, causing many community bankers to exit the mortgage business and making it more difficult for hardworking American families to buy a home they can afford to keep. According to the Federal Reserve, one-third of Hispanic and African-American borrowers will be negatively impacted. The Independent Community Bankers Association reports that 73 percent of community bankers have decreased their mortgage business or completely stopped providing mortgage loans due to the expense of complying with the regulatory burden, said Congressman Pittenger during House debate on H.R. 1210. I served on a community bank board for over 10 years. We knew who was creditworthy. We had personal relationships with our customers. We knew their character. Today, its one size fits all. Whats required today is a box to check. If you cant check all the boxes, you wont get a loan. The Portfolio Lending and Mortgage Access Act (H.R. 1210), co-sponsored by Congressman Pittenger, passed the U.S. House of Representatives today by a bipartisan vote of 255-174. Click here for full video of Congressman Pittengers speech in support of H.R. 1210.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-questions-sec-chair-white", "Pittenger questions SEC Chair White", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Robert Pittenger", "P000606", "pittenger.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE\n\n CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER QUESTIONS SEC CHAIRON INATTENTION TO MIDDLE CLASS \n  WASHINGTON  During a House Financial Services Committee hearing on Wednesday, Congressman Robert Pittenger questioned Securities and Exchange Commission Chair Mary Jo White on the agencys inattention to core duties impacting hardworking American families. In recent years, the SEC has focused on highly-politicized rulemaking, including disclosures on political contributions, CEO pay ratios, and conflict minerals, while spending little time on protecting individual investors and facilitating the capital needed for small businesses and entrepreneurs to grow and create jobs. How do you relate your role in these issues? Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) asked Chair White. It seems to be a diversion, in terms of scope of mission. Is this an interest of yours? Is it something of the Administration you feel compelled to carry? Why would you move away from what clearly is your scope of mission? Look at the results today. Its all about results. Can you say, with all your good judgement, that all these disclosures, all these requirements, all these mandates, all these compliance issues, have been healthy as it relates to growing and expanding the economy? Click here for full video of Congressman Pittengers questioning of SEC Chair White during Wednesdays House Financial Services hearing.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398759", "Foxx Responds to Refugee Crisis", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "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 voted in favor of legislation that would strengthen the vetting system for Syrian and Iraqi refugees being admitted to the United States.\n\n\u201cObama administration officials have said there are inherent shortcomings in the current screening process for refugees, especially those fleeing embattled Middle East countries where government databases are unreliable or nonexistent,\u201d said Foxx. \u201cComparing an individual's information against such deficient data leaves significant intelligence gaps and exposes the United States to insufficiently vetted individuals. This legislation is a first step toward understanding and addressing those security risks.\u201d\n\nH.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015, would put in place the most robust national-security vetting process in history to ensure terrorists do not exploit humanitarian programs to enter the United States. The legislation would require the Department of Homeland Security, in unanimous concurrence with the FBI Director and the Director of National Intelligence, to certify to Congress that each refugee from Iraq and Syria is not a security threat.\n\nThe bill also would require the FBI Director to certify that an individual has received a background investigation that is sufficient to determine that the refugee is not a security threat to the United States. The Department of Homeland Security\u2019s Inspector General would be required to independently assess the refugee approvals and provide an annual report detailing its findings to Congress.\n\n###\n\nU.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx represents 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", "2026-04-08T20:30:58Z"], ["https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rouzer-support-house-passes-bill-halt-syrian-and-iraqi-refugees", "With Rouzer support, House passes bill to halt Syrian and Iraqi refugees", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "David Rouzer", "R000603", "rouzer.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Washington  Today, with Congressman David Rouzers support, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015. This bill halts the admission of any proposed Syrian or Iraqi refugee to the United States, or any proposed refugee present in Iraq or Syria at any time on or after March 1st, 2011, until our nations top security officialsthe Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence unanimously certify that the individual does not represent a security threat.\nThe barbaric terrorist attacks conducted by ISIS within the last week bring into clear focus the need to strengthen our national security by halting the importation of refugees from Iraq and Syria. \nThis is a new day and time, and these refugees are not refugees of past years. The safety of our citizens and our country must remain the top priority. The American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act is a first step to protecting our country from future harm and ensuring that potential terrorists do not slip through the cracks of our refugee process. I urge the Senate to pass and the President to sign this legislation immediately. \nH.R. 4038 puts in place the most robust national-security vetting process in history for any refugee population, and it gives the American people the assurances needed that we will do everything possible to prevent terrorists from reaching our shores.\nUnder this legislation, no Syrian or Iraqi refugee may enter the United States until the American peoples representatives in Congress receive certifications from the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI and the Director of National Intelligence that they pose no threat to our homeland. It also creates an additional layer of protection by requiring the DHS Inspector General to independently assess the refugee approvals.\nH.R. 4038 passed the House by a vote of 289-137. Congressman Rouzer is a cosponsor of the bill.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-votes-protect-our-national-security", "Walker Votes to Protect Our National Security", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Mark Walker", "W000819", "walker.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "WASHINGTON, DC  U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) voted today on the passage of American SAFE Act (H.R. 4038), a bill that prevents the admission of Syrian or Iraqi refugees without prior unanimous security clearance from top U.S. security officials.\nThe terrorist attacks in Paris demonstrate that the safety of America is at-risk unless we take action, Walker said. As someone who has worked in Belgian refugee camps, I understand the need to be compassionate towards individuals seeking asylum, but we simply cannot do so by placing our own national security on the backburner and without clearing these individuals first. I implore President Obama to take off the blindfold and earplugs, sign this bill and protect American citizens, Walker added.\nUnder current law, the President has the authority to set the ceiling for the number of refugees that can be admitted to the United States during a fiscal year. For Fiscal Year 2016, President Obama has set the overall refugee ceiling at 85,000 and announced that of that, 10,000 would be Syrians. Any refugee being admitted to the United States must go through a background check, including biographic name checks and fingerprint checks. The information is vetted against a broad array of law enforcement and community databases.\nHowever, despite the background check, top national security officials have testified before Congress that the government does not have the resources to fully vet refugees, especially in countries where we lack a law enforcement presence and the countrys government is in shambles. Government agencies have admitted an inability to even screen for passed criminal activity among refugees from Syria and Iraq.\nThe American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 prevents admission to the United States any Syrian and Iraqi refugee until top security officials  the Secretary of Homeland Security, the Director of the FBI, and the Director of National Intelligence  unanimously certify that the individual does not represent a security threat.\nUnder this legislation, the FBI has a direct role in validating the background checks are thorough enough to keep dangerous individuals out of the country. Further, it requires Members of Congress to receive notifications of admission and requires the Homeland Security Inspector General to independently assess the refugee approvals.\nRep. Walker is a cosponsor of this legislation.\nThe bill passed today with a veto-proof majority  289-137  with 47 Democrats joining 242 Republicans in support.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/sen-burr-congratulates-the-senate-energy-committees-bipartisan-vote-to-renew-conservation-fund", "Sen. Burr Congratulates the Senate Energy Committees Bipartisan Vote to Renew Conservation Fund", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.15\n\t\t\t Sen. Burr Congratulates the Senate Energy Committees Bipartisan Vote to Renew Conservation Fund \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) made the following statement after the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee unanimously passed a full reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) within the Bipartisan Sportsmens Act of 2015: \r\nI applaud the Committee for their vote to include the Murkowski-Cantwell compromise language that renews this important and popular conservation program. The legislation the Committee supported on a bipartisan basis makes some critical reforms to the program, but maintains the original intent of the fund which is to assist in the conservation of both scenic landscapes and local ballfields and parks, without asking taxpayers to pick up the tab. Despite some efforts to gut this program, todays vote showed once again that the vast majority of LWCF supporters want the program to remain intact and for it to continue as it was originally designed fifty years ago. Furthermore, we cannot forget that the LWCF has already expired, so we must take action before the end of the year to ensure that the LWCF and critical conservation efforts can preserve landscapes for future generations.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-votes-to-end-common-core-mandate-in-education-conference-vote-fights-for-24-million-to-nc-schools-", "Senator Burr Votes to End Common Core Mandate in Education Conference Vote, Fights for $24 Million to NC Schools", "2015-11-19", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.19.15\n\t\t\t Senator Burr Votes to End Common Core Mandate in Education Conference Vote, Fights for $24 Million to NC Schools  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWASHINGTON  Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today voted to approve the conference report for the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA). ESEA will end the unpopular No Child Left Behind Program, Common Core mandate and will also revamp education programs across the country. The conference report takes dramatic steps away from Washington's ever-growing influence in K-12 education by empowering teachers and principals to make better education choices on behalf of students.\r\nThe report includes language sponsored by Burr that will fix an inequity in federal education funding that for 15 years has not only shortchanged North Carolinas teachers and schools, but also the low-income students they serve across our state. The funding fix will add $24 million each year for school programs.\r\nThis legislation finally ends Washingtons Common Core mandate, said Sen. Burr. I look forward to local communities and schools again taking the lead in educating children, as opposed to the Washington bureaucracies that flourished over fifteen years under both No Child Left Behind and the Obama Administration's waivers. Additionally, low-income students in North Carolina stand to see a significant increase of 47%, up to $24 million per year, in education funding via an updated Title II program. After years of pretending to steer limited federal dollars to our poorest children, we are now actually getting that funding into the communities that need it most.\r\nSenator Burrs Title II funding alignment passed through Committee in March 2015. The conference report will now go before the Senate and House for a final vote before going to the President.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398761", "Iredell representatives show support for McCrory on refugees", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "It started with a single fingerprint in Paris, and now governors from more than half the of the United States of America -- including North Carolina -- are saying they will not accept asylum seekers from Syria, which is arguably the most war-ravaged nation on the planet.The number of governors calling for a close of their state borders to Syrian refugees comprises one Democrat and 26 Republicans, including North Carolinas Pat McCrory. While numerous European nations have agreed to accept tens, and even hundreds of thousands of Syrian refugees, the United States -- with its population of 350 million -- has taken in just 1,500 since 2011. And only 59 of them have made it to North Carolina, less than can be found on a street in an average urban neighborhood. But even that figure of fewer than five dozen people has attracted McCrorys attention in light of the multi-pronged terrorist attack carried out in Paris last Friday. According to reports, a fingerprint from one of the terrorists matches that of a man who entered Greece through a refugee program in that nation and eventually immigrated to France. Besides, as Mooresville state Rep. John Fraley noted in a conversation with the R&L, it doesnt take a great number of people to pull off a major terrorist attack. Look at 9/11, he said referring to the 2001 series of attacks. That didnt involve many people.  \r\nStill Fraley said he had only returned Monday night from a vacation out of the country and that he was not well enough versed on the specific aspects of McCrorys plan to say he backed it or was opposed to it. I think it would be best for everyone coming here to have thorough background checks, Fraley said. But I just dont know how practical that would be. I mean I just dont know what all that involves and whether or not it can be done in any reasonable way. Fraley said the matter is slated to be taken up by the North Carolina House of Representatives Government Oversight Committee as early as today and that any action needed beyond that would be called for. I dont know what exactly will be discussed, but I would imagine it would be along the lines of what can legally be done and what cannot, Fraley said of the committee meetings. According to experts on the issue of refuge-seekers, individual states have very little say as the Refugee Act of 1980 gives the federal government jurisdiction on the matter. And law aside, some say blocking refuge to those displaced by war is not only un-American, but also immoral. The U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops is one of the largest refugee resettlement organizations in the country. On Tuesday, the organization released a statement regarding the pushback against Syrian refugees by governors and others. In a statement issued by Bishop Eusebio Elizondo, who chairs the groups Committee on Migration, said that while he condemned the acts in Paris and is in support of all who are working to ensure such attacks do not occur again, he views responses like the one taken by McCrory troubling. These refugees are fleeing terror themselves  violence like we have witnessed in Paris. They are extremely vulnerable families, women, and children who are fleeing for their lives, Elizondo said. We cannot and should not blame them for the actions of a terrorist organization. Elizondo said the vetting process of refugees is already one with few loopholes that can take as long as two years. We can look at strengthening the already stringent screening program, he said, but we should continue to welcome those in desperate need. And while many have referred to the moves made by McCrory and other governors as a knee-jerk reaction, all 10 North Carolina Republicans in the U.S. House of Representative stand in support of it. A letter signed by the GOP contingent -- which includes both Iredell County members, Virginia Foxx and Robert Pittenger -- cites the Paris attacks and calls on President Obama to stop sending Syrian immigrants here. As a delegation, we join with Governor McCrory in calling for the Obama Administration to immediately cease sending Syrian refugees to our state, the letter reads in part. We believe this is a common sense step and applaud Governor McCrory for his leadership on the issue.\" http://www.statesville.com/news/iredell-representatives-show-support-for-mccrory-on-refugees/article_f7ffd7be-8e01-11e5-9392-97fbb67bb3f8.html", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398762", "Financial arm of the Department of Education falling down on the job, watchdog says", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Government watchdogs skewered the financial arm of the Department of Education on Wednesday for sloppy communication with contractors, colleges and borrowers, raising concerns about the divisions ability to manage more than $1 trillion in federal student loans and grants.The aptitude of the Office of Federal Student Aid, which administers all federal loan, grant and work-study programs, came into question at a joint House hearing on the division. Testimony from the Government Accountability Office and the departments inspector general detailed lax oversight of schools receiving aid and student loan servicers, the middlemen who collect and apply borrower payments. Melissa Emrey-Arras, director of education workforce and income security at GAO, told members of Congress that six of the seven servicers her office interviewed reported problems resulting from absent, unclear and inconsistent guidance and instructions from FSA. One servicer said there are no instructions for how to apply payments when borrowers send more or less money than owed for the month. Another complained that there was no clarification on how to handle reporting to credit bureaus. If the agency fails to strengthen its instructions and guidance to servicers, there will continue to be areas of inconsistent implementation, and differences between servicers could have financial consequences that hurt borrowers or risk the integrity of the program, Emrey-Arras said. She recommended that the department create a detailed manual for the direct loan program to clear up any confusion among servicers. Inspector General Kathleen Tighe said her office continues to identify problems in FSA auditing schools to ensure timely disbursement of funds or putting an end to criminals fraudulently obtaining financial aid. She also testified that the office has not done enough to track and respond to complaints filed against its collection agencies. Defending his office, James Runcie, who heads the FSA, said his team continues to improve its compliance process and efforts to detect fraud. He said the department is working to standardize practices among the servicers and teaming with the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau to fix problems with the way payments are applied. Despite changing landscapes, we have maintained a framework and continuity of leadership that have been vital to successfully delivering student financial assistance, said Runcie, chief operating officer at the department. It is essential that FSA be in a position to continue to respond to rapid regulatory and market changes. The governments oversight of its massive student aid programs has taken center stage as student loan borrowers complain of servicers failing to handle their payments or provide accurate information. It is ultimately FSAs job to supervise those companies, who are paid hundreds of millions of dollars to manage the governments portfolio of loans. People sympathetic to the office have said it should be commended for pulling off the transition from bank-based student lending to all direct government lending, a monumental undertaking president Obama instituted five years ago. Not only did the office gain greater responsibilities, but it also had to contend with soaring demand as college enrollment and costs climbed. The amount of federal student aid delivered by FSA has increased from $82 billion in 2008 to $130 billion this year, with the number of students the office serves doubling during that time from 6.8 million to 13 million. At the same time, the office has simplified the application for federal financial aid and implemented the expansion of loan repayment plans that let borrowers tie payments to their income, said Ben Miller, senior director for postsecondary education at the Center for American Progress. Problems persist in getting and keeping people in those so-called income-based plans. And Miller testified that FSA should be more transparent about the condition of its $1 trillion student loan portfolio and do a better job of overseeing its contractors. Yet he said the office has been successful at fixing issues related to getting funds to students and keeping administrative costs reasonable. But college financial aid officers argue that FSA takes months, and in some cases years, to respond to program reviews, renewals and changes in participation agreement, according to Justin Draeger, president of the National Association of Student Aid Administrators. He testified that FSA missed its own deadlines during the roll out of the administrations so-called gainful employment rule, which limits how much debt students can amass in career training programs. When schools asked for more guidance during the process, the office dragged its feet in responding and threatened to go after schools for failing to comply with the rule, Draeger said. FSA continues though self-assessment to give itself high marks, pay healthy bonuses and avert responsibility for these persistent issues, he said. We see FSA as a partner, but partnership is not a one-way street. Although congressional members were generally even-handed in questioning Runcie, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) lit into the FSA chief as the hearing concluded. It is clear that FSA cannot administer this program, said Foxx, who chairs the House subcommittee on higher education and workforce training. There is a lot of blame being foisted upon the servicers. Thats not where the problem is; the problem is with the leadership with the FSA. If you gave clear guidelines  if you did things in a timely fashion, we would not have this problem. https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/grade-point/wp/2015/11/18/financial-arm-of-the-department-of-education-falling-down-on-the-job-watchdog-says/", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/burr-bennet-lead-senators-urging-lwcf-reauthorization-funding-before-end-of-the-year-", "Burr, Bennet Lead Senators Urging LWCF Reauthorization, Funding Before End of the Year", "2015-11-18", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Richard Burr", "B001135", "www.burr.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "11.18.15\n\t\t\t Burr, Bennet Lead Senators Urging LWCF Reauthorization, Funding Before End of the Year  \n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tWashington D.C.  U.S. Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) today led a bipartisan coalition of 14 senators requesting Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) include the permanent reauthorization of the Land and Water Conservation Fund (LWCF) along with full mandatory funding in one of the bills Congress must pass before adjourning for the year.\r\nIn a letter to Senators McConnell and Reid, the lawmakers wrote, The LWCF is funded with offshore oil royalties and was designed not to use taxpayer dollars. However, since the creation of LWCF in 1965, more than $18 billion has been taken from the LWCF trust fund and diverted from its original conservation purpose. Because authorization for the LWCF expired on September 30th, offshore oil royalties are no longer being directed into the fund and there is no longer any guarantee that Congress will provide it the necessary funds.\r\nFor the economy, sportsmen, veterans, wildlife, and our kids and grandkids, we must permanently reauthorize LWCF  it is Americas most successful conservation program. We also strongly request that you include mandatory full funding in any must-pass year end legislation, the lawmakers added.\r\nSenators Patrick J. Leahy (D-VT), Susan M. Collins (R-ME), Maria Cantwell (D-WA), Lindsey Graham (R-SC), Jon Tester (D-MT), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH), Kelly A. Ayotte (R-NH), Tom Udall (D-NM), Cory Gardner (R-CO), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), and Steve Daines (R-MT) also signed the letter.\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t  \n\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t \n\t\t\n\t\t\tPrint\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\tEmail\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tTweet\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\n\t \n\t\n\t\n\n\t\n    \n    \n    \n    \n    \t\n    \t\n\t    \t  \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tPrevious Article\n\t\t    \n\t\t    \n\t\t    \tNext Article", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398757", "House votes to start No Child Left Behind talks with Senate", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Virginia Foxx", "F000450", "foxx.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "The House voted Tuesday to begin negotiations with the Senate on legislation to renew the No Child Left Behind law.Both chambers passed their respective versions of the bill in July. Lawmakers hope to finish conference negotiations by the end of the year to send a final reconciled measure to President Obamas desk. The original 2002 law expired in 2007. In the absence of Congress passing a reauthorization since then, the Obama administration has been issuing waivers since 2011 following requests from school districts and governors. The House version, which gives states more control over education policy, is more conservative than the bipartisan Senate bill. But its unclear whether a compromise could win President Obamas signature, since his administration has expressed opposition to both bills. Ten House Republicans were named to the conference committee: House Education and the Workforce Committee Chairman John Kline (Minn.), Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Phil Roe (Tenn.), Glenn Thompson (Pa.), Brett Guthrie (Ky.), Todd Rokita (Ind.), Luke Messer (Ind.), Glenn Grothman (Wis.), Steve Russell (Okla.) and Carlos Curbelo (Fla.). Seven Democrats were also appointed: Rep. Bobby Scott (Va.), the top Democrat on the Education panel, as well as Susan Davis (Calif.), Marcia Fudge (Ohio), Jared Polis (Colo.), Frederica Wilson (Fla.), Suzanne Bonamici (Ore.) and Katherine Clark (Mass.). http://thehill.com/blogs/floor-action/house/260457-house-votes-to-start-no-child-left-behind-talks-with-senate", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"], ["http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398042", "North Carolina Delegation Statement on Paris Attacks & Syrian Refugees", "2015-11-17", "2015", "2015-11", "Republican", "House", "NC", "Patrick McHenry", "M001156", "mchenry.house.gov", null, null, "legacy", "This afternoon, the ten Republican members of North Carolina's U.S. House of Representatives delegation released the following statement in response to Friday's terrorist attacks in Paris and Governor Pat McCrory's request that the Obama Administration cease sending Syrian refugees to North Carolina.The joint statement was issued by Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (NC-2), Congressman Walter Jones (NC-3), Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (NC-5), Congressman Mark Walker (NC-6), Congressman David Rouzer (NC-7), Congressman Richard Hudson (NC-8), Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-9), Congressman Patrick McHenry (NC-10), Congressman Mark Meadows (NC-11), and Congressman George Holding (NC-13). Last Friday we were horrified to watch the terrorist attacks unfold in Paris. To see innocent lives taken by a group of radical Islamic terrorists was sickening and our prayers go out to all those impacted by this unspeakable tragedy. In the days since, we have been deeply troubled to learn one of the terrorists who committed this atrocity may have come to Europe posing as a Syrian refugee. With the massive influx of Syrian refugees to Europe, this was always a threat and, regrettably, now its been realized. Given this development we have serious concerns about the ongoing resettlement of Syrian refugees to the communities we represent across North Carolina. As a delegation, we join with Governor McCrory in calling for the Obama Administration to immediately cease sending Syrian refugees to our state. We believe this is a common sense step and applaud Governor McCrory for his leadership on the issue. The Paris attacks highlighted that ISIL is not contained and still poses a grave threat to Western Democracies. Blocking the flow of Syrian refugees until we can better understand and address security risks they may pose is a necessary step to protect our state and homeland.", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "truncated": false, "filtered_table_rows_count": 907, "expanded_columns": [], "expandable_columns": [], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "units": {}, "query": {"sql": "select url, title, date, year, month, party, chamber, state, member_name, bioguide_id, domain, scraper, source, date_source, text, has_text, collected_at, updated_at from releases where \"party\" = :p0 and \"state\" = :p1 and \"year\" = :p2 order by date desc limit 101", "params": {"p0": "Republican", "p1": "NC", "p2": "2015"}}, "facet_results": {"party": {"name": "party", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "Republican", "label": "Republican", "count": 907, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?state=NC&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "chamber": {"name": "chamber", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "House", "label": "House", "count": 907, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015&chamber=House", "selected": false}], "truncated": false}, "state": {"name": "state", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "NC", "label": "NC", "count": 907, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&year=2015", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}, "year": {"name": "year", "type": "column", "hideable": false, "toggle_url": "/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015", "results": [{"value": "2015", "label": "2015", "count": 907, "toggle_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC", "selected": true}], "truncated": false}}, "suggested_facets": [], "next": "2015-11-17,http~3A~2F~2Fmchenry~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398042", "next_url": "http://dpwillis-congress-press-search.hf.space/press/releases.json?party=Republican&state=NC&year=2015&_next=2015-11-17%2Chttp~3A~2F~2Fmchenry~2Ehouse~2Egov~2Fnews~2Fdocumentsingle~2Easpx~3FDocumentID~3D398042&_sort_desc=date", "private": false, "allow_execute_sql": true, "query_ms": 189.44197706878185, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}