This week, the House responsibly exercised its power of the purse by passing two major pieces of legislation.  Yesterday, the House passed H.R. 3, the Spending Cuts to Expired and Unnecessary Programs Act, by a bipartisan vote of 210-206.  I was proud to be a cosponsor of this bill, which cuts wasteful government spending.  Under the Impoundment Control Act, the president can identify balances of unobligated funds that agencies do not expect to spend and request Congress rescind these funds.  In some cases, agencies sit on funding for years with no plans to spend it.  With this legislation, the House provided the administration’s requested recession of $14.7 billion.  If we want to see sustained expansion of our economy, Congress must continue to reduce spending and curtail the government debt that hurts our nation’s progress.

Today, the House also passed H.R. 5895, the Energy and Water, Legislative Branch, and Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act.  This bill appropriates $85.3 billion to the Department of Veterans Affairs, the largest funding level for the VA in history.  These funds will increase quality of patient care and modernize the VA's electronic health record system to provide veterans a seamless transition from military service.  H.R. 5895 also provides funding for a strong nuclear national security strategy and secures our nation's energy infrastructure against cyber and other attacks.

Winston-Salem Tour with Secretary Acosta

Last Thursday, U.S. Department of Labor Secretary Alexander Acosta and I visited several Winston-Salem organizations.  Local business and education leaders showed us their innovative approaches to workforce development, and I was proud to see the opportunities that abound in NC05.  Here are just a few shots from our day.

                                                                  Forsyth Tech Toyota T-Ten Program

North Carolinians in the Capitol                                                                                                             

Every week I meet with many different constituents, industries, and non-profits who bring their concerns to my Washington D.C. office.  Here is a snapshot of my recent meetings and encounters with constituents in the Capitol.

Boren Scholar, Joseph Hilleary

American Medical Group Association

This week we commemorate the brave soldiers who stormed the beaches and parachuted behind enemy lines in Normandy.  Operation Overlord, better known as D-Day, was the beginning of the end of Nazi Germany’s tyrannical European occupation.  On the 74^th anniversary of this momentous achievement, we should remain grateful to those who gave their lives, so we may enjoy our fundamental freedoms.

What’s Coming Up?

Next week, the House will take up a historic number of pieces of legislation aimed at combatting our nation’s opioid epidemic.  I look forward to working across the aisle with my colleagues to advancing the public health interests of the American people.

Sincerely,