Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), joined by his Democratic colleagues on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, sent a letter to Committee Chairman Greg Walden (R-OR) urging him to hold hearings as soon as possible to address gun violence in America. The letter requests the Committee hold hearings on the gun violence epidemic in America, including explorations of: who gun violence hurts; whether mass shootings are becoming increasingly deadly; the distribution of guns, ammunition, and accessories through e-commerce, and …
Category: Politics
Scott Hughes: Trump Supporters “Where Are They Now” Edition. With No Information On The “Where.”
Today I came across a list of supporters, who are also celebrities in one form or another, which backed President Chump, Oops I mean Trump, during the general election. After reading the list, I actually became prouder of the fact that I didn’t vote for him. Let’s look at some of the names on the list. Kanye West – YES! This was the name that began the list! Need I say more? Kirstie Alley – I’m surprised that she was …
Scott Hughes: Sanctions and North Korea
Just when I think that our current Presidential Administration couldn’t get any worse, I’m again proven wrong. The bar set by our previous Presidents has most definitely been lowered by this buffoon. This is one of the many examples of why I pray that this President will be a 1 termer. I just hope that we can all survive these 4 years. Answering the question “what is Scott talking about this time,” allow me to share my thoughts that are …
Scott Hughes: The War on Drugs in America
In 1971, President Richard Nixon signed into law “The Comprehensive Drug Abuse Prevention and Control Act” otherwise known as “The War on Drugs.” My question is, how’s the war working out? We hear about some form of addiction, or actions that result from addictions, on a daily basis but how much do we really know about this war? During the Afghanistan and Iraq wars, information was reported to the American People almost on a daily basis. We know the costs …
Scott Hughes: The Twitter and The Trump
When Trump was elected does anyone remember what his first major issue and debate was? If not, allow me to tell you. It was whether or not he had more people come to his inauguration than President Obama. This is really true. I asked then, “what difference does that make and who gives a&*%#?” With all of the important issues it seemed somewhat ridiculous and childish to even mention that in public. Earlier today, I asked the same question. Who …
Butterfield Statement on Trump Attacks on ACA
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement on President Donald Trump’s executive order allowing health plans that do not comply with coverage regulations outlined by the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and his announcement on Friday that he will no longer fund cost sharing reduction subsidies that help low-income individuals afford health insurance under the ACA: “For the last ten months, the American people have rejected attempts to repeal the Affordable Care Act by President Trump and Congressional …
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) on the Republican Tax Principles Announced Today
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released the following statement on the Republican tax principles announced today: “I have always been ready to work with my colleagues on bipartisan tax reform. However, the tax proposal announced today by the Trump Administration and Republican leadership is wholly unacceptable and harmful to working families. “Instead of working toward comprehensive improvements to the tax code that would benefit the majority of Americans, this plan would hand trillions of dollars in tax cuts …
Scott Hughes: Talk Radio With No Substance
Recently, I listened to a local radio show here in Henderson. At the risk of sounding negative, I wasn’t at all impressed with what I heard. Had it not been early in the day, it would have probably put me to sleep. I’m sure that they run out of things to talk about and if a caller doesn’t call in to bring up a topic, they are, for the most part, stagnant. Media sources are valuable resources for the community …
School Breakfast and School Performance
School breakfasts have been in the news. New York City public schools recently announced that breakfast would be free to all of their students. Governor Roy Cooper and First Lady Kristen Cooper recently visited Riverside High School in Durham to tout that school’s policy of offering free breakfast to all of its students. Currently, only 58% of North Carolina students eligible for free/reduced meals are eating school breakfasts. Timing and transportation difficulties are part of the reason, but there is …
Scott Hughes: The Real Definition of Economic Socialism
Mr. Webster tells us that Capitalism is “an economic system characterized by private or corporate ownership of capital goods.” He goes on further to say “investments are determined by private decision, and by prices, production, and the distribution of goods that are determined mainly by competition in a free market.” When my eyes are reading those words, my brain is telling me “blah blah blah.” My personal definition of capitalism is less favorable than Mr. Webster’s and I believe there …
Scott Hughes: Socialism vs. Capitalism
Recently, during a discussion about politics that I was having with another individual, I asked the man what he thought Socialism was. His reply did not surprise me at all because what he said was what I’ve heard many times before. We are in the South East and it seems that ideas like Socialism, for whatever reason, are taboo. I responded to him objectively and told him what Socialism really is in regards to commerce and the workforce. His definition …
Butterfield Statement on President Trump’s Decision to End DACA
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement after Attorney General Jeff Sessions’ remarks confirming President Donald Trump’s decision to end the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program, known as DACA: “DACA offered protection for young people who were brought to the United States as young children, the vast majority of whom know no other home than the United States. Today, President Trump has failed to “show great heart” to the hundreds of thousands of young people …
Butterfield Statement on Demonstration in Durham
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the demonstration in Durham: “There is no place for hate, bigotry, and racism in our society. The demonstrators today are making it known loudly and clearly that the KKK, Neo-Nazis, and other extremist groups are not welcome in our communities. “The actions in Durham do not take place in a vacuum. People of good will no longer tolerate anyone who desires to honor and celebrate a dark period of …
Butterfield Statement on Violence in Charlottesville and Confederate Statue in Durham
Durham, NC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the domestic terror attack in Charlottesville, Virginia and the toppling of the Confederate statue in Durham: “I was disappointed that President Trump waited two days before specifically condemning the Charlottesville terror attack and the violence perpetrated by white supremacist groups. His failure to not immediately and powerfully condemn these terror groups by name was a clear message that he is supportive of or indifferent to …
Butterfield Applauds Senate Passage of RACE for Children Act
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the passage in the U.S. Senate of the RACE for Children Act as part of the FDA User Fees reauthorization bill. In February, Congressman Butterfield joined Senators Michael Bennet (D-CO), Marco Rubio (R-FL), Chris Van Hollen (D-MD), and Cory Gardner (R-CO), along with Representatives Michael T. McCaul (R-TX), Sean Duffy (R-WI), and Yvette Clarke (D-NY), to introduce the Research to Accelerate Cures and Equity (RACE) for Children Act to support the development …
Butterfield Announces New Stops on Jobs & Justice Tour -Including Henderson!
Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today announced he is launching new stops on his 2017 Jobs & Justice Tour of North Carolina’s First Congressional District, holding a series of events to hear from constituents, elected officials, and community leaders on issues relating to healthcare, jobs, and education. Beginning with a discussion in Rocky Mount on jobs and transportation with North Carolina Secretary of Transportation James Trogdon, Butterfield will host the following public events across the Triangle and eastern North Carolina …
Butterfield Statement on Republican Motion to Proceed Vote on ACA Repeal
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) issued the following statement regarding Senate Republicans’ actions today on healthcare: “Today’s vote was not about America’s health care, but about scoring a political win for the Trump Administration. “It is a total disappointment that, rather than put politics aside and work in a bipartisan fashion to bring down costs and ensure more Americans have access to care, Republicans eagerly continue to push a plan that will weaken our economy, …
Butterfield Statement on SCOTUS Voter ID Decision
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement after the United States Supreme Court refused to hear an appeal of the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals’ unanimous finding that the North Carolina General Assembly acted with discriminatory purpose in enactment of a 2013 Voter ID law: “Today’s announcement is a victory against those who try to implement discriminatory voter ID laws written to suppress the vote of certain North Carolinians. “The Supreme …
Butterfield to Host Community Discussion on Feb. 25
Tomorrow, February 25, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will host “Forward Together,” a community discussion, in Durham, North Carolina in the First Congressional District. During the discussion, the Congressman will offer a Washington update, take questions from residents, and hear ideas about how we can resist efforts to take our country backward and fight for a jobs and justice agenda that moves us forward. This is the first in a series of events Congressman Butterfield will host to …
Congressman G. K. Butterfield honors the contributions and progress made by African Americans
February marks Black History Month, a time to reflect on the struggles of the past, the progress made in recent decades, and the work that remains as we work to fulfill the goal of full participation in American democracy. Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) honored the contributions and progress made by African Americans in a video message released today. Congressman G. K. Butterfield currently serves as Vice Chair of the Congressional Voting Rights Caucus and is the immediate past …