Charles (Chuck) Edwards

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on keeping our government funded, a grant for the Town of Canton, and hurricane recovery efforts. Dear Friend, Being accessible, listening, and answering questions for the people of WNC are among my favorite activities, even if we might not always agree. That is why in my first term as a congressman, I held eight in-person town halls, and recently I was eager to host my ninth one in Asheville. It's always valuable to engage in discussions with the folks in our mountains about concerns or questions you have. If you were unable to attend my town hall, stay tuned for my upcoming tele-town hall by following me on social media and subscribing to my newsletter. Keeping our government open and serving the American people The U.S. House voted on a clean, long-term continuing resolution (CR) to keep our government open and providing critical services to the American people. A CR is not the preferred method to keep our government funded. However, with a looming shutdown, the House was able to collaborate with President Trump on a bill that funds our federal government and reduces non-defense spending. It's disappointing that 212 Democrat House Members chose a government shutdown instead when just in December, not one voted ``no'' on the CR. This CR funds core government services; protects Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients from payment disruptions, and strengthens veteran health care and housing programs as well as our defense. The long-term CR will also enable the House to keep our momentum to continue delivering an America First agenda and go after the waste, fraud, and abuse of your hard-earned tax dollars. I will continue to fight for lower costs, safer communities, and common-sense legislation that will ensure a better future for folks in our mountains. Town of Canton to receive over $40 million dollar grant Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and I announced that the Town of Canton will be receiving a $40,780,000 grant as a result of the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and the American Relief Act. This grant will revolutionize the town's water and wastewater systems by funding the design and construction of stormwater improvements, water tank and waterlines, and a new wastewater treatment facility to serve the residents of Canton for decades to come. WNC makes strides in recovery after Helene Western North Carolina has a long way to recovery, but we've certainly made great strides. As we're nearing the six-month mark since Helene hit our mountains, I wanted to share some of the milestones we've achieved. FEMA has approved applications for more than 157,000 households in WNC and more than $400 million has been awarded for disaster-caused needs. Additionally, more than 6,000 families have received nearly $19 million for repair or replacement of private-access roads and bridges. One of our greatest challenges has been debris removal, especially from waterways, but as of this week, nearly 5 million cubic yards of debris have been cleared from public right of ways and another 600,000 cubic yards of debris were removed from waterways. While there's more work to be done, we've achieved more than most communities in this period of time. Our mountain folk have shown resilience throughout the response and recovery process, and I'm proud of the way everyone continues to show up for one another during these difficult times. I'm optimistic that together, we will rebuild our communities even stronger and better than before. Bringing the federal government to folks across WNC In keeping with my office's motto of being ``First in Constituent Services'' and helping folks post-Hurricane Helene, my office has brought the Carolina Cruiser all across our mountains for mobile office hours. In February alone, the Carolina Cruiser made 15 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 nearly 400 individuals. It is my goal as your congressman to remain accessible to you. In addition to mobile office hours, I hold Chat With Chuck meetings to hear from constituents one-on-one. Most recently, I was glad to discuss with 10 constituents 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. SBA extends deadline for physical damage loans If your business suffered damage from Hurricane Helene, the Small Business Administration has extended the physical damage loan application deadline to April 27, 2025. For the application and additional information, visit the SBA website linked here. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this important piece of legislation. During the pandemic, Congress created three new unemployment benefits and issued $675 billion in benefits to folks who lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Since then, the Government Accountability Office estimates up to $135 billion in fraud nationwide, with some of the more egregious States, like California and New York, reporting $18 billion and $11 billion, respectively, in fraud alone. Despite such rampant fraud, only $5 billion, less than 4 percent, has been recovered. Without H.R. 1156, the statute of limitations to recover fraud will expire in just 2 weeks. Simply put, we cannot let criminals who defrauded the Federal Government retain over $100 billion of improper payments. That money rightfully belongs to the American people and must be recovered. Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bill.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Gertrude Pauline Whitener Milburn on turning 100 years old later this week on March 14th. Gertrude Pauline Whitener Milburn was born on March 14, 1925, and grew up in a small textile community known as Brookford, located in Hickory, North Carolina She had two brothers and a sister. Gertrude met Bill Milburn while he was serving in the Navy during World War II, and they married in December 1945 after his discharge. They had two children, Patricia Milburn Link and Randolph Lee Milburn, and lived in Lincolnton, North Carolina, until 1967, when they moved to Lake Norman. Gertrude spent her entire career in the textile industry. She is the proud grandmother of four, with ten great-grandchildren and five great- great-grandchildren. She is not shy to be blunt and share her many years of wisdom with the younger generations. On behalf of all of Western North Carolina, I congratulate Gertrude.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on Hurricane Helene recovery efforts and legislation to protect U.S. communities. Dear Friend, The 119th Congress is well underway, and I'm excited to continue serving the people of Western North Carolina from my seats on the House Appropriations and Budget committees. In addition to serving on the Appropriations Committee's Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee, I am honored to have been appointed to the role of vice chairman of the National Security, Department of State, and Related Programs Subcommittee. Under a unified government, the new majority has a rare opportunity to reverse America's spiraling debt and create a safer and stronger future for our Nation. I'm eager to walk with my colleagues to make real changes that will better the lives of the American people, continue to bring federal resources to aid in WNC's recovery, and fix how Washington works. The people of WNC are not forgotten It was a privilege to welcome U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy to our mountains and accompany him to see the devastation brought by Hurricane Helene as well as our efforts to clean up and rebuild, During his time in Haywood County, we surveyed the damage at I-40 near the Tennessee line, and it was confirmed that I- 40 is set to partially reopen on March with one lane available in each direction. The people of Western North Carolina continue to be reminded that we are not forgotten, and I appreciate Secretary Duffy for his attention to helping out mountain folk rebuild. Fixing a broken agency It's an honor to be named by President Trump to the FEMA task force to fix how this broken agency works. After being on the ground throughout the Hurricane Helene response, it's clear that an overhaul of FEMA is necessary to more effectively and efficiently respond to natural disasters. I'll be lending the insights I've gained so that our Nation will be fully prepared to prevent and respond to future disasters, and to save lives. Protecting U.S. communities from the fentanyl and border crisis In the House, we have voted on and passed multiple bills-- including the HALT Fentanyl Act and the Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act--to make out communities safe again by combatting the fentanyl and border crises wrought by the previous administration's open border policies. The temporary order designating fentanyl-related substances (FRS) as a Schedule I drug is set to expire soon. If this designation expires and is not made permanent, these substances will become street-legal, taking away law enforcement's authority to seize fentanyl and allowing drug traffickers to continue funneling deadly drugs into our country. I voted in support of the HALT Fentanyl Act to permanently classify FRS as Schedule I drugs as defined by the Controlled Substances Act. Schedule I drugs have high potential for abuse with no accepted medical uses, and this bill would make sure that law enforcement has the resources to keep these drugs off our streets and allow for further research of FRS. In addition to the fentanyl epidemic, many Americans have paid the price for illegal immigrants breaking our laws and engaging in high-speed chases to avoid detention. The Agent Raul Gonzalez Officer Safety Act would make it a criminal offense to operate a vehicle within 100 miles of the southern border while fleeing from Border Patrol agents or any law enforcement officer assisting Border Patrol, including jail time and being prohibited from ever receiving legal status in the U.S. Streamlining the FEMA application process for disaster victims After Helene hit Western North Carolina, I saw how complicated and difficult the disaster recovery assistance applications were. Many folks had to apply to multiple agencies, including FEMA, the SBA and USDA, for disaster assistance, each of which had its own extensive applications. That's why I introduced the Disaster Survivors Fairness Act, which would streamline FEMA's application process and improve coordination among federal agencies to more effectively aid disaster victims. This bill would direct the FEMA administrator to develop a universal application for federal disaster assistance to be used across agencies and authorizes information sharing across these agencies. This is an important step toward making sure we are prioritizing the people and not the bureaucracy after disaster strikes. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Chairman, first of all, I acknowledge the great work that our Budget Committee chairman has done to bring us to this point today. It has taken him hundreds of hours and tested his blood pressure quite seriously to get us to this point. Mr. Chair, I rise today in firm support of this resolution. In November last year, 77 million Americans demanded changes in how our Federal Government is working for them, particularly changes in the disastrous policies from the last 4 years. I plan to help deliver on those demands by fixing how Washington works and implementing President Trump's agenda to make America first. This resolution gives us the framework that we need to meet the demands of those 77 million Americans. Those demands include fixing our border crisis once and for all. This resolution does that. Those demands include unleashing American energy. This resolution does that. Mr. Chair, I urge strong support for this resolution.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act. Dear Friend: H.R. 38, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, that I'm co-sponsoring fixes a disjointed system in which a law-abiding citizen who holds a concealed carry permit in one state can become a criminal for simply crossing states lines with a firearm without having a concealed carry permit from the second state. The Second Amendment doesn't stop at state lines and this bipartisan bill is a commonsense solution to make sure that a concealed carry license or permit from one state is valid in all 50 states, protecting your constitutional rights as well as the right to self-defense across states lines. With President Trump declaring that he would sign a concealed carry reciprocity bill if such a bill reached his desk, the Constitutional Concealed Carry Reciprocity could be signed into law soon. This bill is a huge win for the American people, and know that I'll continue to defend the Second Amendment rights of law-abiding gun owners across our mountains and Nation. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the 119th Congress agenda, the Equal Representation Act, and disaster recovery. Dear Friend: With a House speaker elected and a presidential election certified, we look ahead to the inauguration that will pave the way to a new era for the American people and better position us to fix how Washington works. I was proud to cast my vote for Mike Johnson as Speaker of the House for the 119th Congress, and to concur with the certification of the presidential election. Speaker Johnson has a good working relationship with President Trump to be able to pursue and deliver an America First agenda. It was essential to swiftly elect a speaker to kick off the 119th Congress so we can get to work for the American people. Western North Carolinians have struggled over the past four years under high prices, less-safe communities, disastrous open-border policies, and crippling regulations. As we begin this new Congress, I'm eager to move policies forward that benefit the hardworking families in our mountains, especially as we rebuild from Helene. Only American citizens should be represented in Congress The first bill that I re-introduced in the 119th Congress is the Equal Representation Act, which would prohibit illegal immigrants from influencing Americans' congressional representation. Citizens across our mountains and nation are demanding that we protect our nation's sovereignty and secure our borders. This bill addresses one of the many consequences of the Biden administration's open border policies, which allowed millions of illegal immigrants to pour into the U.S., increasing the country's non-citizen population. Mass illegal immigration has unfairly skewed political presentation in the U.S. House and Electoral College by including illegal immigrants in the total population count that determines how many representatives a state receives, or is apportioned. This is diluting the voices of U.S. citizens in the political process. The Equal Representation Act will address these problems by asking a very simple, commonsense question on the U.S. Census, ``Are you a citizen of the United States?'' so that non-citizens are not counted toward congressional district and Electoral College apportionment. Americans deserve fair and equal representation in their federal government, something that will not be possible until we eliminate the influence of noncitizens in our electoral process. $16 billion headed to WNC for disaster recovery Upon returning to Washington after Hurricane Helene, it was my top priority as a member of the House Appropriations Committee to craft a supplemental disaster funding bill to aid in WNC's recovery. As the sole co-sponsor of the American Relief Act--also known as the disaster supplemental--I fought for and secured nearly $16 billion to come directly to Western North Carolina for disaster recovery. It's customary that the chairman of the committee be the lead sponsor of a disaster supplemental bill, and the committee only rarely names a co-sponsor for such bills. As a lifelong resident of Western North Carolina, I'm grateful that House leaders--including Speaker Johnson, Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, sought my unique understanding of the challenges WNC residents are facing in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. I am grateful for their strong support for our mountains, for their leeway in letting me craft this legislation, and for passing this historic disaster supplemental bill. Welcoming Mitchell and Avery County We are excited to welcome Mitchell and Avery counties to North Carolina's 11th congressional district. The Carolina Cruiser has already made four stops in these counties, and members of my team were glad to meet some new faces and hear what's on the minds of our newest constituents. It is a privilege and honor to serve each and every one of you, and my team and I are looking forward to getting to know you, whether at Carolina Cruiser mobile office hours or at one-on-one Chat With Chuck meetings. If you're experiencing issues with FEMA after Hurricane Helene, you can call my office at 223-FIX-FEMA for assistance. You can also stay informed on NC-11 news and legislative updates by subscribing to my newsletter here. Announcing Senior Caseworker Madeline Lehman Congratulations to Madeline Lehman, who has been promoted to senior caseworker in my district office. Madeline has been a part of my team since my first day in office. Her strong work ethic and can-do attitude have allowed her to advance from the position of staff assistant to caseworker, and now to senior caseworker, in little more than two years. She also did this while simultaneously obtaining her master's degree in public administration. Madeline has diligently worked to take my office's case management to a new level and it's this kind of strong performance that has led my office to have the reputation far and wide as ``First in Constituent Services.'' With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is with sorrow and gratitude that I rise today to honor the life of Deputy Charles James ``Jim'' Lau for his service to our country and community as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse in Western North Carolina. Jim drowned in the floodwaters of Hurricane Helene and was found dead on September 28. Jim lived a life dedicated to public service in every role he undertook. Jim served in the U.S. Air Force, rising to the rank of Master Sergeant and fighting in the Vietnam War, before beginning his successful career in law enforcement. As a member of the Volusia County Sheriff's Office in Florida, Jim spent over 20 years working as a deputy, working primarily in the Major Case and Crime Scene units and pioneered a crime scene program which trained hundreds of deputies. Jim was described by the Sheriff's Office as a hard worker, dependable and was well-liked. After full retirement from the police force in 2005, Jim moved with his then wife Millie to Franklin, North Carolina to be closer to family; Millie died in 2007 after a battle with breast cancer. Even in his retirement, Jim felt called to serve others and chose to serve his community as a volunteer with REACH of Macon County, a domestic violence, rape crisis, and human trafficking center, and as a security officer at the Macon County Courthouse. On Friday, September 27, Jim showed up to work to serve the people of Macon County amidst the devastation of Hurricane Helene, with the worst storm conditions Western North Carolina has seen in recorded history. Jim was reported missing after he failed to return from lunch and his body was found in his truck, still trapped in the floodwater, the following day. Jim was known as a family man and loved nothing more than being a grandfather. Jim leaves behind his wife, Judie; children, Kimberly, Destiny, Cameron, Brittany and Tyler; and many grandchildren and extended relatives. After decades of working to protect others, Jim made the world a better and safer place, and I thank him for his lifetime of public service. I offer my deepest condolences to the Lau family and will continue to keep them in my thoughts and prayers.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Brevard High School boys' cross-country team for winning the 2A state championship. This is the Brevard ``Blue Devils'' second 2A state championship in a row and third in the last four years, solidifying their dominant status as a dynasty. The Brevard High School girls' cross-country team placed 7th at the state cross country meet. Congratulations to the Blue Devils. Their continued success is a testament to countless hours of training, hard work, and a genuine passion for running. They have made Western North Carolina proud. May the future bring many more years of success as we continue to celebrate the legacy of your exceptional cross-country program.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, it is with great sadness that I rise today to honor Major Michelle Quintero of the Madison County Sheriff's Office who was killed as Hurricane Helene hit Western North Carolina on September 27. As director of operations at the Madison County Detention Center, which includes Madison Juvenile Detention Center, Michelle was known for her positive influence on inmates and as a source of comfort and strength for young people. Michelle's family and friends described her as a second mother to juvenile inmates, employees, and members of her community, even bringing juvenile inmates Christmas presents, making sure no one felt left out. On the morning of Friday, September 27, in the midst of Helene's destruction, Michelle thought only of serving others and attempted to get to work from her home in Yancey County. Michelle was quickly surrounded by the rising flood waters after going outside to enter her car and became caught in the current; Michelle's neighbor, Chris Robinson, jumped into the flood water and made attempts to save Michelle's life but she was fatally injured by the falling trees and waves of debris in the water. Michelle was 48 years old. Michelle made a lasting impact on the law enforcement community and on those who were lucky enough to know her. The Division of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety posthumously awarded Michelle the Raising the Bar award, for her lifetime of public service and going above and beyond to help create better outcomes for incarcerated youth. Michelle spent nearly 18 years working at the sheriff's office and came from a family dedicated to public service. Michelle leaves behind the love of her life and husband, Isaac Quintero; daughter, Ashlyn Quintero; son, Isaac Quintero; and many extended family members. I thank Michelle for her contributions to Western North Carolina and for the positive influence and safe environment she provided for youth in her care. I offer my deepest condolences to the Quintero family. I will continue to keep them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Michelle will be remembered for her lifetime of service and in every life she touched.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate Michael Haskin and Sofi Alexander, the boys and girls individual cross country winners of North Carolina's 4A state championship race, both belonging to Asheville High School. Asheville High senior Michael Haskin ran his second fasted time of the season in a neck and neck race to win the boys individual 4A championship. In the girls individual 4A race, junior Sofi Alexander took home first place for the Asheville High Cougars. Sofi is the first Cougar to win a girls cross country state championship. Both runners, Michael and Sofi, won their races by less than two seconds, a testament to the determination of both athletes and the highly competitive fields. On behalf of all of Western North Carolina, congratulations to Michael and Sofi.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Swain County High School girls cross country team on their fourth consecutive North Carolina 1A girls cross country state championship title. The Maroon Devils girls went above and beyond this season by posting their best score yet out of their four straight championships. Additionally, Swain County senior, Arizona Blankenship, won her second individual 1A cross country title. Once again, congratulations to the Swain County High School girls cross country team. Their streak of success is a testament to the dedication and passion of their runners and the exceptional culture of their program.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the Polk County High School girls volleyball team for winning the North Carolina 1A volleyball championship game with a score of 3-0. This is the Wolverine girls' second consecutive 1A volleyball championship title. Making their championship win all the more impressive, the team did not have practices or games for a period of 19 days during the middle of their season due to Hurricane Helene. Congratulations to the Polk County High School girls volleyball team. I commend their work ethic, fortitude, and determination that resulted in an outstanding season.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to congratulate the West Henderson High School girls volleyball team for winning the North Carolina 3A volleyball championship game. This is the Falcons' sixth volleyball championship and first since 2008. The West Henderson girls persevered through the challenges brought by Hurricane Helene, which interrupted their season for two weeks as many of the players were without power and water. On and off the court, the West Henderson girls battled all season long to finish with an impressive 26 and 2 record and the championship title. Congratulations to the West Henderson High School Girls Volleyball team, they have made all of Western North Carolina proud.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Mr. Dawson Connell, for his work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank him for his hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions he has made to the office this fall. Dawson is from Waxhaw, North Carolina, and is currently a getting his Master's in Political Science at American University. Dawson is a graduate of Mars Hill University in western North Carolina and majored in History with both Pre-Law Studies and Political Science minors. Dawson was on the varsity baseball team at Mars Hill and is an impressive golfer. Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th congressional district. Dawson was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with his positive attitude and impressive work ethic. It was a pleasure to work with Dawson, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Dawson exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. I congratulate Dawson on this successful completion of his internship, and thank him on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to honor Battalion Chief Tony R. Garrison who was killed in the line of duty on September 27 when Tropical Storm Helene hit Western North Carolina. Tony was a native of Western North Carolina and by every account, Tony was a great man. Known for his outgoing personality and compassionate nature, Tony enjoyed woodworking, fishing, and most of all, spending time with his family. Tony leaves behind the love of his life and wife of 28 years, Mary Chantelle Garrison, his daughter Hannah, and his son Dylan. I would like to extend my appreciation for the work he accomplished during his time with the U.S. Forest Service, as a volunteer with the Garren Creek Fire Department, member of the Buncombe County Task Force, and as an instructor at A-B Tech in Asheville. Tony dedicated his life to serving others and protecting his neighbors. As a Battalion Chief with the Fairview Volunteer Fire Department, Tony was used to running towards danger when others would run away. Friday, September 27 was a day of confusion and destruction in Western North Carolina. Helene made landfall Thursday night and by Friday morning millions of people were left without cell service, power, or any way to contact the outside world as trees fell and landslides washed away their houses, neighbors, and family members. Tony's community of Fairview saw historic levels of flooding and suffered from catastrophic damage. During the confusion, Tony did what he was trained to do and what he spent his life doing--helping save others. While Tony worked with his nephew Brandon Ruppe to rescue neighbors during a landslide, a second landslide occurred and both Tony and Brandon tragically passed away from their injuries. I offer my deepest condolences to the Garrison family. I will continue to keep them and their loved ones in my thoughts and prayers. Tony is a hero and will be remembered for his lifetime of service.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in strong support of the American Relief Act. We all know the basis of this bill is a continuing resolution to fund the government and to prevent us from shutting down until sometime in the first quarter. I admit I think we all know a continuing resolution is neither the best way to fund our government nor be responsible for our taxpayers' dollars. We have an appropriations process that should work. To the credit of Chairman Cole, that did work through the Appropriations Committee. I certainly appreciate the chairman's strong leadership in getting us through that. It is noteworthy that he pointed out the Appropriations Committee by itself does not get to determine how we fund our government. We have got many needs and necessary reasons to keep our government functioning. The American people are counting on us. Our military and our border guards are counting on us. Our enemies are watching. We all know North Korea, Russia, China, and others do not have to face issues such as a government shutdown. Keeping the government open is critical to the district that I represent in western North Carolina. I would like to take a moment and speak specifically to the disaster relief portion of this bill. As most of my colleagues are aware, North Carolina was hit by Hurricane Helene on September 27 of this year. We experienced unprecedented disaster and destruction. It is going to cost North Carolina about $58 billion to rebuild. This storm was the most deadly in North Carolina's history. We lost 126,000 homes that were either damaged or destroyed. Countless people are now homeless. I thank Speaker Johnson for personally visiting western North Carolina, getting his boots muddy, and seeing what we are dealing with there. I thank Leader Scalise for visiting western North Carolina. Chairman Cole also took time to come down. Many other Members were there. We are going see a number of Members on this floor argue against this bill. Mr. Speaker, I need to remind you that folks in western North Carolina have been paying their taxes for decades, taxes that have gone toward funding disasters in every other part of this country, from California to the Midwest to the Gulf Coast, without argument. Mr. Speaker, now North Carolina needs our help. They need the help of this body. I am sure some folks are going to speak against this bill. I urge them to think about the disasters that they may have experienced and what they have seen in the news and what they are hearing from me about the need in western North Carolina. I even heard one Member last week refer to recipients of disaster relief as ``coastal elites.'' I represent about 783,000 people in the mountains of western North Carolina. I can promise you not one single one of those people is a coastal elite. Those are hardworking, taxpaying Americans that deserve the help of this body at this time. I urge passage of this bill. I must also say that I am disappointed. Even though there is $110 billion in here to help begin to rebuild my great State, there is a provision for private roads and bridges that was stripped out of this for some reason in the last moments of pulling this bill together. The folks from FEMA in western North Carolina have told me that the most significant difference they see in this disaster versus those they have dealt with in other areas is the number of private roads and bridges that we have. So, I am hoping, and I appreciate Chairman Cole offering to help me, to get this provision back in with some other vehicle at some other point in the future. Mr. Speaker, I urge Members' support of this bill. North Carolina deserves and needs the respect and the help to rebuild.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise in opposition to H.R. 1101, the so- called Lumbee Fairness Act. I am proud to represent North Carolina's 11th District, which is the home of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, a Tribal Nation rich in culture, language, and sovereignty that is a true treasure to the State of North Carolina and to the United States. In stark contrast, it must be noted that the Lumbee community has no standing treaties with the Federal Government, no reservation land, and no common language. The Office of Federal Acknowledgment under the U.S. Department of the Interior, or OFA, was established to provide a vigorous process that groups seeking Federal recognition must go through, including genealogical and historical research. This legislation wholly bypasses the OFA process, and I believe that if the Lumbee community truly had a legitimate claim for Federal recognition, they would go through that process like other prospective Tribes have done. Let us not circumvent our rules to bring this bill to the House floor with the purpose of circumventing the rules for an alleged Tribal Nation. In my view, this legislation should have gone through the committee markup process before being put on the floor as a suspension bill, as has been done for numerous other bills this Congress, before being given consideration by the full House. If the administration or Congress allows the Lumbee to bypass the OFA, it sends a clear message that other groups with dubious claims for Tribal recognition can also avoid the deliberation and scrutiny that the OFA petition process is designed to provide. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to vote ``no'' on this legislation.

Ms. EDWARDS

Ms. EDWARDS. At this time the Chair recognizes Former Members of Congress President, the Honorable Barbara Comstock, for remarks.

Ms. EDWARDS. At this time the chair recognizes the Honorable Speaker Mike Johnson. Thank you, Mr. Speaker, for being here.

Ms. EDWARDS. It is a great honor, your being here.

Ms. EDWARDS. The Chair thanks and congratulates Chairwoman Bice. The Chair now invites two former Members, Dennis Ross of Florida and Cheri Bustos of Illinois, to offer remarks.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on support for Western North Carolina in recovering from Hurricane Helene and reforms to the U.S. tax code. Dear Friend, Hurricane Helene devastated WNC, with 81 lives lost in North Carolina's 11th District. In some areas, water crested up to 30 feet above normal levels, though locals report crests as high as 40 feet, destroying entire communities as it rushed through our mountain valleys, carrying away homes, cars and roads. During a House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee hearing, I shared insight into the aftermath of Helene, including how FEMA's response was in some ways effective and how, in other ways, there were significant issues that need to be addressed. For example, on Day Three after the storm, FEMA announced it had delivered 400 pallets of desperately needed water to Western North Carolina, but when asked where those supplies had been delivered, FEMA could not provide a single location. As members of Congress, it is our job to conduct rigorous oversight and hold FEMA accountable for its disaster recovery processes. The U.S. House must address the flaws in FEMA's response to prevent further delays and confusion in the recovery process for Western North Carolinians, and for survivors of any future disaster. Rest assured, it is my top priority to continue to help WNC recover and receive the assistance our communities need. House Appropriations Committee Chairman views hurricane damage in WNC. Over the past few weeks, I've invited several legislators to visit our district to see the damage firsthand. I'll need each of them to fully understand the breadth of what is needed for us to rebuild as I advocate for the necessary funding. This has been helpful in gathering support for supplemental disaster assistance to help our road to recovery. Most recently, House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole accepted my invitation and visited Western North Carolina to personally see the impact of Hurricane Helene in our mountains. Swannanoa and Marshall are just two of our small towns with tremendous needs, and Chairman Cole's visit was another important step toward securing funds that will help our communities rebuild. Holding the National Institute of Health accountable. Making commonsense reforms to U.S. tax code. This week, the U.S. House passed a commonsense bill to fix our tax code with my support. The Stop Terror Financing and Tax Penalties on American Hostages Act would prevent the IRS from charging late fees to American citizens who are wrongfully detained abroad. Americans who are wrongfully detained or held hostage are currently provided only one year of tax relief. While these individuals should be focusing on getting their lives back, instead they are being charged late fees by the federal government. This is a timely issue, with Americans still being held hostage by Hamas. The last thing these Americans and their families should have to worry about is settling an unpaid tax bill. This legislation also revokes the tax-exempt status of U.S. non-profit organizations that provide financial or material support to terrorist groups like Hamas. No organization that supports terrorism should benefit from the American tax code or receive a tax-exempt status. Newly launched Supply Information Hub. My office has launched a Supply Information Hub on my website for folks affected by Hurricane Helene and those who want to help. Multiple organizations have shared that they have an overflow of resources they want to reallocate, and other groups have voiced that they're still in need of certain supplies. To help consolidate efforts, my team is stepping in to help match supply requests with available resources. If you have extra supplies or if you're in need of a specific product, please fill out the form on my website at edwards.house.gov/hub, and my team will do our best to make sure that resources go where they are needed. Do you need help with FEMA? As Western North Carolina continues to pick up the pieces and rebuild after Hurricane Helene, I want to remind you that you can apply for FEMA financial assistance to help ease the financial burden of what you've lost. If you've applied for FEMA relief and need assistance navigating the process, my Hendersonville office can engage with FEMA directly on your behalf and guide you on what documents are needed for your case. Please call my phone line dedicated to FEMA casework at 223-FIX-FEMA. Announcing Deputy Chief of Staff Jessie Frank. I'm excited to announce the promotion of Jessie Frank from executive assistant to deputy chief of staff. Those who have worked with Jessie in her capacity as my executive assistant can attest to her strong work ethic, steadfast loyalty to my office, and attention to detail. Since moving to DC, her leadership role has risen to new heights, and her contributions are widely recognized not only by our office, but by House Leadership, our committee staffs, and a multitude of other Member offices. Jessie majored in political science at UNC Asheville, where she graduated summa cum laude. As a student athlete on the Bulldog swim team, she earned her college education through a swimming scholarship as a student athlete. She also served UNCA as editor-in-chief of Dignity, UNC Asheville's undergraduate human rights journal. Before joining our DC team, Jessie served as legislative assistant and committee clerk in the North Carolina State Senate and interned with the NC Republican Senate Caucus. Her rich background of experience also includes assistant swim coach, page to the Office of the Governor, intern at the lobbying firm of Smith Anderson Law, and page for the North Carolina House of Representatives. Jessie's promotion will provide her a path to further develop her leadership skills on Capitol Hill, and to contribute to our team's success on a new level. With my warmest regards, Chuck Edwards, Member of Congress.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I was not present to vote on November 14, 2024 as I was attending to the medical emergency of a member of my staff. Had I been present, I would have voted NAY on Roll Call No. 461; YEA on Roll Call No. 462; NAY on Roll Call No. 463; and YEA on Roll Call No. 464.

Mr. EDWARDS

Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to express my deep opposition to circumvention of the merit-based process, and instead, grant Federal recognition to the Lumbee community through political means. Mr. Speaker, I am proud to have the representatives of the Eastern Band with us in the gallery today. The Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians are the descendants of those that fought to stay in their traditional homelands in the face of forcible Federal removal efforts. Some Cherokee, including a man named Junaluska, made the forced journey and then walked back to the mountains of western North Carolina to return home. It must be noted that the Lumbee community has no standing treaties with the Federal Government, no reservation land, and no common language. As Members of Congress, one of our most sacred duties is making sure that laws are drafted and implemented in an objective and an equal manner. For over 40 years, the Department of the Interior has carried out a merit-based process, as set out by Congress and administered by the Office of Federal Acknowledgment, the OFA, to make determinations on Federal recognition of Tribes. If the administration or Congress allows the Lumbee to bypass the OFA, it sends a clear message that other groups with dubious claims for Tribal recognition can also avoid the deliberation and scrutiny that the OFA petition process is designed to provide. We need the OFA process to protect Indian Country and the public. The process requires verification that the persons who claim to be Tribal members actually have Native American descent. Believe it or not, the OFA has determined that some petitioning groups are comprised entirely of people that can't demonstrate Native American ancestry; not a single person. Regarding the Lumbee, in one fell swoop, the Federal Government would recognize a Tribe that would then soon be the largest in the country, and all enrolled members would likely gain full access to all Federal benefits, which will further strain the Bureau of Indian Affairs and Indian Health Services' already stressed budgets. As a member of the Interior, Environment and Related Agencies Subcommittee on House Appropriations, I am proud that we funded the needs of the Indian Health Service and other critical priorities for our Nation's Tribes in fiscal year 2025, the bill that was recently approved in the House. That said, if the overall Tribal population covered by the services is allowed to swell by tens of thousands of people, many of whom have no native ancestry, I fear that necessary appropriations cannot feasibly keep pace. That is the crux of the issue. If there was an actual merit-based system behind the Lumbee case for Federal recognition, they would go through the OFA process as set out in the current law. As they know, it won't hold up under a deliberative process. They have instead sought to seek special treatment through other avenues, all in the face of credible opposition by multiple federally recognized Tribes. More than 140 established Tribes from across the country have said that the Lumbee and other groups should go through the Federal recognition process at the Department of the Interior to demonstrate the merits of their claim to be a Tribe. I agree. I urge all my colleagues to take these concerns into account, and I hope that the merit-based process put in place by Congress decades ago on Federal Tribal recognition will be adhered to. Mr. Speaker, while I have the floor, I would also like to urge you and my colleagues to move H.R. 7227, the Truth and Healing Commission on Indian Boarding School Policies Act, to create a commission to get a better understanding of the grievous wrongs done to Native American children in federally run boarding schools. Our Tribal nations deserve the dignity to understand what happened to their family members at these schools. It is the very least this country can do.