Late into the night and in the early hours of the morning, I debated and voted to pass the One Big Beautiful Bill Act on the House floor. This robust package delivers on our promises to working Americans to eliminate tax on tips and overtime, raise child tax credits, and eliminate tax on car loans.
Our historic bill is about restoring a pro-growth, pro-American agenda, and I’m confident that it will accomplish just that by strengthening our national defense, giving our troops a raise, bolstering border security, and reigniting economic growth.
Some are claiming that this bill will provide tax cuts for billionaires and corporations.
The truth of the matter is: $3 out of every $4 dollars from the 2017 tax cuts went to individuals, cutting taxes for the lowest-income Americans by 10% while the top 1% saw a cut of less than 0.5%.
This is not a “tax cuts for the rich” bill – it’s a “tax cuts for hardworking Americans” bill. Furthermore, this bill provides additional tax relief to senior citizens who have been productive, working members of society for their entire lives. The bill truly takes a comprehensive approach to make sure that all working-class Americans and families, regardless of occupation or age, can reap the benefits of our big, beautiful bill.
To fix how Washington works, we need to make sure that your hard-earned tax dollars are being efficiently and effectively used, and this One Big, Beautiful Bill will make sure of that.
Hurricane Helene’s disruption of WNC post offices
 |
 |
Eight months after Hurricane Helene devastated #NC11, several post offices remain inoperable, forcing residents to travel up to an hour to access services.
During the House Appropriations Committee’s Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee hearing, I questioned USPS Inspector General Tammy Hull on the status of these post offices. My office will continue to press this issue until services are restored for Western North Carolinians.
Getting our fiscal house in order
 |
|
Interest payments on federal debt currently consume nearly 20% of federal revenue and could rise to 40% by 2035 or 82% by 2054, depending on interest rates.
Even modest interest rate increases could drastically worsen our country’s fiscal outlook and limit policymaking flexibility. If we don’t get our fiscal house in order, mortgage interest rates will skyrocket for hard-working Western North Carolinians, doubling if not tripling over the next few decades – making homeownership even less attainable for young Americans.
We must take dramatic steps to right the ship before it’s too late by cutting unnecessary spending and limiting our country’s out-of-control, year-over-year mandatory spending growth that continues to dominate our available capital. As a member of the House Budget Committee, I’m willing and working to take these hard votes and fix how Washington works, so we can get our nation’s fiscal house in order for our children, grandchildren, and future generations to come.
Honoring our law enforcement officers during National Police Week
 |
|
During National Police Week, Americans honored the service and sacrifice of law enforcement officers and their families nationwide.
In the U.S. House, I voted to pass multiple bills that support our men and women in blue:
- The Improving Law Enforcement Officer Safety and Wellness Through Data Act requires the Department of Justice to collect data on violence against law enforcement officers,
strengthening protections for those who protect us. - The LEOSA Reform Act would allow qualified officers to carry concealed firearms in public, state, or federal properties, making it easier for them to respond quickly to emergencies in public spaces.
- The Gold Shield Families Resolution encourages local communities to support nonprofit organizations that provide resources to Gold Shield Families during their time of need. Gold Shield Families are families of fallen policy officers, firefighters, emergency medical technicians, correction officers, emergency dispatch officers, and emergency service providers.
I am also co-sponsoring the POLICE Act, which makes it permissible to deport any illegal immigrant who assaults a law enforcement officer, and the Uproot Rioting International Students Engaged in Radical Subversion Act (UPRISERS) Act, which would revoke the visa of anyone in the U.S. who engages in violence against a police officer or is convicted of an offense related to rioting.
Our law enforcement officers keep us safe and deserve to be protected through federal policy. I will continue to support legislation that protects those who protect us.
Myth Buster: Medicaid for illegals
In this week’s episode of Myth Busters, it’s time to shed some light on the myth that illegal immigrants are not recipients of Medicaid.
That is false. The Congressional Budget Office has acknowledged that the budget reconciliation bill would remove at least 1.4 million illegal aliens who are on taxpayer-funded programs, including Medicaid. By removing illegals from Medicaid, we can strengthen those programs for Americans who need them.
WNC is open for business
Western North Carolina is beginning to reopen for business and is ready for visitors and customers!
Thank you to all the local leaders, dedicated employees, and incredible volunteers for your hard work to help us get to this point after Hurricane Helene.
In honor of this victory, I am excited to highlight some places that recently opened back up for business.
.jpg "050125-_Marshall_reopening_(5).jpg") |
| Downtown Marshall |
|
|
| Lowe’s in Asheville |
.jpg "050225-_Tabletop_Inn_in_Marion_(2).jpg") |
| Tabletop Inn in Marion |
 |
| Southern Highlands Reserve in Lake Toxaway |
 |
| Walmart in Asheville |
SBA loans for small businesses
Small businesses and private nonprofit organizations in North Carolina who experienced 
economic loss from Helene are encouraged to apply for the Small Business Administration’s economic injury disaster loans.
These loans help eligible small businesses and private nonprofits cover operating expenses following a disaster.
The deadline to apply is June 30, 2025. For more information and to apply online visit sba.gov/disaster. Applicants may also call SBA’s Customer Service Center at 800-659-2955 or email disastercustomerservice@sba.
If you’ve applied and need additional help navigating the SBA, please visit my website at edwards.house.gov/services/
Congratulations to NC-11’s 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner
 |
| Congressman Edwards and Christina Cannon, the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner for “Death & Rebirth” |
Congratulations to Christina Cannon, the 2025 Congressional Art Competition winner for Western North Carolina!
Her artwork will be displayed in the U.S. Capitol building for one year where visitors from all over can see and admire her talent.
A big round of applause also goes to our runners-up and Facebook Favorite competition winners.
Thank you to all who took the time and effort to participate in the competition and for sharing your gifts to contribute to our community.
 |
| First place winner: “Death & Rebirth” by Christina Cannon from McDowell High School |
 |
| Second place winner: “Open-ended Orange” by Brinnen Shelton from IC Imagine Public Charter School |
 |
| Third place winner: “Beads of Resilience” by Makenna Johnson from IC Imagine Public Charter School |
 |
| Facebook Favorite winner: “Color Me In” by Barbara Leggett from McDowell High School |
 |
| Facebook Favorite runner-up: “Impression of Blue Ridge Mountains” by Penelope Godfrey from Coram Deo Academy |
