[Congressional Record Volume 170, Number 116 (Monday, July 15, 2024)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E734]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




               NEWSLETTER FROM CONGRESSMAN CHUCK EDWARDS

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                           HON. CHUCK EDWARDS

                           of north carolina

                    in the house of representatives

                         Monday, July 15, 2024

  Mr. EDWARDS. Mr. Speaker, I include in the Record the following 
newsletter to give an update to my constituents on issues surrounding 
our NATO partners and election integrity.

       Dear Friend: As a member of the House Appropriations State, 
     Foreign Operations, and Related Programs Subcommittee, I 
     recently traveled with a small delegation to the Baltic 
     States of Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, then Poland. There we 
     met with those nations' top military and political leaders 
     and diplomats. Throughout this trip I was constantly reminded 
     of the evil that has reigned our earth for centuries.
       In the U.S. we are somewhat isolated geographically. In 
     this volatile region they live under the constant reminder of 
     their struggles for freedom and despicable acts of centuries 
     of occupation, depopulation, repopulation, and genocide. 
     Daily, these critical NATO allies are exposed to Putin's 
     verbal threats as well as living in the fear of regular cyber 
     and terrorist attacks.
       More importantly, those in the Baltics are watching the 
     reality of Russian aggression, cruelty, and massacres play 
     out in their own backyard today. They saw the barbaric act of 
     Putin bombing a children's hospital. They saw that over 
     20,000 Ukrainian children have been kidnapped and moved to 
     Russia as part of their history's reputation for depopulating 
     those they dominate.
       The leaders in this region talked with me because of their 
     close proximity to Russia and Belarus about their constant 
     fear that they could be annihilated within seconds, and might 
     never see it coming. They know that Putin is ruthless enough 
     and has the thirst for power and land to do it.
       We don't see these pressures from our secure vantage point 
     in the U.S., outside of our new threats created by Joe 
     Biden's lackadaisical policies over our own border. However, 
     these European partners feel a daily struggle to cling to 
     their democracy and freedom.
       Each of these vulnerable countries are doing their part. 
     Each of them contributes well over 2 percent of their GDP 
     toward their own defense, knowing they'll likely have to face 
     another Russian invasion of their homeland some day. 
     Additionally, they are contributing to the military and 
     humanitarian needs in Ukraine.
       But one thing became very clear to me on this trip. None of 
     them have the size, the economy, nor the military capability 
     to preserve freedom and democracy on their own. Their 
     existence is dependent on all of our NATO partners.


      Only U.S. citizens should have influence on U.S. elections.

       The Safeguard American Voter Eligibility (SAVE) Act that I 
     co-sponsored and helped the House pass protects and preserves 
     the right of American citizens to vote. This legislation 
     would require states to obtain proof of citizenship in person 
     when registering an individual to vote in federal elections 
     and requires states to remove non-citizens from existing 
     voter rolls.
       Foreign election interference is made possible because of 
     our lax voter registration laws that allow noncitizens to 
     register and vote in federal elections. With the ongoing 
     crisis at our southern border, this piece of legislation is 
     essential to safeguard the integrity of American elections.
       The SAVE Act will close the loopholes that allow noncitizen 
     registration, and thereby voting, to improve election 
     security, minimize the risk of foreign interference and 
     restore Americans' confidence in U.S. elections.


                ``Unplugged'' Town Hall in Yancey County

       Reminder: Join my next in-person town hall in Yancey County 
     on Tuesday, July 16. The town hall will take place from 6:00-
     7:30 p.m. at the Yancey County Courthouse, 110 Town Sq., 
     Burnsville, NC.
       I'm looking forward to sharing an update about the latest 
     legislative opportunities and challenges in Congress and 
     answering questions about the issues that matter to you.


               DC office's first Green Thumb Award winner

       Congratulations, Jessie Frank, for winning our DC office's 
     first ever Green Thumb Award.
       These DC Longworth building offices are drab. To add a 
     little life, spirit, and ambiance to our office, for the past 
     90 days our team was challenged to keep the area around their 
     workspace green and vibrant. I appreciate my entire team's 
     enthusiasm and light-hearted competition to make our office 
     green and alive. Jessie received the award, but we all 
     benefited with a more pleasant place to work.
           With my warmest regards,
                                                    Chuck Edwards,
     Member of Congress.

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