After meeting with his national security team, President Obama entered the White House Press Briefing Room this afternoon to give an update on the situation in Iraq. The President outlined a number of steps that his Administration has made in response to ongoing developments — and closed by announcing that Secretary of State John Kerry will depart this weekend for meetings in the Middle East and Europe, leading a diplomatic effort to support stability in the region. Watch the President …
Category: Press Release
Butterfield and Price Press EPA Administrator for Stricter Standards on Coal Ash
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Representatives G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) and David Price (NC-04) released a letter urging Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Gina McCarthy for tougher standards regarding the storage and disposal of coal ash. Their letter, which is cosigned by 83 members of Congress, presses for stricter standards and enforcement under the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act by year’s end, and follows several recent coal ash spills, including the Dan River spill in North Carolina in March. The congressmen …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
Last week, I joined Minority Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee members in a letter to Attorney General Eric Holder, pressing the Department of Justice (DOJ) to join efforts with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Inspector General’s investigation into misconduct at VA facilities. On Wednesday, the FBI also opened a criminal probe into the VA scandal. To read the text of the letter, click here. The Senate passed the bipartisan Veterans Access to Care through Choice, Accountability and Transparency Act to …
White House: On Father’s Day
Hi, everyone — Today, I’m thinking about all the dads across the country, spending time with family and loved ones — and especially those fathers serving our country overseas, who can’t be home with their kids today. But I’m also thinking about all the young people out there who don’t have a dad in their lives at all — or who don’t always enjoy the opportunities and support that come with having strong role models. It reminds me why we …
White House Weekly Address: The President Wishes America’s Dads a Happy Father’s Day
In this week’s address, President Obama wished America’s dads a happy Father’s Day and underscored the crucial role fathers play in our society. The President encouraged Americans to support those living without a father figure through initiatives like My Brother’s Keeper. He also highlighted actions he is taking on behalf of hardworking, responsible dads and moms, such as hosting the first-ever White House Working Families Summit later this month, and called on Congress to do its part to help offer …
Butterfield Urges VA to Explain Conflicting Reports on Wait Times at Durham VA Medical Center
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) released a letter to U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Assistant Secretary for Congressional and Legislative Affairs Joan Mooney expressing serious concerns over reports of exceptionally long wait times for patients at the Durham Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). On Monday, the U. S. Department of Veterans Affairs’ Nationwide Access Audit revealed that new patients at the Durham VAMC are waiting an average of 104 days for mental health appointments, the …
Butterfield Introduces Highway Bill for Eastern North Carolina with Support of NC Delegation Members and Governor McCrory
WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) introduced a bipartisan bill to designate two highways as a “future interstate” that will originate in Raleigh, North Carolina, and travel through Rocky Mount, Williamston, and Elizabeth City, North Carolina to Norfolk, Virginia. H.R. 4829, or the ROAD Act, is cosponsored by Representatives Walter Jones (NC-03), David Price (NC-04), Howard Coble (NC-06), Mike McIntyre (NC-07), Mark Meadows (NC-11), and Renee Ellmers (NC-02), and will enable transportation improvements to U.S. Highways 17 …
White House: Making College Affordable
At a time where college has never been more important, it has also never been more expensive. So as part of his year of action to expand opportunity for all Americans, the President is working to make student debt more affordable and manageable to repay. Today, he signed a memorandum directing the Secretary of Education to propose regulations that would allow nearly 5 million federal direct student loan borrowers to cap their loan payments at 10 percent of their income. …
Butterfield Calls on Department of Veterans Affairs to Speed Healthcare Reforms
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs Nationwide Access Audit: “The release of the Department of Veterans Affairs nation-wide audit highlights the extent to which the VA healthcare system has failed our veterans. The mistreatment of our veterans is not acceptable and the VA must do better. In this report, the VA has identified procedures, areas of care, and facilities in North Carolina and across the country that are …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
This week the Senate began moving forward on legislative solutions to address the crisis at the Department of Veteran Affairs (VA). On Tuesday, Senators McCain, Coburn, Flake, and I introduced the Veterans Choice Act. This targeted, commonsense legislation would address the most pressing issues raised by the continuing VA scandal by providing veterans with greater choice and flexibility in health care providers and increasing accountability and transparency at the VA. The Veterans Choice Act was endorsed by American Legion, Iraq …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: This Week in the District
It was great to be back in the district this week with stops including Raleigh, Cary, Sanford, and Fort Bragg. Reports regarding substandard health care and treatment of our troops at Womack Army Medical Center are upsetting and require both accountability and a remedy. I was honored to meet with several military commanders and enlisted personnel during a visit to Womack this week to address my serious concerns. While there, we had the opportunity to discuss the problems at hand …
White House Weekly Address: Supporting America’s Students
In this week’s address, President Obama underscored the importance of helping to lift the burden of crushing student loan debt faced by too many Americans and highlighted the efforts he’s taken to ensure we uphold America’s commitment to provide a quality education for all who are willing to work for it. While the President will continue to take action on his own, he urged Congress to do its part and commended Senate Democrats for working on a bill that would …
EPA to Award Wilson $1 Million Brownfield Grant During Ceremony, Tomorrow
WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will join Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Regional Administrator Heather McTeer Toney and City of Wilson Mayor C. Bruce Rose at 10:00 a.m. at Vollis Simpson Whirligig Park, 112 Goldsboro Street East, Wilson, N.C. at a ceremony to award the City of Wilson and the Upper Coastal Plain Council of Governments a $1 million Brownfields Revolving Loan Fund Grant and a $400,000 Brownfields Community Assessment Grant, respectively. The grants, funded by the …
Congreswoman Renee Ellmers: Demanding Accountability at the VA
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 …
White House Weekly Address: Reducing Carbon Pollution in Our Power Plants
In this week’s address, President Obama discussed new actions by the Environmental Protection Agency to cut dangerous carbon pollution, a plan that builds on the efforts already taken by many states, cities and companies. These new commonsense guidelines to reduce carbon pollution from power plants were created with feedback from businesses, and state and local governments, and they would build a clean energy economy while reducing carbon pollution. The President discussed this new plan from the Children’s National Medical Center …
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 …
White House: “They Gave Their Lives So That We Might Live Ours”
Monday, President Obama traveled to Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and deliver remarks at a memorial service honoring our fallen servicemembers and their families. The President, who returned from Afghanistan this morning, thanked troops and veterans for their service to our nation, and paid tribute to the fallen: Today, in small towns across America, in cemeteries throughout our country and around the world, and here on these solemn hillsides, the families …
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, …