WASHINGTON, DC – In observance of Black History Month, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today became an original cosponsor of H.Res. 49, a resolution highlighting the invaluable contributions of African Americans to our nation’s history and identity. “Throughout our history, African Americans have persevered through much hardship and discrimination to enrich our nation in innumerable ways,” said Butterfield. “From political pioneers like George Henry White and Shirley Chisholm, to new leaders such as President Barack Obama, Attorney General Eric Holder …
Category: Press Release
Butterfield Opposes General Assembly’s Plan to Cripple Health Reform in North Carolina
WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today released the following statement regarding plans by state Republican lawmakers in the North Carolina General Assembly to block implementing critical provisions of the Affordable Care Act: “It is deeply disappointing that Republican state lawmakers have taken steps to block the expansion of Medicaid coverage to 650,000 uninsured low-income residents. These are poor children, older adults, and the disabled that they seek to deny. The provisions of the Affordable Care Act …
Senator Richard Burr Message
Since the beginning of the 113th Congress, several topics have dominated the conversation both nationally and in Washington. After passage of the fiscal cliff deal on January 1, we now must focus on a longer-term fix to our nation’s economic issues. It has been more than three years since the Majority Leader even put a budget on the Senate floor, let alone allowed the Senate to act on and pass one. This is inexcusable. Last week, I signed on …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: This Week in the Second District
It was great to be home in the 2nd District this week. I was able to connect with constituents across the district including those I met at a meeting of WakeMed’s Health Career Pathfinders and an Agribusiness breakfast in Raleigh, a meeting with town officials in Robbins, and during a tour of the LORD Corporation in Cary. Below you will find an update on the Keystone XL Pipeline, including a bipartisan letter I signed onto with 145 fellow Members of …
White House Weekly Address: A Balanced Approach to Growing the Economy in 2013
In this week’s address, President Obama calls on Congress to work together on a balanced approach to reduce our deficit and promote economic growth and job creation. This week, the President announced his choice for his new Chief of Staff, pushed for comprehensive immigration reform, and invited the Boys and Girls Club Youth of the Year, Presidential Innovation Fellows, law enforcement officials, 60 Minutes, and the Miami Heat to the White House.
Butterfield to Visit Three Community Organizations, Friday
WASHINGTON, DC – Tomorrow, Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) will spend the day visiting three important community organizations, all fulfilling a great need in Durham. In the morning, Butterfield will meet with Dr. Sharon Elliott Bynum, Executive Director and Co-Founder of Case Management of AIDS and Addiction through Resources and Education (CAARE), to tour the construction of its new 15-bed dormitory. The 5,000 square foot dorm will provide transitional housing for homeless veterans, and will include private bedrooms and bathrooms, …
New Data Highlight Need for Expanded Medicaid Eligibility
(Raleigh, NC) -New data show half of all North Carolina residents (49.9 percent) teeter on the edge of financial disaster with almost no savings to protect their families during a medical emergency or other financial crisis. The Assets & Opportunity Scorecard, an annual report from the Corporation for Enterprise Development, ranks states on more than 50 outcome measures across five issue areas. North Carolina ranks 45th in the nation for financial stability of residents, earning average marks in Education (C), …
President Obama’s Four Part Plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform
Today, President Obama spoke from Las Vegas about creating a fair and effective immigration system that lives up to our heritage as a nation of laws and a nation of immigrants. “I’m here because most Americans agree that it’s time to fix a system that’s been broken for way too long.” President Obama said. “I’m here because business leaders, faith leaders, labor leaders, law enforcement, and leaders from both parties are coming together to say now is the time to …
Senate Leaders Release Statement Rejecting Key Health Care Reforms
Raleigh, N.C. – North Carolina Senate leaders introduced legislation Wednesday to opt out of participation in several costly provisions of the federal Affordable Care Act, also known as Obamacare. Senators Tom Apodaca (R-Henderson), Harry Brown (R-Onslow) and Bob Rucho (R-Mecklenburg) filed Senate Bill 4 to exempt North Carolina from establishing a state-based health insurance exchange or a state-federal partnership exchange. The bill also directs the N.C. Department of Insurance to return unspent taxpayer funds awarded by the federal Department of …
The Relationship Between SNAP and Work Among Low-Income Households
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program’s (SNAP) primary purpose is to increase the food purchasing power of eligible low-income households in order to improve their nutrition and alleviate hunger and malnutrition.[1] The program’s success in meeting this core goal has been well documented.[2] Less well understood is the fact that the program has become quite effective in supporting work and that its performance in this area has improved substantially in recent years. Labor Force Participation Among SNAP Recipients Is …
Butterfield to Spend the Afternoon Visiting Duke University Hospital
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today will attend a series of meetings concerning healthcare at Duke University Hospital. Among the topics to be discussed are the challenges for hospital administration in the current fiscal climate, and federal funding for medical research. (Editors Note, I assume the afternoon referenced is 1/28/2013 as we received it on that day, at about 2pm.) Butterfield will meet with Duke University Health System President and CEO Dr. Victor Dzau; Executive Vice President …
Diversity Study Finds Economic Disparities Rising in NC Schools
DURHAM, N.C. — The racial balance in North Carolina’s public schools has remained steady since 2005-06, ending a trend of growing disparity from the previous decade, but students are increasingly separated by income. These are among the findings of a comprehensive report from three Duke University public policy professors who studied whether schools in each of the state’s 100 counties mirror the racial and economic composition of that county as a whole. “Although state-enforced school segregation is now a distant …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: No Budget, No Pay
We started this week with the celebration of Martin Luther King, Jr.’s dream of a nation where people were not “judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character” and a Presidential Inauguration. The week is ending with the annual March for Life which marks the 40th anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade Supreme Court decision. This has been a busy week for legislation. The House passed “The No Budget, No Pay Act” to …
White House Weekly Address: Two Nominees Who Will Fight for the American People
President Obama discusses his nomination of Mary Jo White to lead the Securities and Exchange Commission and Richard Cordray to continue as Director of the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This week, Washington D.C. was transformed into an historic stage, with an estimated one million people on hand to witness the President and Vice President take the Oath of Office at the United States Capitol. Through it all, West Wing Week was there, from the terrace of the Capitol to backstage …
State Board of Education to Consider a Vote on Corporal Punishment in North Carolina Schools
Two decades ago, most school districts in North Carolina allowed the use of corporal punishment as an acceptable form of student discipline. New data released by the Department of Public Instruction earlier this month shows that corporal punishment is now on the decline. Twelve school districts used corporal punishment last year, three of which have since banned the practice. Research has shown corporal punishment is not effective to improve student behavior or academic outcomes, and yet, nine districts continue to …
White House: The Next Four Years
From Vice President Joe Biden: Taking the oath of office is a serious piece of business. And being part of an inauguration has a way of focusing the mind on what’s to come. That’s what President Obama meant earlier today when he said, “My fellow Americans, we are made for this moment, and we will seize it – so long as we seize it together.” In the months ahead, we’re going to be tested, and nothing about the challenges we …
Congresswoman Renee Ellmers: An Assault on the Second Amendment
The Second Amendment has ensured our right to bear arms and self-protection for more than two centuries. This week, the Second Amendment came under attack when the president issued 23 executive orders which seek to infringe on the very rights the amendment protects. In this newsletter you will find the statement I released this week regarding the president’s assault on the Second Amendment, along with related news clips. Also in this newsletter, you will find information about a report released …
White House Weekly Address: Now Is The Time to Take Action Against Gun Violence
President Obama reiterates his commitment to do everything in his power to implement a series of common sense measures that would reduce gun violence in America. The President started off that effort with 23 concrete actions his Administration is taking immediately under its existing legal authority. But to have a lasting impact, Congress must join the administration by passing common sense laws like requiring a universal background check for anyone trying to buy a gun, and restoring a ban on …
White House: Now is the time for all of us to act
Wednesday President Obama announced a plan to help protect our kids and communities from gun violence. You’re going to hear a lot about it, but I wanted to make sure you got a chance to get the facts, straight from me. After hearing from Americans from across the political spectrum, we decided to focus on some key priorities: closing background check loopholes, banning military-style assault weapons, making our schools safer, and increasing access to mental health services. The ideas we …
Butterfield Picks Up Key Seat on House Heath Subcommittee
WASHINGTON, DC – Congressman G. K. Butterfield (NC-01) today was appointed to serve on the powerful House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health during the 113th Congress, making him the eighth most influential Democrat on the subcommittee. The Health Subcommittee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues that are important to North Carolina and the nation. Among those include Medicare and Medicaid, private health insurance, public health, hospital construction, health information technology, privacy, cyber security, medical malpractice, and drug …