Today marks the 4 year anniversary of Obamacare. Over these past few years, we have seen the lofty promises made to the American people about what this healthcare law would do for them broken — time and time again. Millions have received cancellation notices for health insurance plans they liked and have lost access to the doctors they trust. Many more have seen their premiums and deductibles rise. Seniors have seen Medicare cut to help pay the costs of Obamacare. The effects of the law go far beyond healthcare itself. Businesses and the economy are struggling under the burdens this law has placed on them. Americans suffering under this law deserve relief.
In the district this week, I met with my Energy Advisory Council for a roundtable discussion of the challenges the industry faces, as well as possible solutions. Below you will find additional information about this meeting.
Also this week in the district, I met with a group of about 40 members of the Raleigh Homebuilders Association, toured the ABB Smart Grid Center of Excellence on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus, and had the opportunity to visit the Triangle Red Cross. As March is National Red Cross Month, I was able to show my appreciation for this organization by recording a short video for them. For 140 years, and without using any taxpayer dollars, the American Red Cross has contributed, volunteered and provided so much to the American people. It was great to visit with this noble organization.
If you know a high school student in the 2nd district interested in submitting their artwork in the 2014 Congressional Art Competition, they can find information on this page of my website or by contacting my Dunn office at 910-230-1910. The deadline for submissions to my office is APRIL 4.
It is an honor and a privilege to serve you. Please do not hesitate to contact my office with any questions, concerns or requests. Information for my Washington, Dunn and Asheboro offices can be found at the bottom of this newsletter.
Energy Advisory Council Roundtable
Despite the week’s icy start, my meeting early last week with my Energy Advisory Council went off without a hitch. This meeting brought together members from across the state, including representatives from renewable energy industries and representatives from the traditional fuel industry as well. North Carolina is in the top 10 states in the U.S. for net energy generation, and so it is important that we continue to be a leader in the industry.
During my meeting with advisory council members, we discussed many challenges faced by those in the energy industry, like the types of barriers hindering our state from increasing its energy production. It was a very productive meeting, with a discussion of not only problems facing the industry, but possible solutions.
After the advisory council roundtable, I enjoyed a presentation at the ABB Smart Grid Center of Excellence on N.C. State’s Centennial Campus. ABB is the leading power and automation technology group, and my meeting allowed for me to learn about ABB’s contributions to the smart grid industry, and how their contributions are making our state more competitive in terms of renewable energy.
We had a full house for the Energy Advisory Roundtable in spite of icy winter weather.
Many of the participants in the Energy Roundtable continued the discussion following the event.
HONORING OUR HEROES
This week, the president awarded 24 overdue Medals of Honor in a White House ceremony. Four of the recipients were Fort Bragg veterans.
From The Fayetteville Observer:
“Ten of the Medal of Honor recipients were killed in action… only three, including two Fort Bragg Green Berets, were alive to receive their medals.
Those Green Berets, retired Sgt. 1st Class Melvin Morris and retired Master Sgt. Jose Rodela, each served with the 5th Special Forces Group when it was based at Fort Bragg.
Two of the posthumous recipients died while serving overseas with the 82nd Airborne Division. They are Staff Sgt. Felix Conde-Falcon, who was killed in Vietnam in 1969, and Pvt. Joe Gandara, who died while fighting the German army in France in 1944.”
MORE SNAPSHOTS FROM THE DISTRICT
Tour of the ABB Smart Grid Center of Excellence
I was very impressed with the presentation from VP/GM Steven Kunsman and Smart Grid MarketingEngineer Neil Bhagat at the ABB Smart Grid Center of Excellence in Raleigh.
Meeting with NC Homebuilders Association
I met with members of the NC Homebuilders Association in Raleigh this week and heard their concerns on several key issues.
Showing Appreciation for the Red Cross and Our Everyday Heroes
This week I visited Triangle Red Cross in Raleigh and filmed a message of support for the Red Cross and American Red Cross Month.
IN THE NEWS
Loss of Bragg unit mulled, questioned at local level
Sanford Herald
The state’s national politicians agree with him. Sen. Kay Hagan called the plan unacceptable, Rep. Renee Ellmers called it unnecessary and possibly harmful to national security, and Sen. Richard Burr has also expressed concern in media interviews.
Time for a National Women’s History Museum in Washington
Op-Ed – Charlotte Observer
“Throughout history, conservative women have impacted our nation’s future and become an important voice in our democratic republic. We have proven ourselves as pioneers, innovators, leaders and decision-makers. We have created and contributed to many aspects of history – be it agriculture, medicine, politics, philosophy, science, and art. We have touched countless lives and shaped history, yet rarely does society teach, recognize or display our contributions – and it is time for this to change. I have joined my colleagues in advocating to establish the National Women’s History Museum (NWHM) in Washington D.C.”
House approves bill that would repeal Medicare’s SGR formula
Ripon Advance
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) said passage of the SGR Repeal and Medicare Provider Payment Modernization Act is a long overdue solution to Medicare’s payment system. “I’ve heard from numerous doctors and health care professionals in my district who tell me that they cannot provide adequate care to their patients because of the uncertainty and flaws in the current SGR formula,” Ellmers said. “I look forward to seeing this bill move quickly through the Senate so that it can be signed into law.”