All in Federal Government

Op-Ed: Senator Tillis Should Champion Child Care Tax Relief

As Congress hammers out the details of the Republican majority’s signature tax package, North Carolina families are watching closely. We’ve heard promises that the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will deliver real relief to working families. With that goal in mind, Senator Thom Tillis has a clear opportunity be a leader as the Senate makes their changes by ensuring the expanded Child and Dependent Care Tax Credit (CDCTC) is included in the final legislation.

Budd, Wyden Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Prevent Disastrous Wildfires

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C) and Ron Wyden (D-Ore.), alongside U.S. Representatives Kim Schrier (D-Wash.) and David Valadao (R-Calif.), introduced the bicameral, bipartisan National Prescribed Fire Act of 2025 today. The legislation would support prescribed burns as an essential, cost-effective, science-based strategy to save lives and property, and address the harmful impacts of the recent wildfires across the nation.

Op-Ed: NC House bills will undercut services to homeless vets

As a U.S. Navy veteran, I am honored to manage a team that serves other veterans who find themselves without a home in North Carolina. In my role as director of outreach for Veterans Services of The Carolinas (VSC), our team collaborates daily with the faith-based community, mental health and substance use providers, LME/MCOs, law enforcement, housing providers, and others across all 100 counties of North Carolina.

Budd, Nehls Introduce Legislation to Allow Flight of Supersonic Civil Aircraft

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Congressman Troy Nehls (R-Texas-22), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation for the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Supersonic Aviation Modernization (SAM) Act, to require the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator to issue regulations to legalize civil supersonic flight in the United States. 

Op-Ed: Ray Hemachandra: North Carolina should show we value everyone — including those with disabilities

My son, Nicholas, is autistic and intellectually disabled. He is 24, and he needs help in areas most nondisabled people take for granted, including self-care, communication, ensuring his safety, and forming relationships and connections. For the past 15 years, Nicholas has received invaluable help from a public program made possible by Medicaid that supports people who have intellectual and developmental disabilities.

Op-Ed: GLP-1 drugs

Throughout my long career in law enforcement, and my time as Sheriff of Rutherford county, I have witnessed many threats to public safety such as drug epidemics, trafficking networks and more. What is quietly developing in the shadow of social media and online stores is something that you would not expect: a health crisis that is masquerading as a wellness trend. 

Senator Budd Introduces PELL Act to Advance American Competitiveness by Unlocking Workforce Potential

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) introduced the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act today, to expand Pell Grant eligibility for high-quality, short-term workforce programs. The bill benefits individuals seeking to advance their careers without long-term debt while also providing American businesses with a broader, better-prepared talent pool ready to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving economy. 

Op-Ed: The North Carolina Energy Security and Affordability Act is Good for Consumers

North Carolina is growing—with over 600,000 new North Carolinians moving to the Tar Heel State over the past five years. And as is almost always the case, driving that population increase is economic expansion. North Carolina is a top state for manufacturing and business, and many companies are looking to come to or expand in North Carolina, bringing with them tens of thousands of high paying jobs and further cementing the state’s status as an economic powerhouse in the South.

Budd Applauds House Inclusion of Plan to Expand Workforce Pell Grants in Budget Reconciliation

U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.), Senate lead on the Promoting Employment and Lifelong Learning (PELL) Act, applauded the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for including provisions from his PELL Act in the budget reconciliation. The PELL Act was the original framework for the workforce Pell Grant expansion that the House included yesterday in its reconciliation bill, the Student Success and Taxpayer Savings Plan

Op-Ed: Community Connections: The Power of Rural Schools and Local Businesses

In rural communities, like the many we have here in North Carolina, local public schools are often community hubs, serving as places of learning as well as connection and growth. Likewise, local businesses are often important pieces of what makes a rural community what it is, making relationships between the two not just beneficial, but essential.