Families and businesses in communities across the United States are pushing forward in the fight against COVID-19, but in Washington, House Democrats are moving in the opposite direction. On Friday of last week, Speaker Pelosi held a press conference where she revealed another imprudent endeavor – that focuses on invoking the 25^th Amendment – to attack President Trump. We’re in the middle of a global pandemic, and based on Speaker Pelosi’s actions, one can conclude that she values procedural militancy more than working with her colleagues to protect the American people. When America needs relief, this is not an appropriate substitute. If anything, it’s just another costly distraction.

So that we’re clear, after the assassination of President Kennedy, the 25^th Amendment was proposed by Congress, then ratified by the states, so that the vice president would replace the president in the event of “death, incapacitation, or resignation.” Under the Speaker’s new bill, a new commission would be established to determine if a president is no longer able to discharge his duties. This comes after President Trump contracted COVID-19 and underwent treatment and comprehensive monitoring at Walter Reed Medical Center. His doctors regularly reported on his progress, and he returned to the White House to resume his work after his condition improved.

Is the timing of this new endeavor a coincidence? No, it is not. This is an inane trend that gained its legs before President Trump was even elected and sadly, it’s still being pushed along to this day. Baseless pursuits like this are a distraction, and they detract from substantive progress that can be achieved for millions of Americans. Congress has been bogged down by these distractions for a long time, and it’s created an absurd level of complacency among the majority in the House of Representatives. Now is the time for action, not grandstanding that costs valuable time and taxpayer dollars.

Thank you, farmers.

Every year on October 12^th, we celebrate the countless farmers, both in the United States and across the world, who play an integral role in community food systems. North Carolina’s economy is tremendously strengthened by the men and women who operate the over 46,400 farms in the state. North Carolina’s agricultural community spreads beyond the borders of the state, and as a collective, its exports exceed billions of dollars every year and support millions of jobs that are both on and off farms. In short, the world benefits from North Carolina farmers.

The Fifth District has a long and rich tradition of both farming and ranching. Tobacco, poultry, soybeans, and grapes are just a few of the essential crops within our district, and in my mind, they should be scored as some of the best agricultural products in the world. To the farmers of the Fifth District, those in the state of North Carolina, and those around the world: thank you for your tireless work in supporting your communities and the countless food systems that stretch across borders many times over. We’re forever grateful for you.

Snapshot: Restoring Our Way of Life

One of the key pillars of the Republican Commitment to America is Restoring Our Way of Life. Outlined below is our vision to combat COVID-19, protect communities, and safeguard the Constitution:

We will defeat the virus and keep America healthy by:

• Tripling rapid COVID testing and developing a vaccine that is safe, effective, and available this year

• Investing in therapeutics and cures, slashing drug prices, and ending surprise medical billing

• Strengthening and modernizing our medical stockpile to prepare for future pandemics

• Protecting individuals with pre-existing conditions and expanding access to affordable telemedicine, mental health services, and opioid treatment

We will ensure the safety and security of all communities by:

• Opposing efforts to defund the police while increasing funding by $1.75 billion for better police preparedness, community policing, and equipment, including 500,000 more body cameras

• Continuing to rebuild our military, support our troops, secure our border, and enforce immigration laws

We will preserve our freedoms under the Constitution by:

• Upholding free speech, protecting religious liberty, defending the unborn, and safeguarding the Second Amendment

Recent Events

Celebrating National Farmers Day with a photo from the Ashe Farmers Market

Small businesses need relief, not inaction

Sincerely,