President Obama commemorates our nation’s Independence Day, and recognizes the generations of Americans— from farmers to teachers to entrepreneurs—who worked together to make the United States what it is today. The President also thanked the men and women of the military, who have given so much to defend the United States at home and abroad, and said that we are grateful for their service and sacrifice. This week, the First Family traveled to Africa, for a three country, four stop …
Category: Press Release
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 …
How to Watch Tonight’s Fireworks at the White House
Happy Independence Day! To celebrate, more than 1,200 military heroes and their families will join the President and the First Lady at the White House for an Independence Day celebration, which includes a performance by the Grammy Award Winning band, fun.. You don’t need to be on the South Lawn to enjoy the show! Check out the “Salute to the Military” USO Concert and the fireworks over the National Mall on WhiteHouse.gov/live or on your iPhone with the White House …
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 …
White House Weekly Address: Confronting the Growing Threat of Climate Change
In this week’s address, President Obama told the American people about a plan he unveiled a few days ago that confronts the growing threat of climate change, which will cut carbon pollution, protect our country from the impacts of climate change, and lead the world in a coordinated assault on a changing climate. This week, the President gave a major speech on climate change policy, hosted a roundtable discussion with business leaders, named a new director of the FBI, and …
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. …
White House: The Supreme Court Strikes Down the Defense of Marriage Act
The Supreme Court struck down Section 3 of the Defense of Marriage Act. In a statement released shortly after the Court’s ruling was announced, President Obama applauded the decision. This was discrimination enshrined in law. It treated loving, committed gay and lesbian couples as a separate and lesser class of people. The Supreme Court has righted that wrong, and our country is better off for it. We are a people who declared that we are all created equal – and the love we …
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 …
Senator Richard Burr Newsletter
June 21st Governor Holshouser’s friends, colleagues, and loved ones gathered at his memorial service to pay their respects. His lifelong dedication and service to our state was defined by many outstanding accomplishments that made North Carolina a better place to live. Governor Holshouser was a trusted counselor, great friend, an exemplary leader, and will be sorely missed. Please keep Governor Holshouser and his family in your thoughts and prayers. This week the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: An Important Week in Washington
On May 23rd, the House passed H.R. 1911, “The Smarter Solutions for Students Act,” with the goal of getting politicians out of the business of setting interest rates on student loans. If Senate Democrats fail to act by July 1st on this important piece of legislation, student loan rates could double, causing unnecessary harm to borrowers across the country. More information about the student loan fix is provided in this newsletter. This week we celebrate the 50th Annual National Small …
White House: Some good news and some answers to your questions
Tara McGuinness; The White House Senior Communications Advisor: We wanted to share some really good news for consumers about health care costs so that you can also help to get out the word. First, health insurance premium rebates, which average nearly $100 per family, are on their way to 8.5 million Americans. That is because the Affordable Care Act now holds health insurance companies accountable to consumers and ensures that American families receive value for their premium dollars. If an …
White House Weekly Address: Time for Congress to Pass Commonsense Immigration Reform
President Obama discusses the bipartisan legislation in the United States Senate that would take important steps towards fixing our broken immigration system, while growing our economy and reducing the deficit. This week, the President honored Father’s Day and the WNBA Champion Indiana Fever at the White House before embarking on a four-day trip to the G8 Summit in Northern Ireland and to Berlin.