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Sept 11 Remembrance

Accountability on the issues impacting you

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President Ronald Reagan famously said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.”

President Joe Biden’s open border policies have fueled a historic surge in illegal immigration and the flames of our ongoing border crisis.

Since Biden took office, there have been over 5.6 million illegal crossings encountered at our Southern border, and while approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants have escaped apprehension that we know of. According to Customs and Border Protection, 144,500 illegal immigrants were encountered at the Southern border in June alone—a 186% increase from the number of June encounters during the last administration.

To date in FY23, Border Patrol agents have seized more than 22,000 pounds of fentanyl, surpassing the total amount seized in all of FY22. Fentanyl poisoning is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18-45, and is killing 300 Americans every single day—including over 3,000 North Carolinians in 2022. An amount small enough to fit inside the ear of Lincoln on a penny can be lethal. For anyone who cares about the safety of our young people, it’s heartbreaking and frustrating to witness this rapid decline in border security.

Every state, including North Carolina, is suffering from the impacts of Biden’s open border policies. That’s why last week, I confronted Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra following the recent announcement that a facility for unaccompanied minors will begin operating in Greensboro within the next few weeks.

In 2021, while testifying before the Energy and Commerce Committee, Secretary Becerra told me there were no plans to open such a facility in North Carolina. He knew that very day he had people doing a site visit at American Hebrew Academy in Greensboro. After Secretary Becerra blatantly misled me and several members of our delegation, the people of North Carolina deserve to know the truth. We have received nothing but delayed and vague responses.

You deserve real answers and real solutions. Housing illegal immigrants in schools across the nation will not solve our border crisis. When House Republicans made our “Commitment to America,” we promised to secure the border and protect innocent Americans from the consequences of President Biden’s radical agenda. Real solutions like H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, and the recently passed Schools Not Shelters Act, will deliver on our promise to secure the border—something Washington Democrats refuse to do.

As the Sandhills’ Congressman and representative of the largest military base in the country, I am also committed to our resilient energy grid. Physical attacks on our nation’s power grid, like the one we experienced in Moore County, increased by 71% in 2022.

Earlier this month, I joined a House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee hearing to further examine emerging threats to our electrical grid. This hearing built on what we learned at the field hearing I hosted in Moore County last month. We heard from expert witnesses about tangible solutions to strengthen our grid and prevent future attacks on the infrastructure you depend on.

One threat to our grid is the lack of a viable supply chain for grid components. Biden’s Department of Energy is about to make matters worse through proposed rules that will make it harder to find transformers. Their new rules will increase the time to procure new transformers from months to years.

To combat these proposed standards, I introduced Protecting America’s Distribution Transformer Supply Chain Act to delay these new bureaucratic regulations for energy distribution transformers. I was able to include this in the FY2024 Department of Energy authorization bill. This will not totally solve the supply chain problem, but it will prevent Washington bureaucrats from making it worse.

Our government exists to serve and protect you. From securing our borders to protecting your way of life, I am committed to building a safer future for you and your family that promotes long term economic prosperity, public safety, and freedom.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

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HUDSON: One step toward a fiscally responsible future

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$95,000.

That’s more than the average household income for an entire family in North Carolina. It’s also your share of our nation’s astonishing $31 trillion debt. When I think about my seven-year-old son being saddled with a $95,000 bill before he even enters the 2nd grade, I can’t help but be worried about his future and all our children and grandchildren.

While our national debt is nothing new, out-of-control spending from Washington the last two years has accelerated this crisis to a five-alarm fire.

In fact, since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he and House Democrats have increased the nation’s 10-year spending trajectory by $10 trillion. This includes their $2 trillion “American Rescue Plan” that ignited the highest inflation in consumer prices in forty years. It contained $400 billion for policies that paid Americans to stay home rather than go to work, $783 million in stimulus checks to federal prisoners, $2 million for a ski slope, $140 million for a luxury hotel, and $1.2 million to buy trash cans. Democrats’ so-called “Inflation Reduction Act” followed up with $80 billion to the IRS to target your family with audits, and over $400 billion for Green New Deal initiatives. President Biden’s Executive Orders have also cost over $1.5 trillion, including Democrats’ student loan giveaway to the wealthy.

The last two years under one-party rule saw astronomical spending, but we didn’t get in this mess overnight and we can’t fix it overnight—especially in a divided government.

This spending problem is the greatest threat to America and one of the reasons I ran for Congress in the first place. That’s why last week, I voted for the Fiscal Responsibility Act. This debt limit bill was not perfect, but it is the largest spending cut that Congress has ever voted for in American history.

According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the Fiscal Responsibility Act will reduce the deficit by $2.1 trillion. It will cut spending year-over-year, limit top line federal spending to 1% annual growth for the next 6 years, and end uncontrollable executive spending by enforcing “Pay-Go” rules which should save taxpayers trillions.

It will jumpstart our economy with work requirements for able-bodied childless adults and will help with the number one problem every business I talk to has—a need for workers. I have been fighting for work requirements for 19 years because we have a moral obligation to stop trapping people in the cycle of poverty. While Democrats prefer dependency, Republicans are focused on self sufficiency and improving your family’s quality of life. Cutting red tape and slashing funding for new IRS agents will also help build new infrastructure and unleash the economy.

This bill will save taxpayers $5 billion per month by restarting student loan debt payments. It rejects all of President Biden’s $5 trillion in proposed new tax increases and claws back $29 billion of unspent COVID funds. All of this is done while fully funding critical defense programs and preserving both Social Security and Medicare.

For the first time, non-defense spending will be significantly lowered while defense spending will receive a $28 billion boost from the previous year to ensure our military is ready to respond to any threat.

There was not a single Democratic priority included in the Fiscal Responsibility Act. Speaker Kevin McCarthy forced President Biden and House Democrats to negotiate in order to avoid defaulting on our debt. This is a historic win for the American people and because of our efforts, the pattern of Washington reckless spending has come to a screeching halt.

President Ronald Reagan once said, “We can leave our children with an unrepayable massive debt and a shattered economy, or we can leave them liberty in a land where every individual has the opportunity to be whatever God intended us to be.”

The Fiscal Responsibility Act is a step in the right direction. With every man, woman, and child owing $95,000 to the government, I believe we can and must do more to build on this success. The largest spending cut in history is an important step to restoring fiscal sanity in our nation’s capital and leaving the next generation better than the last—just as Reagan had hoped.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

Sept 11 Remembrance

HUDSON: Protecting our nation’s financial and national security

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“There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States.” – President Ronald Reagan

President Reagan understood the importance of getting America’s economy in order. Yet our crippling debt, now at over $30 trillion, continues to threaten our standing in the world and must be addressed.

President Joe Biden refused to negotiate for more than 100 days to address the debt. Our country cannot afford to default on our debt due to Washington Democrats’ political games. Under Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans have raised the debt limit in a responsible way. We are united in our desire to address the debt crisis and curb reckless spending for years to come. I am proud of our work to save America from defaulting and will stay focused on improving our economy for you and your family.

While Washington Democrats have procrastinated on the debt ceiling, they have also refused to acknowledge the magnitude of the crisis at our Southern border. Yet it is clear—extreme Democrats’ support of radical open border policies have resulted in the worst border crisis in American history.

Earlier this month, Title 42, a public health border security measure that has been used to keep nearly 3 million illegal migrants out of the U.S. since 2020, expired. In the days leading up to this, more than 10,000 migrants were encountered at the border, shattering records.

To address the crisis, House Republicans passed the Secure the Border Act—the strongest border security bill America has ever seen. It will keep our nation safe and our border secure.

It’s plain and simple—border security is national security. Our bill ends catch and release, fixes the asylum program, hires more border patrol agents, restarts border wall construction, and protects children from human trafficking. Once again, House Republicans have shown we have solutions to the challenges facing our nation while others choose to ignore them.

Last week, in celebration of National Police Week, House Republicans condemned ‘defunding the police’ and anti-police rhetoric and passed the POLICE Act of 2023 and the Federal Law Enforcement Officer Service Weapon Purchase Act. We seek to give local law enforcement the resources and support they need to get the job done.

In recent years, good police officers dedicated to keeping our communities safe have not always received the resources and respect they deserve. Assaults on police have gone up significantly, leading to the deadliest year in two decades for our law enforcement officers.

As we approach Memorial Day, we honor our brave service members who gave their lives in the defense of the freedoms we hold so dear. I am deeply grateful to be an American, and incredibly appreciative of those who risk their lives daily to defend our liberties. And I will never forget the sacrifices our military families make every day.

Our nation is the greatest on earth because of courageous service members, law enforcement officers, and their families. May God bless America, and the men and women in uniform who protect our community and keep this great nation free.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

Congress Budget

HUDSON: Working for you

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“How does this impact you?”

That’s the question I ask myself before considering every bill I introduce, cosponsor, or vote on as your Congressman.

With our new Republican majority in place, we have hit the ground running this year—and we will not slow down. From stopping soft-on-crime policies, defending the Second Amendment with my Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, protecting our strategic oil reserves, standing up to socialism and the Chinese Communist Party’s use of a spy balloon over U.S. territory, and voting to end COVID-19 vaccine mandates—House Republicans have delivered results for you and families across the country.

Following a productive work week, I returned to Washington last week, where we built on this work with more than a dozen hearings to hold the Biden administration accountable on issues including the origins of COVID-19 and the botched withdrawal from Afghanistan.

Last week we also advanced my HALT Fentanyl Act, one important stop to keep fentanyl out of our communities and away from our children. The fentanyl crisis has only gotten worse due to the open border policies of the Biden administration, as thousands of pounds of fentanyl continue to pour into our country every month. No parent should have to endure the loss of their child to fentanyl poisoning or overdose, and I’m proud to support North Carolinians who turn loss into advocacy, such as Matthew’s Choice out of Sanford.

My bill now advances to the full Energy and Commerce committee before heading to the House floor. With a record amount of drug overdose deaths and fentanyl poisonings occurring right here in North Carolina, putting an end to the lethal amounts of drugs and fentanyl present in our communities is a priority.

I was also honored to introduce bipartisan legislation to secure a statue of the late Reverend Billy Graham to represent our state. I will continue to work with my colleagues to place this once-in-a-generation faith leader in the U.S. Capitol.

Last week, I also continued my work to improve our nation’s pandemic preparedness and response. During the last pandemic, our nation learned there are many things we can improve in our preparedness for Public Health Emergencies. Congress has to reauthorize the law that governs our response this fall. As the lead Republican on this effort, I released a Request for Information from stakeholders and citizens across the country on how the U.S. can be better prepared when taking on future emergencies. I look forward to reviewing the information submitted and leading bipartisan discussions of how we can improve our nation’s response efforts.

To close out the month of February, I introduced a resolution supporting the designation of February 28 as “Rare Disease Day.” I have long worked to improve access to treatments and therapies for Americans who are affected by rare diseases.

Working with my colleagues to advance common sense solutions is part of my commitment to you as your Congressman. I will never stop fighting for you, our community, and our nation.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

Hong Kong UN

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why students should explore global education opportunities

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My study abroad journey in Hong Kong as a Phillips Ambassador is an experience I will cherish forever. When I arrived in Hong Kong, I was struck by the incredible skyscrapers, the mix of East and West influences in the city, and the beautiful natural landscapes. Everyone I met, from students and professors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to street food vendors, was friendly and welcoming. The demographics of the locals were similar to those of the “melting pot” that you would see in Chinatowns in the United States, and around every corner were restaurants, shopping centers, and even commercial centers. At night, the city lights up with large screens displaying advertisements and commercials that can be seen hundreds of feet away.

Throughout my time in Hong Kong, I immersed myself in the culture and gained a deeper understanding of the society and politics of the region. At CUHK, I took classes that explored the historical, political, and financial conditions that have shaped the experience of race and ethnicity in Hong Kong, with a particular focus on state narratives regarding colonialism and indigeneity and on state policies regarding meritocracy, multiracialism, and financial systems. These classes allowed me to apply familiar frameworks in entirely new contexts and gain a valuable understanding of the society I was living in.

One of the highlights of my experience was exploring the city and its surroundings with new friends from all over the world. We went on epic bike rides, embarked on food tours, took double-decker tram rides, visited the Tian Tan Buddha and Nan Lian Garden, explored the islands of Lamma and Cheung Chau, and wandered the streets of Mong Kok and Tsim Sha Tsui. We also hiked up to Victoria Peak, Dragon’s Back, and West Dog’s Teeth, giving us incredible aerial views of massive skyscrapers juxtaposed with rising mountains. The hikes also gave me a newfound appreciation for nature, which was made even more apparent when nature was readily accessible without a car.

The Phillips Ambassadors program not only provided me with the opportunity to travel to and study in Hong Kong but also challenged me to critically examine and understand the society and culture of my host country. The program empowers students like me to engage with Asia academically and personally. Studying abroad is an incredible opportunity to gain a new perspective, learn about different cultures, and make lasting memories. Upon returning to North Carolina, the program’s coursework and discussions solidified my desire to continue learning and exploring Asia. I’m honored to be a part of the Phillips Ambassadors program, and I am grateful for the opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the culture and society of Hong Kong.

Studying abroad is beneficial not only for personal growth but also for the development of North Carolina as a whole. The Phillips Ambassadors program is an excellent opportunity for students to gain a deeper understanding of the world and expand their knowledge and skills. It also allows students to connect with and learn from other students studying abroad in Asia. This setting can create a community of globally-minded individuals who can contribute to the future development and growth of North Carolina.

Overall, my study abroad experience in Hong Kong has been a life-changing experience that has broadened my perspective, deepened my understanding of the culture and society of the region, and created some of the best memories of my life. I plan to continue to learn more about Asia and expand my knowledge of the area. I strongly encourage students to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad and become Phillips Ambassadors at UNC-Chapel Hill or Duke University, as it will expand their understanding of the world and provide them with a unique and valuable experience that will benefit them in their personal and professional lives.

Jason Yang is a senior at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill pursuing a major in Business Administration and a minor in Entrepreneurship. He is from Asheboro, NC, where he attended Eastern Randolph High School before transferring to the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics in Durham, NC, and later graduated in 2019. Upon graduating from UNC-Chapel Hill, Jason will be working as an investment banking analyst in New York City.

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HUDSON: There’s no place like home

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It’s been a busy start to the year under a new Republican majority in the U.S. House. Yet last week, it sure was good to be home.

It’s so important to travel across this district and hear from you about issues facing our community and nation. One thing is for sure—Washington needs more common sense and less government bureaucracy. Each week, I try to bring some of that North Carolina wisdom back to our nation’s capital.

In order to best address the challenges you and our communities are facing, I stayed busy over the work period and held roundtable discussions with elected officials and folks across our district. In Asheboro, I met with the Mayor, County Manager, members of the Randolph County Board of Commissioners, and the Randolph County Chamber of Commerce. We discussed economic development in the area, the needs of our towns and county, and projects I can fight for in Washington. These discussions included water and sewer issues impacting portions of Randolph and Chatham County and the necessary funding needed to further expand the Asheboro Regional Airport. We also discussed the recent substation attacks in Moore and Randolph Counties and the need to increase security and resiliency measures for our energy infrastructure. My family lost power like so many others in Moore County, and I want to stop similar attacks from happening again. In our discussion, I listened to our local leaders and shared my ideas.

In addition, I visited with our local 9-1-1 telecommunicators at Randolph County Emergency Services Center to learn first-hand about the critical role they play as lifelines between you and first responders when an emergency strikes. As the co-chair of the Congressional NextGen 9-1-1 Caucus, I am actively working on bipartisan legislation to update our nation’s 9-1-1 infrastructure. I was honored to recently receive the Leadership in Legislative Service Award from the Association of Public-Safety Communications Officials International for leading these efforts. It is a privilege to be the voice in Congress supporting our dedicated telecommunicators, medical professionals, and law enforcement. I will continue working to provide them with the resources and tools they need to keep you and your family safe.

In Sanford, I met with members of the Sanford Area Growth Alliance to discuss the recent economic growth in Sanford and Lee County and future economic opportunities for the region. In order to sustain and increase economic growth in our community—we must ensure a strong labor force with the tools and training they need to get a good job. Good news—we’re ahead of the game. The Growth Alliance shared with me the great work Central Carolina Community College has done to partner with Caterpillar to establish the Caterpillar Clayton Apprenticeship Program designed to continue developing a talented pipeline of skilled employees. This highly competitive program provides high school students the opportunity to take classes while also working as a part-time Caterpillar employee, developing skills for a career immediately after graduation. We also discussed major infrastructure projects that would increase accessibility across Lee County, including the potential expansion of current Highway 421 to Interstate-685 that would run from Greensboro all the way to Wilmington.

Finally, in Moore County, I’m excited to share that we opened our new flagship district office in Southern Pines. I am happy to now call Southern Pines home for both this new office and my family. Thank you to all the local elected officials, community leaders, members of local law enforcement, and residents from across Moore County who helped us celebrate our grand opening. Renee, Lane, and I are thankful for the warm welcome from the community and are excited to be here for a very long time.

The dedicated staff in our new district office in Southern Pines is here to serve you. Whether it’s requesting a flag flown over the U.S. Capitol, providing assistance with federal agencies such as the Social Security Administration or the VA, making service academy nominations, or even helping with federal grants. I am committed to helping you cut through government bureaucracy. 

My goal is to continue to provide you with high-quality constituent service and be accessible to hear your needs, thoughts, and concerns on key issues facing our community and nation. As Fort Bragg’s Congressman, helping our active-duty military, their families, and veterans deal with the Department of Defense and the VA is especially important, as many military families call Moore County and our district home. 

In addition to the new office in Southern Pines, my office in Fayetteville will remain open and available to serve folks across the region. To find out our exact office locations and office hours, visit Hudson.house.gov or call us at 910-910-1924. 

Responsive constituent services, accessibility, and a focus on policies that give you and your family a better tomorrow is my mission. Stop by our new office to say hello; we would love to see you. 

Now as I head back to Washington, rest assured I’ll be bringing your wisdom and some Cheerwine back with me.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

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HUDSON: It’s time to get to work

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It is a new year and the 118th Congress has begun. It’s an honor to continue serving you and our community representing North Carolina’s new 9th District. This includes all or portions of Chatham, Cumberland, Harnett, Hoke, Lee, Moore, Randolph, Richmond, and Scotland Counties. I will continue maintaining a district office in Fayetteville, while also operating a new primary district office in Southern Pines. My office locations can be found on my website at Hudson.House.gov.

Three counties I represented previously – Cabarrus, Stanly, and Montgomery – are now in North Carolina’s 12th and 8th Districts. It has been an honor to represent these communities throughout my time in Congress. Cabarrus County has also been home to me and my family for many years, and I am proud of all we have been able to accomplish together. My family and I are getting settled into the new home we purchased in Southern Pines. I look forward to serving the new 9th District and continuing to work on common sense solutions to challenges facing our entire region, Fort Bragg, and our nation.

Solving problems has always been my focus as your Congressman. Due in part to the misguided policies of Washington Democrats and the Biden administration, we have seen our nation weakened on many fronts. Across the country, families like yours have suffered the highest inflation in 40 years and record prices at the gas pump. In fact, North Carolina is experiencing some of the highest increases in gas prices in the country, up 14 cents from one week ago.

We have also witnessed an ongoing humanitarian and national security crisis at our southern border, as record numbers of illegal migrants crossed into the country over the course of last year. This border crisis has threatened the safety and security of communities nationwide, including exacerbating the fentanyl epidemic robbing countless Americans of their lives. President Joe Biden has been in office for more than 715 days, but last week announced his first ever visit to the southern border. This crisis can no longer be ignored, and House Republicans are ready to pass solutions to secure our border and protect our communities.

Washington Democrats have been largely unable, or unwilling, to address the many issues affecting you and your family. However, with Republicans now in the majority in the House, we have an obligation to address these issues and set things in the right direction. Our “Commitment to America” is a plan to do just that by implementing common sense policies to create an economy that’s strong, a nation that’s safe, a government that’s accountable, and a future built on freedom. 

Last week, House Republicans hit the ground running to follow through on that agenda. I introduced my first bill of this Congress – the Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. H.R. 38 is a key piece of legislation that will protect law-abiding citizens’ rights to conceal carry and guarantees the Second Amendment does not disappear when we cross invisible state lines. It has even been called the “the greatest gun rights boost since the ratification of the Second Amendment in 1791.” I have introduced this bipartisan legislation each Congress and have promised to continue championing this measure until it becomes law.

Additionally, House Republicans voted on legislation to stop the hiring of 87,000 new IRS agents to spy on your bank account, a bill to block the Biden administration from selling oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve to communist China, and pro-life bills to protect babies who survive a botched abortion and mothers who rely on crisis pregnancy centers.

We have a lot of work to do and it is an honor to serve as your Congressman. In this new year, and new Congress, I will never waiver from doing everything I can to fight for you and build a better future for your family.

Richard Hudson is serving his sixth term in the U.S. House and represents North Carolina’s 9th Congressional District. He currently serves as the chairman of the National Republican Congressional Committee and is a member of the House Republican Steering Committee.

Congress

BISHOP: Accountability is coming

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Last week in the House of Representatives, the 118th Congress kicked off in earnest. Republicans passed our first bills in the majority in more than four years. Though all of these bills will strengthen our country and economy, they were nearly universally opposed by Democrats.

My top focus in Congress is breaking the Swamp’s status quo to ensure the government works for the people – not the other way around. This is just the beginning of what our Republican Conference will accomplish this Congress.

The first order of business was undoing the Democrats’ $80 billion meant to fund an army of 87,000 IRS agents who will undoubtedly only audit and harass hardworking Americans. Every Democrat voted against this bill despite knowing that the bill will preserve upgrades to customer service and operations, while defunding the new IRS army. The last thing that hardworking Americans need are more meddling and ineffective bureaucrats.

In a huge win for the American people, the House officially established a Select Committee on the Weaponization of the Federal Government. This is something I’ve worked diligently on for months, and securing this investigative subcommittee was a crucial aspect of our successful efforts to reform the House and drain the Swamp last week.

I spoke on the House floor in support of forming this investigative subcommittee. Any bureaucrat who violates Americans’ Constitutional rights is on notice – we are coming for you, on behalf of the American people.

On the same day, Republicans and Democrats voted together to form a Select Committee on China. The Chinese Communist Party is a grave threat worthy of increased Congressional attention, and this committee will treat that threat with the seriousness it deserves.

The House also passed legislation to prohibit the Biden Administration from exporting oil in our Strategic Petroleum Reserve to China. When Americans are struggling to afford gas, the last thing our country should be doing is shipping our oil to China.

I proudly cosponsored and voted for my colleague Mike Johnson’s resolution condemning the 78 attacks on pro-life pregnancy centers and 100+ attacks on churches since the Dobbs decision leaked.

We passed this resolution, as well as legislation to protect babies that are born alive during botched abortions. Every Republican voted for this legislation, while nearly every Democrat opposed. These votes show the true divide on the essential question of life that exists between Republicans and Democrats in Washington.

I was proud to support these common sense bills. Our work is just beginning.

Nancy Pelosi

HUDSON: Taking on inflation and Pelosi’s assault weapons ban

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“It’s the economy, stupid!”

Politicians in Washington would be wise to heed these famous words from former Bill Clinton advisor James Carville when it comes to addressing the issue most important to American families. Yet, today’s Washington Democrats have time and time again failed to listen and are only making matters worse.

On Thursday, we learned our economy shrunk for the second quarter in a row. Unfortunately, this signifies that the economy has entered a recession. However, President Joe Biden and other Democrats in Washington have refused to accept this fact or take responsibility, trying instead to redefine the meaning of recession altogether.

The American people are smarter than that.

Over the last year and a half, all of us have felt the impact of the highest gas prices in history and highest inflation in 41 years. I’ve heard from Charles in Hope Mills, who must now spend $160 a week on gas to get to work. And Deborah in Cumberland County said she’s paying double to fill up her car, while her grocery bill is up $25 each week.

Data has shown this too, as consumer confidence dropped once again last week. That’s because inflation is still battering families across the country. The cost of goods and services continues to skyrocket nationwide, costing the average American household nearly $500 extra a month. In North Carolina, families are paying an average of $64 more on food, $306 more on transportation, and $175 more on energy. Similarly, gas prices remain $4.22 nationally, almost $2 more per gallon than when Biden took office. Wages have also not kept up with inflation, down 4.4%.

American families cannot afford these price hikes and pay cuts, nor can they afford excuses from President Biden and Washington Democrats. The problems facing our nation are daunting, but we do have solutions to address them.

The first is taking concrete steps to combat inflation and get our economy back on track. This starts by cutting unnecessary federal spending, lowering taxes, and implementing rational reforms that will grow our economy and create jobs. We must also make America energy independent by boosting domestic production and unleashing American energy.

Instead of working with us on these solutions on Wednesday, Senate Democrats announced a new proposal that will explode the size of the IRS, leading to fewer new lifesaving medical cures being developed and crippling our economy through tax hikes and climate policies. The $700 billion ‘Build Back Broke’ legislation will only make our inflation crisis worse, as well as further expand big government and give it more control over your life.

This worldview is why House Democrats also revived their plans for an ‘assault weapons’ ban last week. A previous ban did not stop violent crime or tragedies like Columbine. Yet, the left continually pushes these gun control measures because it makes them feel good. Last week, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi spoke on the House floor and attempted to exploit your fear and the pain of victims in order to gain support for this ridiculous measure. Pelosi and House Democrats want you to trade your rights for security. But the fact is you will end up with neither.

I am leading the fight against this ban and other unconstitutional gun control because the Second Amendment is clear and is the right that protects all our other rights. That’s why I addressed the House after the Speaker to directly refute Pelosi’s fear-mongering and to make it clear that this ban is neither constitutional nor would it be effective at stopping acts of violent crime. Law-abiding citizens have the right to keep and bear arms and defend themselves, just like 22-year-old Elisjsha Dicken did with his concealed carry permit when he recently stopped a mass shooting at an Indiana mall.

Instead of things like bans, mandates, and other measures implemented by those who believe in big government, I believe in giving people more freedom and personal responsibility. Along those lines, I called on President Biden last week to end vaccine mandates for our military servicemembers. I have heard from many at Fort Bragg about how mandates have impacted their families. And thanks to Operation Warp Speed, we have vaccines and therapeutics that no longer make COVID-19 a significant risk to life or the readiness of our military. It is now past time for the Biden administration to respect the rights of our servicemembers at Fort Bragg and around the world.

Instead of forcing needless mandates on Americans, our government should focus on policies to improve public health and safety. Last week, I helped pass legislation to do just that.

The Advancing Telehealth Beyond COVID–19 Act of 2022 will make permanent telehealth flexibilities initially authorized during the pandemic. This bill mirrored legislation I put forward in April, and I’m happy this common-sense policy to improve health care quality, and access will move to the Senate. H.R. 7624, the Spectrum Innovation Act, includes provisions I wrote to modernize our critical 911 infrastructure and improve the ability of first responders to handle emergencies and save lives.

We have many challenges. Yet whether it is growing our economy, protecting your rights, or improving the health and safety of our community, I remain committed to delivering solutions for you and your family.

Hudson: American families’ top concerns remain inflation, gas prices, and the economy in general

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“Government of the people, by the people, for the people…”

This phrase in President Abraham Lincoln’s “Gettysburg Address” captures perhaps the most basic foundation of our political system: political authority rests first and foremost with the American people. When our founders conceived our nation 246 years ago, they sought to create a government whose power was derived from the will of the people, and that existed to protect those people’s God-given rights and address the issues most important to them. Unfortunately, many of those at the helm of government today have failed to do this.

A recent poll by Monmouth University has shown that American families’ top concerns remain inflation, gas prices, and the economy in general – each of which remains in a dire state due largely to misguided policies by President Joe Biden and the Democratic majority in Washington.

Last Wednesday, the latest numbers from the Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed inflation has increased by 9.1% from the year before, the highest rate hike since 1981. This rate increase has affected costs across the board: electricity is up 13.7%, groceries 12.2%, and transportation 8.8%. On top of this, the cost of gasoline is up 59.9% and remains, on average, over $4.50 per gallon nationally.

When here at home or up in Washington, I continue to hear from folks across our region about how these price hikes are impacting families, with many being forced to empty any savings or retirement they have. However, President Biden and Democrats in Washington have not confronted these issues in an effective way, vying instead for hallow solutions that fail to address the root causes of our nation’s current condition.

Last week, Biden traveled to the Middle East, in part to ask nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates to increase oil production in order to alleviate costs at the pump. This is not the answer to the energy crisis facing our country. Instead of looking outward to address energy costs, we must instead unleash American energy fully and in every way. By doing this, we will not only cut energy costs but also promote energy independence and create jobs here in America.

Furthermore, to address inflation, Congress must take steps to shrink costs for you and your family by cutting reckless government spending, lowering taxes, and enacting common-sense reforms to grow our economy. Last week, Senate Democrats revived their plans to pass Biden’s trillion-dollar Build Back Better boondoggle that includes tax increases on small businesses. This measure will not help grow our economy or lower costs for your family and will likely have the exact opposite effect.

As your congressman, I remain focused on solutions to the problems facing you and your family and will continue to fight each day to make them happen. To that end, last week, I helped advance measures aimed at improving the safety and security of our community.

Legislation I sponsored to overhaul our nation’s critical 9-1-1 infrastructure was passed in the Energy and Commerce Committee and will now move to the House floor. Next Generation 911 will boost the digital and data capacities of communities across our country, improving the ability of our first responders to handle emergencies and save lives.

Also, last week, the House passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), the critical piece of legislation funding our military and national defense. This act includes numerous provisions to support our service members and their families at Fort Bragg, including a needed pay raise for troops, new funding for military construction and family housing, $500 million in additional housing allowances, and $750 million to reduce food and other item costs at commissaries. It also establishes a Servicemember Parents Bill of Rights to secure the rights of parents in their children’s education at Department of Defense schools and pushes back against a ‘woke’ agenda in the military by clarifying the mission of the DOD to protect our nation. In addition to these measures, I also worked to include increased health care protections for active-duty troops and more resources for Special Operations forces transitioning to civilian life.

Making sure our military families and veterans have the resources they deserve are some of the most important duties we have in Congress. I look forward to continuing to advance measures that do just that in the NDAA until it is signed into law. And whether it be the economy or national defense, rest assured I will always stay focused on advancing the safety, prosperity, and freedom of our community and nation.

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