In the News
As of June 14, beyond the U.S. military, the nation has celebrated two new American heroes who not only reminded us of what true bravery is in the face of certain danger, but also of the constant threats our elected officials face in what many agree is a very divisive, corrosive atmosphere.
The Congressional Black Caucus isn't interested in meeting President Trump for "a social gathering."
The conference of African American lawmakers declined a June 9 invitation by presidential assistant Omarosa Manigault for a follow-up meeting "to continue the discussion of issues presented in our previous meeting" on March 22. In a letter to Trump, caucus Chair Cedric Richmond said the conference hasn't seen action from the administration "advancing the interests of our people and the goals of the CBC" since initially reaching out to Trump in January.
CONCORD- A graduate of Cox Mill has been nominated by Congresswoman Alma Adams (NC-12) to the 12th District Military Service Academy.
Scott A. Long has accepted his appointment to a military service academy and will be attending the U.S. Naval Academy for the fall of 2017.
During his high school career at Cox Mill, he was a member of the men's swim team, a volunteer for the Special Olympics and an AP class peer mentor.
US Capitol police special agent David Bailey (L) posing with NC Congressman G. K. Butterfield at the Congressional Charity Baseball Game last week. Bailey threw out the first pitch. He was credited with confronting a gunman during the GOP baseball practice June 14th.
BY CASH MICHAELS OF THE WILMINGTON JOURNAL
WASHINGTON
Capitol Hill seems a swamp where partisan throat-grabbing is routine. But peek behind the angry speeches and taunts, and there's a quiet effort afoot to promote bipartisanship among ambitious up-and-coming interns.
Nasya Blackwell arrived on Capitol Hill in May expecting Democrats and Republicans to constantly be at each others throats, just like it seems on television news shows.
WASHINGTON -- The country's attention was fixated on the nation's capitol Thursday night -- and it wasn't for bills or bureaucracy, but for baseball.
A tragic 10-minute exchange of gunfire during an assassination attempt at the Republican practice session ahead of the Congressional Baseball Game was on the mind of every American in attendance.
CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) -
Regardless of party affiliation or political labels, the shooting of Congressman Steve Scalise for House members across the country is an issue putting them on the same page.
North Carolina's 9th District Congressman Robert Pittenger calls it a somber day.
"We've got reason together," Pittenger said. "We have to have reasonable discussion. We have to have a civil discourse, and that's what's needed today."
Days after the U.S. Supreme Court tossed out three North Carolina plans for voter districts, the state's three Democratic members of Congress are asking state Republican leaders to adopt independent redistricting.
Reps. Alma Adams, G.K. Butterfield and David Price also asked legislative leaders to avoid any new voter ID law after the high court last month declined to review a lower court ruling that found the state's 2013 ID law unconstitutional.
WASHINGTON
It's not just President Donald Trump trying to cut back on food stamps.
Months before Trump submitted a federal budget that would ax $193 billion from the benefits program, Florida lawmakers earlier this year tried – and failed – to cut money from the state's share of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, pushing legislation that would have cut off all but the neediest families.
The United States is leaving an international agreement aimed at lowering greenhouse gases.
"I am fighting every day for the great people of this country," President Donald Trump said during a speech at the White House Thursday afternoon. "Therefore, in order to fulfill my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris climate accord."
Here's how the agreement works and what U.S. withdrawal means:
What is the Paris climate agreement?