Passage of Community Project Funding for NC-03 in Appropriations Package 

House Republicans continue to deliver results for the American people by passing H.R. 6938, the Commerce, Justice, Science; Energy and Water Development; and Interior and Environment Appropriations Act, an appropriations package that will provide public safety, expand access to vital resources, and advance economic competitiveness. This funding provides for vital government agencies that assist Americans every day and deliver on national interests. Through this package, we are supporting reliable energy, boosting nuclear deterrence, improving land management, and enhancing safety response, while simultaneously cutting wasteful spending and prioritizing lower costs for families through accountable policy.

I am proud that this package includes essential funding for our district to strengthen law enforcement and community safety, as well as our energy and water infrastructure. We are taking decisive action by delivering real results to invest in crucial community needs that put the American people first.

Community Project Funding for NC-03: 

• Commerce, Justice, Science:
  • Onslow County Sheriff’s Office Rapid DNA Program: $682,553
  • East Carolina University (ECU) Police Department Software Upgrades: $254,856
  • Town of Winterville Emergency Services Portable Mobile Radio Replacement: $510,594
• Energy and Water Development:
  • Army Corps of Engineers (Civil) Operation and Maintenance Atlantic Intracoastal Waterway, NC: Budget Request $12,490,000. Additional Amount $4,222,000. Total Amount Provided $16,712,000.

Passage of Temporary, COVID-era Obamacare Subsidies

As a physician of 35 years, I have dedicated my life to serving others, primarily those in rural and underserved communities. The unfortunate truth is that the Affordable Care Act failed in its promises to lower healthcare costs. Instead, patients have faced skyrocketing premiums that have led to record profits by greedy insurance companies. The failed ACA has had to be bailed out again and again. The Enhanced Premium Tax Credits were supposed to be temporary subsidies that were to last only the length of the COVID-19 pandemic. Extending these insurance company bailouts does nothing to lower the cost of healthcare in America. It is simply a continuation of bad policy and only incentivizes bad behavior by insurers, the most powerful lobby in Washington. We have to commit to reducing the growing cost of care in this country through competition rather than just putting a taxpayer-funded bandaid on a bureaucratic disaster. Greenlighting these ever-growing subsidies cannot continue. House Republicans passed the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Americans act which will do so by 11% if enacted. The Democrat discharge petition that passed the House of Representatives further burdens America’s broken healthcare system and continues to fail to address the root causes of the high cost of American healthcare.

Statement on Capture of Venezuelan Dictator Nicholas Maduro  

Nicholas Maduro was a brutal dictator and the illegitimate president of Venezuela, indicted by the United States for narco-terrorism and drug trafficking. He was more the head of a narco-terrorist state than the leader of a country. Handpicked by another dictator, Hugo Chavez, to continue the regime of terror that took countless innocent lives and destroyed the gem of South America. Similar to Manuel Noriega, the Panamanian dictator who also ravaged his country, engaged in drug trafficking with the Medellin cartel, and murdered political opponents, Maduro will face trial for his grievous crimes. Not only was he involved with narco terrorists and wrongly imprisoned hundreds of his own people, he invited malign influences into his country to combat the United States. These include Chinese and Russian influences, and there is even evidence that he allowed Hezbollah to come into his country to train. All of this in OUR backyard. Both Presidents Trump and Biden increased the previous bounties on his arrest. Maduro even exported his own criminals to the United States during the last administration’s debacle at the southern border. What the President did was completely legal, and it was past time that this country stopped talking about action and did something about it. Chuck Schumer and former President Biden complained that Trump was soft on Maduro and, now that he actually did something about him, all they do is complain. I support President Trump’s leadership, look forward to justice being served, and aspire to see robust additional engagement in Venezuela to root out corruption and ensure a smooth transition into democratic governance. The over 8 million people who have left Venezuela because of Maduro’s corruption and dictatorship, as well as millions across Venezuela itself, are elated that he is finally gone and in prison for his crimes.

$213 Million for NC Rural Health

CMS recently announced that North Carolina will receive over $213 million from the Rural Health Transformation Fund in 2026! I am especially proud to have worked closely with the NCDHHS in a bipartisan manner to aid in the application process. This enormous award from the fund will help strengthen rural emergency care, strengthen our rural clinical workforce, modernize rural health infrastructure and technology, empower community providers, and much more.

Even more exciting is that it is just the first investment from the Rural Health Transformation Fund into our state. Over the next five years, we'll continue to see the work Republicans accomplished in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act make a meaningful impact, especially when it comes to healthcare quality and access in our rural communities.

As a physician of 35 years, primarily serving rural and underserved communities, I understand the challenges some face in accessing quality and affordable healthcare. I'm thankful for the Trump Administration's leadership in ensuring all of America is looked after and advances into the future.

Human Trafficking Awareness Day

On January 11th, we raise awareness of human trafficking. We use this as an opportunity to educate others on the signs of human trafficking and bring attention to the prevalence of these inhumane crimes.

Due to continued efforts, there are over 50 established organizations worldwide bringing awareness and stopping these terrible activities. One avenue for resources and aid is through http://www.dhs.gov/blue-campaign. 

Many institutions here in eastern North Carolina, such as https://pccaht.wordpress.com in Pitt County and https://www.cryfreedommissions.com in Wayne County, have saved and restored the lives of so many victims of human trafficking.

We must learn as much as possible and stay vigilant to protect vulnerable populations, while supporting survivors during their recovery.