Politicians throughout North Carolina have responded to the events that unfolded on August 26, 2021, in Afghanistan that left 13 US service members dead and 18 injured. President Joe Biden addressed the nation in a televised response.
All by Kristy Bock
A Gallup poll in 2019 indicated that two-thirds of American’s oppose making Washington, D.C. a state. A recent bill passed by the U.S. House of Representatives wants to do it anyway.
Senator Thom Tillis diagnosed with prostate cancer
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and will have surgery in the upcoming week.
The fight to end the perpetual state of emergency
On March 10, 2020 Governor Roy Cooper declared a State of Emergency for North Carolina due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and on March 17, 2020, he closed schools, restaurants, and bars for in-person dining. The NCHSAA also suspended school sports.
Investigation into insider training of Senator Burr ends
The Department of Justice ended the insider trading investigation against Senator Richard Burr (R-NC). Burr, a politician serving as the senior US Senator for North Carolina since 2005, came under scrutiny for the sale of 30 stock selling transactions between late January and the middle of February.
US House members representing NC speak out about impeachment
Members of the US House of Representatives that serve the citizens of North Carolina took to Twitter and press releases to share their stance on President Donald Trump’s second impeachment. The legislators representing North Carolina are divided along party lines. The resolution to impeach President Trump passed with 232 for impeachment and 197 against with 4 that did not vote. There were 222 Democrats and 10 Republicans for the resolution, and 197 Republicans against it.
North Carolina representatives support using the 25th amendment
Members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation are calling upon Vice President Pence to invoke the 25th Amendment after the unprecedented breach of the Capitol building in Washington, DC by supporters of President Trump yesterday.
Five Congressmen representing North Carolina plan to object the Electoral College votes
On Wednesday, January 6, 2021, the United States Congress will count the Electoral College votes for the 2020 Presidential Election. Vice President Mike Pence as president of the Senate will count each state’s Electoral College Votes.
$600 one-time payments as part of a second stimulus payout
A second stimulus check was approved on Sunday as part of a $900 billion dollar bill. The $600 one-time payment will be sent to those eligible based on their 2019 reported income. The amount of the one-time payment depends on the income of the household. President Trump disagreed with the amount of the one-time payment, and instead recommended the amount of $2000 as a direct payment to eligible individuals. On Monday, the House of Representatives passed a measure to increase the stimulus checks to $2000. On Tuesday, Senate Majority Leader McConnell blocked a bid to unanimously pass the $2000 stimulus check without a vote, and then also blocked allowing a vote to be brought to the floor on Wednesday though he did say the $2000 stimulus check was his focus.
President-elect Joe Biden has selected NCDEQ Secretary Michael S. Regan to lead the EPA
President-elect Joe Biden has selected Michael S. Regan to lead the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). In 2017, Governor Cooper named Regan Secretary of the N.C. Department of Environmental Quality. Regan has over twenty years of experience with environmental advocacy and regulation.
COVID-19 vaccine arriving in NC, Sen. Tillis and Rep. Murphy plan to take it when available
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration issued the first emergency use authorization for a vaccine for the prevention of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in individuals 16 years of age and older.
“Many believed it would take at least a year to develop a COVID-19 vaccine, but American innovation has exceeded expectations yet again,” said Congressman Greg Murphy, the only practicing physician in Congress. “I will be getting vaccinated next year once it is widely available to the American public and after those who are on the frontlines or are most vulnerable have already received it,” said U.S. Senator Thom Tillis.
Thomas Stith III the next president of the NC Community College System
A native of Durham, Thomas A. Stith III was named by the State Board of Community Colleges as a new system president. The State Board of Community Colleges voted in a 10:00 am board meeting. Thomas served as Chief of Staff to Governor Pat McCrory from 2013 to 2017 and was a councilman for the City of Durham from 1999 to 2007.
Court of Appeals overturns Voter ID decision
On Wednesday, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fourth Circuit reversed a lower-court decision to enjoin North Carolina’s voter ID law and constitutional amendment. "Now that a federal appeals court has approved North Carolina's voter ID law and constitutional amendment, they must be implemented for the next election cycle in our state," NC House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said.
State Auditor releases finding of COVID spending by NC Dept. Of Public Instruction
On Wednesday State Auditor Beth Wood released the results of a performance audit at the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (DPI). The audit was of Coronavirus Relief Funds allocated to the DPI from the 2020 COVID-19 Recover Act. The objectives were to ensure that Coronavirus Relief Funds were spent in accordance with the 2020 COVID-19 Recovery Act and subsequent amendments as well as that the programs that received Coronavirus Relief Funds accomplished their intended purpose.
Greensboro Congressman Mark Walker announces he's after Burr's seat
The 2022 election starts with Greensboro Congressman Mark Walker throwing his hat in the ring to seek the seat held now by Sen. Richard Burr. Walker shared his announcement in a video with Fox News.