In this week’s address, Vice President Biden discusses the importance of raising the federal minimum wage. It’s good for workers, it’s good for business, and it would help close the gender pay gap, as women make up more than half of the workers who stand to benefit from a raise. And as the Vice President highlights, Congress should boost the federal minimum wage because it’s what a majority of the American people want. Welcome to a special, travel edition of …
Category: Press Release
The President Answers Questions About Health Care from the Quora Community
Monday, President Obama answered questions on Quora, a leading question-and-answer website, about Affordable Care Act enrollment and how the law affects young people across America. The deadline to enroll for health care coverage for this year is March 31 — only seven days from now — so if you’re not covered yet, sign up today at HealthCare.gov. And if you do have health insurance, make sure to tell your friends, family, and co-workers why they need to get covered. Visit …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Four Years of Broken Obamacare Promises; Energy Roundtable in Raleigh
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. …
White House Weekly Address: Rewarding Women’s Hard Work and Increasing the Minimum Wage
In this week’s address, President Obama highlights the importance of making sure our economy rewards the hard work of every American — including America’s women. This week, the President celebrated St. Patrick’s day alongside the Prime Minister of Ireland, continued to work toward a diplomatic resolution to the conflict in Ukraine, hosted Palestinian President Abbas, awarded 24 Medals of Honor, and traveled to Florida to speak on the importance of supporting working families.
Butterfield Applauds the North Carolina Central University(NCCU) Men’s Basketball MEAC Championship Team.
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today applauded the North Carolina Central University (NCCU) Men’s Basketball team for winning the 2014 Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference (MEAC) championship and finishing the regular season with the best record in the MEAC. The NCCU Eagles finished the regular season with one of the school’s best records ever following a 71-62 championship victory over Morgan State University on March 15, 2014. For the first time in school history, NCCU will play in the …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Keeping the Promise to Our Seniors
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 …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
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, …
White House Weekly Address: Rewarding Hard Work by Strengthening Overtime Pay Protections
In this week’s address, President Obama highlighted the action he took this week to reward hard work by strengthening overtime pay protections. As part of this year of action, the President has ordered the Secretary of Labor to modernize our country’s overtime rules to ensure that millions of American workers are paid a fair wage for a hard day’s work. While our economy is moving forward, the middle class and those fighting to get into it are still struggling and …
Butterfield Seeks Answers from NC Environmental and Natural Resources Department on the Dan River Coal Ash Spill and Other Potential Threats
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 …
Reps. Guthrie, Butterfield and Young introduce bipartisan bill to increase access to medical care
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 …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: My Bill to Stop Obama’s War on Medicare Part D
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 …
White House: Weekly Address: Time for Congress to Raise the Minimum Wage for the American People
In this week’s address, President Obama highlighted the momentum building across the country to give Americans a raise and reiterated his call for Congress to increase the minimum wage from $7.25 to $10.10. The President has already signed an executive order to raise the minimum wage for people working under new federal contracts. Companies large and small are choosing to give workers a raise because they know it’s good business. And Governors across the country are answering the President’s call …
CBC First Vice-Chair G. K. Butterfield’s Statement on the Senate’s Failure to Advance a Vote to Confirm Debo Adegbile as Assistant Attorney General of the DOJ’s Civil Rights Division
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. …
Butterfield Applauds Passage of Water Heater Energy Efficiency Bill
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 …
Butterfield Expresses Condolences on the Passing of Prominent Durham Banker, F.V. “Pete” Allison, Jr.
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 …
Legislative Update from Senator Richard Burr
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 …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: Stopping Government Abuse
Americans deserve relief from unnecessary, excessive and costly government regulations. This week Republicans in the House voted to give Americans some relief and to rein in government abuse. Below you will find information about the bills we passed this week in the House including H.R. 3865 — a bill to stop the IRS from targeting Americans based on their political beliefs. One of the greatest honors I have as a Member of Congress is to represent so many active duty …
White House Weekly Address: Investing in Technology and Infrastructure to Create Jobs
President Obama said he took action this week to launch new manufacturing hubs and expand a competition to fund transformative infrastructure projects. Both are policies aimed at expanding economic opportunity for all by creating jobs and ensuring the long-term strength of the American economy. Congress can boost this effort by passing a bipartisan proposal to create a nationwide network of high-tech manufacturing hubs and taking steps to invest in our nation’s infrastructure – rebuilding our transportation system, creating new construction …
Newsletter from the Office of Senator Angela R. Bryant
Volume 8, Issue I February 26, 2014 If you no longer wish to receive this newsletter, please click here NEWS FROM RALEIGH… I always welcome your comments, project updates, suggestions, and visits. My office door and electronic door are always open to you! As always, thank you for your support! NEWSLETTER INDEX Ø Around the District and More Ø Scholarships/Grants Ø Legislative News & Legislative Report Ø Because You Care – Thank …
Butterfield Statement on Dan River Coal Ash Spill
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement concerning the February 2, 2014 coal ash spill from a Duke Energy coal ash pond in Rockingham County, North Carolina: “I am deeply concerned about the potential health and environmental threats posed by the coal ash spill on the Dan River in Rockingham, North Carolina. Evidence of coal ash from the spill has been observed as much as 70 miles downstream and could reach Kerr Lake and …