Floor Statements

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on Helene recovery, Chatuge Dam repair, and protecting consumer choice.

Dear Friend,

News outlets thrive on controversy, and nothing grabs

attention like conflict.

Since coming to Congress, my colleagues on both sides of

the aisle have come together to pass more than 430 bills and

amendments, but that doesn't make for entertaining news.

To stir up conflict, news outlets often create a black hole

of information by limiting views or regularly misrepresenting

or ignoring them.

If the media is a driving force behind division, it must

also be part of the solution. You can read my full discussion

on media bias here.

Clearing debris from waterways post-Helene

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) continues to work

diligently to clear debris from many of our waterways after

Hurricane Helene.

I appreciated the opportunity to receive an update on their

progress and share a few of the concerns that I've been

hearing from our community, including the need for debris

removal efforts to be mindful of endangered and threatened

species and to avoid removing healthy vegetation from the

streambanks.

USACE's methodical approach to debris removal has

facilitated the clearing of over 3.4 million cubic yards of

debris, giving the natural environments that have been

reshaped by Helene the opportunity to heal.

The Corps shared that they were not just removing debris

for the short-term. Instead, they have been focused on the

long-term health of the region by implementing a zero-

tolerance policy for over-cleaning or reckless removal of

debris.

While we can all acknowledge that there are times when the

Corps has missed the zero-tolerance mark, our conversation

made it clear that we are both committed to working together

to make sure that our streams and rivers are cleaned the

right way, so they can return to being safe, healthy, and

free of debris for decades to come.

Tax deadlines extended for Helene victims

The IRS is extending various tax deadlines to Sept. 25,

2025 for folks located in areas affected by Hurricane Helene.

If you need assistance navigating issues with the IRS, my

district office is available to help. Visit my website at

edwards.house.gov/services/federalagency.

Ensuring safety and economic security along the Hiwassee River

Western North Carolina, with its many lakes and rivers,

must remain at the forefront of dam safety.

With the recent vulnerabilities found in the Chatuge Dam,

it is critical that safety risks are addressed to protect

lives and downstream communities in our mountains. That said,

the Hiwassee River is foundational to the rural, westernmost

areas of our district's recreation industry and economy. That

is why I have requested that the Tennessee Valley Authority

(TVA) provide the risk analysis and data behind their

decision to move forward with repairs and improvements.

The people of Western North Carolina deserve to know why

repairs are needed if we are going to come to an educated

opinion on the best path forward. It's imperative that the

condition of the dam, the safety of the community downstream,

and the economic security of the businesses and people

surrounding the dam be considered when evaluating the best

approach to addressing the safety concerns.

My office will continue to work with local and federal

officials to determine the best path forward, while

strengthening the long-term viability of the dam so that our

local economy can thrive.

TVA is early in their process of analyzing potential

solutions and impacts, and anyone interested in the decision-

making process can attend in-person or virtual public input

sessions. The dates and times for these sessions can be found

on their website here.

Myth Buster: MS-13 gang member of ``Maryland father''?

There are folks who have been up in arms about an MS-13

gang member, whom some have dubbed as a ``Maryland man,''

claiming that he has been ``mistakenly'' deported to El

Salvador.

Let's be clear: Deporting him was NOT a mistake.

There has been a deportation order for Abrego Garcia since

2019, when an immigration court and an appellate immigration

court both ruled that he was a member of MS-13 and in our

country illegally.

When MS-13 was declared a foreign terrorist organization,

Abrego Garcia became no longer eligible for any form of

immigration relief in our country.

This is just another example of hand-picked information

errantly fueling public outrage. Not only should journalistic

institutions prioritize factual, balanced reporting over

sensationalism, but we as citizens must also take

responsibility for looking at the facts rather than

retreating into ideological bubbles.

Protecting consumer choice from radical mandates

You may have heard of California's electric vehicle (EV)

mandate to ban the sale of gas-powered cars, which is the

latest attempt to force an extreme agenda that would take

away consumer choice, lead to higher prices for both new and

used cars, and strain our electric grid.

Such a ban would affect consumers in every state in our

country by raising costs and decreasing availability of gas

vehicles.

The assertion that EVs are affordable and highly sought

after is out of touch with reality: only 1 percent of

registered vehicles in the U.S. are EV's.

I voted for three resolutions that passed the House to push

back on such radical policies from the prior administration

and repeal these disastrous mandates:

House Joint Resolution 88 would repeal California's waiver

allowing the state to ban the sale of gas-powered vehicles by

2035.

House Joint Resolution 87 would repeal California's waiver

allowing the state to require the sale of zero-emission

trucks.

House Joint Resolution 89 would end California's nitrogen

oxide engine emission standards, which create unrealistic

standards for heavy-duty on-road engines.

The U.S. has reduced emissions for decades through wise

investment and innovation, not extreme government mandates.

Congress must protect consumer choice and stop California

from circumventing the federal government's environmental

regulations, to the detriment of consumers and the automobile

market nationwide.

Bringing the federal government to folks across WNC

In keeping with my office's motto of being ``First in

Constituent Services'' and helping folks after Hurricane

Helene, my office regularly brings the Carolina Cruiser

across our mountains for mobile office hours.

In April alone, the Carolina Cruiser made 16 stops where

members of my team heard about the issues that matter to WNC

communities, answered questions about disaster recovery, and

assisted with federal agencies. During these office hours, my

team heard from over 150 individuals.

As your congressman, it is my goal to remain accessible to

you. In addition to mobile office hours, I regularly host

``Chat With Chuck'' meetings to hear from constituents one-

on-one about their concerns and answer their questions

individually. If you're interested in scheduling a meeting

with me, please fill out the form on my website at

edwards.house.gov/chatwithchuck.

If you want to stop by mobile office hours for assistance

navigating a federal agency or to just provide feedback, stay

updated on the office hours schedule by following the

Carolina Cruiser on X and Facebook, and visiting my website

at edwards.house.gov/carolinacruiser.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the Hurricane Helene report, reconciliation process, and disaster recovery efforts.

Dear Friend: On January 24th, I had the honor of being

selected by President Trump to serve on his special task

force to speed up recovery in Western North Carolina. After

several months of hearing from constituents and developing

plans to pick up the momentum in rebuilding our mountains,

I'm pleased to share my report detailing recommendations on

how to fix FEMA and accelerate the recovery process.

These recommendations were shared with the White House and

the FEMA task force, and I look forward to continuing to work

with the President and the task force in the next phase of

the process, where we implement some of these

recommendations. The report is available here,

one comprehensive bill to deliver an america first agenda

The U.S. House has opened the door to the next step in the

reconciliation process by passing the Senate's amendment to

the House budget resolution.

The House and Senate budget resolution instructs committees

to now start drafting a singular bill that will deliver

significant savings while protecting essential programs such

as Social Security, Medicaid, and Medicare.

This bill sets the framework for Congress to deliver a

secure border, pro-family and pro-growth tax policies,

reliable domestic energy, strong national security, and a

healthier economy for the American people. While this

resolution doesn't become law, it sets budget goals for

specific committees to reduce spending and increase revenue.

The American people have had enough of the government's

reckless spending, and reining in overspending starts with

passing a reconciliation bill that cuts overall expenditures

and results in savings, not adds to the deficit.

Thankfully President Trump, Speaker Johnson, and Majority

Leader Thune have made it clear that they are committed to

passing a final reconciliation bill that restores fiscal

sanity by guaranteeing at least $1.5 trillion in spending

cuts like the budget resolution the House Budget Committee

framed.

Now that we've passed the budget resolution, each committee

must put forth bills that align with the deficit and revenue-

related goals laid out in the resolution. From there, as a

member of the House Budget Committee, I will work with my

fellow committee colleagues to mark up and compile these

bills into one comprehensive bill so we can move forward with

fulfilling the America First agenda.

wnc recovery by the numbers

Western North Carolina, with the support of one another,

continues to make strides toward recovery after Hurricane

Helene. To highlight some of the progress we've made, I want

to share some data about the rebuilding process.

FEMA has approved more than $420 million in federal

assistance for nearly 159,000 households for Helene recovery,

including money for rent, basic home repairs, and other

disaster-related needs.

More than 7,000 families have received about $21 million

for the repair or replacement of private-access roads and

bridges.

The U.S. Small Business Administration has distributed more

than $170 million in low-interest disaster loans.

One of our region's challenges continues to be debris

removal, especially from waterways. However, we are making

progress. As of recent, more than 6 million cubic yards of

debris have been cleared from public right of ways and more

than 2 million cubic yards of debris have been removed from

our waterways.

Additionally, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban

Development announced that the Federal Housing Administration

is extending its existing foreclosure moratoriums on FHA-

insured single-family mortgages in the Presidentially-

Declared Major Disaster Areas resulting from Hurricanes

Helene and Milton by 90 days. The moratorium was previously

set to expire on April 11, but this extension gives Helene

victims additional flexibility to seek and obtain the

necessary financial assistance to continue putting their

lives back together.

This extension in foreclosure relief is welcome news for

Western North Carolinians whose lives have been turned upside

down by Helene, and I will continue to work closely with the

administration to anticipate and advocate for the needs of

our mountain folk throughout the disaster recovery process.

recognizing the greenville-spartanburg nws team for their life-saving

work throughout helene

The 2025 Samuel J. Heyman Service to America Medals, or

Sammies, are awarded to exceptional federal employees whose

accomplishments have built trust in our government and

benefited the nation.

When the time came to nominate folks for the Sammies, I

immediately knew who has earned this recognition.

Leading up to and during Hurricane Helene, the Greenville-

Spartanburg National Weather Service team showcased

extraordinary dedication and expertise, saving lives through

early preparation and real-time responses.

Helene tragically claimed 250 lives across the southwestern

United States, 107 of which were in Western North Carolina,

but this death toll would have been far higher without the

Greenville-Spartanburg NWS team's efforts. Thanks to their

early warnings and actionable guidance, thousands of

residents were able to evacuate or take protective measures

before the storm hit Western North Carolina.

By setting a high standard for public service, the team not

only saved lives during Hurricane Helene, but they also

established a benchmark for how federal agencies should

respond to future disasters. I am proud to nominate them for

the Sammies award and am grateful for their actions that have

undoubtedly saved countless lives.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the SAVE Act, No Rogue Rulings Act, and reforming U.S. foreign assistance.

Dear Friend, The right to vote in American elections is a

right reserved for American citizens, not illegal immigrants.

I recently voted for the House-passed SAVE Act to ensure

election integrity and safeguard our democratic process. The

SAVE Act would:

Require in-person proof of U.S. citizenship when

individuals register to vote in federal elections.

Allow more than six types of identification to prove U.S.

citizenship.

Require states to remove non-citizens from existing voter

rolls and give them the tools to do so.

Ensuring that only American citizens vote in our elections

is common sense, yet 228 Members on the other side of the

aisle voted to leave our elections vulnerable to fraud and

abuse. Their excuse is that this bill prevents married women

from voting, when the reality is that this bill gets ahead of

any potential barriers to voting by providing six options of

identification to prove U.S. citizenship.

To make it clear: This bill will not prevent married women

from voting, but it will prevent illegal aliens and foreign

influence from permeating our electoral system.

Thus, it's a fair question to ask--why are they opposed to

securing our elections?

Upholding the Constitution's system of checks and balances:

Radical district judges are overstepping their authority

and blocking President Trump's lawful executive powers by

unilaterally imposing rulings that affect the entire nation.

This unchecked judicial overreach is a breach of our

Constitution's system of checks and balances, and the House

took action to restore balance to our judicial system by

passing the No Rogue Rulings Act with my support.

This bill will stop judicial overreach, especially when

individual district judges block executive policies. Activist

federal judges are undermining the constitutional separation

of powers and the will of the American people, and it's time

to restore judicial integrity to our federal government.

U.S. foreign assistance should not be funding overseas

abortions:

The U.S. President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief

(PEPFAR) is a program that has been successfully combating

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the Helene Small Business Recovery Act, tax cuts, and beneficial ownership reporting.

Dear Friend,

Communities throughout Western North Carolina are

continuing to pick up the pieces to rebuild after the worst

natural disaster to ever hit our mountains made landfall on

September 27, 2024. This includes our district's small

businesses, which were hit particularly hard due to the loss

in tourism following the disaster.

Small businesses are the lifeblood of WNC's tourism economy

and many of them were left suffering from Helene's

destruction. Thus, federal support is vital to helping folks

rebuild their livelihoods and the region's economy.

That's why I introduced the Helene Small Business Recovery

Act to facilitate small business owners' access to federal

aid for rebuilding after Hurricane Helene. This bill

clarifies that Small Business Administration loans and

federal grants, like those that will be offered through the

CDBG-DR program, are not duplicative. Without this

clarification, businesses that took an SBA loan to keep

themselves afloat would be prohibited from accessing federal

grant money when it becomes available.

Loans and grants are inherently different, and my bill will

allow small business owners to access both federal resources

so that WNC, and every small business that makes our

mountains such a great place to live, has the resources

needed to recover.

Relieving the tax burden for hard-working Americans:

Americans are benefitting from lower taxes because of the

tax cuts that President Trump implemented during his first

term.

However, the tax relief secured in the 2017 Tax Cuts and

Jobs Act (TCJA) is set to expire next year, and if these cuts

are not extended, a family of four in North Carolina will

face a tax hike of about $1,400.

To prevent tax increases for workers and businesses

nationwide, I'm working with my colleagues to extend and

potentially make permanent President Trump's 2017 tax cuts.

This would ensure we avoid the largest middle and lower class

tax increase in American history, stimulate job growth, make

American businesses more competitive, and support American

workers by helping them keep more of their hard-earned

dollars in their wallets.

Small business victory over beneficial ownership reporting

requirements:

Small businesses saw a major victory in the fight against

beneficial ownership reporting requirements with the

Financial Crimes Enforcement Network's new ruling that

exempts U.S. small businesses from having to report

Beneficial Ownership Information under the Corporate

Transparency Act.

As we move through the 119th Congress, I will continue to

be a voice for WNC's small business owners whose hard work

benefits our communities and strengthens our economy.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the town hall:

Dear Friend,

Recently, I held my ninth in-person town hall in Asheville.

Hearing from the people of Western North Carolina will

continue to be a priority of mine, and I will not shy away

from my support of President Trump and our important work

renewing the American Dream and fixing how Washington works.

President Trump is doing exactly what he promised to do:

comb through our federal agencies to look for inefficiencies.

I applaud the fact that he's doing that, and I appreciate his

recognition that I went all 12 rounds to support and defend

the America First agenda.

Despite some disruptions, I was able to answer questions

from multiple constituents at the town hall and dispel some

of the misinformation currently being spread around,

such as about the House's budget plan and DOGE, and I look

forward to continuing to do as such.

Being accessible, listening, and answering questions for

our mountain folk are among my favorite activities, which is

why my office provides several avenues of engagement for

constituents:

Stay updated on upcoming in-person and telephone town halls

by following me on Facebook and visiting my website at

edwards.house.gov/events.

Folks can request a one-on-one Chat With Chuck meeting by

visiting edwards.house.gov/chatwithchuck.

Stop by Carolina Cruiser mobile office hours to ask

questions about issues that matter to you or receive

assistance with federal agencies, such as FEMA.

The schedule is available on Facebook and X, and at

edwards.house.gov/carolinacruiser.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on the budget reconciliation process, reforming our education system, and bills that have been introduced:

Dear Friend,

Congress is working through a budget reconciliation process

to:

Keep taxes low for families and small businesses

Strengthen our borders

Bolster our economy

Support domestic energy production

Make the federal government more effective and efficient

for the American people

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I helped craft a

budget resolution that is serving as the framework to

accomplish an agenda that puts America First.

Now that this budget resolution has passed out of the

House, it is up to the Senate to move it forward so that we

can deliver on the priorities that an overwhelming number of

Americans have been asking for.

We are at a pivotal moment in which we can pave the way to

implement significant changes in policies to get our nation

back on track, and I will continue to support opportunities

to make life better for Western North Carolinians.

Strengthening and protecting our education systems:

President Trump took a major step forward in reforming out

education system by signing an executive order to shut down

the Department of Education.

This order paves the way for education authorities to

finally be back in the hands of the states and parents who

know what their students need to succeed best.

The historically high tax dollars funding the department

have not paid off, with repeatedly low test scores among

students, and it's time that we take a hard look at the root

causes that are preventing students from achieving their

potential.

The House is also working to protect our education system

with the passage of the Defending Education Transparency and

Ending Rogue Regimes Engaging in Nefarious Transactions Act

(DETERRENT Act). I voted for this bill to strengthen

oversight and disclosure requirements for gifts and contracts

with foreign donors or entities. If a foreign entity is found

to be of concern, for example--if they are connected with the

Chinese Communist Party--then this bill allows for contracts

with those concerning entities to be banned.

The CCP should not have the ability to influence our higher

education institutions or students through expensive gifts

and large donations. This bill will stop the infiltration and

influence of bad actors on college and university campuses

and make our education systems more transparent by staying

focused on the core mission--preparing America's youth for

the workforce.

Bringing contaminated properties back to life in our

mountains:

Many investors who are interested in developing properties

that have environmental challenges decide not to invest

because the cost of cleanup exceeds the business' benefit.

Due to the challenges associated with cleaning up Superfund

and brownfield sites, contaminated properties will sit

unoccupied for years.

The current Opportunity Zone program, which offers tax

incentives for investors to redevelop areas that are

designated as ``Opportunity Zones,'' focuses solely on low-

income communities and fails to consider the need for similar

investment in communities with additional hardships, such as

brownfields and Superfund sites.

To address this overlooked issue, I introduced the

bipartisan Economic Opportunity for Distressed Communities

Act, to designate all Superfund and brownfield areas as

Opportunity Zones and to encourage the clean-up,

redevelopment, and revitalization of these contaminated

sites.

If cleaned, brownfields and Superfund sites can be

redeveloped into new housing or business space, and promoting

cleanup and development of these sites will create jobs,

business opportunities, and increase property values in

Western North Carolina and nationwide.

Supporting small businesses in the aftermath of disaster:

The destruction left by Hurricane Helene has forced many

Western North Carolinians to depend on federal resources to

rebuild their homes and businesses.

One obstacle that stands in the way of recovery is a

current law that restricts hurricane survivors from double-

dipping in the disaster aid system by prohibiting folks from

receiving a ``duplication of benefits.''

Unfortunately, wrapped up in this law is limitation from

accessing federal loans and federal grants for the same

disaster. That means if a business owner receives a federal

disaster recovery loan from the Small Business

Administration, they are ineligible to receive a federal

recovery grant from the $1.65 billion Community Development

Block Grant--Disaster Recovery funding that I authored and

secured in the American Relief Act.

Even though SBA loans are required to be repaid and CDBG-DR

grants are one-time payments to victims that do not require

repayment, the federal government views the two as a

``duplication of benefits.''

That's why I introduced the Helene Small Business Recovery

Act, which would temporarily waive loans from being

considered as a duplication of benefits for disasters

occurring in calendar year 2023 or 2024. This clarification

would provide an exemption to the duplication of benefits

issue for all WNC businesses that received an SBA loan from

Hurricane Helene.

Hurricane Helene caused nearly $60 billion in damage in

WNC's mountains, and the state of North Carolina estimates at

least $30 billion of the damage was to the economy and

housing. With damage far exceeding currently available

resources, our communities must be able to access every

possible dollar appropriated for Helene recovery.

Congress must pass this bill so that disaster survivors are

not restricted from accessing critical federal aid needed to

sustain our region's businesses and keep our families in our

mountains.

Now accepting Congressional Art Competition submissions:

The 2025 Congressional Art Competition is open, and my

office is accepting submissions from high school students

living in North Carolina's 11th congressional district.

The winner of the competition will have their artwork

displayed in the U.S. Capitol for one year.

After the Congressional Art Competition winner is selected

by a panel of judges, I'll also hold a ``Facebook Favorite''

competition posted on my official Facebook page,

@RepChuckEdwards, for Western North Carolinians to vote for

their favorite piece of art.

The annual Congressional Art Competition is a great way for

students in WNC to showcase their talent, creativity, and

passion, and I hope you'll share this with a high school

artist whom you know.

For details about the competition requirements and to

submit your artwork, visit edwards.house.gov/artcompetition

or contact my Hendersonville office with further questions.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, once again, Democrats are distorting the truth to smear a bill that protects working-class Americans.

They scream: Tax cuts for billionaires. Yet, not a single personal income tax rate from the Trump tax cuts is being changed, tax cuts that pulled over 6 million people out of poverty and brought our country's poverty rate to a record low.

What they don't want Americans to know is that without this bill, families face a 22 percent tax hike. House Republicans are making sure that does not happen. Republicans are cutting taxes, boosting take-home pay, and securing millions of American manufacturing jobs.

Republicans are delivering on conservative promises: no taxes on tips, overtime, or car loan interest. We are strengthening the child tax credit, making the paid leave credit permanent, and repealing the Democrats' IRS overreach targeting gig workers with their $600 rule.

This bill stands for working families, economic freedom, and common sense.

The left can't spin it all they want, but the facts don't lie.

Mr. Speaker, this big, beautiful bill delivers on two of our Nation's urgent priorities. It secures our southern border and unleashes American energy independence.

It invests nearly $70 billion to finish the border wall, expand surveillance technology, and hire thousands of new border agents. It gives Customs and Border Protection the tools they finally need to stop illegal crossings, combat drug trafficking, and protect our communities.

At the same time, we are rolling back the Biden administration's reckless energy mandates and cutting red tape to expand American oil, gas, and infrastructure. By restoring the free market and prioritizing domestic production, this bill lowers costs for American families and strengthens our national security.

It is just common sense. Secure the border and power America with American energy. Let's get this done for our agents, for our workers, and for the future of this country.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Bethany Moy, for her work as an intern serving in my D.C. office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this fall.

Bethany is from Elmsford, New York, and recently graduated from American University, earning her Masters of International Affairs. Bethany is a graduate of Gordon College and majored in History with a minor in Political Science.

Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th congressional district. Bethany was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with her positive attitude and impressive work ethic.

It was a pleasure to work with Bethany, and I am so proud to have had such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Bethany exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. I congratulate Bethany on the successful completion of her internship and thank her on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today during National Police Week to honor the brave men and women in law enforcement who have made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty. These officers stood on the front lines to protect our communities, uphold the rule of law, and defend the safety of our citizens, often at a great personal risk.

We remember their courage, their selflessness, and their unwavering commitment to service. Behind each badge was a story, a family, and a legacy that will not be forgotten.

We offer our deepest gratitude and our heartfelt condolences to the families who carry the burden of their loss. Their loved ones are heroes, and their memory will live on in our prayers and in the freedoms they helped safeguard.

Let's continue to support all those who wear the badge and to honor those who gave everything to protect us.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the achievements of Deputy Galina Claussen of the Clay County Sheriff's Office.

Deputy Claussen was assigned to the Special Operations Division of the Clay County Sheriff's Office which is specifically responsible for civil process service, courtroom security, evidence room management, and animal control. Deputy Claussen assumed the direct management and development of the animal control program, which had just been given to the Sheriff's Office by the Clay County Commissioners.

Through her hard work and dedication, Deputy Claussen made the animal control program a great success. Deputy Claussen is very respected among her animal control partners with the Health Department, Veterinarian Kayla Lawlor, fellow Deputies, and the public who make reports of concern. In addition to Deputy Claussen's skills and abilities that serve the citizens of Clay County so very well, her professionalism, integrity, and positive attitude foster camaraderie among her peers.

Deputy Claussen has earned the respect of her fellow officers and that of every member of the Sheriff's Office Command Staff.

On behalf of all of Western North Carolina, I would like to take a moment to thank Deputy Claussen for her dedication and service to her community.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life of Staff Sergent Fred Bruner Lunsford of the United States Army, who passed away on March 1, 2025.

Fred was born on March 7, 1925, and was enrolled as a member of the eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Fred graduated from Andrews High School in Andrews, North Carolina in the spring of 1943 and he and his wife, Gladys, were married on March 17, 1944, before Fred enlisted in the United States Army.

Fred served as a Staff Sergent during World War II and was deployed to the European Theater, with service at the Normandy Invasion, Battle of the Bulge and the Liberation of France. Fred was highly decorated for his bravery, leadership, and courage he displayed during those years of service. These decorations include the Europe-Africa-Middle East Medal, the American Defense Service Medal, the Victory Medal, the Army Occupation Medal, and the Army Good Conduct Medal.

Fred was honorably discharged from active duty following the war and returned home to Cherokee County, North Carolina where he would go on to be licensed to preach the Gospel on October 23, 1949, by Pleasant Valley Baptist Church in Murphy, North Carolina and was ordained in 1950.

On behalf of all of Western North Carolina, I would like to take a moment to honor the life of Fred Bruner Lunsford.

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Ms. Olivia Bates, for her work as an intern serving in my Hendersonville office. I would like to take this opportunity to thank her for her hard work and recognize the meaningful contributions she has made to the office this spring.

Olivia is originally from New York but now calls Henderson County, North Carolina home. She graduated from Western Carolina University where she earned her bachelor's degree in criminal justice.

Interns work with staff to serve constituents in North Carolina's 11th congressional district. Olivia was chosen from a competitive pool of applicants and exceeded every expectation with her positive attitude and impressive work ethic.

It was a pleasure to work with Olivia, and I am so proud to have such an intelligent and ambitious intern representing my office. Olivia exemplified the spirit of public service and represents the best that our Nation has to offer. I congratulate Olivia on the successful completion of her internship and thank her on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina.

Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following newsletter to give an update to my constituents on keeping our government funded, a grant for the Town of Canton, and hurricane recovery efforts.

Dear Friend, Being accessible, listening, and answering

questions for the people of WNC are among my favorite

activities, even if we might not always agree.

That is why in my first term as a congressman, I held eight

in-person town halls, and recently I was eager to host my

ninth one in Asheville.

It's always valuable to engage in discussions with the

folks in our mountains about concerns or questions you have.

If you were unable to attend my town hall, stay tuned for

my upcoming tele-town hall by following me on social media

and subscribing to my newsletter.

Keeping our government open and serving the American people

The U.S. House voted on a clean, long-term continuing

resolution (CR) to keep our government open and providing

critical services to the American people.

A CR is not the preferred method to keep our government

funded. However, with a looming shutdown, the House was able

to collaborate with President Trump on a bill that funds our

federal government and reduces non-defense spending.

It's disappointing that 212 Democrat House Members chose a

government shutdown instead when just in December, not one

voted ``no'' on the CR.

This CR funds core government services; protects Social

Security, Medicare, and Medicaid recipients from payment

disruptions, and strengthens veteran health care and housing

programs as well as our defense. The long-term CR will also

enable the House to keep our momentum to continue delivering

an America First agenda and go after the waste, fraud, and

abuse of your hard-earned tax dollars.

I will continue to fight for lower costs, safer

communities, and common-sense legislation that will ensure a

better future for folks in our mountains.

Town of Canton to receive over $40 million dollar grant

Canton Mayor Zeb Smathers and I announced that the Town of

Canton will be receiving a $40,780,000 grant as a result of

the Water Resources Development Act of 2024 and the American

Relief Act.

This grant will revolutionize the town's water and

wastewater systems by funding the design and construction of

stormwater improvements, water tank and waterlines, and a new

wastewater treatment facility to serve the residents of

Canton for decades to come.

WNC makes strides in recovery after Helene

Western North Carolina has a long way to recovery, but

we've certainly made great strides.

As we're nearing the six-month mark since Helene hit our

mountains, I wanted to share some of the milestones we've

achieved.

FEMA has approved applications for more than 157,000

households in WNC and more than $400 million has been awarded

for disaster-caused needs. Additionally, more than 6,000

families have received nearly $19 million for repair or

replacement of private-access roads and bridges.

One of our greatest challenges has been debris removal,

especially from waterways, but as of this week, nearly 5

million cubic yards of debris have been cleared from public

right of ways and another 600,000 cubic yards of debris were

removed from waterways.

While there's more work to be done, we've achieved more

than most communities in this period of time. Our mountain

folk have shown resilience throughout the response and

recovery process, and I'm proud of the way everyone continues

to show up for one another during these difficult times. I'm

optimistic that together, we will rebuild our

communities even stronger and better than before.

Bringing the federal government to folks across WNC

In keeping with my office's motto of being ``First in

Constituent Services'' and helping folks post-Hurricane

Helene, my office has brought the Carolina Cruiser all across

our mountains for mobile office hours.

In February alone, the Carolina Cruiser made 15 stops where

members of my team heard about the issues that matter to WNC

communities, answered questions about disaster recovery, and

assisted with federal agencies. During these office hours, my

team heard from nearly 400 individuals.

It is my goal as your congressman to remain accessible to

you. In addition to mobile office hours, I hold Chat With

Chuck meetings to hear from constituents one-on-one. Most

recently, I was glad to discuss with 10 constituents their

concerns and answer their questions individually. If you're

interested in scheduling a meeting with me, please fill out

the form on my website at edwards.house.gov/chatwithchuck.

If you want to stop by mobile office hours for assistance

navigating a federal agency or to just provide feedback, stay

updated on the office hours schedule by following the

Carolina Cruiser on X and Facebook, and visiting my website

at edwards.house.gov/carolinacruiser.

SBA extends deadline for physical damage loans

If your business suffered damage from Hurricane Helene, the

Small Business Administration has extended the physical

damage loan application deadline to April 27, 2025.

For the application and additional information, visit the

SBA website linked here.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards,

Member of Congress.

Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Smith for his leadership on this important piece of legislation.

During the pandemic, Congress created three new unemployment benefits and issued $675 billion in benefits to folks who lost their jobs because of the pandemic. Since then, the Government Accountability Office estimates up to $135 billion in fraud nationwide, with some of the more egregious States, like California and New York, reporting $18 billion and $11 billion, respectively, in fraud alone.

Despite such rampant fraud, only $5 billion, less than 4 percent, has been recovered.

Without H.R. 1156, the statute of limitations to recover fraud will expire in just 2 weeks.

Simply put, we cannot let criminals who defrauded the Federal Government retain over $100 billion of improper payments. That money rightfully belongs to the American people and must be recovered.

Mr. Speaker, I strongly urge support of this bill.