Category: NC Elected Officials

This week the Senate continued its work on the Farm Bill.  One amendment that was offered by Senator Dianne Feinstein would have been devastating to North Carolina’s farmers.  If passed, the Feinstein amendment would have singled out tobacco farmers, and only tobacco farmers, from being eligible to purchase federal crop insurance.  This was just another thinly veiled attempt to end the production of a legal product in this country.  Tobacco is also the leading tax generating commodity in the agriculture community and one that we export.  If the amendment …

As we head into the holiday weekend, many of us will be busy with family gatherings, trips and community events.  My family will be celebrating the graduation of my son, Ben, from high school. Amidst the activity of the weekend, let us take time to remember those in our armed forces who gave all to secure the way of life we enjoy today.  You will find my Memorial Day message in this newsletter, along with information about two bills I …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) took to the House floor today to voice his strong opposition to the Republican-led “Making College More Expensive Act” that would change the interest rates for all new federal student loans made on or after July 1, 2013, from a fixed interest rate to a variable market-based interest rate.  Presently, the interest rate for subsidized loans is 3.4 percent, however, the rate is scheduled to double to 6.8 percent after July 1 …

As you may know, the House voted this week to repeal Obamacare, and I wholeheartedly support the effort to fully repeal this terrible law.  However, if we don’t have the votes in the Senate to repeal this law in full, then we should also seek to dismantle it piece by piece.  That’s why this week I introduced a bill with Senator Coburn that will repeal the Federal Medical Assistance Percentage (FMAP), Affordable Care Act’s provision that commits federal taxpayer dollars to incentivizing …

This week, the Wall Street Journal reported that the IRS’ scrutiny of conservative groups went beyond those with “tea party” or “patriot” in their names to also include ones worried about government spending, debt or taxes, and even ones that lobbied to “make America a better place to live.” Many groups say they were asked for lists of their donors and other sensitive information. These actions by the IRS are extremely troubling. Also of great concern is that under Obamacare, …

NEWS FROM RALEIGH… I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door is always open to you!  As always, thank you for your support!   NEWSLETTER INDEX Around the District and More Events Awards and Grants Legislative News Notes of Thanks Hear and See Legislative Live Daily If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please click here —————————————————————————- AROUND THE DISTRICT AND MORE Senator Bryant Visits the Free Clinic in Warrenton …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today commended the United States Coast Guard’s decision to continue maintenance, repair, and overhaul work of the Coast Guard’s C-130 aircraft fleet at the Coast Guard’s Aviation Logistics Center in Elizabeth City, North Carolina.  Maintenance on the Coast Guard’s C-130 fleet has been performed in Elizabeth City for the past three years and employs around 240 people, making it one of the largest sources of jobs in the area.  “I am thrilled …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today submitted testimony to the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs in support of the Veterans Education Equity Act of 2013.  Butterfield introduced H.R. 595, the House version of the legislation, in February to reward equal educational benefits to veterans whether they choose to attend a private or public institution of higher learning.  Today’s hearing is the first Senate hearing on S.262, the companion bill introduced by Senator Dick Durbin (D-IL), and …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) decision to continue the Federal Aviation Administration Contract Tower (FCT) Program at the Kinston Regional Jetport at Stallings Field (ISO) and Coastal Carolina Regional (EWN) Airport through the remainder of fiscal year 2013, ending the threat of closures and employee furloughs.  Butterfield said, “I applaud the DOT’s decision to continue the FAA Contract Tower Program at the Kinston Regional Jetport, the Coastal Carolina Regional …

This week, the House passed an important piece of legislation to give working moms and dads more options.  The Working Families Flexibility Act ends an outdated provision in the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) that prohibits the private sector from using “comp time.” Below you will find my statement on the bill along with links to video of my speech on the House floor and comments from a press conference with Majority Leader Eric Cantor. Thank you for subscribing to …

This week, the House Committee on Oversight & Government Reform held a hearing that shed new light on the attack on our embassy in Benghazi  and the Obama administration’s subsequent handling and response.  For the first time since the tragic events last September that resulted in the death of four Americans, we heard witness testimony from officials on the ground confirming that it was clear from the outset this was a pre-planned terrorist attack despite the White House and State …

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for awarding three brownfield grants to the cities of Greenville and Wilson, North Carolina.  The grants, valued at $400,000 and $200,000 respectively, will help fund the cleanup of the former Imperial Tobacco Outparcel Property and the former Imperial Tobacco Warehouse Property in Greenville, and complete environmental site assessments in Wilson. Butterfield said, “The hazardous effects of brownfields have historically impacted the physical and economic …

H.R. 1416 – my bill to protect cancer patients on Medicare from sequestration cuts that would delay the life-saving treatments they need – now has over 60 cosponsors. This week, I spoke to Bill LuMaye on WPTF radio and to Chris Hayes on MSNBC television about the urgent need for this bill. On Wednesday, I spoke as part of a symposium hosted by the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health on the issue of human trafficking. An excerpt of …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of veteran lawmaker Congressman Mel Watt as the new Director of the Federal Housing Finance Agency: “Congressman Mel Watt has proudly represented the people of Charlotte, North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives for more than twenty years.  He has been an outspoken leader on both the House Financial Services and the House Judiciary Committees where he has worked tirelessly to stop predatory …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement expressing his condolences on the passing of Josephine Farmer Edwards:  “Today, I join countless others in mourning the loss of former teacher and Wilson County Commissioner Josephine Farmer Edwards.  Mrs. Edwards leaves a legacy of excellence and humility.  As her former pupil, Mrs. Edwards’ love of education was ever present in the classroom.  As a fellow public servant, I witnessed Mrs. Edwards faithfully serve Wilson County with …

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as the next Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation: “I am very pleased by the President’s decision to nominate Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx as the new Transportation Secretary.  Mayor Foxx is the best choice given his experience and his work to improve Charlotte’s transit infrastructure, something tens of thousands of visitors experienced firsthand during the 2012 Democratic Convention.  He …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to Goldsboro on Tuesday, April 30, to discuss and tour the progress of three major local transportation projects currently underway: the Gateway Transfer Center Project, the Center Streetscape Project, and the Goldsboro Union Station Multimodal Transportation Facility. Butterfield was instrumental in securing nearly a million dollars in federal funding for the development of these projects.  Through LaHood’s visit, Butterfield hopes to convince the Transportation Department …

This week, I joined with the Chairman of the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee to introduce a piece of legislation designed to help the Department of Veterans Affairs meet its goal to eliminate veteran homelessness by 2015. Although we’ve made significant progress, there are still over 62,000 homeless veterans that we have an obligation to help off the street and back on their feet.  The Homeless Veterans Prevention Act of 2013 is an important step in addressing the top unmet needs …

Over the weekend,  I attended the reopening of the Chatham County Historic Courthouse. This article in the Sanford Herald has information about the courthouse and the ceremony. On Monday, I was in Fayetteville, participating in the Fort Bragg Literacy Celebration at Devers Elementary School. Later that day, I visited with the students of Douglas Byrd High School where I was hosted by NC Assistant Principal of the Year, Yolanda Epps. This week in Washington, my work on the Energy & …