I’m honored to now be in my ninth week of serving the citizens of Western North Carolina in the 118th Congress. One of my key responsibilities in serving you is keeping you informed of what’s taking place in Washington, along with the actions I’m taking on your behalf.
Below are some of the latest happenings in the U.S. Capitol and in my office.
House Republicans vote to “REIN IN” inflation
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Despite the administration’s claims that inflation is “cooling,” the numbers do not lie.
When the president entered office, inflation was at just 1.4 percent. Now, it’s at a staggering 6.4 percent. Additionally, wage growth has been negative for 22 months, hourly earnings for all employees have decreased, and skyrocketing prices have cost families $10,000 over the past two years.
House Republicans voted to approve the Reduce Exacerbated Inflation Negatively Impacting the Nation, or the “REIN IN Inflation” Act. This bill would require the White House to publish the inflationary effects of executive orders before carrying them out.
I voted for the REIN IN Inflation Act because inflation is a tax on all Americans, and this bill is a good starting point to help curb the high prices that the White House has imposed on WNC families. House Republicans are determined to rein in this administration’s reckless spending to create an economy where families flourish, Americans thrive, and the economy is strong.
READ: Biden nears 100 executive orders estimated to cost taxpayers almost $1.5 trillion
House passes resolution to protect Americans’ retirement savings
Congress voted and passed H.J. Res. 30, a joint resolution that would reverse the recent Department of Labor rule that allows fiduciaries to make investment decisions based on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors.
The current ESG rule ignores existing law and judicial precedent, and removed protections for retirees and workers who are saving for retirement. It also removed transparency tools that allowed participants to monitor how their hard-earned savings were being used.
H.J. Res 30 overturns the current ESG rule under the Congressional Review Act and restores the prior Department of Labor protections, making it clear that retirement plan fiduciaries must make investment decisions based solely on whether they benefit retirement savings, not on whether investments meet politically correct standards.
Advancing a political agenda at the expense of hard-working American retirees’ savings is irresponsible and unacceptable. I voted “yes” for this resolution that will protect the savings of workers and retirees that they have earned.
Honoring the legacy of Rev. Billy Graham
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I’ve joined several of my colleagues in the North Carolina congressional delegation to help speed up the process of bringing the statue of the Rev. Billy Graham – a longtime resident of Montreat, N.C. in the 11th District – to the U.S. Capitol.
The legacy of Rev. Graham is not only honored by those in the mountains who knew him and the Graham family, and attended his rousing sermons, but one that all North Carolinians, and Americans, can take pride in. He counseled presidents, world leaders and everyday citizens alike. His teachings led millions across the world closer to Christ, and his global charitable foundation continues to bring light into the darkest places.
Rev. Graham, a proud North Carolinian, was one of the most influential Christian leaders of the 20th century and deserves an honored place among the giants here in the U.S. Capitol.
READ: Lawmakers push for Rev. Billy Graham statue at US Capitol with new resolution
Moving to reverse the burdensome WOTUS rule
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From my post on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, I helped approve a joint resolution to stop the current administration’s heavy-handed WOTUS (Waters of the United States) regulation under the Clean Water Act that directly impacts farmers and landowners.
I supported this action because the reversal of the executive branch’s unnecessary overreach would protect the livelihoods of farmers, manufacturers, builders, homeowners and small businesses in Western North Carolina and across the country.
Despite the pending Supreme Court case that will determine the outcome of WOTUS, the Biden administration continues to push confusing and burdensome regulations on hard-working Americans and waste agency resources.
More importantly, I contend that is the responsibility of Congress – not the Supreme Court – to develop policies under which we live and operate our businesses.
READ: Fast facts on WOTUS
Congressional Budget Office “sounds alarm” on Democrats’ spending
I’m proud to have been granted a seat on the House Budget Committee so I that I can voice the concerns I hear from hundreds of folks in WNC over the irresponsible, runaway spending in Washington, and the unsustainable level of debt we’re passing on to our children and grandchildren.
A report from the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office (CBO) from Feb. 17 shows that fiscal irresponsibility and excessive spending has “exploded” the national debt. The debt is now expected to increase from $24.3 trillion to $46.4 trillion in the next 10 years.
“The nonpartisan budget office also said that if tax receipts fall short of projections, and Congress fails to act on the debt limit, the U.S. could run out of cash before July…” – The New York Times
As your representative I will use my (and by “my” I mean “your”) position on the House Budget Committee to cut the wasteful spending that is bankrupting our children’s future in this country, and change the trajectory of our nation’s debt.
READ: Edwards issues statement on CBO baseline
Introducing the Carolina Cruiser
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Our competition to name our new mobile district office has closed, and the winning name is the “Carolina Cruiser.”
Thanks to all who took the time to submit name ideas.
It’s an honor to represent Western North Carolina. Our district covers a massive area with a unique history and a rich culture, and this van will allow my team and I to assist those who can’t make the long drive across the area by coming to you.
For updated information on when the Carolina Cruiser will be in a county near you, please visit my website at https://edwards.house.gov/
“We the Parents” Bill of Rights
Perhaps the greatest threat today to the preservation of our freedoms is what is being taught in our schools.
Parents deserve to know what their children are being taught and should have a say in their child’s education. Currently, students across our country are being indoctrinated with radical Marxist ideology and are often taught to hate their country and its history. Students, even in elementary school, are being exposed to vulgar pornographic material in public schools and are being force-fed a political agenda from hyper-partisan academics.
I recently signed the “We the Parents” Bill of Rights to empower parents to make educational decisions that are best for their children and allow every student to reach their fullest potential.
Our nation’s youth must be protected. By guarding both a child’s privacy and their livelihood, we can help build a safer future and stronger education for our children.
Parents have been sidelined in their children’s education for far too long, and this list of rights will make it clear to both parents and schools what the parents’ rights are.
Through the Parents Bill of Rights, House Republicans are committed to supporting every parent and their:
1. Right to know what’s being taught in schools and to see reading material
2. Right to be heard
3. Right to see schools’ budgets and spending
4. Right to protect their child’s privacy
5. Right to be updated on any violent activity at school
MORE: Add your name to the Parents Bill of Rights
Now hiring: Spring interns
My offices in Washington, D.C. and Hendersonville, N.C. are now hiring interns!
Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in a congressional office, as well as seeing firsthand how Congress works. Interns are also paid.
Responsibilities in the Washington office include answering phones, conducting research, drafting written materials, attending hearings and briefings, giving tours of the Capitol, and participating in other projects and educational opportunities.
Responsibilities in the Hendersonville office include answering phones, conducting research, assisting with casework, participating in community outreach, drafting correspondence, and other projects and educational opportunities.
Interested applicants can send an email and resume to Lauren Radford at lauren.radford@mail.house.gov.
