Extremely disturbing reports continued this week about the inadequate health care our veterans have received from many VA facilities across the country. On Tuesday, we learned that the head of Fort Bragg’s Womack Army Medical Center was fired following the death of two patients in their 20s who previously sought treatment at the hospital’s emergency room(for some reason your link disappeared when I made the edit—I’m sorry!). We cannot allow for the mistreatment of our veterans to continue, and I …
Category: NC Elected Officials
Butterfield Statement on Passing of Dr. Maya Angelou
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement on the death of great American author and poet, Dr. Maya Angelou: “This day is one of extreme sadness as we mourn the passing of renowned American poet, best-selling author, and revered civil and women’s rights activist, Dr. Maya Angelou. Through her inspiring written work and commanding oratory skills, Maya Angelou touched the lives of countless people. She dared women to be phenomenal and challenged us all …
Memorial Day Message from Senator Burr
As we celebrate Memorial Day, let us take a moment to remember the true meaning of the holiday: to honor those service members who have sacrificed for our nation. Upon entry to the United States military, these brave men and women take an oath to protect and defend the Constitution, our country, and our freedom, even if it means paying the ultimate price. For those who pay this price, we express our deepest gratitude. Let us also remember the families …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Honoring Our Fallen Heroes
Tomorrow is Memorial Day when we honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. I celebrated our military heroes this week at the 17th Annual Women in the Military Wreath Laying Ceremony taking place in Arlington National Cemetery. Please join me in taking time tomorrow to remember those who gave their life to serve in America’s Armed Forces. It is equally important that we honor and care for the veterans who returned home after serving our country. As …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
Last week, I continued to work along with some of my colleagues on addressing the serious problems facing the VA and the Veterans Health Administration. On Tuesday, Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) and I introduced S. 2362, legislation that would prohibit the payment of bonuses to employees at the Veterans Health Administration (VHA) through Fiscal Year 2015. It is appalling and totally unacceptable that the VHA, which is being scrutinized by Congress and the media for a string of national scandals, …
Butterfield’s Bill to Honor World War II Merchant Mariners Passes the House
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed H.R. 4435, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) with provisions authored by Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01). Butterfield successfully offered an amendment to the NDAA that expands the list of documents accepted by the Federal Government to prove service and grant veterans status to a forgotten segment of the Merchant Marine that operated domestically during World War II. Butterfield said, “For decades, brave men and women who served their country …
Butterfield Applauds City of Durham Receipt of Grant to Train Unemployed and Under-Employed for Environmental Jobs
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today congratulated the City of Durham, N.C. on its receipt of an Environmental Workforce Development and Job Training (EWDJT) program grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). The $200,000 grant will be used to fund training programs that provide unemployed and under-employed, including veterans, minority, and predominately low income individuals, with the skills and certifications needed to enter careers in the environmental field. The funding also supports job placement and recruitment …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
Yesterday, the Veterans’ Affairs committee held a hearing on “The State of VA Health Care.” During the hearing we heard from Secretary Shinseki, Under Secretary Petzel, various veterans groups, and oversight entities, like the Office of Inspector General (OIG) and the Government Accountability Office (GAO). To watch the full hearing, click here. I believe the hearing confirmed how systemic this problem is. Veterans and their families across the country have faced delayed, or in some cases, no access to health …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Mother’s Day in Afghanistan
It was an honor to be part of a bipartisan delegation of female members of Congress on a trip to Afghanistan and Pakistan this past week. The trip allowed for me to see firsthand how things have evolved since my first visit to the country in 2012. While in Afghanistan, we hosted female service members to a Mother’s Day luncheon, where they discussed the challenges they face while deployed overseas. We were able to pass out Mother’s Day cards to …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Working to Help Women and Families
I hope this finds you enjoying a very happy Mother’s Day! House Republicans remain focused on jobs and working to expand economic opportunity and security for America’s middle class. In a guest post on Speaker Boehner’s blog Thursday, I talked about five solutions Republicans are working on to help women and families. (Read the post in full below.) There were many important votes taking places in Congress this week. On Wednesday, we voted to hold former IRS Exempt Organizations Division Director …
Butterfield Mourns Loss of Friend and NCCU Photographer Robert Lawson
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the passing of longtime North Carolina Central University Photographer Robert Lawson: “It is with a heavy heart that I express extreme sadness over the passing of my longtime friend and North Carolina Central University photographer, Mr. Robert Lawson. Robert was known by the entire Durham community for his warm spirit and steadfast commitment to his beloved alma mater, NCCU. For more than 50 years, he captured …
Butterfield Decries Denial of Federal Aid for Storm Ravaged Eastern North Carolina
WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) expressed disappointment that the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) denied Governor Pat McCrory’s request to make emergency federal funds available through a major disaster declaration for North Carolina. These funds were requested to assist residents in Beaufort, Chowan, Pasquotank, and Perquimans counties after they were hit by severe storms for several days in late April. After learning of the denial, Butterfield held an emergency call with FEMA Administrator Craig Fugate. …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
This week the Senate passed the Kilah Davenport Child Protection Act, which I introduced in December as the Senate companion to Rep. Robert Pittenger’s House legislation (H.R. 3627). This bill will require the Department of Justice to do a study on state child abuse penalties, which will serve as an important resource for determining if penalties are sufficient to protect children. Having passed both the House of Representatives and the Senate, this legislation will now move to the President’s desk …
Watch For Representative Baskerville Thursday on Time Warner’s News 14
District 32 Rep. Nathan Baskerville will join Senator Fletcher Hartsell, in a discussion for Time Warner’s News 14 Carolina’s nightly political program “Capital Tonight”. Rep. Baskerville and Senator Hartsell will discuss the Affordable Care Act Committee – Their thoughts and their discoveries. The segment airs Thursday, May 8, at 7:20 PM. Make sure to tune in!
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Congressional Update: Funding for Our Vets
Over the past week, many parts of the country, including here in North Carolina, were devastated by severe storms, tornadoes and flooding. Please join me in continuing to pray for those affected by these terrible storms. You can find information about ways to prepare for severe weather at Ready.gov and visit Ellmers.house.gov for additional information about disaster preparedness and assistance. This week, I voted for and the House passed H.R. 4486, the Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations funding bill. This …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
Last week, I introduced the “No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act” with Senator Joe Manchin of West Virginia. This legislation is in response to the news that the IRS awarded $2.8 million in bonuses to employees who participated in illegal behavior — including fraud, drug use, and failing to pay their taxes. The “No Bonuses for Tax Cheats Act” would bar the IRS from paying out bonuses to bureaucrats who are delinquent on their taxes or were found to have …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Did someone take your tax refund?
The tax filing deadline has passed and many taxpayers are now eagerly awaiting their refunds. But what if an identity thief filed taxes in your name and already has your refund? Identity thieves use stolen Social Security Numbers to file fraudulent returns and claim other people’s refunds. Legitimate tax filers usually don’t know that their SSN is being misused until the IRS notifies them about the problem. Our Consumer Protection Division is hearing from dozens North Carolinians each week who …
Butterfield Congratulates Winners of 2014 Congressional Art Competition
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) congratulates Carmen Li of Roanoke Rapids High School, who earned the top honor of “Best in Show” during Saturday’s official awards ceremony for the 2014 Congressional Art Competition themed, An Artistic Discovery. Li, whose charcoal piece entitled “Exhaustion”, was one of 50 students from 14 high schools in North Carolina’s First Congressional District that entered the competition. “It is essential that we nurture and support our youth’s artistic talent to help them …
Butterfield’s Job Fair Draws More Than 500 District Residents to Henderson Middle School
WASHINGTON, DC — The Office of Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) announced that more than 500 area residents attended Butterfield’s job fair today. The 1st Annual Jobs & Opportunities Fair featured dozens of employers and professional development experts from federal, state, and local governments, as well as the private and non-profit sectors. Job fair attendees were able to meet one-on-one with prospective employers and receive career-readiness training and tips. Among the employers featured were: Branch Banking & Trust (BB&T), Butner …
Butterfield to Host Job Fair This Week During District Work Period
WASHINGTON, DC — This week, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will spend much of the district work period focused on education, the arts and job creation, which will include hosting a job fair. Congressman Butterfield’s public schedule begins on Tuesday at a Veterans Benefits for Justice event at Peace Missionary Baptist Church in Durham. Later in the day, Butterfield will attend the North Carolina Justice Center 16th Annual Defender of Justice Awards Ceremony, where he will be honored with …