Dear Friend,

As a member of the House Budget Committee, I helped craft the budget resolution that passed the U.S. House this week.

This resolution is key to unlocking American prosperity and security for years to come by providing the framework for Congress to secure the border, promote American energy dominance, lower taxes, and make America more competitive.

Excessive regulations and out-of-control spending are some of the greatest threats to American prosperity. To boost our economy and benefit hardworking Americans, the House budget resolution prevents what would have amounted to the largest tax increase on middle-class Americans in history, slashes unnecessary regulations, and reins in reckless government spending.

It has come to my attention that many folks have concerns that the budget resolution will cut funding to programs such as Medicaid, Medicare, Social Security, and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP).

Contrary to media reports and social media rumors, this resolution does not include any cuts to these or other vital benefit programs. Instead, this budget is a framework that sets targets for overall reductions in spending and directs congressional committees to determine what policies fit those reduction goals.

Additionally, the budget resolution does not include any new tax cuts for the wealthy. On the contrary, it extends President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which increased the share of taxes paid by the top 1 percent of Americans, and lifted more than 6 million people out of poverty, dropping the poverty rate to the lowest level in U.S. history.

Finally, by identifying and eliminating waste, fraud, and abuse, the House’s budget resolution will help restore fiscal responsibility in our country and better position our tax dollars to reignite growth and prosperity in America.

America’s partnership and shared values with Israel endure

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting Israel, one of our nation’s strongest allies.

During my visit, our congressional delegation discussed the future of Israel and Gaza, as well as U.S. relations and security in the Middle East.

As vice chairman of the House Appropriations National Security and Department of State Subcommittee, and the sole appropriator on this trip, I relayed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu the significance of America’s long-standing, shared values with our ally, Israel, and that we will continue to support Israel’s right to defend itself from those who wish to erase it off the map.

During my time there, we marked 500 days since Iranian-backed Hamas terrorists attacked, abducted, and murdered innocent men, women, and children on Oct. 7, 2023. This was the most devastating assault against Israel and the Jewish community - with Hamas murdering 1,200 individuals and taking 240 civilians hostage - since the Holocaust, and we must never forget this day.

The U.S. has and will continue to stand with Israel and the Jewish people.

Reversing burdensome regulations that drive higher prices

The far left’s Green New Deal agenda has particularly burdened seniors and low-income households, and the House is working to restore common sense, empower consumers, and bring down costs.

The House passed H. J. Res. 20 and H. J. Res. 35 with my support to reverse regulations that could increase Americans’ energy prices.

H. J. Res. 20 reverses a rule that required gas-fired water heaters to meet higher energy efficiency standards that would increase costs on manufacturers and consumers.

H. J. Res. 35 reverses a rule that threatened domestic energy production by imposing costly fees on oil and natural gas operators, which could lead to higher prices at the pump.

The U.S. must be energy independent rather than relying on foreign energy sources, which will also help create more jobs and lower prices for Americans.

FEMA assistance deadline is approaching

The deadline to apply for FEMA assistance for Western North Carolinians with disaster-related damage or loss from Hurricane Helene is quickly approaching.

Apply by March 8 in person at a Disaster Recovery Center, online at DisasterAssistance.gov or on the FEMA app, or call the FEMA helpline at 800-621-3362.

If you have already applied and need help navigating FEMA, call me at 223-FIX-FEMA.

With my warmest regards,

Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress