News From Congressman Chuck Edwards

The numbers don’t lie. There have been some 5 million illegal crossings at the southern border since President Biden took office, and more than 1.3 million illegal immigrants have evaded capture, according to the U.S. Border Patrol.

Border Patrol agents have seized 14,000 pounds of fentanyl coming across our border, enough to kill over 3 billion people – nearly half the planet.

The president’s inaction continues to endanger the lives of Americans but is benefitting the cartels’ estimated $13 billion illegal smuggling business.

If that’s not alarming enough, 80 people whose names appear on the terrorist watchlist have been stopped trying to cross our southern border. This total is more than the encounters in all of 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020 and 2021 combined.

Border security is national security, and unlike this administration, I’m determined to close the wide-open border by supporting our Border Patrol, building a border wall, and funding the technology needed to stop the illegal migrants pouring across our border.

I cast your vote in support of for H.R. 2, the Secure the Border Act, to fulfill House Republicans’ commitment to the American people and to secure our southern border. If you don’t have a border, you don’t have a country.

Backing the Blue

As your congressman, protecting the safety and the wellbeing of Western North Carolinians is a top priority, and this includes always supporting our law enforcement officers.

To commemorate National Police Week, I spoke on the House floor to recognize our brave law enforcement officers – both past and present – who have made great sacrifices to protect us, our loved ones and our communities.

I also had the distinct privilege of participating in Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s annual “Back the Blue” Bike Tour and lay a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, DC.

To our law enforcement officers in cities and towns across the Blue Ridge, in North Carolina and across the nation – thank you.

WATCH: We need our law enforcement now more than ever

Bank records don’t lie

As a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability, I joined my colleagues in uncovering new evidence linking lucrative business schemes with President Biden and his family.

Recently released documents reveal a web of companies set up by the Biden family to receive vast sums of money from foreign sources for what appears to be an attempt to buy access and influence. This is a complicated web that the Oversight Committee is continuing to investigate as we comb through the thousands of bank records and financial records detailing the foreign entanglements.

These records raise serious ethical questions about the president and his involvement with foreign actors. Elected officials who misuse their power and influence are a stain on our democratic system. Americans deserve transparency and accountability, and the committee will continue to follow the Biden family’s money trail and bring forward legislative solutions to prevent this kind of corruption.

MORE: Stopping swamp corruption

Touring the future of common sense American clean energy 

Earlier this month, I joined several of my House colleagues on a visit to Houston, Texas, the energy capital of America. There, I had the opportunity to tour innovative clean energy projects that capitalize on, wait for it – our abundant fossil fuel resources. and meet with energy experts that are exploring innovative, affordable ways to reduce emissions and avoid the hysteria been painted in the media.

A highlight of my visit was touring NET Power, the world’s first supercritical CO2 power plant. This groundbreaking new technology uses abundant U.S. natural gas to generate power and has the ability to capture and store CO2 safely underground. Later that day, I also toured Linde’s Clear Lake HyCO plant, which is on the cutting edge of clean hydrogen production.

As a member of the House Conservative Climate Caucus, I appreciated hearing more about how the future of American leadership in the clean energy industry is thriving in a region of Texas most known for oil and gas production. It is critical that the Biden administration and Congress support an “all-of-the-above” approach toward reducing carbon emissions rather than choosing winners and losers in the energy marketplace. Oil and natural gas remain the backbone of U.S. energy, and I strongly support all efforts to keep these plentiful U.S. energy sources in play while continuing to reduce carbon emissions through technological innovation.

NC-11’s first tele-town hall of the 118th Congress

I recently hosted my first tele-town hall, and I enjoyed this great opportunity to connect with so many folks in the district. We discussed a wide variety of topics, including the economy and its effect on our cost of living, the border crisis, social issues, the Second Amendment and more.

It’s important to me to hear directly from folks back home and we’ll be hosting more tele-town hall events in the near future. Be sure to subscribe to my newsletter and follow me on my social media accounts for alerts on when our next tele-town hall event will be.

Earning the Congressional Award

I’ve met many bright and motivated students across Western North Carolina, and the Congressional Award is an opportunity to recognize our youth who set and achieve challenging goals in the areas of public service, personal development, physical fitness and extracurricular activities.

The Congressional Award is the highest congressional honor for young Americans to earn across our country. This is a non-partisan, voluntary and non-competitive program and is open to all 14–24-year-olds. It’s a fun and interesting way to get more involved in something one already enjoys or would like to try for the first time.

This is not an award for past accomplishments. Instead, youth are honored for setting and accomplishing their own challenging goals. Regardless of one’s situation, one can earn the Congressional Award. The Congressional Award has no minimum grade point average requirements and accommodates young folks with special needs or disabilities who are willing to take the challenge.

If you or someone you know in North Carolina’s 11th district who is 14-24 years old are interested in earning the Congressional Award, visit my website for more information: edwards.house.gov/congressionalaward

Please contact Lauren Radford at lauren.radford@mail.house.gov for any questions. Encourage someone you know to start their journey today.

MORE: Earn the Congressional Award

“Facebook Favorite” Congressional Art Competition Winners

Congratulations to Naomi Anglin from Mountain Heritage High School for winning the 2023 Congressional Art Competition’s “Facebook Favorite.”

Naomi’s artwork, “Comfort in Van Gogh” won the most votes among our Facebook followers.

Second place winner was Murphy High School’s Carlee Catuto for “The Girl.” In third place was “Sunset Monarch,” by Bailey Burnette of McDowell High School.

“Sunset Monarch”
	“The Girl”

Thank you to all the students who used your talent and creativity to participate in this year’s competition.

Upcoming district visit

The Carolina Cruiser is going to be making several upcoming stops across NC-11. Please visit my website at edwards.house.gov/events to stay in the loop on our next stops.

Constituent services continue to be a top priority of mine, and I hope you can stop by to share your thoughts on issues that matter to you or ask for assistance with federal agencies.