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| Foxx Report Week of August 14, 2017 |
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Most years, Members of Congress look forward to August. Contrary to popular belief, we are not in what the media refers to as “vacation.” During this month, we have what is called a district work period. We are out and about in the community, actively listening to what our constituents have to say — so that we may bring their concerns with us back to Washington.
During this district work period, I have traveled across the 5th District and heard first-hand from you about your concerns. Additionally, I have heard from the 5th District leaders of tomorrow and the 5th District business community leaders of today.
The Leaders of Tomorrow
If there is anything that my time in Congress has taught me, it is that the wisdom of the world is not in Washington D.C. The wisdom of the world is at home in our districts. This summer, the Hickory Public School’s Book Bus program partnered with the Hickory Housing Authority and offered a civics engagement program. It was a pleasure to meet with Hickory students and tell them a little bit more about my role as a Member of Congress and my love of reading. It is my hope that these students will be inspired to be involved in public service and that the wisdom students gain from these programs will serve them as they grow into the leaders of tomorrow.
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To learn more about this event, please click the picture above. |
Mount Airy is home to some of the finest young people in our community. The National Recreation and Parks Association along with local officials collaborated to celebrate “Hero Day” as a part of the Associations’ wider Park Champion's Initiative at Mount Airy recreation facility. Hero Day gave local Mount Airy children the opportunity to meet with the local heroes including members of the Police Force and Fire Department. I had a wonderful time getting to know the students in attendance.
To learn more about this event, click the picture above. |
Champions of the Business Community
North Carolina is consistently rated as one of the most business friendly, and for good reason. In fact, Forbes Magazine rates North Carolina as the second best state in the nation for business. This accolade and others like it are earned by the leaders of the North Carolinian business community. During this work period, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with many industry leaders and local businesses.
Rockwell Collins is an aviation company that produces solutions for military and commercial aircraft. This large company provides avionics like communications gear and radars for aircraft, and also spearheads design of airplane seating. Currently, Rockwell Collins employs nearly 600 North Carolinians at the Oak Plaza facility located in Winston-Salem, and has over 1450 employees in the Winston-Salem area. I had the opportunity to tour the Oak Plaza facility and learn more about this state of the art employer.
Family-owned businesses are rare to find these days. While traveling the District, I was pleased to visit Ararat Rock Products quarry in Mount Airy, a family-owned quarry that has been operating for the last fifty years. Here are a few photos from my visit.
Small Business is the backbone of the American economy. In 2013, North Carolinian small businesses employed 1.6 million people or 46% or the workforce. I was proud to visit with these small and local businesses that are making a big difference at home.
Pictured from left to right: Fluid Factory in Mt. Airy, Scarlet Begonias Boutique in Mt. Airy, Brintle's in Mt. Airy, and Royals in Elkin. |
Fact or Fiction
Throughout my dialogue with constituents during this work period it’s become clear to me that there still remains a lot of confusion surrounding the healthcare plans of Members of Congress.
For one, Congressional Republicans were responsible for forcing congressmen and their staff onto Obamacare rolls in the first place. During the original Obamacare debate, a senior Republican senator offered an amendment that would ensure that Members of Congress lived under the very heavy-handed regulations that were being forced onto our health care marketplaces. During our most recent repeal and replace effort, we ensured that states received maximum flexibility in administering their health insurance markets but also passed a separate bill (H.R. 2192) that made sure that Members of Congress did not use this flexibility as a loophole to escape the mandate to stay on Obamacare.
Furthermore, some are asserting that Members of Congress receive a “special” subsidy to purchase their Obamacare plans. In fact, Members and their staff receive the same contributions that the rest of Federal employees receive, similar to what most private-sector workers enjoy through their employment-based health benefits. My office has put together several resources about this subject in order to clear up any confusion due to the spread of misinformation. To learn more about the fictitious claim that Congress receives special treatment under Obamacare, please click the picture below. I will continue to fight to replace Obamacare with policies that deliver the control and choice individuals and families need to access health care that's right for them.
What’s Coming Up?
Over the next few weeks, I will continue meeting with constituents around the 5th District. I look forward to meeting with and hearing from many of you.
Sincerely,
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