Category: NC Elected Officials

Despite the fact that this was the Senate’s last week in session before entering the August recess, nothing was accomplished to address the most pressing issues facing our nation – our economic recovery and job creation.  Today’s report that unemployment increased to 8.3% in July, coupled with last week’s announcement of anemic 1.5% economic growth in the second quarter of this year – a 25% decrease in growth from the first quarter – is further evidence of the dangerous situation …

The governor this week concluded her review of the bills passed by the General Assembly during the final days of session and all of them will go into law. The governor did decide to let two controversial bills – one on how to measure sea level rise and another that would take a water system from the city of Asheville and turn it over to a regional authority – go into law without her signature. She did not issue any …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement on the 47th anniversary of Medicare and Medicaid: “Today we proudly celebrate the anniversary of Medicare, Medicaid, and the security these two programs have ensured for millions of American families.  Forty seven years ago, this nation pursued a bold mission to provide the most vulnerable people in our communities with an affordable path to health insurance that would help extend their lives and promote economic prosperity.   Before …

This week, the House took another step toward greater transparency and accountability by passing H.R. 459, the Federal Reserve Transparency Act of 2012,  with an overwhelming bipartisan vote of  327-98. I am proud to be a co-sponsor of this important bill. The House also voted this week on the ‘Red Tape Reduction and Small Business Job Creation Act’ (H.R. 4078), a bill that will help “cut through the red tape holding back job creation” and hurting small businesses.  Next week,  …

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, today issued the following statement on the administrative complaint filed by Consumer Product Safety Commission against Maxfield and Oberton, the manufacturer of Buckyballs: “I support the strong and rare action taken yesterday by the Consumer Product Safety Commission against the manufacturer of Buckyballs to stop sale of this dangerous product.  I also want to commend the pediatric gastroenterologists that have been …

The governor continues to gradually sign new bills into law as her Aug. 2 deadline for action approaches. This week she signed three more bills into law and only a few remain for her consideration.  She must sign the remaining bills, allow them to become law without her signature or veto them. If she vetoes any bills, the General Assembly could come back to Raleigh to consider whether to override them.   New Laws Gov. Perdue has signed into law …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will be joined by U.S. Department of Agriculture Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White tomorrow to announce $1 million in available funding through an Environmental Quality Incentives Program (EQIP) pilot project.  Funding for the Irrigation and Conservation Efficiency Pilot Project, which is administered by NRCS, is available to farmers through an application process, with priority given to limited resource and socially disadvantaged applicants. “Too many farmers in North Carolina’s First …

WHO:  Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) Chief Dave White WHAT:  NRCS is inviting the media and members of the public to attend a special announcement regarding a $1 million special Farm Bill project for 23 counties in North Carolina.  This pilot project will assist farmers in their voluntary efforts to address natural resource concerns such as water quantity and quality, as well as soil condition, air quality and on-farm energy use.  Assistance is …

Our businesses and job creators are under constant assault. According to a new survey by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce survey, 72% of small business owners say Obamacare has made it harder for their business to hire more employees. Furthermore, the latest monthly report from the National Federation of Independent Business (NFIB) shows that small business owners are identifying taxes as the “single most important problem facing their business.” Each of these recent reports follow on the heels of President …

Even though the legislative session has ended, work continues on some proposed new laws.  In the past week, the governor has signed nearly 50 bills into law.  Nine bills were pending as of Thursday afternoon.  The governor has until Aug. 2 to sign these bills, allow them to become law without her signature or veto them. If she vetoes any bills, the General Assembly could come back to Raleigh to consider an override. This week, I want to share with …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for awarding East Carolina University (ECU) with a Nurse Anesthesia Traineeship grant in the amount of $12,516. The university will use the funds to support nurses who wish to obtain advanced educational preparation at ECU’s Nurse Anesthesia Program. “There is currently a local and national shortage of nurses and Certified Registered Nurse Anesthetists,” said Congressman Butterfield.  “Research shows that the quality of …

WASHINGTON, DC —  Calling it vitally important to efforts by the federal government to fight online fraud, Congresswoman Mary Bono Mack (CA-45), Chairman of the House Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing and Trade, and Ranking Member G. K. Butterfield (NC-1) today introduced bipartisan legislation (H.R. 6131) to reauthorize the U.S. SAFE WEB Act of 2006. Passed unanimously by the House and signed into law by President Bush, the U.S. SAFE WEB Act – set to expire next year – has become …

WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement on the passing of North Carolina State Representative William Wainwright: “I join with so many others who knew William in offering my deepest sympathy to his family on his passing.  A devoted public servant of more than 20 years, Representative William Wainwright was an unwearied advocate of the people and communities he served.  He lived a Christ filled life and possessed the extraordinary ability to make a …

WASHINGTON, DC – The Office of Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today announced the Congressman’s co-sponsorship of H.R. 4313, the Farm Service Accountability Act, which would halt the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) from future closures of Farm Service Agency (FSA) offices without first assessing the workload volume of each office and the needs of the residents they serve. “The FSA offices in Chowan, Warren, and Hertford counties provide critical access to USDA services for hundreds of farmers,” said Congressman …

Preventing Leaks About Covert Actions to Protect American Lives and Missions This week, I introduced a bill that I never thought would be necessary, but unfortunately, leaks of confidential information about American covert actions have become so common and pose such a threat to our national security that I was forced to introduce legislation to combat it.  Such reckless disclosures of top-secret information compromise our national security, jeopardize the work of our intelligence officers and overseas partners, and risk innocent …

This week, the House voted for the full repeal of Obamacare. Unfortunately, just as he has done with dozens of other bills passed in the House, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid does not appear likely to allow a vote on Obamacare repeal in the Senate. Immediately following our vote in the House, I sent a letter to Senator Reid (also signed by over 100 fellow Members of the House) urging him to allow a vote so that all Americans will …

WASHINGTON, DC – On Wednesday, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) held a telephone town hall meeting to answer residents’ questions on how the Affordable Care Act will affect North Carolina families.  The live telephone town hall began at 6:00 p.m. and lasted over an hour.  More than 12,000 district residents joined the call. “There is a lot of misinformation and disinformation surrounding the costs and benefits of healthcare reform,” said Congressman Butterfield.  “Because of this, I thought it was important …

WASHINGTON, DC — President Obama signed legislation into law yesterday that included the bipartisan Creating Hope Act, authored by Congressmen Michael McCaul (R-TX) and G. K. Butterfield (D-NC).  The Creating Hope Act of 2011 provides market incentives to pharmaceutical companies to develop new drugs for children with rare pediatric diseases, such as childhood cancers and sickle cell.  Originally H.R. 3059, The Creating Hope Act was passed as Section 908 of S. 3187 of the Food and Drug Administration Safety and Innovation …

The General Assembly adjourned its 2012 session Tuesday, but not before it overrode the three latest vetoes issued by the governor. The decisions to reject the governor’s vetoes without attempting any compromise cleared the way for implementation of a mostly bad state budget; continued racial bias in our courts; and fast-tracked drilling for natural gas, despite environmental uncertainty and the objections of many people who own the deposits. I will provide you with additional information about each of the vetoed …

WASHINGTON, DC – July 6th, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC) will join President Obama for the signing of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21 Century Act, the bill to fund long term transportation related projects and prevent the doubling of interest rates on certain student loans. “For months, Democrats have been fighting to pass this bipartisan legislation that will boost a struggling construction sector, give certainty to a range of small business owners, and pave the way for …