Category: NC Elected Officials

I am so glad to be back home enjoying the beauty of the Second District in full bloom. I hope this newsletter finds you and your family rejoicing on this blessed Easter holiday weekend. Last week was the first of two back-to-back work weeks in the district, and I’ve enjoyed having the opportunity to talk with so many constituents about the issues we are working on in Washington. One of these issues – taxes – was on the mind of …

Henderson, NC – Rep. Nathan Baskerville confirmed Thursday that Kerr Lake was retested and trace amounts of Coal Ash have been discovered.   The Division of Water Resources indicated that trace amounts of coal ash have been spotted near the surface, raising concerns that more coal ash may be discovered deeper in the lake.  This retesting was prompted by the efforts of Representative Baskerville and local Kerr Lake constituents.  Baskerville said “these tests affirm what many Vance County residents already suspected.  …

Henderson, NC — North Carolina State Representative Nathan Baskerville released a statement today detailing his growing concerns regarding the February 2, 2014 Dan River Coal Ash spill.  “It has come to my attention recently that Vance County residents have seen what they believe to be coal ash in the water at Kerr Lake. My office takes these types of calls from citizens very seriously, because we recognize the vital importance of our Kerr Lake water supply. “ Representative Baskerville has …

Last week, I joined Chuck Todd on The Daily Rundown to discuss the obstacles facing our nation’s veterans. To watch, click the video above or visit my Youtube page. Last evening, Senator Alexander and I took to the floor to warn that the unionization of college athletes, as permitted by a recent National Labor Relations Board regional decision, would destroy college sports and harm the entire American system of higher education. I am a former scholarship football player for Wake …

This week, HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius resigned after 5 years as head of Department of Health and Human Services. Her resignation transpires six months after the failed rollout of Obamacare, which she was responsible for overseeing. The American people deserve both accountability and answers to the many unanswered questions that remain. Just as I have done in the past, I will continue to ask tough questions of the Obama administration, and I will continue my fight against this failed healthcare law. …

Last week, I joined 10 other members of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence in voting to declassify the Detention and Interrogation Report. Since 2012, I have been deeply concerned about the factual inaccuracies contained within this report, including inaccurate information relating to the details of the interrogation program and other information provided by detainees.  I had hoped that the authors of the report would ensure that the American public was provided facts, not fiction.  I am extremely disappointed in …

While the president celebrated Obamacare enrollment numbers that don’t tell the full story this week, he disregarded the 75 percent of Americans that are living paycheck to paycheck and the 30-hour rule in Obamacare that threatens to slash employees’ wages. House Republicans are working to ease the financial squeeze that all-too many Americans are experiencing. To help in this effort, I voted this week to restore the 40-hour work week by defining a “full-time” employee as one who works 40-hours …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) Wednesday expressed grave concern over the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling in McCutcheon v. Federal Election Commission, which strikes down contribution limits for individual campaign donors by claiming that it restricts First Amendment rights. Butterfield said, “The Supreme Court has ruled to drown out the voice of the common man in elections by, again, empowering those with vast monetary resources.  Since the Citizens United decision, the massive infusion of corporate financing has dramatically …

Every day we learn of the dangers facing millions of Americans due to Obamacare. This week, we learned that our substitute teachers in North Carolina are losing their hours and income. In one North Carolina county alone, as many as 200 teachers are facing fewer options – all because of Obamacare’s employer mandate. Below you will find my full statement about this latest news of the devastating effects of Obamacare. Also in this newsletter is an excerpt from my op-ed, …

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. …

With 3.8 million Americans unemployed for 27 weeks or more and the labor force participation rate at 63 percent – a 36-year-low– we are experiencing a “new normal” in this country that is simply unacceptable.  It is hard to understand why after 2,000 days and more than 22,000 pages of review, the president has not yet approved the Keystone XL pipeline, which would bring jobs and greater energy security to America. On the House Energy and Commerce Committee, we continue to …

This week the Senate passed S. 1086, the Child Care and Development Block Grant (CCDBG) Act of 2014, legislation I co-authored with Senator Barbara Mikulski (MD). For years, I, along with some of my colleagues, have been calling for the Senate to return to regular order where legislation is introduced, considered through the committee of jurisdiction, and debated in the United States Senate with a full and robust amendment process.  Although taking this legislative route can be time consuming and, …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released a letter to North Carolina Department of Environment and Natural Resources Secretary John Skvarla expressing grave concern over the Dan River coal ash spill in Rockingham County, North Carolina and seeking clarification on the potential threat of other coal ash ponds located near communities throughout the state.    In his letter Butterfield writes, “The safety of coal ash ponds has concerned North Carolinians since long before the February 2, 2014 …

WASHINGTON, DC — In a bipartisan effort, Reps. Brett Guthrie (R-KY), G.K. Butterfield (D-NC) and Todd Young (R-IN) today introduced legislation (H.R. 4190) that will allow Medicare reimbursement for certain pharmacist services in medically underserved communities.  Many states allow pharmacists to provide additional services, such as immunizations, diabetes management, blood pressure screenings and routine checks.  However, there is currently no mechanism for pharmacists to be reimbursed by the Medicare program.  This common-sense bill creates a means for pharmacists to be …

We saw more evidence this week that Obamacare is a terribly flawed law, as the president announced yet another Obamacare delay – this time, the delay was intentionally timed as to help the Democrats in their upcoming elections. Perhaps of more concern is the Administration’s proposed cuts to Medicare, which was offered to help foot the cost of Obamacare. Nearly half-a-million seniors in North Carolina rely on Medicare Advantage for their medical coverage. CMS’ proposal to cut Medicare Advantage by …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), former North Carolina Judge and First Vice-Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, today released the following statement regarding the Senate’s failure to advance Debo P. Adegbile through the confirmation process: “I have spent my entire career – first as a civil rights attorney, superior court judge, state Supreme Court justice, and now as a Member of Congress – supporting and defending the U.S. Constitution by advocating for equal justice under the law.  …

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the passage of legislation to enable the use of large electric water heaters in voluntary energy efficiency programs.  Butterfield is a cosponsor of the water heater legislation, H.R. 4066, which was included as part of the larger energy efficiency bill that passed the House of Representatives earlier today.  The water heater bill will help reduce demand for electricity during peak hours and encourage the use of renewable energy from intermittent …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the passing of former Chairman of Mutual Community Savings Bank, F.V. “Pete” Allison, Jr.:    “I am saddened to learn of the passing of my good friend, F.V. “Pete” Allison, Jr.  Pete was a personable, kind, and effective business leader that took great pride in his work, but even greater pride in his family.  He successfully used his career in banking to enrich the lives of …

Last week, the Senate focused on the Veterans Omnibus, offered by Senator Sanders, which would create at least 15 new programs at VA while doing nothing to fix the vast problems that exist in current programs.  Senator Sander’s legislation failed during a procedural vote to raise the spending caps set in the Murray-Ryan Budget. I do support many pieces of the Sanders bill.  Those pieces were included in my alternative, which was introduced Tuesday evening.  Those areas of agreement reflect …