[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 98 (Tuesday, June 11, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E607-E608]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NEWSLETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CHUCK EDWARDS

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. CHUCK EDWARDS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Tuesday, June 11, 2024

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
newsletter to give an update to my constituents to bring awareness to 
issues surrounding the federal spending process, standing with Israel, 
and supporting our men and women in blue.

       Dear Friend: Washington is broken. If we're going to change 
     what Washington does, we must fix how it works. That's my 
     goal as your representative.
       As a member of the House Appropriations and Budget 
     committees, I am now in the thick of the federal spending 
     process, which provides opportunities to reinforce our 
     support for veterans and those currently serving to defend 
     our freedoms.
       In setting the spending allocations for each of the 12 
     subcommittees for the coming fiscal year, the House 
     Appropriations Committee adhered to the caps established 
     under the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. These caps are 
     projected by the Congressional Budget Office to reduce 
     discretionary spending by $246 billion for fiscal years 2024 
     and 2025.
       This is proof that we can exercise fiscal restraint while 
     still advancing critical priorities, as funding for our 
     national security will increase by nearly $9 billion, and 
     veterans' medical care and benefits will be fully funded.
       Non-defense programs will be reduced by six percent, with 
     cuts distributed in a measured and thoughtful way. Years of 
     overspending have led us to this point, but I am helping to 
     flip the script on how the federal government spends hard-
     earned tax dollars.
       Under the previous House majority, you would most often see 
     the annual appropriations process end with an omnibus 
     spending package, rushed through usually right before 
     Christmas and with little time for Members to know what they 
     were voting on.
       Here again, House conservatives are flipping the script. We 
     avoided an omnibus last year, and I am optimistic that the 
     Appropriations Committee, which is returning the House to 
     ``regular order'' by marking up each subcommittee's bill and 
     passing them individually on the House floor, will be able to 
     do the same for FY25.


               Prioritizing America's strength and safety

       The House took up the first in a series of appropriations 
     bills, the FY25 Military Construction and Veterans Affairs, 
     and Related Agencies Appropriations Act.
       The bill reflects and is a product of the committee's 
     commitment to our service members both during active duty and 
     as they become veterans, and addresses critical national 
     security challenges in the Pacific.
       This legislation would honor our commitment to veterans, 
     bolster our national security, focus the executive branch on 
     its core responsibilities, and support American values and 
     principles. Some of the specifics of the bill, including 
     conservative wins, are:
       Fully funding veterans' health care programs, veterans' 
     benefits, and VA programs.
       Blocking the administration from using funds to promote or 
     advance critical race theory.
       Prohibiting the implementation, administration or 
     enforcement of the administration's executive orders on 
     diversity, equity and inclusion, or DEI, initiatives.
       Banning taxpayer dollars from being used for abortion.
       To no one's surprise, the president already issued a 
     Statement of Administration Policy on the funding bill, 
     threatening to veto this legislation that would fully fund 
     the health care and benefits of our veterans that they have 
     earned.
       This sends a terrible message by prioritizing radical and 
     woke policies over the safety and well-being of the men and

[[Page E608]]

     women in uniform--past and present--who have served our 
     country.
       The president's priorities are changing the focus of our 
     military, weakening our readiness and failing to keep 
     promises made to our veterans, and we must reverse course 
     before it is too late.
       The House Appropriations Committee's military construction 
     and veterans affairs bill would deliver on our commitment to 
     America by prioritizing our nation's strength and safety, and 
     keeping the promises made to our veterans. I urge the White 
     House to reconsider its hasty and misguided decision.


     Stopping the ICC's illegitimate cases against our ally Israel

       The International Criminal Court's (ICC) decision to file 
     applications for arrest warrants against Israeli Prime 
     Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav 
     Gallant, while ignoring the atrocities committed by Iran and 
     the Hamas terrorists, is unacceptable.
       The United States does not recognize the jurisdiction of 
     the ICC, and from the very beginning refused to join a body 
     that could, and has, conducted politically motivated 
     prosecutions against U.S. citizens and allies.
       The House passed H.R. 8282 with my support to impose 
     sanctions on the ICC to protect our nation and allies by 
     deterring the ICC from pursuing these illegitimate cases 
     where they have no jurisdiction.
       Make no mistake: If the ICC pursues the arrest of Israeli 
     officials, it would set a dangerous precedent that is a risk 
     to the U.S., given the ICC's ongoing investigation regarding 
     Afghanistan.


            Bring down inflation to lower the cost of living

       Since the president took office, inflation has risen newly 
     20%.
       With high rates of inflation, American families--especially 
     those on federal food assistance--are struggling to maintain 
     their standard of living.
       Hard-working Americans should not have to bear the brunt of 
     Washington's reckless spending and regulation, and from my 
     seats on the House Appopriations and Budget committees, I'm 
     continuing to push to fix how Washington works by reining in 
     out-of-control spending and driving down costs for all 
     Americans.


  Investigating the weaponization of government against the American 
                                 people

       Last week, history was made.
       Should anyone be surprised that Donald Trump would not get 
     a fair and unbiased trial in New York, where prosecutors and 
     their families were contributing to leftist candidates?
       The Manhattan court's verdict showed the world just how 
     politicized our judicial system has become, with the left 
     weaponizing our Justice system.
       I do not believe the verdict will hold up to a fair and 
     truly impartial appeal.
       Meanwhile, U.S. House committees continue to investigate 
     examples of weaponization of government against our people.


                  Supporting our men and women in blue

       Backing the blue is essential at all levels of government 
     to keep our citizens safe, and I applaud the City of 
     Asheville for putting forth a proclamation in support of the 
     Asheville Police Department.
       The proclamation provided opportunities for folks across 
     the city to commemorate National Police Week and Peace 
     Officers Memorial Day by showing our gratitude for the men 
     and women in blue who risk their own lives to protect our 
     communities.
       On the federal level, I'm doing my part to support the 
     Asheville Police Department by requesting funding needed to 
     implement a Real-Time Intelligence Center in the City of 
     Asheville. This capability would provide data in a 
     centralized location, which would help Asheville police 
     officers more efficiently gather, analyze, and investigate 
     intelligence to enhance emergency response tactics and 
     services.


   Reminder ``Congressman Chuck Edwards: Unplugged'' Town Hall Series

       If you haven't already, please mark your calendars for 
     Thursday, June 20, to join my next in-person town hall in 
     Graham County. The town hall will take place from 6:00-7:30 
     p.m. at the Graham County Courthouse, 12 N. Main St., 
     Robbinsville, NC.
       I'm looking forward to sharing an update about legislative 
     priorities in Congress and answering questions about the 
     issues that matter to you.

           With my warmest regards,
                                                    Chuck Edwards,
     Member of Congress.

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