WASHINGTON, DC – Thursday, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Vice Chair of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), and members of the CBC protested removing the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) from the Farm Bill during rule debate on the House Floor. CBC Members, Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer and Members of the Democratic Caucus stood together in opposition to separating nutrition programs and farm subsidies from the Farm Bill as an effort to pass legislation without regard to the impact …
Category: NC Elected Officials
Butterfield Blasts House Republicans for Passing Farm Bill without Funding Food Stamps and Other Nutrition Programs
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) blasted the Republican leadership of the U.S. House of Representatives for passing a revised Farm Bill without funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as food stamps. The revised bill excluded the nutrition title that authorizes SNAP and other vital nutrition-related programs that benefit millions of Americans. Butterfield said, “House Republicans showed the American people that they don’t care about those most in need–about the single mother with …
Butterfield Offers Amendment to Protect and Advance Energy Research
WASHINGTON, DC — Late last night, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) offered a bipartisan amendment to H.R. 2609, the Fiscal Year 2014 Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, that would provide funding for Advanced Research Projects Agency-Energy (ARPA-E) to distribute to critical energy research projects throughout the country. Innovations funded by ARPA-E have spurred millions in economic activity and helps the U.S. economy compete in emerging energy markets. “Our ability to compete in energy innovation is critical …
Butterfield Cheers EPA’s Approval of Renewable Fuel Source That Will Lead to Job Creation
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for clearing the way for the production of renewable fuel from giant reed (Arundo donax) and napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum). This decision directly affects North Carolina farmers and Chemtex International, a global renewable energy company seeking to create jobs by opening a new renewable energy plant in eastern North Carolina. Butterfield said, “The EPA’s decision to allow production of renewable fuel from Arundo donax …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Beware of calls offering medic alert
More than 100 consumers have complained to us in the past month about calls pitching a medical alert system. These robocalls (pre-recorded, automatically dialed calls) use what is called an avatar recording, meaning the recording can understand some of what you say and respond with a stock answer. In the recording, “John” promises you a medical alert system and says it’s already been paid for. While this may sound like a good deal, we suspect it’s either a ruse to …
Senator Kay Hagan: Students Cannot Afford Congressional Inaction
Yet another deadline has come and gone with Congress failing to act. This time, the fallout from the political paralysis in Washington will land squarely on students and middle class families who rely on federal Stafford loans to afford college. Because Congress did not act, 176,000 North Carolina students and 7.4 million students nationwide will see interest rates on their federal Stafford loans double from 3.4 to 6.8 percent. This effectively sticks our students with nearly $1,000 a year in …
Butterfield Pushes Need for Broadband Access in Rural and Underserved Communities at National Telecom Conference
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) addressed a capacity crowd of policymakers, advocates, and industry leaders at the Minority Media and Telecom Council’s (MMTC) 11th Annual Access to Capital and Telecom Policy Conference where he underscored the need for broadband access in rural communities and among economically disadvantaged populations across the country. Butterfield represents one of the poorest congressional districts, and serves as a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over telecommunications …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Important Obamacare News
I hope you enjoyed a safe and happy Independence Day celebrating the 237th birthday of our great nation. Over the past week, there were important developments regarding Obamacare that are likely to affect you and your family. On Tuesday, the president announced a delay of the Obamacare mandate requiring employers with more than 50 employees to provide health coverage or be fined. With this action, the president finally admitted what all the evidence has shown — that Obamacare is already …
Senator Richard Burr: Happy Fourth of July
Every year, Americans take time to celebrate the founding of our nation. As we celebrate with family and friends this Fourth of July, and participate in community events and commemorate our nation’s founding, it is important to look beyond the fanfare to appreciate the significance of the celebration of our nation’s independence. The Fourth of July is both a celebration and demonstration of our national unity. It is an opportunity for people of all backgrounds and histories to join together …
Butterfield Expresses Condolences on the Passing of Former Congressman William Gray
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today expressed his sadness on the passing of former Philadelphia Congressman and House Majority Whip William “Bill” H. Gray III. Congressman Gray was the first African American to chair the House Budget Committee and also the first to serve as the Majority Whip before resigning in 1991 to head the United Negro College Fund. Butterfield’s statement follows. “News of Congressman William Gray’s death came as a shock. Just last week we enjoyed …
Kay Hagan: As We Celebrate July 4th, We Must Honor Those Who Have Fought to Protect Us
As we gather with friends and family this July Fourth for backyard barbecues and fireworks, we should take a moment to honor not only the values of freedom and liberty that make our country great, but also those who have fought to protect them. North Carolina is the most military-friendly state in the nation – a place where we pride ourselves on the support we provide to our military, our veterans, and their families. America’s servicemen and women put their …
Butterfield Announces $1.4 million Award for Halifax County
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) Monday announced a $1.4 million investment award to Halifax County for a state-of-the-art lumber processing facility owned and operated by Klausner Lumber Two. The facility will be located in the Town of Enfield. The award was made possible by the Economic Development Administration, which is a bureau within the U.S. Department of Commerce. The project will leverage North Carolina’s abundance of forestry-based natural resources for the lumber and biomass industries. Klausner has …
Attorney General Roy Cooper: Don’t pay for job opportunities
Job search websites can be a great tool for finding your next job. But not every opportunity posted turns out to be legitimate. Some North Carolina job seekers recently found this out when they responded to a posting for what looked like security guard work but turned out to be a scam. People who responded to the post were asked to pay more than $100 upfront for training by purchasing a reloadable debit card. Victims were also asked to provide …
Congressswoman Renee Ellmers Newsletter
We had another busy week in Washington, where many important issues were both debated and acted upon. On Tuesday, I led a Special Order on the House floor with several of my colleagues form the Energy and Commerce Committee. We discussed a recent report from the non-partisan Government Accountability Office (GAO) which lays out the many missed deadlines and delays for implementation of Obamacare, as well as its negative effect on jobs. All of these issues make it apparent that …
Butterfield Testifies at Veterans Affairs Committee Hearing in Support of his Bill to Honor World War II Merchant Mariners
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) testified in support of his bill, H.R. 1288, the World War II Merchant Mariner Service Act, at the House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs Subcommittee on Disability Assistance and Memorial Affairs. H.R. 1288 would expand the very specific list of acceptable documents considered by the Federal government when Merchant Mariners who served during World War II apply for veterans’ status. Currently, the documents permitted to satisfactorily prove service can be extremely hard …
Senator Richard Burr Newsletter
This week, I worked with a bipartisan group of fellow Senators to forge a solution, the Bipartisan Student Loan Certainty Act, to avert student loan rates from doubling on July 1st and provide a permanent solution that would lower and fix interest rates for 100% of newly issued student loans. This bill is a bipartisan, permanent market-based solution that ensures access and affordability for students seeking higher education and gives them the certainty they need to plan for the future. …
Butterfield Cheers Confirmation of Anthony Foxx as Transportation Secretary
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the confirmation of Anthony Foxx as the third African American U.S. Secretary of Transportation, 17th overall: “I applaud the U.S. Senate’s swift action in confirming former Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx to lead the United States Department of Transportation as its 17th secretary. President Obama has selected a very capable public servant to lead the department and the nation in this capacity. Then-Mayor Foxx’s work to improve …
Butterfield Urges Full Funding of FCT Program to Increase Air Safety
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) sent a letter to the House Appropriations Committee leaders urging the panel to fully fund the Federal Contract Tower (FCT) program under the Fiscal Year 2014 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development Appropriations bill. The FCT program staffs air traffic control towers with contractors instead of Federal Aviation Administration employees, which help to manage air traffic control and increase air safety. Butterfield additionally emphasized the program’s contribution to the local economies and …
Butterfield to Hold Open House of New District Office in Durham, Tuesday
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01)today announced his office will host the official grand opening of its new Durham office on Tuesday, July 2, 2013, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. The Open House will provide Durham residents an opportunity to meet and visit with Congressman Butterfield and his entire Congressional staff. Invited guests include state and local officials and community leaders. Butterfield became the congressional representative of the city of Durham in January as a result of redistricting. …
Butterfield Denounces Supreme Court’s Decision and State Voter ID Bill
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) issued the following statement regarding the Supreme Court of the United States’ decision declaring Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 unconstitutional: “I am outraged with the Supreme Court’s decision to declare as unconstitutional Section 4 of the Voting Rights Act. The decision will lead to less protection for minority voters in covered jurisdictions. “When the Voting Rights Act was reauthorized in 2006 by an overwhelming bi-partisan majority, Congress …