News from US Congressman Chuck Edwards

Since coming to Congress, my colleagues on both sides of the aisle have come together to pass more than 430 bills and amendments, but that doesn’t make for entertaining news.

To stir up conflict, news outlets often create a black hole of information by limiting views or regularly misrepresenting or ignoring them.

If the media is a driving force behind division, it must also be part of the solution. You can read my full discussion on media bias here.

Clearing debris from waterways post-Helene

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to work diligently to clear debris from many of our waterways after Hurricane Helene.

I appreciated the opportunity to receive an update on their progress and share a few of the concerns that I’ve been hearing from our community, including the need for debris removal efforts to be mindful of endangered and threatened species and to avoid removing healthy vegetation from the streambanks.

USACE’s methodical approach to debris removal has facilitated the clearing of over 3.4 million cubic yards of debris, giving the natural environments that have been reshaped by Helene the opportunity to heal.

The Corps shared that they were not just removing debris for the short-term. Instead, they have been focused on the long-term health of the region by implementing a zero-tolerance policy for over-cleaning or reckless removal of debris.

While we can all acknowledge that there are times when the Corps has missed the zero-tolerance mark, our conversation made it clear that we are both committed to working together to make sure that our streams and rivers are cleaned the right way, so they can return to being safe, healthy, and free of debris for decades to come.

Tax deadlines extended for Helene victims

The IRS is extending various tax deadlines to Sept. 25, 2025 for folks located in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

If you need assistance navigating issues with the IRS, my district office is available to help. Call 828-435-7310 or visit my website at edwards.house.gov/services/federalagency.

Ensuring safety and economic security along the Hiwassee River

Western North Carolina, with its many lakes and rivers, must remain at the forefront of dam safety.

With the recent vulnerabilities found in the Chatuge Dam, it is critical that safety risks are addressed to protect lives and downstream communities in our mountains. That said, the Hiwassee River is foundational to the rural, westernmost areas of our district’s recreation industry and economy. That is why I have requested that the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) provide the risk analysis and data behind their decision to move forward with repairs and improvements.

The people of Western North Carolina deserve to know why repairs are needed if we are going to come to an educated opinion on the best path forward. It’s imperative that the condition of the dam, the safety of the community downstream, and the economic security of the businesses and people surrounding the dam be considered when evaluating the best approach to addressing the safety concerns.

My office will continue to work with local and federal officials to determine the best path forward, while strengthening the long-term viability of the dam so that our local economy can thrive.

TVA is early in their process of analyzing potential solutions and impacts, and anyone interested in the decision-making process can attend in-person or virtual public input sessions. The dates and times for these sessions can be found on their website here.

Myth Buster: MS-13 gang member of “Maryland father”?

There are folks who have been up in arms about an MS-13 gang member, whom some have dubbed as a “Maryland man,” claiming that he has been “mistakenly” deported to El Salvador.

Let’s be clear: Deporting him was NOT a mistake.

There has been a deportation order for Abrego Garcia since 2019, when an immigration court and an appellate immigration court both ruled that he was a member of MS-13 and in our country illegally.

When MS-13 was declared a foreign terrorist organization, Abrego Garcia became no longer eligible for any form of immigration relief in our country.

This is just another example of hand-picked information errantly fueling public outrage. Not only should journalistic institutions prioritize factual, balanced reporting over sensationalism, but we as citizens must also take responsibility for looking at the facts rather than retreating into ideological bubbles.

Protecting consumer choice from radical mandates

You may have heard of California’s electric vehicle (EV) mandate to ban the sale of gas-powered cars, which is the latest attempt to force an extreme agenda that would take away consumer choice, lead to higher prices for both new and used cars, and strain our electric grid.

Such a ban would affect consumers in every state in our country by raising costs and decreasing availability of gas vehicles.

The assertion that EVs are affordable and highly sought after is out of touch with reality: only 1 percent of registered vehicles in the U.S. are EVs.

I voted for three resolutions that passed the House to push back on such radical policies from the prior administration and repeal these disastrous mandates:

• House Joint Resolution 88 would repeal California’s waiver allowing the state to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035.
• House Joint Resolution 87 would repeal California’s waiver allowing the state to require the sale of zero-emission trucks.
• House Joint Resolution 89 would end California’s nitrogen oxide engine emission standards, which create unrealistic standards for heavy-duty on-road engines.

The U.S. has reduced emissions for decades through wise investment and innovation, not extreme government mandates. Congress must protect consumer choice and stop California from circumventing the federal government’s environmental regulations, to the detriment of consumers and the automobile market nationwide.

Bringing the federal government to folks across WNC

In keeping with my office’s motto of being “First in Constituent Services” and helping folks after Hurricane Helene, my office regularly brings the Carolina Cruiser across our mountains for mobile office hours.

In April alone, the Carolina Cruiser made 16 stops where members of my team heard about the issues that matter to WNC communities, answered questions about disaster recovery, and assisted with federal agencies. During these office hours, my team heard from over 150 individuals.

As your congressman, it is my goal to remain accessible to you. In addition to mobile office hours, I regularly host “Chat With Chuck” meetings to hear from constituents one-on-one about their concerns and answer their questions individually. If you’re interested in scheduling a meeting with me, please fill out the form on my website at edwards.house.gov/chatwithchuck.

If you want to stop by mobile office hours for assistance navigating a federal agency or to just provide feedback, stay updated on the office hours schedule by following the Carolina Cruiser on X and Facebook, and visiting my website at edwards.house.gov/carolinacruiser.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress