Dear Friend,

The Great Smoky Mountains National Park is now host to over 11.5 million visitors annually. 

Superintendent Cassius Cash and his team recently shared with me their projects and priorities as they work passionately to maintain and preserve the Smokies for WNC’s – and America’s – future generations.

They pridefully discussed many of the park’s facilities, including its pack-mule program and recent efforts detailing the history of the Daniel Mingus family as part of the park’s African American Experiences in the Smokies (AAES) project.

In case you missed it, I also hosted an anti-crime summit in the 11th District, where leaders and stakeholders gathered to discuss root causes and possible solutions to address crime and make sure Western North Carolinians feel safe in our communities. 

Rest assured I won’t stop here. A key result of this discussion is that we now have on record how various local leaders view crime, or in some cases, accept crime. Now we’ll begin to deconstruct those thoughts, work together where we can, inform the public, and hold those responsible for their actions and inactions. 

If you couldn’t join, I’d love to hear your thoughts on crime and safety in WNC through my survey below.

NEW: Rep. Edwards’ anti-crime survey

WNC deserves better than the status quo 

Constituents throughout our district are imploring local leaders to do something about the lawlessness, vagrancy and public safety issues that seem to be centered on Asheville and are affecting the surrounding areas. The surging crime, homelessness and drugs are a threat to everyone. 

It was clear to me that local leaders and stakeholders needed to sit down together and try to figure this out. As the highest-ranking elected official in Western North Carolina, I used my ability to convene to make that happen by hosting an anti-crime summit at AB Tech in Asheville.

At the summit, it quickly became apparent that many local leaders are in denial that there is a crime problem in our area. Many wanted to blame the issues on funding that they claim they are not receiving from some source of government other than their own. Others wanted to deflect from the root causes. 

It was disappointing that some panelists wanted to try to pick and choose crime statistics that they hoped would support their narrative. It does not matter what statistic we look at: If our citizens do not feel safe, they are not safe. 

Even though some leaders tried to dismiss the very real crime and safety concerns of Western North Carolinians, I’m grateful for our panelists who had the courage to speak to many of the issues that get at the root causes of crime, including a lack of police presence and recidivism.   

Western North Carolina is our home, and Buncombe County is the hub for our economy. We deserve better, and I refuse to accept the status quo. 

While we were not going to solve the issue of escalating crime rates in one meeting, this community discussion was necessary. Local, state and federal leaders must continue to work together to effectively reduce and deter future criminal activity and protect our citizens and way of life here in the mountains.

Combatting anti-Semitism

I recently voted to condemn the vile and anti-Semitic remarks from a Democrat colleague who called Israel a “racist state” just days before the joint address before Congress from Israel’s President Isaac Herzog. 

There is no place for anti-Semitic biases. It was a sincere honor to listen to President Herzog as we in Congress reaffirm our commitment and special relationship between the United States and Israel.

I am proud to stand with our ally. You can listen to President Herzog’s address to Congress below. 

WATCH: President Herzog address to Congress

No one is above the law

During a recent House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing, whistleblowers within the IRS revealed critical information that confirmed the committee’s initial suspicions pertaining the Biden family’s influence peddling schemes.

IRS whistleblowers have confirmed what the Oversight Committee has uncovered: Members of the Biden family and their associates set up more than 20 shell companies – most of which were created when Joe Biden was vice president – and Hunter Biden received millions of dollars in payments from China, Ukraine and Romania.

The whistleblowers’ evidence also mirrors the committee’s findings that the Bidens engaged in intentionally complicated financial transactions and pay-to-play schemes, and the Biden Department of Justice obstructed investigations into the president’s son for an array of offenses. 

Furthermore, the fact that Hunter Biden received preferential treatment by the DOJ and used his father’s name, referred to as the “big guy,” to help influence his business deals, including those linked to the Chinese Communist Party, is now more than apparent.

No one is above the law, not even the president’s family. Those who blatantly abuse their authority must be held responsible.

As more evidence comes forward, I’ll continue to do everything in my power as your congressman to deliver the transparency and accountability WNC citizens demand and deserve.

WATCH: Edwards questions whistleblowers on Biden family’s criminal investigation

Bringing constituent services to you

You know it’s working when the community recognizes there’s a new way of representing “We the People.”

My office is doing things a little differently when it comes to constituent services.

The Carolina Cruiser continues to travel all across the 11th district, and I’ve had the pleasure to meet with so many folks across the Blue Ridge Mountains who are concerned about their communities or want to voice their concerns about what is going on in Washington. It’s important to me that I hear from constituents face-to-face so that I can best serve and represent you in Congress.

READ: U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards brings mobile office to Cashiers

Our mobile office has made over 150 visits across Western North Carolina since first hitting the road and my office has opened over 1,100 cases for constituents since January. Whether it’s constituents who are struggling to get a passport, receive their rightly-earned veterans benefits, or folks who are struggling to combat the endless red tape of our massive bureaucratic system – the Carolina Cruiser is coming out to you to help.

My commitment to you is to bring you outstanding constituent services. My fantastic team and the Carolina Cruiser’s ability to serve those throughout a far-spreading district is a prime reason why NC-11 will continue to be first in constituent services.

READ: Aboard Carolina Cruiser, Rep. Edwards reinvents constituent service

Western North Carolinians expect and deserve privacy

Your personal data should belong to you. 

Data brokers are on the prowl everywhere. Your web history, your phone number, and your Social Security number operate against consumers.  

I recently introduced the bipartisan Data Elimination and Limiting Extensive Tracking and Exchange (DELETE) Act to protect private online data.  

Under current law, individuals must ask to be removed from each data broker’s list. The DELETE Act directs the Federal Trade Commission to create a one-stop online portal for users to submit a data-deletion request that would be sent to all registered data brokers, and creates a “do not track list” to protect users from future collection.  

Your data should not be bought and sold without your consent. The DELETE Act puts a stop to this once and for all.  

I also introduced the Transparency Over Toys Spying (TOTS) Act in January to help protect our children’s privacy by increasing the transparency of smart-toy data collection.  

Read about both of these critical pieces of legislation here.

Removing red tape for forestry and wildland firefighter workforce 

WNC is home to three Civilian Conservation Centers in Franklin, Cherokee, and Pisgah National Forest. 

The new Civilian Conservation Center Enhancement Act will help cut red tape surrounding the Forest Service’s hiring process and help get our wildland firefighters out into the field faster.  

This bipartisan legislation will not only assist firefighters and fortify the CCC, but will also assist conservation efforts across the country.  

This bill has been endorsed by the National Job Corps Association, the National Federation of Federal Employees, the Wildland Firefighter Foundation, and the Grassroots Wildland Firefighters.  

READ: Offering specialized training at CCCs

2023 Congressional Art Competition winners 

Briana Sosa-Trejo, a recent graduate of Henderson County’s Early College is the 2023 Congressional Art Competition winner for NC-11.

Briana’s artwork, “Skeptical of Myself,” is now on display in the U.S. Capitol building for one year for thousands of Capitol visitors to see. I was pleased to spend some time with Briana, and wish her the best of luck as she begins her undergraduate studies at UNC Charlotte. 

Our office’s “Facebook Favorite” winner for the Congressional Art Competition also visited Washington. Naomi Anglin of Yancey County stopped by my office to see her artwork, “Comfort in Van Gogh,” on display. 

It was a pleasure to visit with Naomi and her family as they visited Washington, DC. 

Fall internship applications are open!

My offices in Washington, DC, and Hendersonville, NC, are now hiring interns for the fall!

Interns will have the opportunity to gain valuable experience working in a congressional office, as well as seeing firsthand how Congress works. Interns are also paid.

Interested applicants can send an email and resume to Lauren Radford at lauren.radford@mail.house.gov.