I hope you are enjoying a relaxing 4th of July weekend as we celebrate America’s birthday and 238 years of freedom.
At the beginning of the week, the Supreme Court delivered a victory for religious freedom and a devastating blow to Obamacare with their decision in Burwell v. Hobby Lobby. Below you will find more information about this decision and a link to my full statement on the case.
I started my week in the district at the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Honoring Wounded Warriors and Military Families in Cary. At the tournament, proceeds befitted 4 wounded warriors from North Carolina, including two from Fayetteville and two from Raleigh. Additionally, there were three veteran charities that also benefitted including the Soldiers and Airmen Assistance Fund, Enable America, and Make-A-Wish Eastern, NC.
On Tuesday, I spoke to the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce and was honored to receive the Spirit of Enterprise award from the U.S. Chamber. I also met with theHealthcare Leadership Council in my Dunn office and was presented Medicare Today’s “Medicare Leadership Award.” It was truly an honor to be presented with this award.
The first named storm of the 2014 hurricane season, Arthur, hit the North Carolina coast this week. Visit the “Disaster Preparedness and Assistance” page on my website for links to information about ways you can prepare for hurricane season.
My office provides many services to the constituents of the Second District. To learn more about the work we do, visit the Constituent Services section of my website. Please don’t hesitate to reach out to my office with your questions, concerns or requests for assistance.
Victory for Religious Freedom – a Blow to Obamacare
On Monday, the Supreme Court delivered a substantial victory for religious freedom. Ever since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, it has had a devastating impact on our society – from job creators and local economies, to patient-centered care and individual liberties. Today’s decision tackles one of the many serious dangers of this law, and I am thrilled to see that the fundamental religious rights of all Americans are being protected at the highest level.
The American people were forced to swallow this poison pill and it is our duty to stand up and fight for what is right so that future generations can enjoy their rights without threat of persecution. At the same time, we must continue to fight the other dangerous provisions in this law and its disastrous implementation before it causes further harm to our economy and American families.
Read my full statement on the decision here.
Snapshots from the District
It was an honor and a pleasure to attend the 3rd Annual Golf Tournament Honoring Wounded Warriors and Military Families this week at Prestonwood Country Club in Cary.
With Specialist William Stewart of Fayetteville (below) at the Wounded Warrior golf tournament.
The Spirit of Enterprise
On Tuesday, I spoke to the Raleigh Chamber of Commerce about legislative issues we are working on in the House.
I was honored to receive the “Spirit of Enterprise” award presented by Robbie Purser (pictured below) of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Medicare Leadership
This week, I met with members of the Healthcare Leadership Council in my Dunn office and was presented Medicare Today’s “Medicare Leadership Award.”
In the News
Bottled Water Drinkers Should Know What They’re Consuming, Lawmaker Says
Politix
Bottled water companies would have to provide content information to consumers upon their request, under legislation introduced by Rep. Renee Ellmers…Ellmers said the legislation would also provide a national, uniform bottled water labeling standard. Ellmers, a former nurse, says the measure is necessary because, “Companies throughout the United States face increasing uncertainty due to a patchwork of laws that vary from state to state.”
Moore Hobby Lobby patrons praise SCOTUS ruling
Sanford Herald
U.S. Sen. Richard Burr and U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers, both Republicans, released statements Monday saying they were glad to see the ruling. Ellmers, who has made opposition to the law one of her main political calling cards, said the decision is a good step toward dismantling the law in its entirety. “Ever since the Affordable Care Act was signed into law, it has had a devastating impact on our society — from job creators and local economies, to patient-centered care and individual liberties,” Ellmers said. “Today’s decision tackles one of the many serious dangers of this law, and I am thrilled to see that the fundamental religious rights of all Americans are being protected at the highest level.” But U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, a Democrat, criticized the ruling in a press release of her own.
Legislation would establish federal standard for bottled water
Ripon Advance
Rep. Renee Ellmers (R-N.C.) introduced legislation on Thursday that would replace a patchwork of state regulations for bottled water standards with a universal federal standard and require regular testing. The Bottled Water Quality Information Act would establish a national, uniform bottled water standard and require companies to conduct regular water quality tests. Companies would then keep water quality test results and a brief summary of a product’s processing or treatment methods on file for public inspection upon request. “Companies throughout the United States face increasing uncertainty due to a patchwork of laws that vary from state to state,” Ellmers said. “In order to help alleviate these problems, I introduced new legislation (on Thursday) known as the Bottled Water Quality Information Act.”
Rep. Renee Ellmers: Obamacare Means ‘War on Women’
Newsmax
The Obama administration is waging a war of its own on women by forcing Obamacare’s rising costs on people who need few of the Affordable Care Act’s mandates, said North Carolina Republican Rep. Renee Ellmers, a member of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce. “When those 2015 numbers come out for premiums, you are going to see them increase and we’ll be learning that as it gets closer to the end of the year,” Ellmers said on Newsmax TV’s “America’s Forum.”
Bipartisan Water Standards Bill Introduced in House
Politico
Republican Reps. Renee Ellmers and Richard Nugent teamed up with Democrat Rep. Jim Matheson to introduce a bill yesterday to “provide consumers with uniform information about the quality and safety of their bottled water products,” The International Bottled Water Association applauded the bill, which would mandate that bottled water manufacturers to prepare and make available a water quality report. “The report would include the type of water source; treatment methods used by the bottler; and test results for the microbial, physical, chemical, and radiological quality of bottled water, as prescribed by federal regulations,” said IBWA. The group said that bottled water is predicted to be the number one packaged beverage sold in the U.S. sold by 2020.
‘The Little Couple’ goes to Washington
CNN
Last week, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers met with the stars of TLC’s “The Little Couple” to discuss Medicaid reform for children with rare diseases. Yesterday, Dr. Jen Arnold spoke with CNN’s Dr. Sanjay Gupta about her meeting with lawmakers and legislation that will help to coordinate care for medically complex kids.