News from Congressman Chuck Edwards

Washington is broken.

The public debt for every American citizen is currently $94,000 due to the federal government’s reckless spending and neglect of our nation’s fiscal responsibilities. The United States is burdened with more debt than any other civilization in world history.

How did we get here?

Our nation’s priorities are out of order. The House Budget Committee is listed as a “B” list committee in Washington, meaning that it is not given the same importance as other committees – like the one that spends your money. As your congressman and a member of the House Budget Committee, I’m striving to bring a new level of respect to this critical committee in a way that it might be viewed as an “A+” committee, and cut the waste that is bankrupting our children and grandchildren.

Hard-working Americans are required to live by a budget. Our government’s refusal to adhere to the same standard is inexcusable.

“We the Parents” Bill of Rights

If you believe parents should have a stronger voice in what their child learns, then click here to join the Parents Bills of Rights.

Perhaps the greatest threat today to the preservation of our freedoms is what is being taught in our schools.

Whether a student is in kindergarten or a senior in high school, I believe parents deserve to know what their children are learning in school. As taxpayers and members of the community, parents must be able to advocate for their child’s education.

Some material that is being distributed in school libraries across the country, funded by the taxpayer, verges on pornographic material or is deeply rooted in Marxist ideology.

Examples of books that have been found in North Carolina schools include “George,” “Lawn Boy,” and “Gender Queer.” These books have been banned in some school libraries across the country for their explicit sexual content but have been found in North Carolina public school libraries in Durham and Wake counties.

All civilized societies shield children from sexually explicit material, and our nation’s youth must be protected.

I voted for H.R. 5, the Parents Bill of Rights Act, to create transparency and empower parents to make educational decisions that are best for their children and allow every student to reach their fullest potential.

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

READ: Book bans are dangerous. Curating age-appropriate school material is not.

Protecting Americans’ hard-earned retirement savings

The president used his first veto on a bipartisan bill – passed by both the House and Senate – which would stop the Department of Labor’s rule to allow retirement plan fiduciaries to consider environmental, social, and governance (ESG) factors when making investment decisions on behalf of American savers.

ESG funds have had smaller returns compared to the broader market for years. By prioritizing progressive agendas above the financial wellbeing of American seniors, 142 million Americans who participate in federal retirement plans are at risk of being left with less in their retirement savings account.

I voted for H.J. Resolution 30 because American retirees who have worked hard to save for their future deserve better. Retirement plan fiduciaries are caretakers of retirement accounts and should work to maximize returns for American savers, not make decisions based on political causes.

READ: ESG Does Neither Much Good nor Very Well

Not on my watch!

The White House once again targets law-abiding gun owners.

As a licensed firearm dealer and gunowner myself, I understand that the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives’ (ATF) new rule will turn law-abiding gun owners into criminals overnight while not doing anything to stop actual criminals.

ATF changed its rule to declare guns with stabilizing pistol braces as “short-barreled rifles,” despite gunowners being told for decades that a firearm with a stabilizing brace “would not be subject to [National Firearm Act] controls.”

This is another example of the administration’s weaponization of the ATF to advance its gun control agenda without regard to logic, fairness, or Americans’ constitutional rights.

As a member of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, I spoke out against this rule change during the Oversight Committee’s Subcommittee on Economic Growth, Energy Policy, and Regulatory Affairs and Judiciary Committee’s Subcommittee on Crime and Federal Government Surveillance joint hearing.

The new rule continues the administration’s targeting of lawful gun owners across our nation with penalty after penalty, and can potentially turn law-abiding citizens with unregistered short-barreled rifles into criminals because they did not know of the change in the rule after 10 years.

I will continue to support the rights of law-abiding gun owners and the inalienable rights enshrined in our Constitution.

WATCH: Edwards questions witnesses on ATF’s rule on firearms with pistol braces

Constituent highlights

I’m always excited to meet with the people of our mountains, whether in the 11th District or in our nation’s capital. Below are some photos from my time in Western North Carolina meeting with and hearing from constituents.

Edith Biddix with Congressman Edwards on a recent tour by the Carolina Cruiser

St. Luke’s Hospital team with Congressman Edwards

Rural Planning Organization team with Congressman Edwards

Asheville Buncombe Community Christian Ministry team with Congressman Edwards and the Carolina Cruiser

Hudson Boyer, Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation team, and Congressman Edwards

Now accepting entries for the 2023 Congressional Art Competition

Attention: The 2023 Congressional Art Competition is underway! Interested high school students in NC-11 can submit their artwork to my Hendersonville district office on or before April 17. The winning artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol for a year.

My office will also hold a “Facebook Favorite” competition, where all submitted artwork will be posted for the public to vote on between April 17-21. The winning “Facebook Favorite” artwork will be displayed in my district office.

Details about the competition are linked below.

READ: 2023 Congressional Art Competition Instructions

Internship applications are open

My offices in Washington, DC, and Hendersonville, NC, 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.