[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 99 (Tuesday, June 10, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E552-E553]
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 10, 2025
Mr. EDWARDS. 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.
[[Page E553]]
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.
____________________