Statement on the Democrat Government Shutdown

Once again, Senate Democrats have failed to put the American people above their own political agenda. After the House of Representatives passed a clean, short-term continuing resolution over two weeks ago, Senate Democrats are still holding the federal government and the American people hostage. Our funding bill contains zero partisan riders, tricks, or gimmicks. It is a solution to fund our government through November 21st and avoid the devastating consequences of a shutdown. Senate rules require 60 votes to pass this funding, which means bipartisan support is essential.

Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer and Senate Democrats fear their radical, progressive base. For months, Schumer and his staff have been meeting weekly with outside liberal groups to coordinate this government shutdown. These outside groups have the power to end his political career next year. As a result, Senate Democrats are demanding $1.5 trillion in new spending to reopen the government. I urge my Democratic colleagues to end the charade and allow us to get back to the people’s work. Now is not the time for political games; we have much more work to do and little time to waste. 

Watch my video below explaining the latest. 

Request to Withhold My Pay During Government Shutdown

No member of Congress should be paid while the American people are forced to endure the serious consequences of the Democrats’ willful negligence and political games. We are elected to represent our constituents and put our country before party. 

Democrats shut down the government by voting against a clean continuing resolution at the same funding levels passed back in March, for political reasons. Their wishlist includes $1.5 trillion in new spending, including giving free healthcare to illegal aliens while destroying Republican efforts to help rural health care for American citizens. Further, they want the American public to subsidize insurance company profits. 

We simply cannot stand for this nonsense. Yet, as long as the nation must put up with their willful negligence, I will not accept a dime of my salary.

First Anniversary of Hurricane Helene 

It has been just over one year since Hurricane Helene devastated WNC, taking the lives of over 100 individuals and devastating our mountain communities.

I was able to visit Western North Carolina three days after the storm hit alongside Senators Tillis and Budd, Rep. Rouzer, and Commissioner Troxler, to hear from local leaders and emergency personnel on the recovery efforts.

Since the hurricane, we have been advocating as a bipartisan congressional delegation for continued funding and recovery support from the federal government. I’ve asked hard questions of our state leaders to uncover the cause of delays and determine how funding can be better distributed. The entire North Carolina congressional delegation must continue to work together to combat delays and deliver for the state.

I am grateful for those who continue to work tirelessly to help folks recover and regain normalcy after experiencing such loss. We’re no strangers to damaging storms in the East, and we will continue to stand with and pray for those impacted by this catastrophic natural disaster.

Tour of Avient Protective Materials

It was a pleasure touring Avient Protective Materials in Greenville, NC. Avient aims to provide innovation and sustainability worldwide by connecting people and science to create specialized and sustainable materials that enhance performance and protect the environment. They have and continue to develop light-weight and extremely strong fibers used in protective gear for our military and police officers to keep them safe while they protect us.

Avient employs 9,000 employees and works with companies across the globe. It is an innovative contributor to Eastern North Carolina’s economy and helps invest in the future of our state. It was wonderful to visit to learn more about this company and see its operations. 

Meeting with Fallen Soldiers Ministries

I enjoyed meeting with Fallen Soldiers Ministries to discuss their mission and how we can best care for veterans and their families. This ministry is organized and run by volunteers who have a passion to honor our veterans and serve our great nation through inspiring patriotic acts of kindness. 

The ministry also offers counseling for those struggling with the difficult effects of PTSD and those who have hearing disabilities. 2.7 million veterans have service-connected hearing disabilities or are in treatment for hearing-related issues. Its counseling offers a hands-on and practical approach through biblical teachings.

In addition to veterans, Fallen Soldiers Ministries also serves other personnel who have faced trauma, such as first responders, law enforcement officers, firefighters, EMTs, as well as nurses and physicians in hospitals. It offers counseling to these individuals in recognition of their sacrifice and selfless efforts to help others.

Its mission is inspiring, and I’m grateful for its efforts to help our veterans and those suffering from PTSD across North Carolina.

Tour of East Carolina University Dental School

I had the opportunity to tour East Carolina University’s School of Dental Medicine and learn more about their efforts to improve patient access to dental care. The school does an incredible job educating North Carolinians to be the medical leaders of tomorrow in the oral health care field. They have received national and even international recognition for their model of providing top-notch dental care to underserved areas of the state. They also do a fantastic job of training dentists to work in areas of the state that other schools' students don’t go to.

By promoting education and care in rural and underserved communities, ECU is preparing its students to address areas in the state that need their services by providing care for patients closer to home. Many areas are without access to dental care, and I applaud ECU’s efforts to fix this disparity. 

Thank you to the team of educators and students for showing me around the Greenville facility and for sharing how I can continue to support them. I am so grateful for their hard work in providing for Eastern North Carolina.

OBX Home Collapses

Eight more homes have collapsed in Buxton, North Carolina, due to strong winds from Hurricane Humberto and Imelda. Since 2020, 19 houses have collapsed on Hatteras Seashore beaches. Wind, water, and sand move at tremendous rates on some parts of the Outer Banks, and despite major efforts at beach renourishment, these tragic events continue to happen. Buxton Beach is due to be renourished again this spring, as it was in 2017 and 2022, and have a groyne repaired to help hold the beach in place.

A growing number of buildings, initially compliant with state and local regulations, face imminent collapse due to property erosion. These disasters could be prevented, but homeowners cannot receive compensation from the National Flood Insurance Program until after their home is destroyed. This delay causes public health, safety, and environmental issues from debris and pollutants, leading to costly hazardous cleanups. In many cases, the debris washes under the sand and is found months or years later. Proactively condemning and demolishing properties will better serve eligible beneficiaries, improve public safety, save taxpayer dollars, and protect the surrounding environment.

That is why I introduced the bipartisan Preventing Environmental Hazards Act, to give homeowners, insured by the National Flood Insurance Program, greater flexibility to manage natural disasters. Our homeowners deserve better, and so does our environment.

Read more about my bill here.

I joined NewsNation Morning in America to discuss the government shutdown and its effects. Watch the full interview by clicking here or on the image above.

I joined CNN The Lead to discuss the status of my bill, the Ensuring Justice for Camp Lejeune Victims Act. Watch the full interview by clicking here or on the image above.