Over the span of a month, the far left attacked her impeccable character, her strong judicial record, and her family. Now Amy Coney Barrett is the newest Associate Justice on the United States Supreme Court. Not surprisingly, this was the same behavior we saw when both Justice Gorsuch and Justice Kavanaugh went before the Senate Judiciary Committee during their confirmation processes. All three faced partisan smear campaigns, and all three became Supreme Court Justices. Do you know why? Because their judicial records and commitments to upholding the Constitution shined brighter than the attacks against them.

There was one moment within Justice Barrett’s confirmation hearings that stunned the country, and one that I believe is symbolic of the acumen that she brings to the Supreme Court. Senator John Cornyn (R-TX), paused during his committee remarks and asked Judge Barrett if she had written any notes down during her extensive questioning. Seconds later, she held up her notepad and not a single thing, other than the masthead, was written down. She had been answering the committee’s questions without any sort of preparation, and her recollection of statutes, previous decisions, and precedent was flawless.

No matter the smears, Justice Barrett never batted an eye. Her level of composure throughout her confirmation process was admirable, and it is indicative of both her deeply rooted faith and her unbreakable spirit. The United States Senate did its duty and confirmed a well-qualified candidate to the Supreme Court who will uphold the Constitution and interpret it as it was expressly written. In short, Justice Barrett has earned this seat, and I remain confident that she will serve with grace and respect for the Constitution like she has before.

Yadkin County’s Rural Broadband Grant

In western North Carolina, high-speed internet access has been a longstanding issue, and I know first-hand the difficulties of getting reliable broadband internet service in rural areas. Undoubtedly, this is a digital divide that affects many families and small businesses in the state and across the country. On Monday, I was proud to have joined members of Yadtel Telecom and the USDA for the announcement of a new, $2.4 million grant that will help take a sizable step forward in the pursuit of expanding rural broadband for North Carolinians. I’m proud to be cosponsoring a bicameral package of legislation, from the House Energy and Commerce Committee, that will help streamline the approval of new projects and reduce artificial barriers to broadband.

As we move forward, it’s paramount that commonsense approaches to expanding rural broadband services are undertaken on the local, state, and federal levels. At the same time, a coordinated effort must be in place so that more people can gain access to this important lifeline without the need for costly spending endeavors that have persisted for years. It’s evident that this is a pressing issue of our time, and I remain confident that in the months and years to come, more Americans will be able to reap the benefits of a service that offers unbridled promise.

Scam Alert For Seniors

On October 15^th, the Medicare Open Enrollment period began, and so too did a new scheme that targets seniors. There have been countless reports across North Carolina that scammers are now going door-to-door offering what they claim is “free health insurance” with added benefits for life insurance, dental, and vision. Yes, it may pique your interest to hear it, but I can assure you it’s nothing more than an elaborate ploy to steal both your hard-earned money and personal information. Halloween is around the corner, but these aren’t children asking for candy.

As the reports indicate, these scammers approach your residence and identify themselves as a representative of the North Carolina Department of Insurance (NCDOI), ask if they can see a copy of your insurance, and then offer you a rate that would be better than the one you currently pay for coverage. Next, they’ll ask you for your social security number, bank account and other sensitive information to “verify” a change to your insurance. Please note that actual representatives from the NCDOI will never go door-to-door and ask for personal information or make solicitations. If you believe you’ve been a victim of this scam or have been approached by someone at your home claiming to be a NCDOI representative, call the N.C. Senior Medicare Patrol at 1-855-408-1212.

Sincerely,