url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=870,Hudson Statement on Administration's Refusal to Veto Anti-Israel UN Resolution,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 23, 2016   Hudson Statement on Administration's Refusal to Veto Anti-Israel UN Resolution   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement on the Obama administration's refusal to veto an anti-Israel UN resolution:   ""The Obama administration refusing to veto this anti-Israel resolution is an absolute disgrace. This shameful eight year chapter in our nation's history cannot end fast enough.""   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-releases-statement-un-passage-anti-israel-resolution,Walker Releases Statement on U.N. Passage of Anti-Israel Resolution,2016-12-23,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today released the following statement after the Obama Administration refused to veto an anti-Israeli resolution in the United Nations (U.N.) Security Council: ""Today, the Obama Administration exhibited the same political courage that has for eight years made the world a more dangerous place. The same Administration that last week called shame on those not moved by the struggle in Syria, has now emboldened the Palestinians and passively let an anti-Israeli bill pass the U.N. Security Council. We cannot continue to denigrate our strongest ally and the only true democracy in the Middle East.""""January 20th will be a new day to right the wrongs of this Administration. For the sake of peace and security in the world, we must begin to lead from the front, and not from behind.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398989,A Day in the Life of Virginia Foxx,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"In the office of U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, the incoming chair of the House of Representatives education committee, there’s a desk plate with this simple exhortation: Trust God, Work Smarter, Work Harder.It’s a motto that has guided the conservative lawmaker from North Carolina throughout her life — from a hardscrabble childhood in Appalachia through seven years spent working her way through college, two decades as an instructor, administrator, and college president, another decade in the North Carolina Senate, and finally, since 2005, in the U.S. Congress.Even today, at 73, she works 16-hour days, arriving at the U.S. Capitol building at 7:30 and staying until midnight to answer constituents’ letters. When we met at 11 a.m. on a recent Wednesday, she had already done two radio interviews, attended the weekly women’s prayer breakfast, and participated in a round table on the ""sharing economy.""As we race off to a Red Cross Christmas-card signing, Ms. Foxx says she wishes she didn’t have to sleep, so that she could stay on top of the reading that keeps piling up on her desk.""People ask me: ‘What do you take? I want some of that,’"" she says.(For the record: It’s coffee brewed in a small Mr. Coffee she keeps in her office, with ""lots of Splenda, real cream, and raspberry flavoring."" She says it doesn’t keep her awake, though — she just likes the sweetness.)At the signing, a Red Cross employee leads the congresswoman to a table covered with cards that read ""We love our troops."" Inside, in looping cursive, Ms. Foxx writes, ""Dear Patriot. Thank you for your willingness to serve your country in the military. May God continue to bless you and your family.""Things don’t slow down for the rest of the day, as Ms. Foxx rushes from meetings in her office to speeches on the House floor to hearings elsewhere in the Capitol building. It’s a schedule that would tire much younger lawmakers, but it’s ""a fairly light day for her,"" her press secretary says. The pace will really pick up in January, when she takes over the education committee and gets to work dismantling President Obama’s education agenda and reducing the federal role in higher education.Her first target: an Obama-era rule that would make more salaried employees on college campuses and elsewhere eligible for overtime pay. (A federal judge has blocked the rule, but the administration has appealed that decision.) After that, she’ll try to overturn a slate of regulations that increased federal control over for-profit colleges and teacher-preparation programs and that expanded loan forgiveness for students who are victims of fraud.Ultimately, she hopes to pass legislation that will prevent any administration — Democratic or Republican — from governing by executive fiat.""Congress has awakened to what it has done in leaving these giant loopholes out there for the executive branch to drive through,"" she says. ""We’ve got to get back our Article I authority,"" she adds, referring to the legislative powers given to Congress in the Constitution.In an ideal world, she’d love to abolish the Education Department altogether, sending the money — and decision-making authority — to the states, and ""phasing out"" federal support over time. But Ms. Foxx realizes that isn’t politically possible, even with Republicans in control of Congress and the White House, so she’ll be looking for more-tailored ways to scale back federal spending on education and give states more of a say in how the money is spent.She’ll also look for evidence that the American public is getting a good return on its investment in student aid.""We are spending a lot of hardworking-taxpayer dollars on education,"" she says, ""and the public wants to know if that money is being well spent.""Up by Her BootstrapsMost conservatives will tell you that hard work, not government support, is the key to lifting people out of poverty. For some of them, it’s a governing philosophy. For Ms. Foxx, it’s a conviction born of personal experience.Raised in the Blue Ridge Mountains in a home without power or running water, she started working as a weaver at age 12 to help support her family. In the mornings, before school, she’d milk the cows, carry water, and bring in wood for the fire. After school, she’d do it all again.""You didn’t relax, there were always things to do,"" she says in a conversation in the House gallery, where she’s waiting to deliver a ""one minute"" floor speech on the importance of the Constitution. ""We were basically trying to survive.""Then, as now, she leaned on God for support. Though baptized as a Roman Catholic, Representative Foxx grew up attending a Baptist church because her family didn't own a car and the Catholic church was too far to walk.After high school, she worked her way through college, typing papers for fellow students and working as a waitress, store clerk, and secretary. She married at age 20 and had her only child, a daughter, while still in college. It took her seven years to earn a bachelor’s degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.Her perseverance paid off. She got a job as a secretary at her alma mater, and went on to Appalachian State University, where she taught and held several administrative posts. Eventually, she became president of Mayland Community College. She was elected to the North Carolina Senate in 1994 and to the U.S. House of Representatives 10 years later. Along the way, she got a master’s degree in sociology from Chapel Hill and a doctorate in higher education from UNC-Greensboro.On her website today, Representative Foxx expresses sympathy for students who are struggling to cover the ever-rising costs of college.""From personal experience,"" she writes, ""I know that paying for college is hard work.""But her own background has also made Ms. Foxx impatient with students whom she sees as overly dependent on the government dime. She firmly believes that students can still graduate from a four-year public college without debt — provided they’re willing to start at a community college, and work as they go — and is troubled by tales of students borrowing to ""buy cars and go on trips to Europe.""Four years ago, Ms. Foxx sparked a minor controversy when she told a radio host that she had ""very little tolerance"" for students who take out debt loads of $80,000 or more ""because there’s no reason for that.""""I never borrowed a dime of money,"" she said at the time. ""We live in an opportunity society, and people are forgetting that. You don’t sit on your butt and have it dumped in your lap.""Still, it’s a lot harder to work your way through college now than it was when Ms. Foxx was an undergrad. In the 1967-68 academic year, her last at Chapel Hill, a year of tuition and fees for an English major like Ms. Foxx was just $327.50, or $2,367 in today’s dollars. Nearly 50 years later, tuition and fees at Chapel Hill are $8,834 for North Carolina residents — that’s below average for a state school, and does not include living expenses.These days, Ms. Foxx acknowledges that ""there are valid reasons for borrowing a lot, when you look at professional degrees.""But she insists that ""it is absolutely possible to get a four-year degree without borrowing.""Though she majored in English herself, she thinks too many students are getting liberal-arts degrees. Some of them, she says, should be steered toward more-vocational degrees, or community college. And she'd like to see more states embrace early-college programs in which high-school students can earn college credit as a way to reduce the cost of a degree.Pell Grants weren’t around when Ms. Foxx was a student (the program was created in 1972), but her father benefited from the GI Bill, and she witnessed the impact that federal student aid can have on low-income students’ lives back when she directed the TRIO college-prep programs at Appalachian State, in the mid-1970s.Even so, she isn’t sure that the success stories justify the billions the government spends on Pell Grants and the TRIO programs. She says she wants to see more evidence that the programs are worth their cost.""Are Pell Grants making a difference? For the students I worked with, financial aid made a huge difference. But were all of them responsible? No. Did all of them make the best of their opportunities? No,"" she says.""When the TRIO people come to me with anecdotal stories, I say, ‘Show me the data. Show me that the result wouldn’t happen without the investment.’ I know that it happens sometimes, because I saw it, but is it happening at a level that justifies the expenditure?""And Ms. Foxx isn’t convinced that federal student aid doesn’t contribute to rising college costs, either.""I keep hearing from colleges that tuition isn’t going up because of all the money we’re giving them, but because of regulations,"" she says. ""Maybe it’s both.""A Missionary ZealAs chairwoman, Representative Foxx plans to test that explanation, working with her Senate counterpart, Lamar Alexander of Tennessee, to roll back many of the regulations imposed on colleges by the Obama administration. Chief among them is the gainful-employment rule, which cuts off federal aid to programs whose graduates have high debt-to-income ratios. While the rule applies to all vocational programs, it is expected to hit for-profit institutions harder than community colleges because the for-profits tend to cost more.In between meetings and votes, Ms. Foxx says that the rule is a poor measure of institutional quality, since colleges can’t generally limit how much their students borrow, or control whether they get jobs that will allow them to repay their debt.""You evaluate the things you can control — you don’t evaluate what you can’t,"" she says.She has offered legislation that would repeal the gainful-employment rule, along with rules that established a federal definition of ""credit hour"" and expanded state oversight over distance-education programs.Passage of that bill would be welcomed by many nonprofit colleges, which tend to see the rules — and their many reporting requirements — as a costly intrusion into academic affairs. And it would be a major reprieve for for-profit programs that are on the brink of becoming ineligible to receive federal student aid.But a repeal would be highly unpopular with student and consumer advocates, who argue that the measures have already helped stem fraud and abuse in the for-profit sector. Asked if she was worried that rescinding the rules could open the doors to more misrepresentation by for-profit colleges, Ms. Foxx says, ""I worry about students in all aspects of education.""For-profit colleges favor Republicans in their campaign contributions, and they have been generous to Ms. Foxx, the chair of the higher-education subcommittee in the session that ends this month. Employees of Full Sail University, which was a major contributor to Mitt Romney’s failed 2012 presidential bid, have given her more than $36,000 over the course of her congressional career, including $15,000 in her most recent campaign, making it her 11th biggest lifetime donor, according to the Center for Responsive Politics.In the 2016 election cycle, the employees and political-action committees of five for-profit companies were among the top 20 donors to the congresswoman’s leadership PAC. Employees of American Career College, Capella Education, and ECPI College of Technology each contributed the maximum of $5,000. Employees of the American Public University system and the Universal Technical Institute's PAC kicked in $1,750 and $1,500, respectively.Like many Republicans, including Mr. Alexander, Ms. Foxx believes that accountability is best served through simple transparency, not complex regulation. If parents and policy makers have good information, she believes, then they will make good decisions.To that end, she wants to streamline federal reporting requirements, and ensure that accreditors are gathering the most-useful information on costs and student outcomes. But she opposes federal mandates on accreditors, and led the successful effort to ban the creation of a federal unit-record system for tracking individual students through college, citing privacy concerns.""We held 17 hearings on the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, and one of the things we heard over and over was that we’re drowning in data, but we don’t have enough information,"" she says. ""We need to simplify. We have too many bureaucrats asking for things to justify their existence.""Still, she’s intrigued by Mr. Alexander’s talk of ""risk sharing"" and ""skin in the game"" — phrases that could mean the government forces colleges to bear some of the cost when their students drop out or default. She plans to meet with the senator to discuss their priorities for the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act, the major law governing higher-ed policy, after the holiday recess.Now entering her seventh term in Congress, Representative Foxx has come a long way from her childhood in Appalachia. But she’s kept the work ethic and sense of frugality that she learned in her youth. She shops at thrift stores, uses water recycled from her washing machine to water her plants, and takes food from receptions back to her office for lunch. During the week, when she’s in Washington, she lives in a 500-square-foot apartment.And she remains deeply religious. She reads the Jesus Calling devotional daily, attends the women’s prayer breakfast weekly (she always makes the coffee), and recently published a collection of essays titled God Is in the House, in which members of Congress in both parties reflect on their Christian faith and how it guides them as lawmakers.At one point during the busy day, I ask what drives her to keep up her punishing schedule. Her answer is simple.""I love what I do,"" she says. ""Someone told me a long time ago I was a missionary at heart. I guess that’s true.""http://www.chronicle.com/article/A-Day-in-the-Life-of-Virginia/238738",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=869,Hudson Statement on Anti-Israel UN Resolution,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 22, 2016   Hudson Statement on Anti-Israel UN Resolution   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement on the upcoming UN Security Council vote on an anti-Israel resolution:   “This outrageous resolution threatens to undermine the democratic State of Israel. It’s time for this administration to speak up and reaffirm our country’s longstanding commitment to Israel and two party talks. There’s only one appropriate response from President Obama: veto.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-announces-service-academy-nominations-sixth-district,Walker Announces Service Academy Nominations for the Sixth District,2016-12-22,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"GREENSBORO, N.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today announced that he has nominated 20 North Carolina High School students for appointment to one of the United States service academies—the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy, the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, and the U.S. Naval Academy—for the Class of 2021.The Sixth District’s Service Academy Nomination Board, appointed by Walker, conducted interviews with each of the applicants and made recommendations based on their qualifications. “It’s an honor to have the privilege of recommending students from North Carolina to our nation’s prestigious service academies. This is a group of exceptional young men and women who will exemplify strong values, leadership, and scholarship as they represent our community and our state. I wish each of them success as they seek acceptance to a U.S. Service Academy.”Next, the students will seek to meet the admission requirements of their service academy, where the academy will make the final decision on admission in the early months of 2017. Each student who attends a service academy will make a commitment to serve in the military for a minimum of five years upon graduation.A full list of the service academy nominees, their schools, and their hometowns are below:United States Air Force Academy Ryder Twilla| John M. Morehead High | Eden, NC Titus Kilpatrick | Northwest Guilford | Greensboro, NC Darien “Max” Norman | Northwest Guilford | Greensboro, NCUnited States Military Academy  Zachary Ellis | NC Leadership Academy | Kernersville, NC Sydney James | Dalton L. McMichael | Stokesdale, NC Ryder Twilla | John M. Morehead High | Eden, NC J. Hardy Stone | Northern Guilford | Summerfield, NC Collin Winstead | Roxboro Community School | Roxboro, NC Adam Black | Grimsley High School | Greensboro, NC  William Lindsay Osteen III | Walter Hines Page HS | Greensboro, NC Darien “Max” Norman | Northwest Guilford | Greensboro, NC Reuben Jones | Riverside High School | Durham, NC Carson Stull | Northwest Guilford | Oak Ridge, NCUnited States Naval Academy  Garner Fleming | Eastern Alamance High School | Mebane, NC William Groce | Greensboro Day School | Greensboro, NC Titus Kilpatrick | Northwest Guilford | Greensboro, NC Parker Zieg | Grimsley High School | Greensboro, NC Jamison Hiatt | North Surry High School | Mt. Airy, NC Emma Frye | North Stokes High School | Danbury, NC Cassie Thompson | Caldwell Academy | Browns Summit, NC Camille Walker | Admiral Farragut Academy | Elkin, NC Victor Perez | Ragsdale High School | Jamestown, NCUnited States Merchant Marine Academy  Theodore “Teddy” Frisk | Southern Alamance High School | Snow Camp, NC",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398988,Time for new leadership and a new direction at the Labor Department,2016-12-20,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"In the new year, a new secretary will take the helm of the Department of Labor. Working families and small business owners face tough challenges, and they desperately need a labor secretary who will put their interests — not special interests — first. Andy Puzder is just the man for the job.Puzder has real-world experience creating jobs, and he knows that American workers and business owners both need to thrive. He will provide a sharp break from the failed policies of the last eight years.Time and again, the Department of Labor under President Obama has pushed extreme and partisan rules that will do a lot of harm and little good. Under the guise of helping working families, the heavy-handed regulations of Secretary Perez will actually hurt working families.Take the department's fundamentally flawed overtime rule. The central planners at the department claim the rule will provide workers a pay raise, when in reality it will raise costs on small businesses, destroy jobs, decrease real income for families, and make it harder for low-wage workers to climb the ladder of opportunity.The Obama administration likes to talk about ""fairness,"" but it is not fair to impose a rule that creates this much havoc across the country. There is also nothing fair about a regulatory scheme that restricts access to affordable retirement advice for low- and middle-income families, or rules that stack the deck in favor of union bosses at the expense of working Americans.It's because of misguided policies like these that we have experienced the slowest economic recovery since the Great Depression. That's why wages have been largely stagnant and why there are fewer manufacturing jobs today than when President Obama took office.For years, bureaucrats who have never owned a business have micromanaged the business decisions of employers, and the consequences speak for themselves. Fortunately, Puzder will bring the change workers and employers desperately need.Under his strong leadership, CKE Restaurants has thrived and grown to more than 3,700 restaurants worldwide. CKE restaurants and franchises in the United States employ more than 75,000 men and women. Puzder will bring a fresh perspective and practical experience to help solve America's economic challenges.He will make sure that creating jobs for hardworking Americans comes first. He will work to eliminate unnecessary government regulations that suppress growth and wages, and he will help restore balance to federal labor policies. He will also take a responsible approach to federal overtime policies to ensure they do not harm hard-working Americans trying to advance in the workforce.With Puzder leading the Department of Labor, Americans who feel left behind will have a strong ally who will fight for them. Through hard work and determination, Puzder has achieved the American Dream, and he wants all Americans to be able to turn their dreams into reality too.There is no shortage of challenges to tackle in the coming months, but we have an historic opportunity to advance bold, conservative reforms that will help begin a new era of prosperity for our country.As the next chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, I look forward to working with Andy Puzder and our new president, Donald Trump. Together, we will turn back the failed policies of the last eight years, send a message to the world that America is open for business, and help more families achieve a lifetime of opportunity and success.Congresswoman Virginia Foxx represents North Carolina's 5th congressional district. She was chosen by her colleagues to serve as chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 115th Congress. http://www.washingtonexaminer.com/time-for-new-leadership-and-a-new-direction-at-the-labor-department/article/2610038",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-proposal-on-tva-signed-into-law,Rep. Meadows' Proposal on TVA Signed Into Law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – On Friday, Rep. Mark Meadows’ (R-NC) proposal to stop the Tennessee Valley Authority’s plan to ban floating cabins was signed into law by President Obama. The proposal passed the Senate as an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) earlier this month. Earlier this year, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced their intentions to eventually outlaw floating cabins by proposing a 30-year “sunset” provision. The policy would negatively impact nearly 400 floating cabin owners on Lake Fontana in North Carolina, forcing hundreds of families to move from homes they have lived in for years while disastrously affecting their private assets and property values. The economies of nearby counties, particularly Swain and Graham County, would also feel significant negative effects. The Subcommittee on Government Operations, which Rep. Meadows chairs, held a hearing on this issue in September that included two witnesses from Western North Carolina: Laura Sneed, founder of Fontana Families for Floating Houses, and David Monteith, Vice Chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners “The TVA’s decision to ban floating cabins has already had devastating effects for hundreds of hard-working owners and the surrounding economy in my district--even well before the 30-year timeline expires,” Rep. Meadows said. “The federal government has a bad habit of getting involved in the lives of tax-paying families without seriously evaluating the consequences. This case is a classic example. I am thrilled to see the amendment become law, and while there is work to be done, I hope that this measure can play a small role in sending a message that this kind of government overreach will not be tolerated.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=440,Rep. Meadows' Proposal on TVA Signed Into Law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Friday, Rep. Mark Meadows' (R-NC) proposal to stop the Tennessee Valley Authority's plan to ban floating cabins was signed into law by President Obama. The proposal passed the Senate as an amendment to the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 (WRDA) earlier this month. Earlier this year, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) announced their intentions to eventually outlaw floating cabins by proposing a 30-year sunset provision. The policy would negatively impact nearly 400 floating cabin owners on Lake Fontana in North Carolina, forcing hundreds of families to move from homes they have lived in for years while disastrously affecting their private assets and property values. The economies of nearby counties, particularly Swain and Graham County, would also feel significant negative effects. The Subcommittee on Government Operations, which Rep. Meadows chairs, held a hearing on this issue in September that included two witnesses from Western North Carolina: Laura Sneed, founder of Fontana Families for Floating Houses, and David Monteith, Vice Chairman of the Swain County Board of Commissioners The TVA's decision to ban floating cabins has already had devastating effects for hundreds of hard-working owners and the surrounding economy in my district--even well before the 30-year timeline expires, Rep. Meadows said. The federal government has a bad habit of getting involved in the lives of tax-paying families without seriously evaluating the consequences. This case is a classic example. I am thrilled to see the amendment become law, and while there is work to be done, I hope that this measure can play a small role in sending a message that this kind of government overreach will not be tolerated. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/president-obama-signs-emmett-till-unsolved-civil-rights-crimes-reauthorization-into-law,President Obama Signs Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization into Law,2016-12-19,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.19.16 President Obama Signs Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization into Law WASHINGTON – On Friday afternoon, President Obama signed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act into law. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) led the effort in the Senate to reauthorize this legislation which encourages the Justice Department to investigate civil rights era cold cases. Senator Burr worked in partnership with Alvin Sykes, a civil rights activist and friend of the Till family, who has worked tirelessly to bring justice for the families of the victims of unsolved civil rights crimes. “I want to thank the Till family, Alvin Sykes, Congressman John Lewis, and all of the civil rights activists who helped make this law a reality,” said Senator Burr. “Now that this bill is law, investigators can now work to discover the truth and to seek justice under our legal system for the families of these victims. Every American is worthy of the protection of our laws.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-statement-on-mulvaney-nomination,Rep. Meadows' Statement on Mulvaney Nomination,2016-12-17,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – On Saturday, President-elect Trump’s transition team announced Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) as the choice for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, released the following statement: ""I want to sincerely congratulate a great man and House Freedom Caucus colleague, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, on his new position as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mick has been a personal friend of mine for years, and through our time of service together in the House, I have come to know him as one of the most principled and sharp-minded conservatives in Congress. There is no better choice than Mick Mulvaney to make the tough financial decisions our country needs right now.We will dearly miss Mick in the Freedom Caucus, but he will be a phenomenal OMB director. I look forward to working with him and the Trump administration as we restore our government to its Constitutional purpose and get our country working again."" ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=439,Rep. Meadows' Statement on Mulvaney Nomination,2016-12-17,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows' Statement on Mulvaney Nomination f t # e Washington, DC, December 17, 2016 On Saturday, President-elect Trump's transition team announced Rep. Mick Mulvaney (R-SC) as the choice for Director of the Office of Management and Budget. Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC), Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus, released the following statement: ""I want to sincerely congratulate a great man and House Freedom Caucus colleague, Rep. Mick Mulvaney, on his new position as Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). Mick has been a personal friend of mine for years, and through our time of service together in the House, I have come to know him as one of the most principled and sharp-minded conservatives in Congress. There is no better choice than Mick Mulvaney to make the tough financial decisions our country needs right now. We will dearly miss Mick in the Freedom Caucus, but he will be a phenomenal OMB director. I look forward to working with him and the Trump administration as we restore our government to its Constitutional purpose and get our country working again."" ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-on-committees-review-of-russian-intelligence-,Senate Intel Chairman Burr on Committee’s Review of Russian Intelligence,2016-12-16,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.16.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr on Committee’s Review of Russian Intelligence WASHINGTON – Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), made the following statement on the planned review of Russian intelligence activities: “The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) was established to oversee the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government, and to ensure that the appropriate departments and agencies provide informed and timely intelligence to our nation’s leaders.  The threats and challenges facing our country are numerous, and one of the Committee’s obligations is to ensure that the Intelligence Community is positioned to understand those threats—to the greatest extent possible—and to communicate their assessments of those threats to our nation’s civilian and military leadership so that they may respond accordingly. The SSCI has focused a great deal of attention in recent years, during my tenure as Chairman as well as under the leadership of former Chairman Feinstein, on Russia’s behavior around the world.  Over the last two years, the Committee has held more than ten hearings and briefings on these issues, with four reviewing Russia’s so-called ‘active measures.’ During the 115th Congress, the SSCI will continue its review of the intelligence surrounding these issues.  This will include conducting a thorough examination of the underpinnings of the intelligence that prompted the Administration to issue the October 7 statement that the Russian Government directed the recent compromises of U.S. political organizations. Among other avenues of inquiry, the Committee will: Review the all-source intelligence that informed its assessments, including but not limited to the October 7 statement. Review the cyber activity directed against our nation by the Russian Government, both as it regards the 2016 Election and more broadly. Hold hearings examining other specific aspects of Russian behavior. Interview senior officials of both the outgoing and incoming administrations including the issuance of subpoenas if necessary to compel testimony. The Committee’s role is not only to ensure that the intelligence provided to policymakers is of the highest quality, but to understand how policymakers use that intelligence.  This includes possible intelligence collected on Russian “active measures” in the US political sphere in 2016. The Committee will follow the intelligence wherever it leads.  We will conduct this review expeditiously, but we will take the time to get it right and will not be influenced by uninformed discourse.  When appropriate, the Committee will hold open hearings to help inform the public about the issues.  That said, we will be conducting the bulk of the Committee’s business behind closed doors, because we take seriously our obligation to protect sources and methods.  As the Committee’s review progresses, we will keep Senate leadership, and the broader body, apprised of our findings. Majority Leader McConnell and incoming Minority Leader Schumer have made it clear they expect any review of Russia’s involvement in our nation’s elections to be conducted in a bipartisan manner.  It is a charge the SSCI takes seriously, as bipartisanship—in fact, non-partisanship—is at the very core of the Committee’s charter and is essential to preserving the intelligence equities involved.  Finally, a note about the men and women of the Intelligence Community.  Without exception, I know them to be hard-working, patriotic Americans.  They care deeply about their country, and work every day to keep us safe.  They come from all walks of life and hold views across the political spectrum.  Unlike many in Washington, though, they check politics at the office door and focus on their mission.  They are tasked with keeping our nation's leaders well-informed about events around the world.  While their failures are often well known, their successes rarely see the light of day.  We would all do well to remember the sacrifices they make on our behalf and keep in mind that what we do with the intelligence they provide is up to us.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398970,"Congress Likely to Consider Reining In Student-Loan Programs, House Republican Says",2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"The next Congress should look to reduce how much the government lends individually to college and graduate students, a key House Republican said Thursday, comparing the loan programs to policies that helped inflate the housing bubble and ended in a wave of foreclosures.Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the incoming chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, said the government has made it too easy for students and their parents to borrow too much, in turn driving up prices. She said she won’t seek to end federal student lending altogether. But she singled out so-called Plus loans, which go to graduate students and parents of undergraduates, as being problematic.The PLUS programs impose no lending limits, allowing parents and grad students to borrow whatever is needed to cover tuition after a minimal credit check. Critics say the programs have empowered schools to raise tuition quickly and hurt some borrowers who have no hope of repaying. About one million borrowers owed $50 billion in debt from Grad PLUS as of June 30, Education Department figures show. Roughly three million borrowers owed almost $75 billion in Parent Plus loans.Rep. Foxx said she expected her committee to consolidate those programs and other forms of student aid into three programs: a single grant program, a loan program and a work-study program that provides aid in exchange for part-time work. She didn’t say whether she supported ending loans to parents or setting a hard limit how much grad students could borrow, but she said both options would likely be considered.“There is a lot of concern about the amount of debt many students get through the Plus loans and in other ways,” said Rep. Foxx, a former university administrator.“Why did we have a housing bubble? Why did we have a crash in 2008? Most people would say it was because…we pushed the banks to give loans to people they couldn’t give back,“ she said. ”When you do that with student loans it’s the same sort of thing.”Economists have long debated the effect that federal aid has on tuition. Recent research has linked increases in student aid with higher prices.Rep. Foxx’s comments set the stage for a debate next year over the government’s $1.26 trillion student-loan portfolio, which grew rapidly over the past decade amid a historic boom in higher-education enrollment.President-elect Donald Trump said on the campaign trail he wanted to help Americans with student debt, and he endorsed the idea of capping monthly payments as a share of borrowers’ earnings and forgiving some student debt. But he has also suggested shifting lending responsibilities from the government to private banks.But Rep. Foxx, who has called herself a Tea Party advocate who believes strongly in limited government, dismissed the prospect that congressional Republicans would seek to eliminate or even radically downsize the Department of Education. She suggested Congress would likely settle for a more incremental approach to downsizing the agency’s role amid what is expected to be strong resistance from Democrats to rein in the government’s federal role in education.“What I have always said is here’s my ideal: No federal Department of Education. But I know we’re not going to meet my ideal,” she said, adding: “You’re not going to see me imposing my will on the committee.”Ben Miller of the Center for American Progress, a left-leaning think tank, said the focus should be the quality of the schools that students attend.“If we’re really worried about loan performance we should first talk more about what schools we allow to lend, not student terms,” Mr. Miller said. “There’s not enough accountability for how schools perform with their loans and more needs to be done there.”One factor that will likely complicate the coming debate is the disparate outcomes among borrowers. Many borrowers earned degrees, work in decent-paying jobs and are paying off their debt. But others dropped out and now aren’t making payments. Some eight million people are in default on federal student loans, federal Education Department data show, and millions of others are opting for income-driven repayment plans.Most people in default owe less than $10,000 and didn’t borrow from the PLUS programs. But there is a growing minority of borrowers who did borrow heavily and are now struggling to pay the balances back.Rep. Foxx said one concern is debt-forgiveness programs are, in an unintended way, on track to forgive balances of borrowers in well-paid fields.She said she also wants to study ways to help students to avoid dropping out, since such students are much more likely to default on their loans than those who finish.She said she wants to scrutinize the costs of forgiveness programs, called “income-driven repayment” because they set the monthly payment as a share of a borrower’s earnings.The Government Accountability Office reported that, for loans issued through the current fiscal year, the programs are projected to forgive at least $108 billion in student debt in coming years.“I want to know that it’s being spent well and we’re getting good results from it,” Rep. Foxx said. “I’m extremely sensitive about this.”http://www.wsj.com/articles/congress-will-likely-consider-reining-in-student-loan-programs-house-republican-says-1481833008",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-honors-captain-william-bj-fore,Rep. Meadows Honors Captain William 'B.J.' Fore,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman Mark Meadows is recognizing Captain William ‘B.J.’ Fore on his retirement from the Caldwell County Sherriff’s Office. Captain Fore has dedicated a large part of his life to serving Caldwell County, and he will be dearly missed. Rep. Meadows’ office will be presenting Captain Fore with an award this Thursday, December 15, and Rep. Meadows delivered a Congressional Record on the floor recognizing Captain Fore for his service. Rep. Meadows released the following statement: “I want to sincerely congratulate a great man and good friend, Captain ‘B.J.’ Fore, on his retirement this week from the Caldwell County Sheriff’s Office. B.J. is a gentleman whom I am not only privileged to call a friend, but he is someone who has inspired me personally with his faithful service to Caldwell County and his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Time and time again, Captain Fore has set the standard in public service, working tirelessly for his community and consistently answering the call to service with the word ‘Yes.’ It’s been an honor to call ‘B.J.’ my friend, and I wish him all the best in the future. Captain Fore -- congratulations on a job well done.” To see Rep. Meadows’ floor speech recognizing Captain Fore, click here.   Congressional Record for Captain Fore   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=438,Rep. Meadows Honors Captain William 'B.J.' Fore,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows Honors Captain William 'B.J.' Fore f t # e Washington, DC, December 15, 2016 Congressman Mark Meadows is recognizing Captain William B.J.' Fore on his retirement from the Caldwell County Sherriff's Office. Captain Fore has dedicated a large part of his life to serving Caldwell County, and he will be dearly missed. Rep. Meadows' office will be presenting Captain Fore with an award this Thursday, December 15, and Rep. Meadows delivered a Congressional Record on the floor recognizing Captain Fore for his service. Rep. Meadows released the following statement: I want to sincerely congratulate a great man and good friend, Captain B.J.' Fore, on his retirement this week from the Caldwell County Sheriff's Office. B.J. is a gentleman whom I am not only privileged to call a friend, but he is someone who has inspired me personally with his faithful service to Caldwell County and his willingness to go above and beyond the call of duty. Time and time again, Captain Fore has set the standard in public service, working tirelessly for his community and consistently answering the call to service with the word Yes.' It's been an honor to call B.J.' my friend, and I wish him all the best in the future. Captain Fore -- congratulations on a job well done. To see Rep. Meadows' floor speech recognizing Captain Fore, click here. Congressional Record for Captain Fore ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-honors-wwii-veteran-eden,Walker Honors WWII Veteran From Eden,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WENTWORTH, N.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) presented Mr. Harry Lawson, a World War II veteran from Eden, N.C., a flag flown above the U.S. Capitol Building in his honor. The small ceremony of Lawson’s family and friends was held Friday, December 9th at the Rockingham County Economic Development Center in Wentworth. “Our veterans put their lives on the line to protect our God given right to life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness,” Walker said. “In 1943, at the young age of 18, Harry Lawson enlisted in the U.S. Army during one of the darkest chapters in world history. This flag, which he fought honorably to protect, is just a small token of our appreciation for his service and sacrifice,” Walker added. Harry Lawson enlisted June 23, 1943 in Roanoke, Virginia. He began his service with Battery D 5th Anti-Aircraft Training Battalion out of Fort Eustis, Virginia. He was reassigned to the 102nd Infantry Regiment in Operation in Hawaii. He was honorably discharged as an Army Corporal February 1946. Lawson returned to Eden, NC, and worked for Tri City Ford and Duke Power. He married Betty Carter in 1950. They have four children, eight grandchildren, and eleven great-grandchildren.  You can read more about Mr. Lawson here and see pictures from the event below.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-names-eden-santa-clause-community-hero-month,Walker Names Eden Santa Clause Community Hero Of The Month,2016-12-15,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WENTWORTH, N.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) last week recognized Mr. William “Bill” Moody of Eden as the Sixth District Community Hero of the Month for December 2016.“Our office takes great pride in recognizing members of our community who go above and beyond the call of duty to serve others,” Walker said. “For over a decade, Bill Moody has pledged his time to provide a joyful Christmas for emotionally, physically and mentally challenged children all across North Carolina. In light of the season, I’m honored to present Bill with this small token of our appreciation for his many hours dedicated to giving children the gift of joy, hope and laughter,” Walker added.“When I started around ten years ago as Santa Claus, I quickly discovered I had been given a unique gift to the least understood children in society,” Moody said. “I have never taken a single penny from any appearance as Santa Claus. I have been blessed with a look and the personality to make children happy and it isn’t right to profit from it. God has been good to me and I need to return His blessings to those I meet,” Moody added.Moody has played the role of Santa Claus for over a decade. He primarily works through the Friendship Ministry at Osborne Baptist Church in Eden, NC, which is an organization for emotionally, physically and mentally challenged people, and the Family Support Network of Greater Forsyth County. Moody makes appearances for companies and charges a fee that is entirely directed toward charities, such as the Toys-for-Tots program.Walker presented Moody a certificate and a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol Building in his honor at a small ceremony this morning in the Rockingham County Board of Commissioners’ Chambers.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-releases-list-of-200-harmful-regulations-president-elect,Rep. Meadows Releases List of 200+ Harmful Regulations President-Elect Trump Can Overturn,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) released a report containing an index of federal rules and regulations that conservatives are requesting be rolled back under the incoming Trump administration. The report contains over 200 rules and regulations, many of which have been implemented by the Obama administration, that have been devastating for working families, businesses, and taxpayers – including the overtime rule, fiduciary regulations, and heavy environmental restrictions. Rep. Meadows has been in touch with members of the Trump transition team and intends to encourage and work with the new administration to roll back these regulations within the first 100 days of President-elect Trump’s term. “These last 8 years, we have seen a disturbing trend of the federal government unnecessarily inserting themselves more and more into the lives of hardworking Americans – and the results have been economically disastrous,” Rep. Meadows said. “When the American people spoke on November 8, they provided conservatives with an opportunity to restore order in our government and to remove the out-of-control bureaucratic red tape that so often stunts the growth of otherwise successful Americans. My colleagues and I look forward to helping President-elect Trump in any way we can as we work toward the most productive ‘first 100 days’ in modern history. To the working people who have felt the burden of these last 8 years so heavily -- help is on the way.” The full report can be reviewed here.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=437,Rep. Meadows Releases List of 200+ Harmful Regulations President-Elect Trump Can Overturn,2016-12-14,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows Releases List of 200+ Harmful Regulations President-Elect Trump Can Overturn f t # e Washington, DC, December 14, 2016 On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) released a report containing an index of federal rules and regulations that conservatives are requesting be rolled back under the incoming Trump administration. The report contains over 200 rules and regulations, many of which have been implemented by the Obama administration, that have been devastating for working families, businesses, and taxpayers including the overtime rule, fiduciary regulations, and heavy environmental restrictions. Rep. Meadows has been in touch with members of the Trump transition team and intends to encourage and work with the new administration to roll back these regulations within the first 100 days of President-elect Trump's term. These last 8 years, we have seen a disturbing trend of the federal government unnecessarily inserting themselves more and more into the lives of hardworking Americans and the results have been economically disastrous, Rep. Meadows said. When the American people spoke on November 8, they provided conservatives with an opportunity to restore order in our government and to remove the out-of-control bureaucratic red tape that so often stunts the growth of otherwise successful Americans. My colleagues and I look forward to helping President-elect Trump in any way we can as we work toward the most productive first 100 days' in modern history. To the working people who have felt the burden of these last 8 years so heavily -- help is on the way. The full report can be reviewed here. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-joins-inaugural-second-amendment-caucus,Rep. Meadows Joins Inaugural Second Amendment Caucus,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) is among a group of several conservative Congressional members who have formed the new “Second Amendment Caucus.” The group, led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), was finalized last week with the goal of developing and advancing legislation that will protect Americans’ Second Amendment rights while acting as a guard against over-reaching proposals. The group will also place a strong emphasis on firearm safety education, and they plan to hear from experts in the field on a regular basis on how to better address gun safety.   “The Second Amendment is one of the most fundamental liberties in our nation’s history, and I’m honored to join my colleagues in a concerted effort to defend it,” Rep. Meadows said. “When the American people spoke on November 8, they provided conservatives a unique opportunity to advance principles and legislation that put the rights of Americans and our Constitution first. I look forward to working with my fellow caucus members to developing a pro-Second Amendment agenda and sending a clear message that the rights of our citizens shall not be infringed.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=436,Rep. Meadows Joins Inaugural Second Amendment Caucus,2016-12-13,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows Joins Inaugural Second Amendment Caucus f t # e Washington, DC, December 13, 2016 Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) is among a group of several conservative Congressional members who have formed the new Second Amendment Caucus. The group, led by Rep. Thomas Massie (R-KY), was finalized last week with the goal of developing and advancing legislation that will protect Americans' Second Amendment rights while acting as a guard against over-reaching proposals. The group will also place a strong emphasis on firearm safety education, and they plan to hear from experts in the field on a regular basis on how to better address gun safety. The Second Amendment is one of the most fundamental liberties in our nation's history, and I'm honored to join my colleagues in a concerted effort to defend it, Rep. Meadows said. When the American people spoke on November 8, they provided conservatives a unique opportunity to advance principles and legislation that put the rights of Americans and our Constitution first. I look forward to working with my fellow caucus members to developing a pro-Second Amendment agenda and sending a clear message that the rights of our citizens shall not be infringed. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398987,Congress Faces Range of Education Issues in Next Session,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"With President-elect Donald Trump waiting in the wings, the Republican majority in Congress will have the opportunity to tackle a host of education issues when its next session begins in 2017, from funding for disadvantaged and special education students and college access and affordability issues, to student-data privacy and career and technical education.At the same time, there will be significant turnover in some key positions: In addition to Trump's selection of school choice advocate Betsy DeVos to be education secretary, the House education committee will have a new leader, Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C.But what's probably at the top of the list for leading GOP lawmakers is deciding which regulations from President Barack Obama's administration pertaining to the Every Student Succeeds Act they may wish to overturn through the Congressional Review Act. Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn. and the Senate education committee chairman, has indicated his intent to toss out final ESSA rules from the Obama administration if he decides they go beyond the scope of the law.The outgoing administration has yet to release final ESSA spending regulations that could shift more state and local money to disadvantaged students. If it does before leaving office, the odds are that GOP lawmakers—many of whom have said the proposal represents federal overreach—would use the review act to get rid of them.Fate of Final RulesLess certain is the fate of final ESSA accountability and testing regulations the department released in recent weeks, as well as rules on teacher preparation the administration released in October.The future of the accountability regulations will be closely watched by states and districts, whose input could be a big factor in whether Republicans move to toss them and possibly start a new round of rulemaking. The year-old law, the successor to the No Child Left Behind Act, is due to kick in for the 2017-18 school year.""People are anxious to get going,"" said Michele McLaughlin, the president of the Knowledge Alliance, an advocacy and policy-research group.Congress also already has a running start or has expressed clear interest in a number of specific policy areas. Earlier this year, bills to reauthorize the Carl D. Perkins Career and Technical Education Act and the Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention Act breezed through the House of Representatives with overwhelming bipartisan support, only to stall in the Senate. Both could have a relatively easy path through Congress starting next year.""There's a decent chance [DeVos] would be interested in CTE,"" said Sasha Pudelski, an assistant director of AASA, the Schools Superintendents Association. She cited the involvement by DeVos and her husband in an aviation-focused charter school in Michigan.""And I think Congress came pretty far [on passing a CTE bill],"" Pudelski said. ""I anticipate that will not be a difficult bill to pass next year.""But one of the education policy areas that could be at the top of the list for many members of Congress isn't about public schools.DeVos, the prominent GOP donor who is Trump's education secretary nominee, is best known for her work to expand school choice. She does not have significant experience dealing with policies affecting colleges and universities. But Alexander, the chairman of the Senate education committee, used the Nov. 23 news of her selection to signal his interest in reauthorizing the Higher Education Act.In a statement, the senator said DeVos' work with Congress would provide ""an opportunity to clear out the jungle of red tape that makes it more difficult for students to obtain financial aid and for administrators to manage America's 6,000 colleges and universities."" The HEA is now three years overdue for renewal.Leadership DirectionAlexander's omission of school choice in his initial public reaction to DeVos' nomination could mean he's more interested in revamping the higher education law than in pushing a major school choice plan like the $20 billion voucher program Trump proposed during the campaign. (Alexander previously proposed a ""Pell Grants for Kids"" bill to allow states to redirect federal aid to school choice programs.)""DeVos is not experienced in [higher education]. The senator is absolutely experienced in this. That's to his advantage,"" said David DeSchryver, the senior vice president and co-director of Whiteboard Advisors, a consulting organization. ""The majority of the work is going to be in higher education.""In a statement, Sheridan Watson, Foxx's spokeswoman, said the North Carolina Republican ""would like to see the next [Higher Education Act] reauthorization focus on increasing transparency, improving the accessibility and affordability of postsecondary education, reforming the accreditation process, and encouraging innovation in the classroom.""Watson added that reauthorizing the Perkins Career and Technical Education law and the Child Nutrition Act would also be top priorities for Foxx in the next Congress.Right now, Foxx leads the subcommittee on higher education and workforce training. In 2014 she helped shepherd through a reauthorization of the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act.Rep. Luke Messer, R-Ind., an education committee member, said in an interview last month that he was optimistic that reauthorization of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act would get consideration, given productive bipartisan work on the issue of student-data privacy over the last two years. Messer crafted a bill with Rep. Jared Polis, D-Colo., to overhaul federal law governing student-privacy issues.""They just have so much on their plate that they're going to be focused on,"" Pudelski said of lawmakers.http://www.edweek.org/ew/articles/2016/12/14/congress-faces-range-of-education-issues-in.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-water-infrastructure-bill-rouzer-language-help-area-beaches,House passes water infrastructure bill with Rouzer language to help area beaches and Southport marina,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,David Rouzer,R000603,rouzer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Last week, with the support of Congressman David Rouzer, the House of Representatives passed a comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation, the Water Infrastructure Improvements Act for the Nation (WIIN) Act.  This legislation includes the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2016 which passed the House of Representatives in September and includes language to authorize and make top priority specific U.S. Army Corps of Engineers activities for Wrightsville Beach and Carolina Beach.  Additional language was included to address safety and maintenance concerns at Southport Marina.   “Our ports, beaches and waterways are the lifeline of economic activity and job growth for our coastal communities.  Passing meaningful legislation to support and continue the authorization of funding to address the unique needs we have on the coast is absolutely vital.  As a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I am very pleased that this bill includes provisions addressing immediate needs at Wrightsville Beach, Carolina Beach and Southport Marina.  The passage of the WIIN Act is critical to Southeastern North Carolina and our nation, and I look forward to the President signing this important infrastructure bill into law.” The WIIN Act requires the Army Corps of Engineers to prioritize the needs of area beaches, including a three-year extension of coastal storm damage reduction funding for Carolina Beach, and requires the Army Corps of Engineers and U.S. Coast Guard to work with state and local officials to establish a no wake zone for recreational vessels on the Intracoastal Waterway at the Southport Marina.  In addition to addressing the needs of North Carolina coasts, the WIIN Act authorizes much-needed investments in our infrastructure systems, supports the maritime and waterway transportation systems and provides for flood protection for homes and businesses. The WIIN Act is a result of bicameral negotiations.  The bill was passed by the U.S. Senate on Friday and now heads to the President’s desk to be signed into law. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/emmett-till-unsolved-civil-rights-crimes-reauthorization-act-passed-by-congress,Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act Passed by Congress,2016-12-12,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.12.16 Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act Passed by Congress WASHINGTON-- On Saturday December 10th in its final session of the 114th Congress, the Senate passed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S.2854/H.R.5067).  In the Senate the bill was led by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT),  Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO).  In the House, original sponsors were Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI). BACKGROUND Before the passage of major civil rights legislation in the 1960s, hundreds of racially suspicious crimes were committed in this country, and few attempts to prosecute them were ever pursued.  Tuskegee Institute once kept a record of verified lynchings in the United States from 1877 to 1950.  The institute documented that nearly 4000 mainly unprosecuted civil rights crimes occurred during that period.  Many American families continue to pass down stories of loss and disappearance even today without knowing the truth about what actually happened to their loved ones.  PRIMARY GOALS OF THE BILL The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act represents a critical opportunity to right these wrongs committed, primarily against African Americans, but also against people of diverse backgrounds.  In some cases, individuals still remain who were witnesses to these crimes or who can help provide evidence regarding these incidents.  This bill reauthorizes and updates the original legislation that was signed into law in 2008.  It seeks to respond to the concerns of victims' family members and strengthen collaboration between the Justice Department, the FBI, State and local law enforcement, and advocates to pursue these cold cases.  There is a collective goal to seek the truth about this long-standing tragedies and hold the perpetrators and orchestrators of these atrocities accountable.   This reauthorization also seeks to respond to the concerns of advocates regarding the implementation of the original legislation.  BI-PARTISAN and BI-CAMERAL STATEMENTS OF SUPPORT ""When this bill was signed into law, family members, academics, historians, lawyers, advocates began working to develop a full accounting for these long-standing, gross human and civil rights atrocities.  The reauthorization passed by Congress is a response to their appeals to make the law a better tool in their quest for justice. We also worked across the aisle and across the Dome to develop a bill that fulfills our promise to remain committed to the pursuit of truth on behalf of victims and their families.  I am very pleased that Congress has passed this legislation and I look forward to the signature of President Barack Obama.""  Rep. John Lewis - GA “I am pleased that this bill is now finally heading to the President’s desk. Investigators can now work to discover the truth and to seek justice under our legal system for the families of these victims. Every American is worthy of the protection of our laws. I want to thank the Till family, Alvin Sykes, Congressman John Lewis, and all of the civil rights activists who helped make this law a reality. Today’s victory is theirs.”  Sen. Richard Burr - NC  “Too many families suffer from the unsolved murders of their loved ones during the civil rights era without receiving justice.  The way to best serve these families is to provide our Federal government with the tools it needs to investigate these unsolved crimes, and to hopefully, bring some sense of closure for these families.  I thank Congressman Lewis for his tireless work on behalf of the families of these victims of unsolved murders from the civil rights era and I am proud to stand with him on this effort.”   Sen. Patrick Leahy - VT “This legislation brings justice and closure to the families and communities affected by the heinous acts of violence and hatred that are a stain on our nation’s history. The bill will help us continue the critical work of better investigating and solving these crimes, no matter how long ago they occurred, and I’m thrilled we’ve finally been able to carry it across the finish line.” Sen. Claire McCaskill - MO “The Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act sets out to investigate racially-motivated murders. Sadly, there is still more work to be done and it’s important that we reauthorize this bill so that the FBI and DOJ can continue investigating unsolved crimes.”    Sen. Roy Blunt - MO “As an original cosponsor of the Emmett Till Reauthorization Act, I’m pleased to see my colleagues came together and supported this important bill. This bipartisan legislation will provide for a sustained, well-coordinated effort to investigate and prosecute unsolved civil rights-era crimes. There are hundreds of cold cases from the civil rights era that have never been solved and it is my hope that we are able to bring justice to the victims’ families.”  Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner - WI ""As we work to address current questions about racial violence and civil rights, we should be mindful of our history and why so many in the African-American community raise the issue of whether black lives matter.  Passage of the original Emmett Till Act represented a commitment  to resolving the unanswered questions from one of the darkest periods in modern American history.  This bipartisan reauthorization represents a further investment in our history and will allow the Department of Justice to resolve remaining issues.""  Rep. John Conyers, Jr.  - MI   MAJOR PROVISIONS OF THE LEGISLATION This bill requires the Department of Justice and FBI to consult with civil rights organizations, universities, and other entities that have also been gathering evidence in these cold cases; Provides clearer direction and improved coordination between federal, state, and local law enforcement and the activists, advocates, and academics working on these issues; Strengthens the Department of Justice’s reporting requirements; Expands the time span of cases to be considered by ten years, to include all cases that occurred not later than December 31, 1979; Eliminates the sunset provision in the original bill; Encourages the Department of Justice to review specific closed cases that warrant further investigation;  Maintains the previous investigation structure and funding levels; and Clarifies the law’s intent. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/legislation-protecting-western-nc-houseboats-passes-senate,Legislation Protecting Western N.C. Houseboats Passes Senate,2016-12-10,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.10.16 Legislation Protecting Western N.C. Houseboats Passes Senate WASHINGTON – Oversight, the Senate passed Senator Richard Burr’s (R-NC) and Senator Thom Tillis’ (R-NC) legislation to prevent the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from banning houseboats on Lake Fontana and Hiwasee Lake. TVA’s original proposed ban on houseboats would affect nearly 400 houseboat owners in Western North Carolina. The language was included in the Water Resources Development compromise bill which is now headed to President Obama’s desk. “This legislation will prevent the Tennessee Valley Authority from kicking people out of their homes,” said Senator Burr. “I want to thank Congressman Mark Meadows for his work on this issue in the House. Many of these families have been living on the water for decades and I am glad they will get to remain in their homes.” “I’m proud the Senate was able to advance this important piece of legislation,” said Senator Tillis. “I want to thank Senator Burr and Congressman Meadows for their hard work to ensure that houseboat owners on Fontana Lake won't lose their homes.” In August, Senator Burr wrote a letter to the Tennessee Valley Authority urging the agency to reconsider this proposal which would effectively ban houseboats in some parts of Western North Carolina. The full signed letter is available online here. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398986,"With GOP in control, private sector pushes for increased role in student loans",2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"Emboldened by what's expected to be a more business-friendly White House come January, the private student loan industry is making a push to expand its role in the Department of Education's growing $1.3 trillion portfolio of federal student loans. A main lobbying group for the industry wrote a letter this week to President-elect Donald Trump's transition team, making a series of proposals that included a bold plan to auction off some of the existing portfolio of federal loans to private investors. And banks and other industry players like state-based loan agencies are also itching for the new administration and a GOP-controlled Congress to give them a larger stake in the federal government's student loan programs.""We believe banks should play a bigger role in the federal student loan program because of the benefits private lenders bring to the table,"" said Richard Hunt, president of the Consumer Bankers Association. The efforts come after many in the industry have struggled in recent years — following the Obama administration's successful push to cut banks and other private lenders out of the federal student loan system, which was approved by a Democratic Congress in 2010. That change expanded the share of loans disbursed directly by the federal government, and put a squeeze on the guaranty agencies and other lenders that used to receive subsidies to make and insure federally guaranteed loans to students. Banks and other for-profit and non-profit loan industry organizations argue that they can do a better job of originating and servicing federal student loans than the Education Department. And they have sympathetic ears among many congressional Republicans, who blasted the Obama administration's ending of subsidies to banks and private lenders as a ""federal takeover"" of student lending. But critics say that argument falls flat. Jason Delisle, a resident fellow in education policy studies at the conservative-leaning American Enterprise Institute, said efforts to insert private lenders into the federal loan program — or sell off federal loans to private investors — amount to ""a lot of financial alchemy."" ""There's no such thing as private capital in a government program — it's a pretend concept,"" he said, adding that there's no value to creating a role for private lenders in the federal student loan system. ""At best it would be zero sum, but probably more likely it would be a net loss for taxpayers."" A more realistic way to scale back the federal role in student lending, Delisle said, would be to eliminate or cut back on federal loans for parents and graduate students, both of which tend to have higher costs to the government. Private lenders could then fully supplement federal loans in those cases, he said. The National Council for Higher Education Resources, which represents a wide range of private loan industry players, sent a letter Wednesday to Trump's transition team that floated the idea of auctioning off some of the Education Department's existing loan portfolio to private investors. ""One such short-term idea is to securitize a portion of the Direct Loan portfolio initially on a limited basis using state, nonprofit, and for-profit entities, who could be responsible for servicing and collecting the loans,"" the group's president, James P. Bergeron, wrote in the letter. ""This would remove the debt, and the corresponding risk, from the nation's balance sheet and decrease taxpayer exposure.""But such a plan carries some serious risk, critics say. Rohit Chopra, a former Consumer Financial Protection Bureau official who worked on student loan issues, cautioned against selling off federal loans to private investors. ""Wall Street definitely misses the good ol' days when bankers could milk the system with sketchy student loan securitization deals,"" he said. ""But recent history has shown how securitization led to misaligned incentives and servicing failures, which we cannot afford to repeat. Some of the most problematic practices in the student loan industry, like auto-defaults and loan modification mistakes, stemmed from the student loan securitization boom in the run-up to the financial crisis.""Other groups representing student lenders say they see the Trump administration as an opening to propose changes to the federal student loan system as well. ""We're looking at opportunities to have nonprofit organizations play a larger role in the federal student loan programs,"" said Michele Streeter, a spokeswoman for the Education Finance Council, which represents state-based and private, nonprofit lending organizations. Streeter said the group is looking at ways to make sure ""resources in the federal loan program can be targeted first and foremost to low-income borrowers.""In their quest to return some private-sector involvement to federal student lending, the industry is likely to find allies in congressional Republicans. Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), the incoming chair of the House education committee, told POLITICO last month that she'd like to undo the Democrats' decision to cut banks out of the federal student loan program. Student lending is ""not a function of the federal government,"" she said, adding that she's still studying alternatives to the current system. And the Republican party platform adopted this summer called for completely ending the federal direct student loan program and restoring greater ""private sector participation in student financing.""Yet it's not clear where Trump's administration will land on an array of issues surrounding federal student loans. On the campaign trail, Trump proposed a more-generous version of federal income-based repayment for student borrowers. He also criticized the federal government for making a ""profit"" off of federal student loans, echoing an argument that liberals like Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) have made to support lowering interest rates on federal loans.Trump's pick to lead the Education Department, Betsy DeVos, doesn't have much of a record on student loan issues either. But she and her husband are indirectly invested in the private lending company Social Finance Inc., known as SoFi, according to The Wall Street Journal. https://www.politicopro.com/education/story/2016/12/with-gop-in-control-private-sector-pushes-for-increased-role-in-student-loans-140376",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-walker-opposes-short-term-spending-bill-preview-how-he-ll-lead,ICYMI: [Walker] opposes short-term spending bill in preview of how hell lead conservative wing',2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Friday, an article in The News & Observer highlighted U.S. Representative Mark Walker's (NC-06) opposition to the Continuing Resolution – which passed the House on Thursday – and highlighted what it signals as he steps in to lead the Republican Study Committee (RSC).""Walker’s opposition this week signals he’ll lead the RSC next year in pushing back against last-minute legislation often loaded with spending and provisions designed to solicit broad support from lawmakers,"" the article reads. ""Walker’s statement Thursday called on Republicans to consider their approach to passing budgets as much as they consider their policy positions and spending priorities.""The article continued: “'This bill is a far cry from how our government should be funded and what priorities should be appropriated...In the next Congress, we have to dedicate ourselves to being proactive, rather than reactive,' he said.""Read the article in its entirety here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/icymi-walker-sen-mike-lee-op-ed-national-review-repealing-obamacare-let,"ICYMI: Walker, Sen. Mike Lee Op-Ed in National Review: 'Repealing Obamacare: Lets Get This Done'",2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) and U.S. Senator Mike Lee (UT) today penned an op-ed for National Review Online, calling for Republicans in Congress to utilize the budget reconcilation process to repeal Obamacare, using last years reconcilation bill as the blue print. ""We sent a bill to President Obama’s desk that would have repealed much of the law, and was promptly — and unsurprisingly — vetoed. But this exercise was not, by any measure, a fruitless effort,"" Walker and Lee wrote. ""That bill, H.R. 3762, established the minimum standards against which any future Obamacare repeal bills would be measured.Walker and Lee continued: ""It zeroed out Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates, scrapped the taxes, revived health savings accounts, and rolled back the Medicaid expansion and subsidies. Majorities in the House and Senate are on record voting for all of these items. We can do it again.""This op-ed follows a similar effort by Walker and Lee in 2015, calling for a stronger reconcilation bill that worked to ""repeal as much of Obamacare as possible."" Read Rep. Walker and Sen. Mike Lee's op-ed in its entirety here and below:   Repealing Obamacare: Let’s Get This Done National Review Online By: Rep. Mark Walker and Sen. Mike Lee December 9, 2016 Since 2010 everyone in the Republican party has agreed that Obamacare must be repealed. Most Republican members of Congress — ourselves included — were elected, and reelected, on the promise that we would take any opportunity possible to end this partisan, ham-handed, and unconstitutional law.When Republicans attained control of both the House and Senate in 2015, we saw an opportunity to lay the foundation for full repeal under a possible future Republican president. To that end, we penned an article in National Review calling for Congress to send President Obama a bill repealing Obamacare. “It is more important than ever for Republicans in Congress to honor the promises we have made to the American people,” we wrote. “We can do this, before the end of the year, through a procedure known as ‘budget reconciliation.’”House and Senate Republicans followed through on this promise. We sent a bill to President Obama’s desk that would have repealed much of the law, and was promptly — and unsurprisingly — vetoed. But this exercise was not, by any measure, a fruitless effort.That bill, H.R. 3762, established the minimum standards against which any future Obamacare repeal bills would be measured. It zeroed out Obamacare’s individual and employer mandates, scrapped the taxes, revived health savings accounts, and rolled back the Medicaid expansion and subsidies. Majorities in the House and Senate are on record voting for all of these items. We can do it again.But there is no denying that any new reconciliation repeal bill in the next Congress will have a different outcome. This time, when the House and Senate send such a bill to the White House, the incoming president has said he will sign it. That is why it is so important that we get this repeal bill right.And the bare minimum simply is not enough this time.A minimum effort could end up hurting many Americans. Specifically, the law’s many insurance mandates drive up health costs and force individuals to violate their deeply held religious convictions. When government bureaucrats and politicians decide that every insurance policy must cover free doctor visits and abortifacients, Americans who don’t need those options end up paying more for products they don’t want. That’s great for the insurance companies, but not for taxpayers or consumers. Some have argued that insurance regulations fall outside the scope of what Senate rules allow in a reconciliation bill. But since taxpayers are on the hook for billions in health insurance premiums every year, we should not give up on tackling the insurance regulations that inflate those premiums.But deleting Obamacare from federal statute will be only the first step in reforming federal health-care policy. Republicans cannot wash their hands of the consequences of the Democrats’ failed health-care experiment. We have a responsibility to fix the broken government policies that have crippled our health-care system for decades. This means providing a transition, for however many years, for the market to recover and be able to serve individuals and businesses with more affordable, accessible health coverage. This means implementing the best of the many free-market repair proposals that Republicans have been developing for the past six years. People need options, not heavy-handed government mandates.The details of a replacement plan do not have to be finalized now. But overall, it must honor medicine’s founding principle: primum non nocere — first, do no harm.Congress and the Trump administration can’t afford to fumble the repeal of Obamacare.  We can’t afford to just squeak by with the bare minimum, while preserving many of Obamacare’s most burdensome and intrusive provisions.The American people have entrusted Republicans with a historic opportunity. They gave us the House, the Senate, a majority of governor’s seats, and the White House. Now we must honor the trust they have put in us by repealing and replacing Obamacare with health-care policies that lower costs, improve quality, and increase access for all Americans.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-330-million-in-disaster-relief-for-nc-in-cr-,Senator Burr Statement on $330 million in Disaster Relief for NC in CR,2016-12-09,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.09.16 Senator Burr Statement on $330 million in Disaster Relief for NC in CR WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) praised the Senate for passing legislation today by a vote of 63 to 36 that included over $330 million for disaster relief for North Carolina. Voting today on both the Continuing Resolution and the Water Resources Development Act, these pieces of legislation provide assistance for parts of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Matthew. Additionally, WRDA maintains over $50 million in funding for natural disasters. “I’ve worked with Sen. Thom Tillis to make sure that North Carolina can quickly bounce back from natural disasters, including recovering from damage incurred by Hurricane Matthew. I’m proud of our work on this legislation and know that North Carolinians are resilient and quick to restore towns affected by this year’s devastating hurricane, and the flooding that resulted.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398985,Fast-Food CEO Presents Big Shift at Trump's DOL,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"President-elect Donald Trump's selection of fast-food CEO Andrew Puzder as labor secretary offers tangible insights into how the Labor Department may change direction from the Barack Obama and Thomas Perez regime.The man at the helm of the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. brands is not your typical fast-food executive in the sense that his detailed views on labor policy and government regulation are all available on his blog, public speaking transcripts, columns and in a book he co-wrote on job creation (see related story). In summary, Puzder's public record seems to portend a dramatic reversal in the DOL's current priorities to enhance employees’ wages, safety and benefits via regulation.But Puzder, like the president-elect, has no government experience, and his statements could morph once he takes office. Seth Harris, Obama's former deputy labor secretary, cautioned that even though Puzder's corporate background ostensibly contravenes the DOL's mission to promote workers’ rights, his approach to governance remains an open question.“I think it's premature to draw any broad conclusions from the fact that he happens to lead a fast-food business right now,” Harris, who left the DOL in 2014 and now practices law at Dentons in Washington, told Bloomberg BNA Dec. 8. “It is entirely possible that he will continue the tradition of bipartisanship on workforce development and retirement policy, for example. We just don't know that yet.”Leading members of the worker advocacy movement, in a call for reporters, expressed grave concerns about Puzder's past statements, such as opposing big minimum wage hikes and expanded access to overtime pay (see related story). They called for Congress to put Puzder to the test during his confirmation.Return to GOP NormsMatthew Haller, senior vice president at the International Franchise Association—where Puzder is currently a board member—told Bloomberg BNA Dec. 8 that it's a false assumption that Puzder's anti-regulatory comments indicate he would direct the DOL not to pursue further regulations.At the same time, Puzder's business acumen likely means that employers can expect an enforcement philosophy centered on compliance assistance and clearer responses to specific business questions, several sources said. One concrete way this could manifest itself is through a withdrawal of controversial administrator's interpretations, such as a Wage and Hour Division memo stating that the Fair Labor Standards Act provides for a broad meaning of joint employment.Instead, Puzder will be advised to restore the Republican DOL practice, abandoned under Obama, of issuing opinion letters that respond to individual employer complaints.“I do think that advisory opinions will be more the norm than governing by the gotcha mentality, which we felt was part of the norm in this administration, especially at DOL with targeted enforcement,” Haller said.In other words, the employers longing for a return to the days of an adversarial relationship with the DOL and a sense of predictability are thrilled at the prospect of a labor chief who intimately understands their perspective.“I think that the reaction is one of relief to restaurants because during the last eight years restaurants and most other businesses have felt the people at the Department of Labor simply do not understand their business and do not have a realistic appreciation for the consequences of Department of Labor actions on their businesses and on their employees,” Paul DeCamp, who ran the DOL's WHD under George W. Bush, told Bloomberg BNA Dec. 8 (see related story).Trump's Populism TestedThe unpredictability of how Trump and Puzder will direct the DOL is rooted in more than just their lack of public sector experience. Even with a fast-food executive at the helm, Trump's DOL will still face pressure to fulfill the populist message that convinced some working-class Democrats and union members to break from party allegiances.“The Labor Department is one of the principal places where Donald Trump's populism will be tested,” said Harris, who briefly served as Obama's acting labor secretary. “Does secretary-designate Puzder have a strategy for helping the president to create millions or tens of millions of middle wage or middle skill jobs that will help rebuild the American middle class? And will he be both willing and able to use the tools that are available to him in the Labor Department, which include employment law enforcement and compliance to strengthen the middle class?”The importance of appealing to lower-wage workers is reflected in the Trump transition team's official statement announcing Puzder's appointment. Within one sentence, the president-elect's message attempted to strike a balance between Puzder's ability to lift worker conditions and reduce red-tape for businesses.“Andy will fight to make American workers safer and more prosperous by enforcing fair occupational safety standards and ensuring workers receive the benefits they deserve, and he will save small businesses from the crushing burdens of unnecessary regulations that are stunting job growth and suppressing wages,” Trump said in the statement.Democrats PounceCapitol Hill Democrats were quick to conclude that Puzder's appointment is inapproriate, previewing the arguments they are likely to make during his Senate confirmation.Some House and Senate Democrats Dec. 8 described the nomination as an attempt to convince them to back off on efforts to raise wages and said Puzder would tilt labor regulations in favor of corporations.“I think this is more evidence that Donald Trump is not on the side of the workers,” Rep. Mark Takano (D-Calif.) told Bloomberg BNA. “He's contrary to wanting to unrig the government, and unrig the rules that have hurt working-class Americans. This appointment is evidence that he likes regulation when they work against the ordinary Americans and rigged in favor of big corporate interests.”Takano, who sits on the House Education and the Workforce Committee, said Puzder's history in the fast-food industry shows that Trump is seeking “to squeeze the working class person.”Other Democrats described the appointee's statements on wages and health insurance as a “signal” Trump is pushing away from a campaign promise to champion for working families.“At the outset, I am deeply concerned by Mr. Puzder's record of standing in the way of progress on issues that would make an immediate difference in the lives of working families, in particular raising the minimum wage and ensuring equal pay for equal work,” Sen. Patty Murray, the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee's ranking Democrat said in a written statement. “And I have serious questions about whether a CEO who is comfortable reinforcing harmful stereotypes about women and who is so dismissive of workplace discrimination issues can be trusted to uphold core missions of the Department.”Rep. Raul Grijalva, also on the Committee on Education and the Workforce, described Puzder as an “ideological placement” similar to his appointees at the Department of Education and EPA.“They're coming in with an agenda, and those are where the flare-ups and real battles are going to happen all the way down the line because it's not the State Department that is not going to be the domestic battleground, it's going to be these three areas,” he said.Grijalva said that the three selections seemed to been chosen by Vice President-elect Mike Pence, following an ideology when he was a member of Congress years prior.“There's the ideological agenda that is coming in. Those are the ones that Pence wanted because that's been his style here,” he said. “So he brings in his troops into these areas, they're all domestic and they all deal with poverty, they deal with low-skill workers, low wage workers and they deal with the housing and those kind of support systems.”It was not immediately known Dec. 8 how many House and Senate Republicans viewed the appointee. Many members declined to comment when reached by Bloomberg BNA Dec. 8 because Puzder's appointment was not yet official.After Trump announced the appointment late Dec. 8, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chairwoman-designate of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, in a statement called Puzder “a terrific choice.”“Through a long, distinguished career in the private sector, Mr. Puzder has a deep understanding of what it takes to create good-paying jobs and how federal policies can affect the ability of workers and employers to succeed.”https://www.bgov.com/core/news/#!/articles/OHWBM63H65TS",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-continues-fight-american-workers,JONES CONTINUES FIGHT FOR AMERICAN WORKERS,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-3) continued his long-standing fight for American businesses and workers.  Yesterday, Jones and Congressman Mike Doyle (PA-14) offered an amendment to a water infrastructure bill (S. 612) that would permanently require all iron and steel products used in projects financed by the U.S. taxpayer-funded Drinking Water State Revolving Fund (DWSRF) to be made in the United States, not China or other foreign nations.  The amendment was defeated in an 3-8 party line vote in the House Rules Committee.  A version of the amendment was then offered as a motion on the House floor, but was defeated again on a vote of 184-236.  The underlying bill – without the Doyle/Jones “Buy American” provision – was subsequently approved and now goes to the Senate for final consideration.   Not giving up the fight for American workers, Congressman Jones is joining his colleagues Cheri Bustos (IL-8) and Dan Lipinski (IL-3) in introducing a stand-alone bill – H.R. 6460 – similar to the amendment and motion offered earlier this week. “Americans’ taxpayer dollars should support American-made infrastructure, not Chinese,” said Congressman Jones.  “To me, that’s just common sense.  While I am disappointed that more of my colleagues didn’t support that concept this time, I will continue to do everything I can to fight for the workers and businesses of America.”   For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398969,"Foxx, Kline Statements on Nomination of Puzder as Labor Secretary",2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,foxx,https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., incoming chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, and Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., current committee chairman, released the following statements after President-elect Donald Trump announced his nomination of CKE Restaurants CEO Andy Puzder for Secretary of Labor: “Andrew Puzder is a terrific choice to serve as the next secretary of labor,” Chairwoman-designate Foxx said. “Through a long, distinguished career in the private sector, Mr. Puzder has a deep understanding of what it takes to create good-paying jobs and how federal policies can affect the ability of workers and employers to succeed. Mr. Puzder will play a key role in delivering reforms that will help more Americans climb the ladder of opportunity after years of extreme regulations and sluggish economic growth. There is a lot of work ahead to strengthen protections for workers, improve retirement security, lift the regulatory burden on small businesses, and restore balance and fairness to labor policies. I look forward to working with Mr. Puzder to advance these important priorities and congratulate him on this nomination.” “I want to congratulate Andrew Puzder on his nomination to serve as the next labor secretary,” Chairman Kline said. “His impressive record in the private sector will be extremely valuable as Congress continues to tackle the challenges facing working families and small businesses. Although we were able to work with the current administration on a number of key issues, years of flawed policies and overreaching regulations have made it harder for individuals to succeed. I’m confident Mr. Puzder has the experience and leadership necessary to turn the page and advance positive reforms that will put our nation back on a path toward growth and prosperity.” ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T21:09:43Z https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-funding-bill-hurricane-matthew-relief,House passes funding bill with Hurricane Matthew relief,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,David Rouzer,R000603,rouzer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Today, with the support of Congressman Rouzer, the House of Representatives passed the FY 2017 Continuing Resolution to continue government operations, maintain funding at the current budget cap level and provide vital disaster relief to families and communities impacted by recent flooding – including disaster aid to assist North Carolinians in the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew. “Since Hurricane Matthew hit our state in the beginning of October, I have been on the ground meeting with local elected leaders, business owners and our farm communities to help craft a legislative package that is responsive to the immediate needs of individuals, families and communities affected,” said Rep. David Rouzer.  “The $334 million in disaster relief for North Carolina is a vital first step in helping North Carolina families and farmers recover from the devastating storm.  I will continue to advocate for more disaster relief funding and work with our state and local communities to help our fellow citizens, many of whom are in the 7th Congressional district, recover from Hurricane Matthew.” Included in the $334 million designated for North Carolina are: $193 million for the Community Development Block Grant – Disaster Recovery program to provide flexible grants to rebuild affected areas and provide critical seed money to start the recovery process; $23 million for the Federal Highway Administration to rebuild and maintain damaged portions of the highway; $27.5 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture Emergency Conservation Program to help farmers repair damage to farmlands; $6 million for Emergency Watershed Protection Program to conserve natural resources by relieving hazards to life and property caused by floods; and, $83 million for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to build and maintain damaged infrastructure. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-votes-against-continuing-resolution-spending-bill,Walker Votes Against Continuing Resolution Spending Bill,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today released the following statement after voting against the Continuing Resolution: ""Though this outcome was preferable to a larger, long-term spending bill, it is my sincere hope that our final vote of 2016 is not indicative of how we will operate in 2017. This bill is a far cry from how our government should be funded and what priorities should be appropriated.""The approach is just as important as the policy. In the next Congress, we have to dedicate ourselves to being proactive, rather than reactive. It should be our aim to set clear objectives early and achieve defined successes.""The American people have entrusted us to change Washington. It is unacceptable for us not to deliver on the trust the voters have invested in us.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-approves-nearly-300-million-for-nc-military-construction-projects,Senate Approves Nearly $300 Million for N.C. Military Construction Projects,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.16 Senate Approves Nearly $300 Million for N.C. Military Construction Projects WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act conference report. The legislation, which works out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization bills that passed earlier this year, funds our nation’s military including $297.1 million for military construction projects in North Carolina. The conference report also includes provisions sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) to prevent the transfer of Guantanamo Bay Naval Station to Cuba without congressional approval and to protect the military commissary benefit. “We need to support our men and women who serve,” said Senator Burr. “This legislation is proof that the Senate is working on issues that matter to the American people. The military has a significant presence in North Carolina and this bill continues the investments that we need to be prepared to face future threats to national security.” The conference report provides funding for the following military construction projects in North Carolina: Camp Lejeune - $18.482 Million for Range Facilities Safety Improvements Camp Lejeune - $31 Million for Dental Clinic Replacement Cherry Point MCAS - $12.515 Million for Central Heating Plant Conversion Air National Guard Charlotte IAP - $29.6 Million for C-17 Corrosion Control/Fuel Cell Hangar Air National Guard Charlotte IAP - $21 Million for C-17 Type III Hydrant Refueling System Air Force Reserve Seymour Johnson AFB - $5.7 Million for KC-46A ADAL Building for AGE/Fuselage Training Air Force Reserve Seymour Johnson AFB - $2.25 Million KC-46A ADAL Squadron Operations Facilities Air Force Reserve Seymour Johnson AFB - $90 Million for KC-46A Two Bay Corrosion/Fuel Cell Hangar Fort Bragg - $10.905 Million for SOF Combat Medical Training Facility Fort Bragg - $21.420 Million for SOF Parachute Rigging Facility Fort Bragg - $30.670 Million for SOF Special Tactics Facility (Phase 3) Fort Bragg - $23.598 Million for SOF Tactical Equipment Maintenance Facility Total for North Carolina - $297.140 Million Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-meeting-with-rep-tom-price-for-hhs-secretary-,Senator Burr Statement on Meeting with Rep. Tom Price for HHS Secretary,2016-12-08,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.08.16 Senator Burr Statement on Meeting with Rep. Tom Price for HHS Secretary WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today met with Representative Tom Price, M.D., whom President-Elect Donald Trump has named as his pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services: “I look forward to getting Congressman Price through the confirmation process in the Senate. His knowledge of the healthcare system is a true benefit to the American people. I know he will be a superb HHS Secretary and promptly find solutions to the broken Obamacare system. As a doctor, I know he will work to provide the American people with as many healthcare choices as possible.” Senator Burr is a member of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/calendar/eventsingle.aspx?EventID=398968,"""Congress in Your Community"" Information Session",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"""Congress in Your Community"" Forsyth County Information SessionWhen: December 7, 2016 Time: 6:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m. Where: Winston Lake Family YMCA, 901 Waterworks Road, Winston Salem, NC 27101 Purpose: Learn about the transition in representation, outstanding casework and Presidential Inauguration tickets with staffers from the offices of Rep. Alma Adams and Rep. Virginia Foxx.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-no-more-federal-restrictions-atlantic-waters,JONES: NO MORE FEDERAL RESTRICTIONS ON ATLANTIC WATERS,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Walter B. Jones (NC-03) continued his opposition to expansion of the marine sanctuary system off the Atlantic Coast.  Jones and several congressional colleagues from the Atlantic seaboard are urging the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to reject the proposed nominations of Baltimore, Hudson and Norfolk Canyons as marine sanctuaries under the National Marine Sanctuary Act.  Congressman Jones’ latest action follows his work with Dare and Carteret counties earlier this year to oppose NOAA’s proposed expansion of the Monitor Sanctuary off the Eastern North Carolina coast.  “There is no need for new designations or access restrictions for fishermen and boaters that may flow from them in the future,” said Congressman Jones. Congressman Jones has long been an advocate for Eastern North Carolina fishermen by fighting against overreaching government regulations on recreational and commercial fishing.  He has also secured much-needed money for dredging at Morehead City Harbor, and Oregon, Hatteras, and New River Inlets, in addition to fighting the Obama administration’s assault on fishing access through unilateral marine monument designation. Attached is Congressman Jones’ letter opposing the nominations of Baltimore, Hudson and Norfolk canyons, as well as his letter opposing expansion of the Monitor sanctuary. For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-pittenger-announces-inclusion-of-hurricane-matthew-recovery,Congressman Pittenger announces inclusion of Hurricane Matthew recovery package in funding bill,2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER ANNOUNCES INCLUSION OF HURRICANE MATTHEW RECOVERY PACKAGE IN FUNDING BILL   WASHINGTON –Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) announced the inclusion of Hurricane Matthew recovery assistance funding for the state of North Carolina in the Continuing Resolution funding bill. Congressman Pittenger personally lobbied Members of the relevant Committees for weeks to include the necessary relief funds after touring the damage in Robeson, Bladen, and Cumberland counties. The Continuing Resolution includes more than $300 million for North Carolina’s Hurricane Matthew recovery package, including funds for: Community Development Block Grant Disaster Recovery, which can be used support community needs in a variety of ways, such as repairing homes which have been damaged or destroyed, and job creation or training for those whose employment has been affected. Due to the block grant nature of the program, state and local officials have wide latitude in choosing the best use of these funds for their community; USDA Emergency Conservation Program, which will help farmers repair damage to their lands caused by flooding; Federal Highway Administration Emergency Highway Funding, which will be used to repair and reconstruct roads and highways; and The Army Corps of Engineers, which will go to repairing damage done to Army Corp properties. “The funds secured in the Continuing Resolution represent an important first step in helping North Carolina families and businesses recover from Hurricane Matthew,” said Congressman Pittenger. “This disaster will be felt for many years, and my team and I are committed to helping the people of Robeson, Cumberland, and Bladen navigate the federal bureaucracy to receive appropriate assistance. Please call my office at 704-362-1060 with any questions.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-passes-21st-century-cures-legislation-includes-key-health-care-innovation-bills-championed-by-burr,"Senate Passes 21st Century Cures Legislation, Includes Key Health Care Innovation Bills Championed by Burr",2016-12-07,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.07.16 Senate Passes 21st Century Cures Legislation, Includes Key Health Care Innovation Bills Championed by Burr WASHINGTON – Today, the Senate passed the 21st Century Cures Act by a vote of 94-5. The bipartisan legislation includes several health care provisions written by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) as well as $4.8 billion in targeted funding for the National Institutes of Health to accelerate key research initiatives, including the Precision Medicine Initiative and the Vice President’s Cancer Moonshot.  The 21st Century Cures Act also provides $1 billion to help states combat our nation’s tragic opioid abuse epidemic. “This landmark legislation sends the unequivocal message that the United States has never been more serious about leading the world in medical innovation,” said Senator Richard Burr.  “As our nation ushers in a new and defining era of medical discovery and development, it is critical that we seize this opportunity to better serve Americans battling devastating diseases. This bill will not only spur the innovation that will save and improve lives, but better prepare us for the serious health care challenges and threats we face.   While our work on these issues will never be done, the Cures bill offers great hope to so many by supporting those on the front lines of discovering, developing, delivering, and defining quality health care for years to come.” The following Burr bills are included in the 21st Century Cures Act: Advancing Breakthrough Devices for Patients Act– This legislation builds on the Advancing Breakthrough Therapies for Patients Act, which the Senate passed in 2012 from Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Orrin Hatch (R-UT), and Burr. This legislation will ensure an “all-hands-on-deck” approach to devices, while also complementing and enhancing the existing tools, such as priority review, currently in place for devices, with the goal of expediting the development and review of breakthrough products. Senators Michael Bennet and Orrin Hatch are original cosponsors of this bill. FDA Device Accountability Act – This bill ensures that the FDA eliminates unnecessary burdens when reviewing devices, permits more efficient device clinical trials; and requires the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to update guidance on certain point-of-care tests performed in doctors’ offices. Senator Burr introduced this bill with Senator Al Franken (D-MN). Advancing Targeted Therapies for Rare Diseases Act – This legislation affirms the FDA’s authority to allow innovators to use their own data supporting the approval of a targeted therapy to help facilitate additional targeted therapies to treat patients with the same rare disease. Senator Bur introduced this legislation with Senators Michael Bennet, Elizabeth Warren (D-MA), and Orrin Hatch. Medical Countermeasure Innovation Act – This legislation encourages the development of medical countermeasures, including drugs, devices and preventative treatments, needed to protect the American people in the event of a global pandemic or biological weapon attack. Despite recent improvements in America’s readiness and response capabilities, the Ebola outbreak and the emergence of public health threats like Zika,  make it clear that more needs to be done to ensure our nation is prepared to protect Americans from these threats. This legislation further supports the development of life-saving products against chemical, biological, radiological and nuclear threats regardless of whether they are naturally-occurring or the result of a deliberate terrorist attack. Senator Burr introduced this legislation with Senator Bob Casey (D-PA). Sens. Burr and Alexander (R-TN) began the process for advancing Cures legislation this Congress in the United States Senate with the release of joint report in 2015 entitled Innovation for Healthier Americans. ### Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-pittenger-leads-bipartisan-coalition-objecting-the-chinese,Congressman Pittenger leads bipartisan coalition objecting the Chinese takeover of key U.S. tech firm,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER LEADS BIPARTISAN COALITION OBJECTING TO CHINESE TAKEOVER OF KEY U.S. TECH FIRM   WASHINGTON – Lattice Semiconductor, the third-largest American producer of a critical technology for U.S. military applications, has announced plans to be acquired by an American venture capital firm with significant ties to China’s communist government. Due to serious national security concerns, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) has written Treasury Secretary Jack Lew urging the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) to block the transaction. A bipartisan coalition of 21 Members of Congress co-signed Congressman Pittenger’s letter. “We are concerned with this transaction as CBCP (Canyon Bridge Capital Partners, the venture capital firm) appears to be directly affiliated with the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC) and further appears to be a legal construction intended to obfuscate the involvement of numerous PRC state-owned enterprises during the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) review process,” writes Congressman Pittenger. “As you know, Lattice is the third largest American producer of Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) technologies.  FPGA technologies are critical to American military applications, and the purchase of an American FPGA designer and manufacturer by a PRC-affiliated firm could disrupt the military supply chain and possibly lead to a reliance on foreign-sourced technologies for many critical Defense Department programs.” Congressman Pittenger’s full letter to Secretary Lew is attached.  The bipartisan letter was co-signed by Members of Congress Mike Rogers (R-AL, House Strategic Forces Subcommittee Chair), Steve Chabot (R-OH, House Small Business Committee Chair), Chris Smith (R-NJ, Congressional-Executive Commission on China Chair), James McGovern (D-MA), Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), Robert Aderholt (R-AL, House Appropriations Subcommittee Chair), Walter Jones (R-NC), Daniel Lipinski (D-IL), Hank Johnson (D-GA), Dana Rohrabacher (R-CA, House Emerging Threats Subcommittee Chair), Mo Brooks (R-AL), Loretta Sanchez (D-CA), Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Doug Lamborn (R-CO, House Strategic Forces Subcommittee Vice Chair), Vicky Hartzler (R-MO), Ralph Abraham (R-LA), Alex Mooney (R-WV), Brenda Lawrence (D-MI), Bill Johnson (R-OH), Madeleine Bordallo (D-Guam), and Jackie Speier (D-CA). Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/house-passes-rouzer-bill-return-money-wrongfully-withheld-combat-injured,House passes Rouzer bill to return money wrongfully withheld from combat-injured veterans,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,David Rouzer,R000603,rouzer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – The House of Representatives passed a bill authored by Congressman David Rouzer yesterday to provide every veteran who has had their severance payments wrongfully taxed the opportunity to recover the payment in full.  H.R. 5015,  the Combat-Injured Veterans Tax Fairness Act of 2016, is estimated to impact nearly 14,000 veterans - including more than 550 veterans from North Carolina – who were wrongfully taxed on their severance packages. Under federal law, veterans who suffer combat-related injuries and who are separated from the military are not supposed to have any taxes withheld from their one-time lump sum disability severance payment, which they receive from the Department of Defense (DoD.)  However, due to an accounting error, that was not the case for an estimated 14,000 veterans.  H.R. 5015 corrects this problem by instructing the DoD to identify those who were wrongfully taxed so that they can be reimbursed.  “Our soldiers, sailors, airmen and Marines risk their lives every day to protect our freedoms, our values and our republic. The revelation that there are thousands of veterans who did not receive their full disability severance pay is unacceptable.  This legislation is a common-sense solution to ensure that these veterans who had their severance payment wrongfully taxed will receive every penny that they are rightfully owed.  These veterans deserve no less for their service and sacrifice to our nation,” said Congressman Rouzer. This problem was originally identified by the National Veterans Legal Services Program (NVLSP), an independent, nonprofit veterans service organization that has served active duty military personnel and veterans since 1980.  NVLSP estimates that nearly 14,000 veterans have been denied full severance pay as a result of wrongful taxation, including more than 500 veterans in North Carolina. BACKGROUND ON THE NEED FOR THE LEGISLATION:
  One-time lump sum disability severance payments to active duty service members have been excluded from taxable income since a 1991 court ruling. This exclusion has been codified into the Department of Defense’s Financial Management Regulation, and also clarified in regulations used by the service branches. Due to limitations in its accounting system, the Defense Finance and Accounting Service (DFAS) knowingly took “tax payments” from combat disabled service members. To recoup wrongfully withheld funds, veterans could have filed an amended tax return with the Internal Revenue Service, but most had no idea that their payment had been erroneously taxed.  As a result, thousands of veterans affected are outside of the three-year period in which they can file an amended tax return to recoup this money. Only legislation passed by Congress and signed into law by the President can correct this injustice. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-releases-statement-vote-impeach-irs-commissioner,Walker Releases Statement on Vote to Impeach the IRS Commissioner,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today released the following statement after voting to impeach IRS Commissioner John Koskinen:""Since October of 2015, I have been on the record supporting articles of impeachment for commissioner Koskinen. There is overwhelming evidence that he failed in performing his duties and misled Congress.""I supported the measure because the American people deserve accountability in government. The privileged and well-connected should not get to live and work by another standard; Koskinen's deceit deserves consequence.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-statement-on-todays-meeting-with-rep-pompeo-,Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Today’s Meeting with Rep. Pompeo,2016-12-06,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.06.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Today’s Meeting with Rep. Pompeo WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement after meeting with Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), President Elect Donald Trump’s nominee for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: “Representative Pompeo and I had a productive and engaging conversation today as we discussed his nomination to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.  Mike’s intellectual rigor, honorable service, and outstanding judgment make him a natural fit to lead what I believe to be one of our nation’s most treasured assets.  I look forward to supporting his nomination and ensuring its consideration without delay.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398981,Foxx Named Chair of House Education Committee,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"North Carolina Republican Virginia Foxx, a vocal critic of the Obama administration's higher education policies, will be the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.Foxx, a former community college president, replaces Minnesota Republican John Kline, who is retiring at the end of the 114th Congress. She will take over leadership of the committee as Republicans in both chambers make plans to roll back Obama-era regulations on a number of sectors, including higher education.In a postelection interview with Inside Higher Ed, Foxx said studying how those regulations could be repealed would be a top priority. And she said she would support scaling back the size of the Department of Education in the next Congress.Foxx's committee will also play a key role in shaping education policy through the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.She said she looks forward to building on the work of Kline and former House Speaker John Boehner.“The committee will continue to work towards fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed and employers to grow,” Foxx said in a statement. “At all times, we will strive in our service to hold government institutions to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, with a constant eye towards eliminating waste and inefficiency. Our creative, ambitious pursuit of good policy will be guided by the Constitution with solutions centered on securing and protecting access to high-quality education and safe and productive workplaces for all Americans.”https://www.insidehighered.com/quicktakes/2016/12/05/foxx-named-chair-house-education-committee",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398982,Incoming House Education Leader Is a Bold Conservative Reformer,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"Incoming House Education Leader Is a Bold Conservative Reformer By Paul Crookston, National Review f t # e Washington, December 5, 2016 “Meet the Congresswoman Poised to Tear Up Obama’s Education Legacy” blares a Politico headline above a piece on Virginia Foxx, the incoming leader of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. And it’s not wrong. A representative of North Carolina’s fifth congressional district, Foxx has thoroughly repudiated the top-down approach to education reform preferred by previous administrations. Her selection signals that Republicans in Congress want to continue devolving authority over education to the states, and that they may end up pushing the ambitious Trump administration in that direction. With a conservative education secretary in Betsy DeVos, Foxx will have a natural ally in the White House. Foxx has long argued that the Constitution does not indicate that the federal government should lead on education. In an interview with Inside Higher Ed, Foxx was asked, “You don’t see any role for the federal government in encouraging [free community college] efforts at the state and local level?” “No,” she replied. “Why should we? We have a $20 trillion debt. Why should we go into debt to pay for what the states should be doing?” Many on the right have been worried that a Trump’s administration would try to force education policy on the states from on high. For now, at least, that fear seems to be unfounded.http://www.nationalreview.com/corner/442690/virginia-foxxs-conservative-education-reform-agenda-congress  f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398983,New U.S. House labor committee chair questions need for unions,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"The incoming chair of the congressional panel that oversees labor issues on Monday questioned the need for unions and said she wants to repeal various Obama administration labor policies.Organized labor has ""sort of lost its reason for being"" because of the many laws in place to protect workers, said Representative Virginia Foxx, a 73-year-old Republican from North Carolina who will become chair of the U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Education and the Workforce in January, in a telephone interview with ReutersLabor unions have already been wary about how they will fare under the incoming administration of President-elect Donald Trump, with Republicans poised to control the presidency and both chambers of Congress.AFL-CIO spokesman Eric Hauser pushed back against Foxx's comments, saying that a thriving labor movement and strong union presence has never been more important in light of the economic tumult in the United States.Foxx, who was first elected to the House in 2004, said one of her committee's top priorities will be to roll back a slew of Obama administration labor initiatives.At the top of her agenda is the U.S. Labor Department rule that would extend mandatory overtime pay to more than 4 million workers. A federal judge in Texas blocked the rule last month before it took effect, but the Labor Department has challenged that ruling in a federal appeals court.Among other targets that Foxx cited for repeal are the National Labor Relations Board's revised standard for ""joint employment"" that could make it easier for unions and regulators to hold companies accountable for the employment practices of staffing agencies, contractors and franchisees with which they partner. That issue has been most prominently in play in a case involving McDonald's Corp over whether it, as well as its franchisees, can be held liable in complaints about the violation of employee rights.Foxx said she expects strong opposition from Democrats.""I think that they will bring up their tired arguments about how we are destroying the world by doing the things that we're doing, but frankly I think this last election shows that the American people aren't buying those arguments anymore,"" Foxx said.Representatives for the Democratic leadership on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce were not immediately available for comment.http://www.reuters.com/article/usa-congress-unions-idUSL1N1E102M",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398984,Student-Data Ban Faces Test: A law meant to protect privacy makes it tougher to assess colleges and their performance,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"As president of the Minnesota State College Student Association, Dylan Kelly hears from students hesitant to enroll, unsure if pursing a degree will lead to a comfortable life or a debt trap.Data on individual college students would help prospective students, colleges and policymakers alike better understand how much graduates make and how many students who transfer schools eventually earn a degree. But lawmakers concerned with student privacy have banned the Education Department from collecting student-level data. “A lot of students are people coming in and looking for job training  . . .  looking to improve their economic outlook for their families and themselves,” Kelly says. “They have a hard time trying to assess what it will take, especially with a limited amount of data.” Kelly and others are looking to Capitol Hill to close that information gap by lifting a 2008 ban on collecting specific student data they say can help families make informed decisions about what higher education programs will be worth the cost, whether students should transfer and what outcomes other students of their race, gender and income-level have experienced.Yet, the idea for a database of student information faces stiff resistance from some lawmakers and privacy advocates. Currently, individual schools must prepare aggregated information for hundreds of indicators, including graduation rates and average tuition for students of different income levels. While this method provides more than 1,700 pieces of information, it leaves key questions unanswered, including financial outcomes for all students and the success of transfer students.Republican House Speaker Paul D. Ryan of Wisconsin and GOP Sen. Marco Rubio of Florida, along with a majority of colleges and education advocacy groups, are pushing legislation to overturn the ban. With both chambers’ education committees set to work on updating the higher education law in the next Congress, that legislation has a chance of being a part of the larger bill. However, both committees will be chaired by Republicans, who want to keep the ban in place to protect student privacy rights and security.“This election tells us the American public wants business done differently,” says Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, the heir-apparent to the House Education and the Workforce gavel. “They do not want an intrusive, overreaching federal government.”   Early Support for BanAlthough the issue is enmeshed in debate over the benefits and dangers of individual records being kept by the department, there was no opposition when Foxx offered her amendment creating the ban during a 2007 markup of the higher education bill.At the time, the Education Department under President George W. Bush had tossed around the idea of building a system with data from individual students including their names, Social Security numbers, addresses, what programs they were enrolled in, their attendance status and financial aid details, according to a 2005 feasibility study from the department.Such a system would risk the security of the information as well as violate students’ privacy, Foxx said of her amendment creating the ban. Then-Chairman George Miller, D-Calif., called the amendment “acceptable and I think across-the-board here.” It passed on a voice vote.Because the ban is only on compiling records that can be traced to a specific student, the Education Department can and does collect aggregate data through an annual survey to colleges. Still, opponents of the ban point to some gaps in the information.Graduation rates are only shown for first-time students who are enrolled full-time, which covers less than 14 percent of all undergraduate students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. The scorecard shows an average salary of former students, but only if they received federal financial aid. While about 60 percent of undergraduates received federal assistance, their outcomes cannot be compared to the outcomes of those who didn’t qualify for aid.Colleges also say the annual questionnaire is burdensome on administrations, with most four-year institutions needing more than 100 hours per year to complete the survey, according to a 2010 survey of schools from the Government Accountability Office.Within several years of the ban passing, colleges, universities, student groups and higher education advocacy groups vocally opposed it, including the American Association of Community Colleges.“In the early part of this century, the colleges and associations on behalf of them were more concerned about potential privacy considerations and more sensitive to that than we have become over time,” says David Baime, the organization’s senior vice president for government relations and policy. “We feel more secure about the ability to keep the data private.”Not everyone agrees. Parent and teacher privacy organizations and the American Civil Liberties Union sent a letter this month to the Commission on Evidence-Based Policymaking, a federal study group established this year, urging opposition to a federal data system with individual information and questioning the Education Department’s ability to keep data safe.“Any recommendation by the Commission to establish a federal data clearinghouse of student [personally identifiable information] could effectively create life-long dossiers on nearly every individual in the nation,” the groups said in the letter.Baime and other advocates point out that the Education Department already keeps sensitive individual-level information on every student who receives financial aid — something possible outside the ban because students provide their own information to the department rather than having it sent to the department by a school.More than 3,500 institutions also submit individual-level data to the private National Student Clearinghouse. However, the information isn’t available to the public and can’t be paired with Internal Revenue Service data to assess students’ financial outcomes.Beyond the security and privacy debates, Baime says colleges’ and lawmakers’ view of the ban has shifted as college has become both an increased necessity and a financial burden to students and their families.“Expectations about higher education have changed over time,” he says. “They’ve become more public and policymakers have become more demanding about knowing how the system is serving students.” Those policymakers include Foxx, who says increasing transparency in data for students is a top priority for her when working to update the Higher Education Act. She wants to collect some of the same data as those who oppose the ban, such as how long it takes students to graduate from their program and what salary students can expect with their degree.But Foxx doesn’t trust the Education Department to keep individual student records safe, and says lawmakers needed to look at alternatives to gathering information, including using a third party to collect records or finding other ways to continue using aggregate data.“You don’t have to know what every single person did to establish what the norm is going to be,” Foxx says. “You don’t have to have a student unit record to be able to gather information that is useful to people.”Similar worries about privacy are held by Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee Chairman Lamar Alexander, who “has grave concerns about a massive federal database that collects and stores extremely personal information on American college students,” according to a statement from the Tennessee Republican’s spokeswoman, Margaret Atkinson.Other opponents of a federal student-unit record system, including the National Association of Independent College and Universities, do want more information provided to students than what is currently available in the scorecard.What Do You Want?Before data is collected using personal information, lawmakers and advocates need to put forward specific questions they want answered and prove that the benefit of having the data is worth the potential privacy invasion for students, says Sarah Flanagan, head of government relations for NAICU.For example, when it comes to using individual records to calculate post-college salaries, Flanagan points to a 2015 Education Department study showing only about 5 percent of a four-year college graduate’s salary can be attributed to what school they attended.“The advocates for the federal unit system have not put forward what they want to collect,” says Flanagan. “They say we want everything and then we’ll figure out what we’ll use it for. That in our minds is not an appropriate balance on privacy.”Several proponents of lifting the ban refuted that statement, noting that tracking the path of transfer students and compiling earnings data for all graduates, and then being able to break that data down by race, gender and income level, cannot be accomplished without individual student unit records.But Matthew Soldner, a principal researcher at the American Institutes for Research, says a benefit of a unit record system is the ability to answer policy questions as they arise. The alternative — updating the department’s survey to schools — can take about two to four years to develop the questions, add them to the test and collect the data.“If you had unit records data, you could break down any kind of race by any kind of disaggregation that was policy-relevant at the time,” Soldner says. “The trick is always being forced to guess what the policy-relevant questions are going to be  . . .  it opens up the ability to ask questions you haven’t been able to get at before.”Since 2011, a bipartisan group of lawmakers have supported ending the ban on the department collecting student-level data. The sponsor of a bill to end the ban in the Senate, Democrat Ron Wyden of Oregon, didn’t initially support the student-unit records system, but wanted more information on college outcomes to help low-income students avoid being stuck in debt.   “After he heard feedback from more and more experts in the field it became clear that the best way to do that was through a simple, single system,” Wyden’s spokeswoman,  Samantha Offerdahl, said in a statement.Wyden has introduced his bill (S 1195) in each Congress since 2011, and each time he was supported by Rubio. The bill currently has five sponsors: two Democrats and three Republicans. The House companion bill (HR 2518) also has a wide range of support, including Ryan and Rep. Jared Polis, a Colorado Democrat on the Education and the Workforce Committee.Advocates pushing to end the ban realize that with Foxx and Alexander leading the reauthorization, removing it will be difficult. But Craig Lindwarm, director of congressional affairs with the Association of Public and Land-Grant Universities, says he is seeing support grow on the Hill.“The more and more we talk to the lawmakers, they see the real need here,” he says. “The more they look into higher education issues, the more they realize they can’t answer some of the most fundamental questions about higher education.”   http://library.cqpress.com/cqweekly/",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398427,McHenry on Passage of the Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses & Investors Act,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"This evening, Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10), the Vice Chairman of the House Financial Services Committee and co-leader of House Republican's Innovation Initiative, applauded the passage of H.R. 6427, the Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act. Included in H.R. 6427 were two bills introduced by Congressman McHenry: H.R. 4854 the Supporting America's Innovators Act and H.R. 4855, the Fix Crowdfunding Act.“Small businesses and entrepreneurs play a vitally important role in the American economy, especially in communities like those I represent in western North Carolina,"" said Congressman McHenry. ""Yet today, the combination of a sluggish economy and misguided Washington regulations have led to these communities losing more jobs than they create.""“This evening, the House voted on a bipartisan legislative package that can begin to change that,""Congressman McHenry continued. ""The Creating Financial Prosperity for Businesses and Investors Act includes two bills I authored that will make it easier for small businesses and entrepreneurs to utilize innovative forms of capital formation to grow their ideas. While there is more work to be done to improve the small business climate in America, today’s vote is a step in the right direction.”Earlier today, Congressman McHenry spoke on the House floor in support of H.R. 6427. Video of those remarks can be accessed by clicking here or on the image above.H.R. 6427 is a package of six bills that passed the House earlier this year. The two bills introduced by Congressman McHenry, H.R. 4854 and H.R. 4855, originally passed the on July 5th. You can read more about those votes by clicking here.H.R. 4854, the Supporting America's Innovators Act of 2016 amends an exemption under the Investment Company Act of 1940 to by increasing the investor limitation from 100 to 250 persons for qualifying venture capital funds.H.R. 4855, the Fix Crowdfunding Act amends Title III of the JOBS Act by raising the dollar amount limit and clarifying certain requirements under the Exchange Act 12(g) requirements, and permit single purpose funds to participate in the sale and offer of crowdfunding securities.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/congressman-pittenger-to-host-120-international-leaders-for-terrorism,Congressman Pittenger to host 120 international leaders for terrorism and cybersecurity forum,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER TO HOST 120 INTERNATIONAL LEADERS FOR TERRORISM AND CYBERSECURITY FORUM   WASHINGTON – On Wednesday, more than 120 Members of Parliament, Senators, Ambassadors, and other officials from 39 nations in Europe, Asia, Middle East, and South America will join Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) at the Library of Congress for the 6th Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum. First conceived in 2014 to help restore U.S.-European relations in the wake of NSA revelations, the forum has grown into a major biannual gathering where legislators from around the world discuss collaborative efforts to defeat radical Islamist terrorism, intercept terrorism financing, confront cyber threats, and other relevant Intelligence and Security issues. Speakers for the December 7th forum include House Speaker Paul Ryan, Chairman Jeb Hensarling (Financial Services), Chairman Bob Goodlatte (Judiciary), House Republican Whip Steve Scalise, Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Secretary Michael Chertoff (former, Homeland Security), Jamal El-Hindi (Acting Director, U.S. Treasury’s Financial Crimes Enforcement Network), Juan Felix Marteau (Argentina’s national coordinator for combating terrorist financing), members of the U.S.-China Economic and Security Review Commission, and several key experts from the private sector. This is the sixth Parliamentary Intelligence-Security Forum organized and hosted by Congressman Pittenger, following two previous forums in Washington, two forums in Vienna, and a recent regional forum in Buenos Aires. The forum is scheduled for Wednesday, December 7th, at the Library of Congress (Thomas Jefferson Building).  Media is invited to observe the 4 p.m. panel discussion and 5 p.m. closing session.  Additional media opportunities, including interviews and b-roll, are available upon request.  Media planning to cover the forum should contact Jamie Bowers at 704-619-3288 or jamie.bowers@mail.house.gov. A copy of the forum agenda is attached.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=867,Hudson Thanks McCrory for Service to North Carolina,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 5, 2016   Hudson Thanks McCrory for Service to North Carolina   WASHINGTON, D.C.- Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement thanking Governor Pat McCrory for his service to North Carolina as 74th governor:   “I want to thank Governor Pat McCrory, Ann and the entire McCrory team for their hard work and incredible record of success for the people of North Carolina. By all accounts, our state has seen historic growth under Governor McCrory’s leadership. He is a true champion for jobs, and he has successfully transformed our economy and helped put hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians back to work. With Governor McCrory’s guidance, North Carolina has seen historic tax reform, budget surpluses, critical infrastructure investments, and higher public teacher pay. I’m proud to call Governor McCrory a good friend, and Renee and I wish him and his family all the best. I pledge to work with Governor-elect Roy Cooper as he prepares to take office.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-elected-chairman-of-house-freedom-caucus,Rep. Meadows Elected Chairman of House Freedom Caucus,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – On Monday, members of the House Freedom Caucus voted to elect Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) as Chairman. Rep. Meadows released the following statement: “I am honored and humbled to receive the support of my colleagues for Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. It is a position that I take very seriously, and as we look toward the coming year, I am tremendously excited about the opportunities we will have to make a difference for Americans on Main Street. I want to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with their support – especially outgoing Chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, for his outstanding leadership over our first two years. The voters of this country sent an abundantly clear message on November 8th that they feel as though Washington does not represent them. Now, it’s time for Washington to do what it has failed to do for decades – listen. With a new administration coming in, the Freedom Caucus is ready to go to work on day one to help lead the fight to give Americans a voice in their government.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=435,Rep. Meadows Elected Chairman of House Freedom Caucus,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows Elected Chairman of House Freedom Caucus f t # e Washington, DC, December 5, 2016 On Monday, members of the House Freedom Caucus voted to elect Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) as Chairman. Rep. Meadows released the following statement: I am honored and humbled to receive the support of my colleagues for Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus. It is a position that I take very seriously, and as we look toward the coming year, I am tremendously excited about the opportunities we will have to make a difference for Americans on Main Street. I want to thank my colleagues for entrusting me with their support especially outgoing Chairman, Rep. Jim Jordan, for his outstanding leadership over our first two years. The voters of this country sent an abundantly clear message on November 8th that they feel as though Washington does not represent them. Now, it's time for Washington to do what it has failed to do for decades listen. With a new administration coming in, the Freedom Caucus is ready to go to work on day one to help lead the fight to give Americans a voice in their government. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-congratulates-rep-mark-meadows-being-elected-new-chairman-house,Walker Congratulates Rep. Mark Meadows on Being Elected New Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus,2016-12-05,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today released the following statement congratulating U.S. Representative Mark Meadows (NC-11) on being elected as the new Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus:""Congratulations to my friend and colleague from North Carolina Mark Meadows, the newly elected Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus.""As Republicans have been entrusted with a historic opportunity, I look forward to working with Mark and fellow conservatives to deliver real governmental reform and economic opportunity for the people of North Carolina.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398980,Foxx tapped to head U.S. House education committee,2016-12-04,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) was named the new chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 115th Congress on Friday.“The committee will continue to work towards fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed and employers to grow,” said Foxx. “At all times, we will strive in our service to hold government institutions to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, with a constant eye towards eliminating waste and inefficiency.“Our creative, ambitious pursuit of good policy will be guided by the Constitution with solutions centered on securing and protecting access to high quality education and safe and productive workplaces for all Americans.”Foxx won re-election to Congress in November for a seventh term representing North Carolina’s 5th District. While many regard Foxx as “Congresswoman,” she is also Dr. Foxx, receiving her doctorate in curriculum and teaching/higher education from UNC Greensboro. Prior to Capitol Hill and even state Senate, Foxx worked as a sociology professor at Appalachian State and was later president at Maryland Community College.Just two weeks before the election, she was in Salisbury touring North Hills Christian School and speaking to students, along with members of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina (PEFNC). Both Foxx and PEFNC are advocates for limited federal involvement and parental choice in education.On the outside, North Hills appears like any other Christian school, yet they’re one of many nonpublic schools in North Carolina that participate in the Opportunity Scholarship Program.“It’s been a huge blessing,” said Ekima Whisonant, whose fourth-grade son has been an opportunity scholar at North Hills since second grade. Whisonant has seen a drastic improvement in her son’s grades and attitude since joining the program.The program caters to low-income families as well as children with learning and physical disabilities. From Christian to Montessori, nonpublic schools across the state accept opportunity scholars. North Hills executive director Maria Lowder said the application and interview process are the same for opportunity scholars as for other families. If approved, the family also makes a monetary contribution or agreement. Out of 300 students at North Hills, 18 are opportunity scholars.PEFNC president Darrell Allison has personal experience working with White House Officials and congressional leaders. Allison focuses on how accomplishments are reached as opposed to sole achievements, as well as informing parents of their options such asl Opportunity Scholars. Under his guidance, PEFNC is now leading as North Carolina’s parental school organization with a membership base of 60,000.During her visit to North Hills, Foxx told students their freedoms are no good unless exercised.“You have the authority, not the federal government,” Fox told them regarding their education.Foxx also visited Two Rivers Community School in Boone. Two Rivers, a tuition-free K-8 public charter school, has been recognized as an Honor of Excellence by North Carolina with 2015-2016 EOG math, science and reading tests performing above Watauga County and N.C. public schools.On average, charter schools receive 75 cents to the dollar that regular public schools receive. In February, Two Rivers raised $9,000 for school operations and out-of-class opportunities for students.“It was a pleasure to spend the day with Rep. Foxx touring schools of choice in her District,” Allison said. “As a strong supporter of parental school choice, we look forward to her continued leadership on this issue, knowing that she believes, like we do, that every child in our state should have access to the school of their choosing regardless of their ZIP code or financial status.”Foxx said she will continue to focus on education, particularly the bipartisan K-12 act recently passed by Congress.“Students are best served when teachers, parents and administrators are the driving force behind improving education,” she said. “The Every Student Succeeds Act does just that by reducing the federal footprint in the nation’s classrooms and restoring control to the people who know their students best.”http://www.nsjonline.com/article/2016/12/foxx-tapped-to-head-u-s-house-education-committee",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398425,McHenry on Passage of 2017 Defense Authorization Bill,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after the House passed the Conference Report accompanying S. 2943, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017:“We live in a dangerous world with multiple ongoing conflicts in the Middle East and regimes hostile to our American ideals leading countries in both Europe and Asia. In the face of these threats, it is our military men and women who keep our nation safe. Today, the House passed the annual National Defense Authorization Act ensuring they have the resources they need to get the job done.   “This bipartisan bill boosts base funding, closes the readiness gap, and maintains the prohibition on transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil. Ultimately, our armed forces are only as strong as the men and women who serve and our bill makes sure they are rewarded by providing the largest troop pay increase in six years. We are blessed to have the best military in the world and I’m proud to support this NDAA to maintain that strength.”      For additional information on the FY2017 NDAA courtesy of the House Armed Services Committee click here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-votes-for-military-pay-raise-increased-training-and-readiness,"Pittenger votes for military pay raise, increased training and readiness",2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER HELPS PASS LARGEST MILITARY PAY RAISE IN SIX YEARSBipartisan Legislation Provides $619 Billion for National Defense   WASHINGTON – America’s brave men and women in uniform volunteer to risk their lives in defense of our freedom and endure long separation from family and friends.  We owe them a debt we can never fully repay.Today, Congressman Robert Pittenger (NC-09) joined a bipartisan majority to approve the largest military pay raise in six years, strengthen military health care for both active duty and retirees, and provide relief for brave veterans asked to repay enlistment bonuses.The National Defense Authorization Act:   Provides $619 billion to appropriately fund our national defense Stops President Obama’s reduction in military strength Increases critical training to support readiness and reduce accidents Provides resources to deter Russian aggression in Europe Provides a full 2.1% pay raise for our troops Makes no changes to out-of-pocket medical costs for military and retirees Provides two comprehensive TRICARE options, simplifies access to urgent care, and extends hours for military primary care clinics Reforms the organizational structure of the Department of Defense to better respond to modern-day national security threats Continues the prohibition on closing GITMO and transferring radical terrorists to U.S. “We are proud to have the finest military in the world, and the finest troops deserve a pay raise, as well as the training and resources they need to carry out dangerous missions on our behalf,” commented Congressman Pittenger.  “The 2017 National Defense Authorization Act supports our troops, ends dangerous cutbacks which hurt readiness, provides funding to continue the fight against radical Islamist terrorism, and includes common sense reforms to help the military meet 21st Century challenges.”  The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 passed the U.S. House of Representatives by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 375-34.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398966,Foxx Selected as Chairwoman of House Committee on Education and the Workforce,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,foxx,https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentquery.aspx,scraper,"WASHINGTON – With approval of the full Republican conference, the House Republican Steering Committee has selected Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-N.C., as the chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce in the 115th Congress. “My colleagues have entrusted me with a significant responsibility, and I look forward to building on the foundation established by leaders such as John Kline and John Boehner and continuing their legacy of honest, dogged work confronting the challenges facing America’s schools and workplaces. The committee will continue to work towards fostering the best opportunities for students to learn, workers to succeed and employers to grow,” said Foxx. “At all times, we will strive in our service to hold government institutions to the highest standards of accountability and transparency, with a constant eye towards eliminating waste and inefficiency. Our creative, ambitious pursuit of good policy will be guided by the Constitution with solutions centered on securing and protecting access to high quality education and safe and productive workplaces for all Americans.” “I want to congratulate Virginia Foxx on her selection to serve as the next chair of this great committee, an opportunity she has earned through many years of dedicated public service,” said Rep. John Kline, R-Minn., current chairman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce. “In recent years, we have advanced important reforms that will make a positive difference in the lives of students, workers, teachers, and employers, and Virginia has played a vital role in those efforts. I am proud of the work the committee has accomplished, and I have no doubt it will continue to deliver real results for the American people under Virginia’s strong leadership.” An educator by trade, Foxx spent most of her career as a teacher and administrator in North Carolina’s higher education system. Her first foray into public office was service on her local school board. Prior to entering Congress, Foxx also operated an independent nursery and landscaping business with her husband Tom. She currently serves as the chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and vice chair of the House Rules Committee. ###",1,2026-03-30T01:40:41Z,2026-04-08T21:09:43Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=865,Hudson's Legislation to Support 440th AW Passes House,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2016   Hudson’s Legislation to Support 440th AW Passes House House Approves Critical Defense Bill with Hudson’s Key Language to Protect Training of Fort Bragg Paratroopers   WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after the House passed the bipartisan, bicameral FY17 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA):   “It’s my job to guarantee our men and women in uniform have the tools needed to carry out their missions, and today’s measure honors that responsibility. This defense bill includes major reforms to spend taxpayer dollars in a responsible, cost-efficient way while shoring up readiness to meet the growing threats we face. Just as important, it includes key measures to hold the Air Force accountable and ensure our rapid reaction forces at Fort Bragg – the epicenter of the universe – are prepared for deployment at a moment's notice. I am hopeful the president will support this legislation and honor our obligation to protect the American people.”   In May, Rep. Hudson filed an amendment to the House-passed NDAA that would create additional congressional oversight over airborne operations at Fort Bragg. He worked closely with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) to ensure language was added to the final conference version. The amendment requires the Secretary of the Air Force and the Secretary of the Army to give quarterly reports to the House and Senate Armed Services Committees specifying the number of airborne jumps and evaluating the level of air support provided by the Pentagon. This language was included in today’s conference version of the 2017 NDAA.   In addition, the 2017 NDAA contains critical provisions to rebuild a strong military, increase readiness and support our service members, including measures to:   Boost base funding by $9 billion over the administration’s request to close the readiness gap, rebuild our military, and guarantee our troops have the best equipment, resources and support. Provide our troops a well-deserved pay raise at 2.1 percent - the largest pay raise in six years. Reform the acquisition process to spend taxpayer dollars more wisely and get our troops cutting-edge technology quickly and efficiently. Maintain longstanding provisions to prohibit transferring Guantanamo Bay detainees to American soil. Help combat sexual assault in the military by building upon past efforts with an improved reporting process and mandatory sentences for certain offenses.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=866,Hudson Congratulates Foxx on Historic Role,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE December 2, 2016   Hudson Congratulates Foxx on Historic Role     WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) issued the following statement after Rep. Virginia Foxx (NC-05) was named the Chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee for the 115th Congress:   “I want to congratulate my good friend and colleague Dr. Virginia Foxx on her historic selection as Chairwoman of the House Education and Workforce Committee. There is no better advocate for education and putting people in good jobs than Virginia, and I am confident her leadership will help deliver opportunity for all Americans. Renee and I wish her, Tom and her family well as they take on this new responsibility.”   Congresswoman Foxx is the first North Carolina woman to chair a Congressional committee. She currently serves as the chairwoman of the House Education and the Workforce Subcommittee on Higher Education and vice chair of the House Rules Committee.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://rouzer.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rouzer-statement-passage-fy2017-ndaa-0,Rouzer statement on passage of FY2017 NDAA,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,David Rouzer,R000603,rouzer.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Congressman David Rouzer released the following statement upon the passage of the Conference Report for Fiscal Year 2017 National Defense Authorization Act, an authorization bill considered by Congress every year to set funding levels for the military to continue its operations and remain a global leader: “The NDAA conference report passed today ensures our military and service members have the necessary resources to provide for our defense, increase our influence around the world and combat the most immediate threats to our homeland.  The final version of the NDAA provides our troops with a much-needed pay raise, boosts troop numbers and increases our military readiness while making reforms to improve the effectiveness and efficiency of the Department of Defense.  This package is critical to military installations in North Carolina and our national defense, and I look forward to the president signing it into law.” The NDAA 2017 Conference Report is the result of months of negotiations between the United States Senate and House of Representatives.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/charlotte-weather-radar-study-passes-senate,Charlotte Weather Radar Study Passes Senate,2016-12-02,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.02.16 Charlotte Weather Radar Study Passes Senate WASHINGTON – Last night, the Senate unanimously passed an amended version of The Metropolitan Weather Hazards Protection Act. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to study areas of the country, including the Charlotte metropolitan area, with inadequate weather radar and develop a plan to improve radar coverage. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is a cosponsor of the final bill. “Our nation has an excellent weather radar system, but there are holes we need to fix,” said Senator Burr. “Weather radar coverage is dangerously deficient in the Charlotte area; my bill is an important step forward to addressing this public safety concern. Just this week, a tornado touched down in Mecklenburg County. Unlike the disastrous tornado event of 2012, we received a warning, but it underscores the reality that Charlotte can experience sudden weather shifts, and we need all the tools available to keep residents safe. I’m glad Senator Maria Cantwell and I could work together to pass this important legislation in the Senate, and I’m looking forward to working with Representative Robert Pittenger to pass this bill in the House.” Charlotte is currently covered by a NWS Doppler radar that is 94 miles away in Greer, SC. However, no other city of Charlotte’s size currently has a radar situated more than 58 miles away. The current location results in a majority of the metropolitan area being without radar beam coverage below 10,000 feet. Due to the circumference of the earth the further a radar is away from a given point, the higher the radar beam scans the atmosphere, leading to lower resolutions and an inability to detect the low-level dynamics of severe weather. Rowan, Cabarrus, and Davidson Counties have an even more pronounced problem with limited radar coverage because of the location of the radar. This map from Brad Panovich, Chief Meteorologist WCNC-TV, clearly shows the gap in quality radar coverage over Charlotte:   Local meteorologists believe that the lack of quality radar coverage has made it difficult for the NWS office in Spartanburg to detect severe weather, specifically tornadoes. These meteorologists who understand the intricacies of weather in the Piedmont believe that the lack of a NWS Doppler radar in Charlotte contributed to the lack of a warning for a tornado that affected Mecklenburg, Rowan, and Cabarrus Counties in March of 2012 that damaged 192 homes. The failure was not the fault of the NWS, as it can be very difficult to detect rotation in the thunderstorms that tend to effect North Carolina; however, the lack of a Doppler radar for the Piedmont enhances the problem. This legislation will give the NWS, local and state officials, and news outlets the tools they need to protect our citizens. Letters from three area meteorologists are available here: WGHP, WCNC and WBTV Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398965,Meet the congresswoman poised to tear up Obama's education legacy,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"Virginia Foxx pulled herself up by her own bootstraps and wants every American child to be able to do the same.As the 73-year-old GOP lawmaker and former community college president is poised to assume the leadership of the House Education and the Workforce Committee, she plans to help deliver on that idea — or at least, erase what she regards as Barack Obama's wrongheaded approach. Foxx, who boasts she was ""tea party before the tea party started,"" is blunt about her agenda: She says she will do everything possible to expunge most of Obama's education legacy. She is a strong supporter of school choice as the president-elect rolls out his $20 billion school choice plan emphasizing vouchers — and she expects to have an ally in Donald Trump's pick for Education secretary, Betsy DeVos. ""I'm going to push to diminish the role of the federal government in everything it's in that isn't in the Constitution,"" Foxx said in an interview in her district. ""That's education, health care. All the things that the federal government does that it should not be doing. I'm happy to diminish its role.""Foxx's small-government views are rooted in the Blue Ridge Mountains in a slice of Appalachia where she grew up without power and running water and began working as a weaver at age 12 to help support her family — experiences which convinced her that it's an individual's hard work, and not federal programs, that lead to success.Foxx said she would love to dismantle the federal Education Department altogether, but acknowledges that that is unlikely in the near term.""I definitely don't think the Department of Education has any business doing all the things that it's doing,"" she said. ""But I don't think you do it overnight. I think you have to devolve it over time.""   Foxx reels off a list of possible targets: The billions doled out annually under Title 1 — a Great Society program that boosts funding to schools catering to poor students. The money is now considered a possible funding source for Trump's school choice plan. Despite the trillions spent on the program, ""we haven't changed reading levels one bit. Not one bit,"" she said. ""They are the same they were when we started putting out that money in 1965. Something's wrong with the system."" (Scores on the ""Nation's Report Card"" show reading scores for students ages 9 and 13 going up since the '70s, although scores for 17-year-olds have remained largely stagnant.) She wants to reexamine the role of the Education Department's Office for Civil Rights, which conservatives revile for its focus on issues such as campus sexual assault and bathroom access for transgender students. ""The office deserves some scrutiny, let me just put it that way,"" Foxx said. She'd like to reverse a Democratic Congress' decision to have the Education Department, not banks, issue student loans — because ""that's not a function of the federal government."" And she wants to reverse its regulations targeting for-profit colleges — cutting off financial aid to programs where students leave with high debt and poor job prospects. Battles past and futureIt's an ambitious and some would say, startling, to-do list and has unnerved not just Democrats, but civil rights organizations, unions and even establishment K-12 and higher ed groups, who worry her views are too harsh and will hurt vulnerable groups.""There's a history in this country of under-serving children of color and low-income children and we still have gross inequities when it comes to serving these populations,"" said Peter Cunningham, executive director of Education Post, a nonprofit communications group, who also worked in Obama's Education Department.Civil rights groups, among others, are aghast.Liz King, director of education policy at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, views this as a time when federal civil rights and consumer protections should be ramped up — not put on the chopping block. Just scaling back federal education efforts ""across the board doesn't do anything except shoot ourselves in the foot,"" said Rep. Joe Courtney, (D-Conn.) an Education committee member, who added that he has tremendous respect for Foxx. By all accounts, Foxx has the confidence of Republican leaders — among them, Vice President-elect Mike Pence, with whom she has a years-long relationship.She dates her friendship with Pence to 2005 when she bucked the party to become one of just a handful of lawmakers to vote against a $50 billion plan for Hurricane Katrina because there was no oversight or plan about how the money would be spent. Foxx said she and Pence talked afterward and decided to work together to find ways to pay for future spending increases. She is also an ally of Speaker Paul Ryan, who tapped her to help write ""A Better Way,"" considered a new version of the ""Contract With America"" orchestrated by then-Speaker Newt Gingrich as part of the 1994 Republican Revolution. Ryan also called on her to serve as a co-chair of the Republican Party's platform committee, which called for school abstinence programs; encouraging high school electives in the Bible as literature and reversing the Supreme Court's gay marriage ruling.Foxx is deeply religious. Comfortable in both the Baptist and Catholic faiths, her experiences at a Thursday morning prayer breakfast on Capitol Hill inspired her to publish the book, ""God is in the House: Congressional Testimonies of Faith."" She doesn't drink and rarely attends Washington cocktail parties.But she is not averse to confrontations that sometimes grab headlines.In 2009, she asserted on the House floor during a debate about hate crimes legislation that it was a ""hoax"" that Matthew Shepard was killed because he was gay — and then called his mother to apologize after learning she was wrong. Then, in 2012, during a reelection campaign stop in North Carolina, she hit back after Obama referenced a radio interview in which she had said she had ""little tolerance"" for students who take out debt loads of $80,000 or $200,000 ""because there's no reason for that."" ""Can you imagine saying something like that?"" Obama said. ""Those of you who have had to take out student loans, you didn't do it because you're lazy. You didn't do it lightly. You don't like debt."" Foxx told Fox News the president was trying to deflect attention from his ""failed policies,"" instead of working together to tackle rising college costs. ""We're not going to solve this problem with the president simply casting stones,"" she said. Foxx would continue to be a regular opponent of many Obama education policies, although she did vote in favor of the Every Student Succeeds Act signed by Obama — the law governing K-12 policy that replaced George W. Bush's No Child Left Behind. Still, Foxx is well-liked even by many who disagree with her. Long-time former Democratic House Education Chairman George Miller, a liberal from California, called her ""a hoot"" and said she uses humor and simple language to describe complicated issues and connect with all sides.""She believes every person can,"" Miller said. ""It's not at all malicious intent.""Shaped by her originsThe key to Foxx's view of the world comes from this plot of ground in the Blue Ridge Mountains, now dotted with vacation resorts and decidedly Trump country.Foxx remembers a time when community members like her father went ""into the wilds"" to gather bushes and trees to sell in New York to make ends meet. Her district is more prosperous now because of tourism, but it's still deeply conservative with an occasional Confederate flag flying in the wind. As she walked down the main street of West Jefferson, N.C., one recent day and got ready to line up for the annual Christmas parade, she greeted many people by name who cheerfully congratulated her — and the president-elect — on Election Day wins. Foxx laughed and quipped: ""Is the Pope Catholic?"" when a group of teenage girls costumed in black robes and halos for the parade asked if she would pose with them for a picture to show to their Advanced Placement political science class.Foxx's outfit that day was a red turtleneck and pants — clothes, she acknowledged, when asked, that cost $2 from a thrift store. She also wore her signature ""X""-shaped earrings — a play on the double ""X"" in her last name. Her property near Grandfather Mountain reflects just how far she and her husband of more than 50 years, Tom, have come. Their olive green house towers from the top of a hillside. Near the base of the driveway is a shack constructed around an abandoned school where her husband had lived in high school. The family's nursery and landscaping business, which used to include tens of thousands of Christmas trees, is on the same street. Working multiple jobs, it took Foxx seven years to get her bachelor's degree from the University of North Carolina. She spent another two years living apart much of the time from her husband and then-4-year-old daughter to earn her master's degree, and another seven to earn her doctorate — a period in which she lost sight in her right eye. She later taught and worked at Appalachian State University before serving as president of Mayland Community College, part of the North Carolina system. ""I'm not complaining and I'm not bragging,"" Foxx said. ""People can overcome obstacles in this country. I'm just so convinced of it, and my own experience tells me that."" She is notoriously hardworking to this day. She writes her own mail to constituents well past midnight from her congressional office, and walks so fast that 20-something aides can barely keep up with her.Even as she's skeptical of federal programs, she acknowledges she has benefited from them. Her father went to cosmetology school after World War II using the GI Bill. During part of her career, she worked in a federally funded Upward Bound program at Appalachian State, where she said she saw students benefit. ""I know there are some programs that have worked in the past, but the cost I'm not convinced is ... always as effective as it can be,"" she said. Rep. Luke Messer (R-Ind.), another member of the House Education and Workforce committee, said few lawmakers command as much respect instantly as Foxx. ""She reminds you of the toughest teacher you had,"" Messer said. ""When she taps the chalkboard and says time to listen, everybody stops.""Foxx said her job ahead is to ensure that the new administration isn't ""co-opted by the bureaucracy.""""People come in with lots of good intentions and then they start defending the bureaucracy ... and that's the problem,"" she said. ""We need people who've got strong backbones, and very strong convictions."" http://www.politico.com/story/2016/12/virginia-foxx-obama-education-legacy-232084",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-helps-pass-major-medical-innovation-legislation,Pittenger helps pass major medical innovation legislation,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER CO-SPONSORS BILL TO SPEED MEDICAL INNOVATION, PASSES HOUSE ON BIPARTISAN VOTE   WASHINGTON – Tonight, the U.S. House of Representatives passed comprehensive, bipartisan, fiscally-responsible legislation to increase funding for medical research and streamline the process of bringing new treatments to patients.  The 21st Century Cures Act, co-sponsored by Congressman Robert Pittenger, also includes crucial mental health reforms and necessary funding to combat the opioid epidemic.“This legislation will save lives.  This legislation will reduce suffering.  Long term, this legislation will save money as we find treatments for costly diseases,” said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).  “Today marks the culmination of years of hard work to benefit the American people, and I will always remember the 21st Century Cures Act as some of the best legislation I ever co-sponsored.”The 21st Century Cures Act:   Provides the NIH $4.8 billion to research and develop cures for diseases like Alzheimer’s and cancer. Streamlines and improves the FDA’s review of life-saving drugs to get these cures into the hands of patients in a safe and expedient manner. Untangles the federal mental health bureaucracy to help patients and families in need. Spending is fully offset, creating no new burdens for hardworking taxpayers. “This bipartisan legislation will not create a new, federally-funded mandate like Social Security or Medicare,” explained Congressman Pittenger.  “Funding is authorized for 10 years as discretionary spending and is fully offset.  In fact, the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office estimates the 21st Century Cures Act will reduce the deficit by $5.9 billion over the next 10 years.”The 21st Century Cures Act passed the U.S. House of Representatives this evening by a bipartisan vote of 392-26.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-bill-will-head-to-presidents-desk-0,Rep. Meadows' Bill will Head to President's Desk,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C—On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Meadows’ (R –NC) bill to extend the Government Accountability Office’s (GAO) authority to hear protests over civilian agency contracts passed the Senate. The bill passed the House in September and will now head to the President’s desk. Whenever the government issues civilian agency contracts, individual contractors are permitted to protest the government’s decision before the GAO to ensure transparency and a fair process. A contractor can protest any civilian agency award over $10 million before the GAO. However, the GAO’s authority to hear civilian award protests expired on September 30, 2016. Effects of the expiration date have already been realized, as just last month, the GAO was forced to dismiss a significant protest over a National Institute of Health contract award. Rep. Meadows’ bill would make the GAO’s authority permanent, similar to their permanent authority to hear Department of Defense task order protests. This will ensure that contractors to civilian agencies have the same rights as contractors to defense agencies. “This is a common sense policy that I am thrilled to see pass the Senate,” Rep. Meadows said. “In the federal government’s issuing of contracts, transparency and fairness are always standards we should strive toward, and we are now one step closer to updating our laws and ensuring that civilian award protests can continue. I want to thank my friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work on the bill, and I look forward to the President giving the final signature.” Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) is an original cosponsor of the bill. “I am glad to join my colleague, Congressman Mark Meadows, in applauding the passage of this common sense reform. This legislation ensures that contractors to civilian agencies continue to have the same right as contractors to defense agencies to protest task orders and to have that protest heard by the GAO. This bill will provide a level playing field and help make sure that the taxpayers are getting the best possible value for every dollar spent.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=434,Rep. Meadows' Bill will Head to President's Desk,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"On Wednesday, Rep. Mark Meadows' (R NC) bill to extend the Government Accountability Office's (GAO) authority to hear protests over civilian agency contracts passed the Senate. The bill passed the House in September and will now head to the President's desk. Whenever the government issues civilian agency contracts, individual contractors are permitted to protest the government's decision before the GAO to ensure transparency and a fair process. A contractor can protest any civilian agency award over $10 million before the GAO. However, the GAO's authority to hear civilian award protests expired on September 30, 2016. Effects of the expiration date have already been realized, as just last month, the GAO was forced to dismiss a significant protest over a National Institute of Health contract award. Rep. Meadows' bill would make the GAO's authority permanent, similar to their permanent authority to hear Department of Defense task order protests. This will ensure that contractors to civilian agencies have the same rights as contractors to defense agencies. This is a common sense policy that I am thrilled to see pass the Senate, Rep. Meadows said. In the federal government's issuing of contracts, transparency and fairness are always standards we should strive toward, and we are now one step closer to updating our laws and ensuring that civilian award protests can continue. I want to thank my friend, Congressman Gerry Connolly, for his work on the bill, and I look forward to the President giving the final signature. Rep. Gerry Connolly (D-VA) is an original cosponsor of the bill. I am glad to join my colleague, Congressman Mark Meadows, in applauding the passage of this common sense reform. This legislation ensures that contractors to civilian agencies continue to have the same right as contractors to defense agencies to protest task orders and to have that protest heard by the GAO. This bill will provide a level playing field and help make sure that the taxpayers are getting the best possible value for every dollar spent. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-statement-on-iran-sanctions-act-vote,Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Iran Sanctions Act Vote,2016-12-01,2016,2016-12,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"12.01.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Iran Sanctions Act Vote WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement on today’s Senate passage of the Iran Sanctions Act: “Today the Republican led Senate voted to reauthorize sanctions against Iran through 2026. Iran remains the number one state sponsor of terrorism, and we cannot allow this regime to grow stronger under President Obama. We must continue to hold Iran accountable for their threats against America and our allies.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398421,McHenry on Passage of the 21st Century Cures Act,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"Chief Deputy Whip Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) released the following statement after the House passed the 21st Century Cures Act:“America has long been a world leader in medical innovation but for Americans suffering from a disease, medical innovation and breakthroughs are not coming fast enough. The 21st Century Cures Act changes that. Our bill includes increased funding for medical research and development, removes barriers that block greater medical innovation, and also reforms our nation’s mental health system.    “Passage of the Cures Act is a bipartisan effort, the conclusion of three years of hard work aimed at improving the lives of Americans afflicted by these horrific diseases. While there is still work to be done, today’s vote provides hope more cures are within reach.” Further information about H.R. 34 can be found here courtesy of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Additionally, you can click here to see a video detailing the three years of work that went into passing the 21st Century Cures Act.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=863,Hudson Introduces Bill to Increase Job Opportunities for Military Spouses,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2016   Hudson Introduces Bill to Increase Job Opportunities for Military Spouses   WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after introducing the Realizing Opportunities for Spouses in Employment (ROSIE) Act (H.R. 6395):   “Our service members, veterans and military families make incredible sacrifices to protect and serve our country. Too often, military spouses are the unsung heroes. They already face overwhelming challenges, such as taking care of all the family responsibilities alone while their spouse is deployed. But they also face a unique challenge finding a good job—regardless of education, talent and experience—because they move so frequently. Our military spouses should be given every opportunity to find and keep good-paying jobs, and today’s common sense legislation is one solution to do just that.   “I’ve met many military spouses while traveling across North Carolina, and I respect them as some of the most talented workers with unmatched can-do attitudes, resourcefulness, and loyalty. These men and women get the job done, and the ROSIE Act will break down barriers for them to not only find jobs, but build careers.”   After touring R. Riveter, a small business in North Carolina founded by two military spouses, Rep. Hudson got to work on the ROSIE Act to encourage employers to hire more military spouses. This legislation exempts military spouses from being counted toward the number of employees required by Obamacare’s employer mandate. It gives small businesses a relief from Obamacare’s punitive mandate and offers an incentive to hire more military spouses. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, military spouses have an unemployment rate of up to 18 percent.    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=864,Hudson Votes for Landmark Health Care Innovation,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 30, 2016   Hudson Votes for Landmark Health Care Innovation   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) voted for a comprehensive package of innovative health care legislation to advance the discovery, development and delivery of life-saving treatments and cures. In addition, today’s package includes landmark reforms to our mental health system and critical resources to help combat the opioid epidemic in our communities.   “Today’s bipartisan legislation will get rid of Washington’s red-tape to spur advancements in treatments and cures,” said Rep. Hudson.“By removing barriers in our mental health system, prioritizing the fight against opioid abuse, and transforming the way diseases are treated and cured, it will help people all across the country get the health care they need right when they need it. The health of our community is not a partisan issue, it’s an American issue, and I’m proud of the progress we’re making.”   As a leader on the Energy and Commerce Committee, Rep. Hudson has been working on meaningful bipartisan solutions to improve the delivery of treatment and cures, reform our nation’s mental health care system, and combat the opioid epidemic in our communities.     The 21st Century Cures Act is an innovative approach to health care reform that will deliver better, faster and safer treatments and cures to diseases that currently lack effective therapies. This bill will help save and improve lives, streamline and modernize regulations, and keep good-paying jobs here in the United States.   In addition, the mental health reforms included in today’s package are based largely on the Helping Families in Mental Health Crisis Act (H.R. 2646) which passed the House in July by a vote of 422-2. This legislative effort represents the most significant reforms to the mental health system in more than a decade.   Click HERE to read a quick breakdown, or click HERE for a fact sheet.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/sen-cruz-rep-meadows-introduce-superpac-elimination-act-of-2017-to-champion,"Sen. Cruz, Rep. Meadows Introduce SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2017 to Champion Free Speech in Elections",2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Rep. Mark Meadows (R-N.C.) today introduced the SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2017, which champions free speech in the election process and effectively eliminates SuperPACs by allowing unlimited individual contributions to candidates with immediate disclosure. In anticipation of the upcoming 2017 legislative session, the bill lays the foundation for meaningful reforms that better protect the interests of Americans, and will serve as a model for how we should approach championing free speech in campaign finance. The SuperPAC Elimination Act of 2017 will also be reintroduced upon the commencement of the next legislative session. “Another election cycle has come and gone without addressing a glaring issue that remains significant: free speech and transparency in campaign finance,” Sen. Cruz said. “Our current campaign finance system is absurd. Right now, a large percentage—sometimes a majority—of campaign expenditures are made by independent third-party SuperPACs that are prohibited from communicating with candidates. That makes no sense. Candidates should define their own messages, and citizens should be free to support whatever candidates they choose to support. Restrictions to political contributions are always presented under the guise of preventing corruption and holding politicians accountable, when in fact they accomplish exactly the opposite: protecting incumbent politicians. This bill will put Americans on a level playing field with the media and politicians when it comes to influencing elections and exercising our First Amendment rights. Establishing unlimited contributions paired with immediate disclosure is the best way to promote transparency, eliminate the viability of SuperPACs going forward, and ensure that free speech is protected in the electoral process. I’m proud to work alongside Rep. Meadows to shed light on the political arena and advance this important legislation.” “I am pleased to join my friend Sen. Cruz in a fight that I believe is critical for all Americans – the fight to ensure that individual citizens have an adequate say in our political process,” Rep. Meadows said. “Too often, our government uses campaign finance laws as a backdoor to increasing their own electoral influence while weakening that of the average American on Main Street. This is a bill that will take comprehensive steps to promote engagement, accountability, and transparency in our campaign finance system while putting every day Americans on a level playing field with bureaucrats in Washington. I look forward to working with Sen. Cruz and my colleagues in the House to advance this bill and to reaffirming the critical principle of free speech within our political system.” Specifically, the SuperPAC Elimination Act removes the caps on direct contributions to candidates from individuals and requires donations of more than $200 to be disclosed within 24 hours. The bill will protect freedom of speech in America’s electoral process, while providing much-needed transparency in campaign finance. Sen. Cruz first introduced the SuperPAC Elimination Act in 2014.  ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-statement-on-bid-for-hfc-chair,Rep. Meadows' Statement on Bid for House Freedom Caucus Chair,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) released the following statement after announcing his intention to run for Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus: “The coming year will be a critical period for the Freedom Caucus, and I am humbled at the opportunity to speak with our members and hopefully earn their support for chairman. From day one since our founding almost two years ago, the mission of the Freedom Caucus has been to give a voice to the countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. Our members are committed to developing and advancing a policy driven agenda that supports accountable and limited government, Constitutional rule of law, and principles that foster the liberty, safety, and prosperity of Americans. I look forward to hopefully earning the support of my colleagues and to building on the great work of my good friend, Jim Jordan, as we continue working to return our government to its rightful owner: the American people.” ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=433,Rep. Meadows' Statement on Bid for House Freedom Caucus Chair,2016-11-30,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Rep. Meadows' Statement on Bid for House Freedom Caucus Chair f t # e Washington, DC, November 30, 2016 Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) released the following statement after announcing his intention to run for Chairman of the House Freedom Caucus: The coming year will be a critical period for the Freedom Caucus, and I am humbled at the opportunity to speak with our members and hopefully earn their support for chairman. From day one since our founding almost two years ago, the mission of the Freedom Caucus has been to give a voice to the countless Americans who feel that Washington does not represent them. Our members are committed to developing and advancing a policy driven agenda that supports accountable and limited government, Constitutional rule of law, and principles that foster the liberty, safety, and prosperity of Americans. I look forward to hopefully earning the support of my colleagues and to building on the great work of my good friend, Jim Jordan, as we continue working to return our government to its rightful owner: the American people. ### f t # e",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-praises-nomination-rep-tom-price-serve-hhs-secretary,Walker Praises the Nomination of Rep. Tom Price to Serve as HHS Secretary,2016-11-29,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today released the following statement after the announcement that President-elect Trump will nominate U.S. Representative Tom Price (GA-06) to serve at Secretary of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS): ""Congratulations to my great friend and former Chairman of the Republican Study Committee, Congressman Tom Price. As an orthopedic surgeon and leader in crafting conservative healthcare solutions, he will be an exceptional HHS Secretary. ""Three years ago, I visited Washington for the first time in over a decade, months away from the 2014 primary election and facing long odds. Only one individual was gracious enough to find time to meet with me – Dr. Tom Price. ""His kindness and desire for conservative change will serve him well as Secretary and I look forward to working with him as we aim to repeal Obamacare, create a patient-first healthcare environment, and deliver on the promises we have made to the people we represent.""",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senator-burr-statement-on-death-of-dictator-fidel-castro,Senator Burr Statement on Death of Dictator Fidel Castro,2016-11-26,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.26.16 Senator Burr Statement on Death of Dictator Fidel Castro WASHINGTON — Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement on the death of Fidel Castro: “Fidel Castro was a despot whose main legacy is the oppression of his people. The communist government he reigned over deprived the citizens of Cuba many basic rights. In order to flee his murderous regime, many Cubans chose to risk their lives so that they might live freely in the United States. My hope is that with the death of Castro, Cubans will no longer live in fear of speaking freely or living as they wish. Instead of mourning the death of Castro, let us instead remember those whose lives were cut short as a result of his dictatorship.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=862,Hudson Statement on DOL Overtime Rule Injunction,2016-11-23,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 22, 2016   Hudson Statement on DOL Overtime Rule Injunction    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement after a federal judge in Texas blocked the Obama administration's harmful overtime rule scheduled to take effect on December 1:   ""Like many hardworking Americans, I'm pleased to see the administration's harmful overtime rule blocked. This one-size-fits-all rule would force many workers to shift from salaried to hourly, reduce employees' wages and hours, and raise prices on consumers. I'll continue to work with my colleagues to put an end to this rule once and for all.""    In September, Rep. Hudson voted for the Regulatory Relief for Small Businesses, Schools, and Nonprofits Act (H.R. 6094) to delay the DOL rule for six months.    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398418,McHenry Visits East Lincoln Speedway to Talk RPM Act,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"Last month, Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) visited the East Lincoln Speedway in Stanley to talk about his bill to combat EPA overreach into auto racing, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports (RPM) Act of 2016. During his visit, Congressman McHenry had the opportunity to drive a late model race car on East Lincoln’s dirt track. After completing a few laps, Congressman McHenry spoke with SPEED SPORT about the RPM Act, its progress in the House, and his experience on track. Click here or on the image below to watch McHenry's interview.  H.R. 4715, the Recognizing the Protection of Motorsports Act of 2016 or “RPM Act” was introduced by McHenry in March as a response to attempts by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate modified motor vehicles used for racing. At the time, the EPA had proposed a rule under the Clean Air Act that would have made it illegal for automotive enthusiasts to use modified street vehicles—like the late model car McHenry drove today—as race cars even though Congress never intended for race cars to be subject to the Clean Air Act. In response to the introduction of the RPM Act, the EPA on April 15th withdrew its proposed regulation. Despite the EPA decision to withdraw the proposed rule, McHenry continues to advocate for Congressional action on the RPM Act to ensure this misguided regulation is stopped for good.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-hosts-major-terrorism-financing-forum,Pittenger hosts major terrorism financing forum,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER HOSTS MAJOR COUNTER TERRORISM FINANCING FORUM IN LATIN AMERICA CHARLOTTE – Congressman Robert Pittenger returned from Latin America this morning after hosting a major international forum for Members of Parliament and other government officials regarding joint efforts to prevent terrorism financing activity in South America.“Yesterday in Buenos Aires, we assembled ten South American countries, including 100 members of Parliament, to meet with more than 20 Treasury Department officials and private sector experts to discuss anti-money laundering operations and combatting terrorism financing,” said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09). “This meeting, co-hosted with Mariano Federici, President of the Argentina Financial Intelligence Unit, was a milestone in our efforts to collaborate with South American governments and work toward our common goals of defeating Islamic jihad.”Click here for more pictures of Congressman Pittenger offering opening remarks alongside Argentine officials.Participants in the forum included representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, along with experts from the U.S. Treasury Department, international anti-money laundering agencies, and relevant private-sector technology and global financial firms.Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/in-the-news/fires-and-flooding-recovery-keep-fema-active-across-north-carolina,Fires and flooding recovery keep FEMA active across North Carolina,2016-11-22,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Fires and flooding recovery keep FEMA active across North Carolina BY ANNA DOUGLAS adouglas@mcclatchydc.com WASHINGTON  Western North Carolina counties are continuously filing for federal emergency assistance as officials deploy more resources to fight wildfires, and disaster relief is still available for those affected by October flooding during Hurricane Matthew. The Federal Emergency Management Agency is active in more than half of North Carolina’s 100 counties, either providing individual assistance to past flooding victims or emergency funds for communities battling mountain blazes for more than two weeks. FEMA has also issued fire management assistance declarations for areas of South Carolina, Tennessee, Kentucky and Georgia. The offices of federal elected officials from North Carolina say they’re constantly monitoring FEMA’s response to ensure residents and local officials get the help they need. In one case, a Western North Carolina congressman and his staff ventured to a fire incident command center late one night near the Party Rock fire affecting three mountain counties to help officials there go over FEMA paperwork. The application for emergency funding help was approved. FEMA recently awarded emergency aid grants for several counties in the western part of the state where fire personnel are working to control wildfires under gusty, dry conditions. Two more counties – Swain and Graham – applied Monday for federal assistance to recoup costs associated with multiple fires. The federal grants will cover up to 75 percent of fire suppression costs. The potential millions of dollars in federal assistance funds for the fires come as FEMA has already approved more than $152 million in flood-related insurance payments, grants and loans for people living in central and eastern North Carolina. U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tillis’ Washington and district offices are engaged with FEMA and state agencies working both disasters. For residents affected by Hurricane Matthew, the senators worked to extend some income tax filing dates. Tillis’ office staff said Monday that they were keeping an eye on how local economies will be affected by potential drops in tourism due to the spread of wildfires across at least 10 counties. [Chimney Rock, NC mountain resort reopens after wildfire contained] U.S. Reps. Mark Meadows, a Republican from Cashiers, and Patrick McHenry, a Republican from Denver, N.C., have spent time in communities affected by wildfire evacuations and billowing smoke. “This has been a priority for our office. When people need the government the most, we’ve been there to help cut through the red tape,” said Wayne King, deputy chief of staff for Meadows, in an interview with McClatchy on Monday. King and Meadows have worked directly with county emergency management and state forest service officials to help with FEMA paperwork and eligibility requirements for federal emergency funds. In October, King said, Meadows was active in surveying Hurricane Matthew damage and FEMA’s response as part of his duties with the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, which is partly responsible for oversight of FEMA. The partnership between federal and local emergency management offices has run smoothly so far, according to North Carolina’s congressional members and the office of Gov. Pat McCrory. At the height of the mountain fires, more than 2,000 firefighters were on site attempting to contain and put out the forest fires. Those firefighters came from across North Carolina and from other states. The extra hands have helped tremendously as the mountain and rural areas of Western North Carolina depend largely on small fire departments – many composed of mostly volunteers, said Mike Cook, manager of North Carolina Emergency Management’s western branch. In addition to FEMA funds helping offset strains on local and state budgets, Cook said, an account for donations to assist western firefighters has been set up through the Skyland Fire and Rescue Department. To give to the Western North Carolina Firefighter’s Fund, corporations and individuals can mail monetary donations to the Skyland Fire and Rescue Department, P.O. Box 640, Skyland, NC 28776.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-continues-fight-against-obama%E2%80%99s-regulatory-overreach,JONES CONTINUES FIGHT AGAINST OBAMAS REGULATORY OVERREACH,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – This month, Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03), along with 87 other Republican Senators and Members of Congress, filed an amicus brief with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Sixth District calling for the Obama administration’s destructive Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule to be struck down. This rule, proposed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and U.S. Army Corp of Engineers (USACE), would dramatically expand the federal government’s regulatory authority over ditches, ponds and other small non-federal bodies of water on private property. In addition, last week Jones joined many of his congressional colleagues in sending a letter to House leadership to insist that no taxpayer funding for WOTUS implementation be included in any fiscal year 2017 appropriations bills. “Plain and simple, this rule is bad for private land owners and farmers in Eastern North Carolina and across the nation,” Jones said. “It’s the Obama administration in a nutshell – unilateral regulatory overreach that stifles the economy and job creation.  Voters rejected that approach earlier this month.  Congress should take action accordingly.” Congressman Jones has been a long-time opponent of the administration’s WOTUS rule, and has voted for legislation to overturn it.  A copy of the amicus brief and letter to leadership are attached. For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/portion-jones%E2%80%99-eastern-nc-gateway-act-approved-federal-highway-administration,PORTION OF JONES 'EASTERN NC GATEWAY ACT' APPROVED BY FEDERAL HIGHWAY ADMINISTRATION,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Allison Tucker (Jones) / (202) 225.3415 or Meaghan Lynch (Butterfield) / (202) 225.3101 WASHINGTON, DC - Today, the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) announced its final approval of the state’s application to designate U.S. Highway 264 between Zebulon and Greenville, North Carolina as Future Interstate 587.  Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) and G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) applauded the approval of the North Carolina Department of Transportation’s (NCDOT) application to transform the highway into an interstate. “I introduced The Eastern North Carolina Gateway Act to underline the need for high-quality infrastructure in our region,” said Congressman Jones. “I am pleased that the NC Department of Transportation and Federal Highway Administration agree that Future Interstate 587 is a crucial investment in the future of Eastern North Carolina regional economy. This milestone would not have been possible without the support of transportation advocates throughout our state, including my colleagues Congressman G.K. Butterfield and Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis.” “I am thrilled that the transformation of Highway 264 into a Future Interstate will officially become a reality,” said Congressman Butterfield.  “This approval will make the Future Interstate Greenville’s first connection to a major interstate highway.  I thank Congressman Jones for his strong support in this effort to better connect eastern North Carolina with neighboring regions along Interstate 95 and the Eastern Seaboard.” This announcement follows Jones and Butterfield’s letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx calling for the FHWA to approve NCDOT’s request to designate portions of U.S. Highway 264 as a Future Interstate.The request made by the state closely follows the Eastern North Carolina Gateway Act of 2016, which was introduced in the House of Representatives by Jones and Butterfield as H.R. 6105, and in the Senate by Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis as S. 3378.  The bill would help better connect Eastern North Carolina with Interstate 95 and the entire Eastern Seaboard. Greenville is the 10th largest city in North Carolina, and the largest city in North Carolina without an interstate highway.  The approval of NCDOT’s application would designate the U.S. Highway 264/64 split from Zebulon to Greenville as a High Priority Corridor and Future Interstate.  Many portions of U.S. Highway 264 are already built to interstate standards.  NCDOT has committed to completing the Future Interstate within 25 years. The letter of approval from the DOT and original request letter to Secretary Foxx are attached. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/enewsletters/marks-weekly-update-90,Mark's Weekly Update,2016-11-21,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Happy Thanksgiving From my family to yours – happy Thanksgiving! We are so grateful for our many blessings that we enjoy in America -- especially for our freedoms. May God continue to bless our nation, and I hope you and your family have a wonderful holiday. Elkamet Inc. Expanding in Henderson County Great news: Elkamet Inc., a plastic manufacturing company with a plant in our district, is expanding its plant in East Flat Rock, NC – adding 25 jobs and investing over $6.5 million. This is an exciting development for Western North Carolina as business continues to grow in our state! To read the official release from Governor Pat McCrory’s office, click here. Elkamet Inc. in East Flat Rock, NC (photo credit: Hendersonville Times-News) Update on the Wildfires in Western NC As many of you know, Western NC is currently experiencing an outbreak of wildfires across the district, and first responders are working around the clock to contain the damage as much as possible. Some members of my staff--including Wayne King, my Deputy Chief of Staff—have been visiting some of the affected areas and keeping in close communication with emergency management. We are prepared to offer any assistance we can. We have also reached out to FEMA officials and worked with local emergency personnel to acquire some additional assistance for the firefighters on the scene. Continue praying for the community and the first responders in the area—Western NC is facing an uphill battle, but our district will bounce back stronger than ever! Getting briefed on the fires at the Incident Command Center in Hayesville, NC Meeting with Macon County Sheriff Holland and deputies of the Macon County Sheriff's Office regarding the evacuation plans and procedures On the scene of the fires in Clay County with an emergency management team, reviewing the response procedures Volunteering with the Baptist Men and Women on Mission Some members of Team Meadows were able to volunteer this week with the Baptist Men and Women on Mission --feeding firefighters in Franklin, NC (Macon County). I am incredibly grateful for all that our first responders are doing and amazed at the response from our community. Western North Carolina is truly a special place. To read more, click here. Wayne King and Beverly Elliott -- serving firefighters Team Meadows' Emma Wallace and Jenny Maybin – serving meals to firefighters Transylvania County Veterans Day Ceremony It was a privilege to attend the Transylvania County Veteran’s Day Ceremony last week to honor our nation’s military heroes who put their lives on the line to keep us free. May their lives, stories, and sacrifices never be forgotten. Meeting some of our nation’s heroes Interview on Washington Journal This week I joined C-SPAN for an interview as a part of their Washington Journal series -- discussing the House Freedom Caucus, the lame duck period, and our commitment to help the Trump administration have the most productive 'first 100 days' in modern history. We owe it to the American people to follow through on our campaign promises and to restore the American dream. Watch the full interview here. Interviewing with Washington Journal on C-SPAN Interview with One America News Network I was able to join One America News Network for an interview to talk about the House Freedom Caucus and our plan to work with the incoming administration. We are ready to hit the ground running to get our country back on track and to return our government to its rightful owner: the American people. Watch the full video here. Interviewing with John Hines of OANN The Most Productive ‘First 100 Days’ My colleagues and I have an opportunity to have the most productive ‘first 100 days’ of a new administration in modern history. It's time to get to work and get our nation back on a path to prosperity. I was able to join America's Newsroom HQ on Fox News to discuss our upcoming priorities in light of the election. Watch the full interview here. Interviewing with Fox News Heritage Action Sentinel Summit  I was pleased to join two great conservatives and fellow House Freedom Caucus colleagues, Congressman Warren Davidson and Congressman Dave Brat, at the Heritage Action Sentinel Summit this week in Texas! It’s an honor to work every day alongside these two men, fighting for conservative principles and values.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398960,Inaccurate Pell Grant Payments Topped $2.2 Billion in Fiscal 2016,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"The U.S. Department of Education overpaid Pell grant recipients by $2.03 billion in fiscal 2016 and made another $188 million in underpayments, according to an agency finance report released this week.The error rate for the student-aid program was 7.85% for the year ended Sept. 30, an increase over rates published for the prior year, but officials said they used a new methodology for fiscal 2016 so the numbers aren’t comparable.Meanwhile, according to the report, the Department of Education’s direct student loan program improperly disbursed more than $3.86 billion, or an error rate of nearly 4%.Education Department spokeswoman Kelly Leon said that the measure of improper payments historically has been “volatile and imprecise,” and to improve accuracy the agency modified the way it calculates the rate in fiscal 2016 to include annual program reviews, which may pick up more incidences of improper payments.Ms. Leon said that as a result of the new methodology, fiscal 2015 and 2016 error rates can’t be compared directly. Indeed, the department has two different error rates for fiscal 2015—1.88% or 1.52% for Pell, and 1.3% or 2.63% for the direct loan program.The Education Department recoups a tiny share of the overpayments. According to the report, it identified $118.7 million of the improper payments and recovered $20.4 million outside of “payment recapture audits,” which the department says aren't cost-effective.“It appears the people at the Department of Education need a refresher course in math,” said Rep. Virginia Foxx (R, N.C.), a member of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and chair of its higher education subcommittee. “The department’s billions of dollars in improper Pell grant and student loan payments are outrageous and unacceptable. It’s clear that Congress must strengthen its oversight of the department and increase accountability for how hardworking taxpayer dollars are spent.”The Education Department report blamed “administrative or process errors” by colleges, student loan servicers or other third parties for the miscalculations, including not verifying financial data provided by applicants, not tracking students’ academic progress and not calculating how much money should be returned to the government after a student drops out.It said some of the miscalculations were also due to families incorrectly reporting their income on financial-aid applications.According to the report, the Education Department has developed “robust internal controls” to prevent, detect and recover improper payments. “The Department strives to strike the right balance between providing timely and accurate payments to grant recipients and students, while at the same time ensuring that the controls are not too costly and burdensome to fund recipients,” it said in the report.An independent audit of the department’s financial statements, included in the fiscal report, found “significant deficiencies” in how it models out future spending, including how it estimates borrower incomes under the income-dependent repayment plans, projects cash flows and calculates how well loans will perform.http://www.wsj.com/articles/inaccurate-pell-grant-payments-topped-2-2-billion-in-fiscal-2016-1479398442",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-joins-%E2%80%98fight-cape-lookout%E2%80%99-against-park-service-directive,JONES JOINS FIGHT FOR CAPE LOOKOUT AGAINST PARK SERVICE DIRECTIVE,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) joined local citizens’ group ‘Fight For Cape Lookout’ in pushing back on the National Park Service’s draft Director’s Order #100, a proposal that could have far-reaching implications for park management in Eastern North Carolina and across the country.  In a letter sent to Park Service Director Jonathan Jarvis, Jones requested a 60-day extension of the public comment period on the proposed draft; consideration of Fight for Cape Lookout’s comments on the draft; and ultimately, a recension of the Director’s Order #100.  The Park Service’s original 30-day comment period on the order is scheduled to close today.   Text of Congressman Jones’ letter to Director Jarvis follows below:           “I am writing to request a 60-day extension of the public comment period on the draft Director’s Order #100.  As you know, this proposed directive has far-reaching implications for park management.  As such, it is inappropriate for the Park Service to provide the taxpaying public, who stand to be most affected by these changes, with only 30 days to review and comment.  That is particularly true when that 30 days coincided with the height of the electoral season, where the public’s attention was rightly focused on the choices they faced in the voting booth at the national, state and local level.                 I also write in strong support of the comments filed by Todd Roessler on behalf of Fight for Cape Lookout – a coalition of small business owners, fishermen and citizens concerned about public access at Cape Lookout National Seashore.  I have attached a copy of those comments for your review.  Mr. Roessler spells out how the draft directive is inconsistent with the laws passed by Congress that govern park management, as well as the Park Service’s own policies.  Furthermore, the directive is likely to be used to impose significant restrictions on taxpaying Americans’ access to the national parks they pay for and enjoy.  That is unacceptable, particularly when done by administrative fiat.  I urge you to give these comments every consideration, and I join Mr. Roessler in calling for the directive to be rescinded.”   The letters from Congressman Jones and Fight for Cape Lookout are attached. For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-votes-extend-sanctions-iran,JONES VOTES TO EXTEND SANCTIONS ON IRAN,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – This week, Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) voted for H.R. 6297, the Iran Sanctions Extensions Act.  The bill, introduced by Congressman Edward Royce (CA-39), would extend existing economic U.S. sanctions on Iran for another 10 years.  Those sanctions are set to expire at the end of this year.  Also this week, Congressman Jones voted for H.R. 5711, a bill that would prohibit the U.S. government from subsidizing the sale of commercial aircraft to Iran.  H.R. 6297 passed by a vote of 419 to 1, and H.R. 5711 passed by a vote of 243 to 174.  Both bills now move to the Senate for further consideration.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398414,McHenry Assists First Responders Fighting Party Rock Wildfire,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) is continuing to work with local businesses and government officials to provide support to those affected by the more than 20 active wildfires burning in western North Carolina, including the Party Rock fire near Lake Lure. ""My prayers are with the firefighters working around the clock to bring these fires under control,"" said Congressman McHenry. ""They face a difficult job in challenging conditions and we are so thankful for their hard work. ""In the coming days and weeks, I will continue to work with local leaders on the ground to ensure they have the resources they need to bring these fires under control,"" McHenry continued. ""I'd like to thank everyone here in western North Carolina who has pitched in and would encourage everyone to help out if they are able.""  Over the last week, Congressman McHenry’s staff made calls to help hasten FEMA’s Fire Management Assistance Grant Declaration, which was formally granted on November 11. Last week, a member of the Congressman’s staff was in attendance at Governor McCrory’s incident command briefing on the wildfires. Additionally, he has remained in close contact with Lake Lure Mayor Bob Keith and Rutherford County Commission Chairman Bryan King to ensure that support is provided to the people of Western North Carolina impacted by these fires. In addition to those efforts, McHenry has been working closely with food and beverage distributors throughout the Tenth District to provide supplies to those who have been displaced or otherwise impacted by the fires. Among those contributing are Choice USA Beverage in Gastonia, NC who provided a truckload of water and snacks and Merchants Distributors (MDI)/Alex Lee, Inc. in Hickory, NC which is working with the Red Cross to provide food and other supplies.Then yesterday, McHenry's District Director Brett Keeter delivered a car load of water and other supplies to Mayor Keith in Lake Lure.  As the fires continue, additional supplies and assistance are greatly appreciated. To find out what supplies are needed, please click here. If you would like to assist as a volunteer, information on how to sign up can be found here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-to-host-major-forum-on-latin-america-terrorist-activity,Pittenger to host major forum on Latin America terrorist activity,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER TO HOST MAJOR FORUM ON TERRORISM FINANCING IN LATIN AMERICA   CHARLOTTE – Congressman Robert Pittenger travels to Latin America this weekend to host a major international forum for Members of Parliament and other government officials regarding joint efforts to prevent terrorism financing activity in South America.“Radical Islamic terrorists are increasingly partnering with Latin American drug lords to generate revenue for terrorist activity,” said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09).  “The nexus between drug lords and Islamic terrorists is a major threat, especially considering our porous southern border.  Working together with partners from ten South American nations, we will discuss collaborative efforts and the tools and technology necessary to defeat this diabolical evil within our hemisphere.”Congressman Pittenger will be joined by representatives from Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Paraguay, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, along with experts from the U.S. Treasury Department, international anti-money laundering agencies, and relevant private-sector technology and global financial firms.Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare, and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-statement-on-nomination-of-pompeo-to-cia,Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Nomination of Pompeo to CIA,2016-11-18,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.18.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Nomination of Pompeo to CIA WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement on the proposed appointment of Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS) to the Central Intelligence Agency: “Congressman Pompeo is well equipped to handle the demands of CIA Director. I respect him as a colleague, and he is more than capable of handling this challenging role. I look forward to working with him to ensure that the CIA is well positioned to reinforce our national security in the coming years.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398962,Foxx on Higher Ed,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"After serving multiple terms as chairwoman of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Education and the Workforce subcommittee on higher education, Representative Virginia Foxx is poised to assume leadership of the full committee in the next Congress. And the longtime critic of the Obama administration’s higher education policies says she and other Republicans are ready to reverse course on many of those policies.Foxx said she has spoken with New York Representative Chris Collins, a Republican who is the congressional liaison for President-elect Donald Trump’s transition team. But Foxx otherwise has not yet communicated with the incoming administration or shared her preferences for an education secretary.However, she holds a similar philosophy to Trump and his advisers, most notably on regulations issued by the Obama administration’s Education Department that target the for-profit college industry. Foxx said in an interview with Inside Higher Ed this week that Republicans will do everything they can to roll back those rules. The department wrote its regulations on gainful employment and borrower defense in response to what high-ranking administration officials and consumer advocates saw as fraud and abuse within an industry that experienced a boom after the Great Recession.In the last two years, for-profit mega-chains Corinthian Colleges and ITT Technical Institute both closed their doors -- events the industry blamed on Obama administration regulations.This fall the department finalized borrower-defense rules that establish a federal standard for students who were defrauded by an institution to have their student loans forgiven. And the department recently released new standards for teacher preparation programs that would provide greater accountability for colleges that produce K-12 instructors. Republican members of Congress are exploring the use of the Congressional Review Act, a little-used law that would allow them to abrogate recent executive branch regulations, to roll back those and a slate of other Obama administration regulations affecting labor, the environment and other policy areas.With hopes for major college affordability legislation now likely dead after Trump’s victory, Foxx also addressed whether the federal government may play a role in funding more modest state and local free community college initiatives. A lightly edited version of the conversation follows.Q. How will the approach of Republican leaders to higher ed change with an election that resulted unexpectedly in a GOP White House and Congress?A. It would be two very different approaches depending on who was elected. Now that Mr. Trump is the president-elect, I think [we’ll approach things] quite differently than the way we might have if it had been Mrs. Clinton. But I think there are two names on the committee -- Education and the Workforce -- and I think we will early on in the committee have to spend some time on work force issues because of all of those onerous rules and regulations that were put in. There also some on the education side -- the gainful employment rule, the state authorization rules, the credit-hour rule. So, there’s a lot of rules on both sides of the committee’s structure that I think we will need to deal with. Obviously, the big elephant in the room is the reauthorization of the Higher Education Act.Q. The Obama administration had a pretty clear regulatory agenda and college completion agenda. How will that change under Republican leadership?A. I don’t know what their college completion agenda was. If there was something out there, I didn’t see that. I’ve always been very keen on the issue of completing college. I was an academic adviser when I was at Appalachian State University. I was a college president. I was always telling students, ""You need some sort of statement to the world that shows you have some proficiencies."" And I always encouraged students to get minors. I always encouraged them to complete their work. We’re a credentialing society. We value credentials. And so I always emphasize to students that you need some documentation. College completion is obviously an important documentation. So that’s been something I’ve been keen about all my life. I did not see that with the Obama administration.I saw a lot of interest in paying for people’s college whether they completed or not, but I never saw that push. Now, there is a general push toward completion that’s been going on for many years.I’ve seen in the last five, six, seven years a shift from the emphasis on access to an emphasis on completion. I think there’s been a general recognition of that issue, that people are out there in limbo in many cases. They may have three years of college credits but no degree. And so, I do think there’s a general attitude [shift] toward that, but I never really saw an emphasis from the administration on saying, ""Well, let’s figure out how we can give some leadership to this issue."" What people need is a certification that says, ""I can do certain things."" That may or may not involve a degree.I’m a big believer in stacking credentials so that you ultimately can get a degree because, again, I understand how we value degrees in this country. And I want people to feel positive about themselves, and in general getting a college degree is thought of in a very positive way. But people don’t need to always begin in a four-year school with the goal of getting a four-year degree. In the community college system, we felt really good if we could get a student in the door. Because often that was the biggest hurdle, particularly in older students. Get them in the door, treat them well, hold on to them as long as you could, and hopefully they’ll go through the process and they’ll ultimately get a degree. But you don’t scare them away by saying in six years, or four years, you’ll have a degree, because some people can’t think that far ahead. And they’re coming for a specific purpose. So help them achieve that purpose. Tell them if you do this you’ll have a lot more options in life.So, I think that’s the way to go, is to begin with short-term goals and then build on those incrementally with the goal that the person gets whatever he or she needs. They may not need a four-year degree. They may need just a two-year degree or they may need a certificate that gets them credibility.Q. A free college or debt-free college plan won’t happen under the Republicans, but could you see the federal government playing a part in a program to match state funding for free community college?A. I will tell you frankly I have struggled with how to come up with any incentives to encourage students to go to college and for the states to do more. We don’t need to do that. The federal government doesn’t need to do that. It’s already being done. There are hundreds, thousands probably, of programs of early college going on all over the country right now.It’s in the best interest of the states to do this. And that’s what should be done. In my own district, there are lots of these early-college programs where the high schools are encouraging the student to take college-level courses while they’re in high school. They’re working with the community college system. The credits are easily transferred to four year schools. People can get a college degree in this country without going into great debt.It is not completely free, but a lot of it is at an extremely low cost. And a great deal of it is at a very high quality. So, I don’t really see us going there. There’s already a tremendous demand for Pell Grants for low-income students that is going to be very difficult to fill given the financial constraints that we have. I think the states need to wake up and say, “Look at the money we could save if we’re not having students duplicate the junior and senior years of high school in their freshman and sophomore years of college.” It’s to their benefit to do that, and they don’t need the federal government to pay for that. It’s not our role.Q. You don’t see any role for the federal government in encouraging those efforts at the state and local level?A. No. Why should we? We have a $20 trillion debt. Why should we go into debt to pay for what the states should be doing?Have you read the Constitution lately? If you find the word ""education"" in there as a responsibility of the federal government, then I might change my mind. But I haven’t seen that word in there. It is not laid out for the Congress, the executive branch or the judicial branch to do it. And the 10th Amendment says if we didn’t spell it out for the federal government to do, then it’s up to the states and the individuals.Q. The Trump campaign has talked about eliminating the Department of Education, although it’s unclear how serious that position was. Could you see the administration and Congress eliminating or significantly scaling back the department?A. I definitely see the opportunity to see the department scaled back. We need to talk about those things. But we need to look at the functions of the Education Department and see are there things that can be done at the state and local level that are now being done at the federal level. I think you’re going to see that happening all across the board in this Congress, in the upcoming Congress, and in this administration. I’m very hopeful that we will see an emphasis put on that.Q. Would you expect the functions of the department to be curtailed more on either the K-12 or higher ed side?A. I don’t know -- we’re going to have a lot of emphasis on oversight. And what I hope is that we get some really, really competent people going in the executive branch who will themselves come to us and say, ""This is what we have discovered in the Department of Education."" Because we can do a certain amount of oversight, but there’s nothing like having somebody in the department who is examining what’s going on -- hopefully setting up some studies to see how efficiently things are being done, working to root out waste, fraud and abuse.We know already that there is that all across the board in the executive branch. I’m hoping they will put in some really, really good people to do that. We will want to use [the Government Accountability Office] and the inspector general a lot more than we have. I have advocated for a long time that we beef up the staff of the GAO. I really and truly believe that the GAO really does very good work.Q. What approach will Republicans take to the higher ed regulations released by the department under the leadership of John King?A. I think you’ll see us do everything we can to roll back those rules and regulations.Q. What form do you think that will take? Would it involve denying funding for implementation of rules? Use of the Congressional Review Act?A. I’m in a situation -- I call it limbo -- because I hope to be the chair [of the Education and the Workforce Committee] but I’m not the chair yet. I have no authority to ask staff to do anything on the committee. But what we need to do is to look at each one of those rules and see what can be done through executive order what will need legislation. What will be the appropriate approach, the most effective approach, the most expeditious approach to undoing those rules? That’s why I said our committee is going to be extremely busy. Because we have both all those labor rules and the education rules that we want to eliminate. How we go about doing that is something, I’m not sure of yet. But that’s going to be the first task -- setting some priorities and saying, ""OK, this can be done through executive order, this will take legislation, this will take the CRA.""Q. Republicans’ mantra on Obamacare has been ""Repeal and replace."" Could Republicans offer an alternative to the Obama administration borrower-defense rule?A. Nobody wants students to be defrauded. But basically, the administration put these colleges out of business pretty arbitrarily, and then that put the students in a terrible position. There’s no evidence, we don’t have evidence that they were defrauded. The administration didn’t wait for that. They just went ahead and said, “We’re going to pay back your loans,” as I understand it. Obviously we don’t want students to be defrauded.Q. Will students have to seek relief at the state level in those cases where they are defrauded?A. I think that’s going to have to be handled on case-by-case basis with the various schools.Q. Do you see any kind of federal standard replacing the administration’s borrower-defense rule for those students who are defrauded by their institutions?A. We haven’t gotten that far into that issue. It’s one that’s troublesome to us in the way the administration handled it. What’s more troublesome to me is the fact that they put these student at such a disadvantage educationally. The administration, by forcing those schools to close precipitously, it left a lot of students out on the street literally in the middle of semesters, with a great difficulty transferring their credits. That could have been handled so differently by the administration. They could have put the schools on notice, they could have helped them stay in business until the students were transferred out into alternative situations. But there seems to be absolutely no concern for students -- none, zero -- just vindictiveness on the part of the administration for the for-profit schools. I’m appalled at what they did to the students involved in those cases.Q. On the student unit record ban, is there any chance of a compromise to find opportunities for more federal data?A. Not on a student unit record, but on ways to gather information that will be useful to us. Over and over and over again we had people [in hearings] tell us we have thousands of points of data and very little information. We need information. We don’t need a lot of data. And I think that we can look for ways to gather information that will be informative to policy makers without setting up a student unit record system.People in this country are very sensitive to their privacy, and I am very sensitive to that. When I had that amendment passed several years ago, there was a heightened sense of that. It’s gotten even higher since Wikileaks and all that other stuff has occurred. We don’t want to give the federal government information. That’s a Democrat way of doing things.That needs to be done at the state level more than it needs to be done here. They can figure out ways to get information they need.Q. Should the president-elect do more to address the racist, homophobic and misogynist incidents happening across the country?A. I didn’t watch the 60 Minutes [interview with Trump] did but I’ve seen clips of it on TV. The clips they’ve shown on TV have been that -- that he’s spoken out against [violence]. He doesn’t believe in violence. He doesn’t believe in things that have been happening. And yet I don’t know a single Republican who does. Not one. We don’t believe in that kind of stuff. The people who are doing that aren’t speaking for us. So, I think he’s already done that. I think he’s already done it. Maybe he’ll do more of it. I don’t know, but he has done it. I don’t think the press ever really emphasizes that enough.Q: That he has spoken out? He has made one. We’ll have to see if we hear more from him on the issue.You all tend to get hung up on certain issues and want to stay with one. I think probably Mr. Trump is not like that. He probably says, ""I’ve done that. I’ve said that. I’m moving on.""There are other things for me to be talking about. I’m that way. I think a lot of us are like that: ""Why do I need to keep repeating this? Did you not hear me the first time?""The attitude hasn’t changed. We’ve got other things to talk about. It’s a new day.https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2016/11/17/virginia-foxx-weighs-gops-higher-education-priorities",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-butterfield-burr-tillis-celebrate-randy-d-doub-courthouse-designation,"JONES, BUTTERFIELD, BURR, TILLIS CELEBRATE RANDY D. DOUB COURTHOUSE DESIGNATION",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"Contact: Allison Tucker (Jones) / (202) 225.3415 or Meaghan Lynch (Butterfield) / (202) 225.3101 WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) and G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), along with Senators Richard Burr and Thom Tillis recently celebrated the signing in to law of H.R. 3937, to designate the building utilized as a United States courthouse located at 150 Reade Circle in Greenville, North Carolina, as the ""Randy D. Doub United States Courthouse,” in honor of the late Randy D. Doub of North Carolina’s third district, who passed away in January 2015.  Doub was a judge for the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of North Carolina and practiced law in private practice for over 25 years in Greenville, North Carolina.  He was a devout family man, friend to many, and a great man of faith. “Randy Doub was a good man,” Congressman Jones said. “He lived his faith by serving others, loving his family, and giving back to his community and country. One way he gave back was his work designing, creating, and overseeing the Greenville courthouse.  There is no better way to celebrate his life than renaming the building he cared so much about after him. Thank you to my colleagues and President Obama for expeditiously passing this bill so we could properly honor Randy’s life.” “Throughout his life, Judge Randy Doub made an incredible mark on eastern North Carolina,” said Congressman Butterfield.  I am pleased that the passage of this bill will rightfully add to his legacy.  There is no more fitting way to honor the contributions of Judge Doub than to name the U.S. Courthouse in Greenville, where he served with such distinction, in his honor.  I thank my colleague Congressman Walter Jones for joining me in this effort to honor an outstanding North Carolinian and a great American.” “Judge Randy Doub’s legacy will live on through the naming of this courthouse and the memories of those who knew and loved him,” said Senator Burr. “Judge Doub was a man of faith and a friend to many in the Greenville community.” “Judge Randy Doub was a dedicated civil servant who was committed to serving the people of North Carolina,” Senator Tillis said. “I am happy the Greenville courthouse that he helped make a reality will now be named in his honor and his contribution to Eastern North Carolina will be long remembered.”",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://jones.house.gov/press-release/jones-pushes-park-service-buxton-frisco-flooding,"JONES PUSHES PARK SERVICE ON BUXTON, FRISCO FLOODING",2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Walter Jones,J000255,jones.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, DC – Congressmen Walter B. Jones (NC-03) is calling on the National Park Service to find long-term solutions to the flooding that has affected Buxton and Frisco in recent years.  The Park Service is currently  in a period of public scoping to get the public’s feedback on potential solutions to address the issue.  The Park Service is accepting comments through November 20th.  In a letter sent to Cape Hatteras National Seashore Superintendent Dave Hallac on Wednesday, Congressman Jones said: “Over the past several years, visitors’ access to popular parts of the seashore has been impaired by flooding on many occasions. I know you have done your best to use the tools at your immediate disposal to provide temporary relief, and I am grateful for your help.  However, we all acknowledge that long-term solutions are needed. Anything that can be done in that regard would be greatly appreciated. ” The full letter is attached. For additional information, please contact Allison Tucker in Congressman Jones’ office at (202) 225-3415 or allison.tucker@mail.house.gov. ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-block-aircraft-sales-to-terrorism-sponsors,Pittenger: Block aircraft sales to terrorism sponsors,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER: ‘BEYOND ME’ HOW OBAMA OKAY WITH PROVIDING NEW AIRPLANES FOR TERRORISTS   WASHINGTON – A little-known provision of President Obama’s nuclear deal with Iran allows the export of commercial aircraft to Iran.  The sale of 97 airplanes was authorized in September.Yet in 2011, the Treasury Department sanctioned Iran Air for transporting fighters and war material for Iran’s Revolutionary Guards.  Iran’s Mahan Air has also been sanctioned for ferrying fighters and weapons to the devastating conflict in Syria.On Wednesday, Congressman Robert Pittenger urged his colleagues to support H.R. 5711, which prohibits the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing these transactions.“As the primary sponsor of terrorism throughout the world, it is imperative that we hold Iran accountable and do all we can to limit their abilities to promote this type of action and behavior,” said Congressman Pittenger (NC-09) during formal House debate.  “This bill confronts the same airline that has been sanctioned by the Treasury Department for transporting fighters and weapons on behalf of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard.  It is beyond me how the Administration can be okay with allowing Iran access to airplanes which would only further their support of terrorism.”Click here for full video of Congressman Pittenger’s speech in opposition to providing terror-sponsor Iran with new aircraft.Today, the U.S. House of Representatives agreed with Congressman Pittenger, voting 243-174 to pass H.R. 5711 in bipartisan fashion and prohibit the Secretary of the Treasury from authorizing these transactions.Congressman Pittenger serves as Chairman of the Congressional Task Force on Terrorism and Unconventional Warfare and Vice Chairman of the Financial Services Committee Task Force to Investigate Terrorism Financing.  Next week, Congressman Pittenger will host a major international forum focused on intercepting terrorism finance activity in Latin America, and will host a major Parliamentary forum on terrorism financing, cyber security, and Intelligence this December at the Library of Congress.    ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://walker.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/walker-elected-chair-republican-study-committee,Walker Elected Chair of the Republican Study Committee,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Walker,W000819,walker.house.gov,,,legacy,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Mark Walker (NC-06) today was elected by his colleagues to serve as Chairman of the Republican Study Committee (RSC) for the 115th Congress. He released the following statement regarding his re-election: ""There has never been a better time for a bold conservative vision for America. Looking at the election results, it is clear the American people want to reclaim constitutional principles and reinvigorate our economy. It is unacceptable for us not to deliver on the faith the voters have invested in us. I am honored by the confidence of my colleagues and will work to lead the Republican Study Committee towards effective conservatism – in a manner reflective of its distinguished legacy.” The Republican Study Committee has served as the conservative caucus of House Republicans and a leading influencer on the Right since its original founding in 1973. It exists to bring like-minded House members together to promote a strong, principled legislative agenda that will limit government, strengthen our national defense, boost America’s economy, preserve traditional values and balance our budget. You can learn more about RSC here.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-statement-on-retirement-announcement-of-dni-clapper-,Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Retirement Announcement of DNI Clapper,2016-11-17,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.17.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Retirement Announcement of DNI Clapper WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement on today’s retirement announcement of Director of National Intelligence, Jim Clapper: “Director Clapper has served our country honorably and with distinction in every capacity requested of him, and I thank him for his service to our nation.  Jim’s depth of experience gave him the unique ability to fully understand the range of challenges to our national security.  Amidst evolving challenges from our adversaries, Jim has continued to reinforce our intelligence relationships with our allies and successfully managed the intelligence community enterprise.  Those of us who know Jim know he has been looking forward to his retirement for some time, and we wish him all the best.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398961,Rotary salutes Veterans,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Virginia Foxx,F000450,foxx.house.gov,,,legacy,"Following a pair of ceremonies held at Avery County High School and the Avery Senior Center on Nov. 4, Avery County veterans were honored once more on Nov. 11, as approximately 120 people filled the Chapman Center of the Williams YMCA for the Avery County Rotary Club’s 2nd Annual Veteran’s Day Celebration.As veterans and their family members arrived, each found a place at one of the many tables decorated with American flags and tea lights. Sitting on the table in front of each seat, an American flag pin donated by Lees-McRae College awaited each guest as a special “thank you” from the school.With everyone settled into their seats, Rotarian Larry Hazen, who served as the organizer of the event, greeted the assembled vets and offered them thanks for their service to our nation.Hazen’s speech was followed by a speech from Avery County Rotary Club President DeLee Scott on the important work Rotary is doing in our community and around the world. From local action, such as volunteering at Healthy Halloween and adopting a highway, to international efforts to eradicate Polio and Alzheimer’s, Scott shared information on the various ways Rotary works to serve humanity. A veteran himself, Scott drew parallels between the attitude of service and the sense of camaraderie shared by veterans and Rotarians.As Scott concluded, his speech gave way to a presentation of colors by the Avery County High School JROTC, a rendition of the national anthem and the recitation of the Pledge of Allegiance by Avery County Coroner John Millan.Following a prayer from Avery County Schools Superintendent David Burleson, vets lined up for a meal served by Carolina BBQ, followed by desserts provided by Medi-Home Hospice. As those assembled ate heartily, Hazen returned to the podium to introduce the event’s keynote speaker, Retired Army Major General John A. Yingling.Yingling, whose family has a long history of military service, began as an Army JROTC cadet at Wake Forest University before serving 35 years in the U.S. Army. The retired general’s speech was well received by those assembled.“In 1950, and forever more, Veteran’s Day recognizes all of those veterans who paid the last full measure of devotion to their country, and to those who have served and who are still serving today,” Yingling said.The major general went on to tell those assembled that the military is currently comprised of volunteers who represent only one percent of the nation’s population. Yingling also warned against recent trends of using the military as a catalyst for social change, before speaking on the things that make veterans extraordinary.“I have heard the veteran described as an ordinary, yet extraordinary human being;” Yingling said. “A person who offered some of their life’s most vital years in the service of our country and who sacrificed their ambitions so others would not have to sacrifice theirs. Veterans come from all walks of life and from every corner of this great land. They are fathers, sons, mothers and daughters. They are members of our family, friends and neighbors. They are ordinary until asked to make extraordinary sacrifices for their country.”As Yingling finished his speech, attendees heard from Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, who pledged her enduring support of veterans and their issues as she continues her work in the U.S. House of Representatives during her next term. Foxx also mentioned that she was looking forward to becoming Avery County’s representative in January.The final speaker of the day was Mike Halus, who shared information on Disabled American Veterans, inviting veterans to attend the organization’s Open House on Nov. 12.Major sponsors of the event included Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation, which donated $1,000 to cover the cost of the food. Children’s Hope Alliance donated all printed materials for event, including posters and invitation. Williams YMCA hosted the event, while Carolina BBQ catered food and Medi-home Hospice prepared desserts. Flag pins were donated by Lees-McRae College.As veterans left the event, each hopefully went home with a sense that their service and sacrifices are appreciated by the people of Avery County. As we go through the coming year, remember that veterans should not only be thanked on Veteran’s Day and those who fell should not just be remembered on Memorial Day. Rather, remember and honor their sacrifices throughout the year, whether with a thanks for their service or a thought for their care.http://www.averyjournal.com/avery/rotary-salutes-veterans/article_a5d9677f-8f31-5e83-9ffa-247ea5b89799.html",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://mchenry.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398412,McHenry's Hickory Office to Host Naval Midshipman,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Patrick McHenry,M001156,mchenry.house.gov,,,legacy,"Congressman Patrick McHenry (R, NC-10) announced today that his Hickory office will be hosting, Jake Simpson, a current United States Naval Academy Midshipman from North Carolina on Tuesday, November 22nd. MIDN Simpson will be on hand at  Congressman McHenry's Hickory office from 3 PM to 4:30 PM to answer questions about the Naval Academy and the service academy experience from Tenth District students interested in attending the academies. MIDN Simpson will be able to give prospective students a look at life at the Naval Academy and  the other academies. This is an informal meeting and is not mandatory for any students wishing to receive a nomination from Congressman McHenry. It is rather a chance for prospective academy candidates to ask questions of someone who was in their shoes recently.Congressman McHenry's Hickory office is located at the North Carolina Center for Engineering Technology located at 1990 Main Avenue, SE. Students interested in attending can RSVP by clicking here or contacting Nancy Meek at 828-327-6100.",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://hudson.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=25&itemid=861,Hudson Announces Limited Number of Tickets Available for Presidential Inauguration,2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Hudson,H001067,hudson.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE November 16, 2016   Hudson Announces Limited Number of Tickets Available for Presidential Inauguration   WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Richard Hudson (NC-08) released the following statement announcing that his office will distribute a limited number of free tickets for the 58th Presidential Inauguration:   “I’m excited to announce that my office will be given a limited number of free tickets to distribute for the presidential inauguration on January 20, 2017. I encourage those who are interested in participating in this incredible American tradition to visit my website at Hudson.House.Gov and submit a request. We will make every effort to distribute the tickets made available on a ‘first-come, first-served’ basis.”   On Friday, January 20, 2017, President-elect Donald Trump will take the Oath of Office and deliver the Inaugural Address at the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C. Rep. Hudson’s office will receive a limited number of free tickets that grant access to view this historic event on the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol. The tickets are standing-room only and will be outdoors. Those interested in tickets should submit a formal request at https://hudson.house.gov/inauguration-requests. The deadline to submit ticket requests is Tuesday, December 6, 2016.   Because of the limited number of tickets available, Rep. Hudson’s office cannot guarantee that all requests will be fulfilled. Rep. Hudson’s office will make every effort to distribute the tickets made available to constituents on a ""first-come, first-served"" basis. We will begin notifying people who receive the tickets on December 7, 2016. Tickets will need to be picked up in Rep. Hudson’s Washington, D.C., office on January 19, 2017.   Tickets are not necessary to view the inauguration ceremony; the tickets simply allow access to specific sections of the Capitol Grounds. There will be large sections of the National Mall accessible to the general public; typically jumbo viewing screens are set up throughout the National Mall.     ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://www.burr.senate.gov/press/releases/senate-intel-chairman-burr-congratulates-vice-chairman-feinstein-on-new-post-welcomes-warner-as-top-democrat-on-intel,"Senate Intel Chairman Burr Congratulates Vice Chairman Feinstein on New Post, Welcomes Warner as Top Democrat on Intel",2016-11-16,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Richard Burr,B001135,www.burr.senate.gov,,,legacy,"11.16.16 Senate Intel Chairman Burr Congratulates Vice Chairman Feinstein on New Post, Welcomes Warner as Top Democrat on Intel WASHINGTON –Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement on Senator Dianne Feinstein’s (D-CA) new post as Ranking Member of the Senate Judiciary Committee: “I congratulate my colleague Senator Feinstein on her new post as the senior Democrat on the Senate Judiciary Committee. I have enjoyed engaging with her as a valued partner to conduct necessary oversight of the intelligence community over the last two years, and I look forward to working with her in her new role.  I also welcome Senator Mark Warner (D-VA) as the new Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence.  I know we will continue our collective efforts to both oversee the intelligence community and ensure that we do all we can to reinforce our national security at home and abroad.” Print Email Tweet Previous Article Next Article",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z http://pittenger.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/pittenger-remembers-cliff-barrows,Pittenger remembers Cliff Barrows,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Robert Pittenger,P000606,pittenger.house.gov,,,legacy,"FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   CONGRESSMAN PITTENGER MOURNS PASSING OF CLIFF BARROWS   WASHINGTON – Congressman Robert Pittenger had this statement after learning of the passing of Cliff Barrows, who led music at Billy Graham Crusades for nearly 70 years. “Cliff Barrows is now singing praises in heaven!  Cliff’s warm demeanor was always an important part of communicating God’s love through television, one-on-one, and in massive stadiums.  No doubt he will meet tens of thousands of believers in heaven who came forward as he led the crusade choir in ‘Just As I Am.’ “Cliff Barrows first led music for Billy Graham in Asheville in 1945, and the first time Billy Graham, Cliff Barrows, and George Beverly Shea appeared together was at the Charlotte crusade in 1947, so those of us in North Carolina have long and special memories of the team.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z https://meadows.house.gov/media-center/press-releases/rep-meadows-introduces-the-allow-act,Rep. Meadows Introduces the ALLOW Act,2016-11-15,2016,2016-11,Republican,House,NC,Mark Meadows,M001187,meadows.house.gov,,,legacy,"Washington, D.C. – On Monday, Rep. Mark Meadows (R-NC) introduced the Alternatives to Licensing that Lower Obstacles to Work (ALLOW) Act—a bill that will make targeted changes to federal licensure policy by reducing unnecessary licensing requirements. Some of the most significant burdens on innovation in the job market are heavy licensing barriers placed on small business owners, entrepreneurs, and young Americans entering the workforce. Since 1950, the number of Americans working in jobs that require a license has increased by 500%, with government officials often citing health and safety concerns as the reason for the increased requirements. Acquiring a license can be a both lengthy and costly process, while studies show that most of the health and safety concerns can be address through much less burdensome means, such as certification, registration, and others. The ALLOW Act will limit the creation of occupational license requirements on federal installments, including areas on army bases and those in the District of Columbia, to those circumstances where licensure is the least restrictive means of protecting public health, safety, or welfare. “Anytime we look at regulations like licensing requirements, we should have a goal to be as efficient as possible while avoiding unnecessary restrictions on hard-working Americans,” Rep. Meadows said. “And I think when we look at licensing regulations, it’s very clear that many of the rules and requirements go beyond protecting health and safety standards and instead serve as a barrier to jobs for otherwise qualified people. My hope is that this bill can refocus our licensing requirements on only the most pertinent situations.” Rep. Dave Brat (R-VA) is an original cosponsor of the bill. “Too many hardworking Americans are barred from work due to unnecessary and duplicative rules and regulations,” said Rep. Brat. “I co-sponsored this legislation because it cuts through some of that red tape and will help small business owners, entrepreneurs, and young people to secure jobs.”   ###",1,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z,2026-03-30T12:14:52Z