North Carolina
NC congressional votes for the week ending May 1
Here’s how North Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week.
Along with roll call votes this week, the Senate also passed the Prison Staff Safety Enhancement Act (S. 307), to address sexual harassment and sexual assault of Bureau of Prisons staff in prisons.
The House also passed: the Hotel Fees Transparency Act (H.R. 1479), to prohibit unfair and deceptive advertising of prices for hotel rooms and other places of short-term lodging; the Securing Semiconductor Supply Chains Act (H.R. 2480), to require SelectUSA to coordinate with state-level economic development organizations to increase foreign direct investment in semiconductor-related manufacturing and production; and the Promoting Resilient Supply Chains Act (H.R. 2444), to establish a critical supply chain resiliency and crisis response program in the Commerce Department, and to secure American leadership in deploying emerging technologies.
House votes
REGULATING LITHIUM BATTERIES: The House has passed the Setting Consumer Standards for Lithium-Ion Batteries Act (H.R. 973), sponsored by Rep. Ritchie Torres, D-N.Y., to have the Consumer Product Safety Commission adopt a rule imposing safety standards for lithium-ion batteries used in electric bikes, scooters, and other personal mobility products. Torres said: “Poorly manufactured lithium-ion batteries often imported from China are hidden ticking time bombs waiting to detonate in American homes and neighborhoods. The danger has become too great to ignore.” The vote, on April 28, was 365 yeas to 42 nays.
- NAYS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), Knott R-NC (13th)
- YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
ENTERTAINMENT TICKET FEES: The House has passed the Transparency In Charges for Key Events Ticketing Act (H.R. 1402), sponsored by Rep. Gus M. Bilirakis, R-Fla., to require sellers of tickets to sports, concerts, and other entertainment events to clearly show detailed ticket prices to would-be purchasers. Bilirakis said: “This legislation is about empowering consumers and ensuring fans can enjoy live events by improving ticket price transparency.” The vote, on April 29, was 409 yeas to 15 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
PRODUCTS WITH SODIUM NITRITE: The House has passed the Youth Poisoning Protection Act (H.R. 1442), sponsored by Rep. Lori Trahan, D-Mass., to ban the sale to consumers of products whose weight is 10 percent or more sodium nitrite. Trahan said: “This bill is focused and reasonable. It targets bad actors who are exploiting a loophole to profit off tragedy, and it does so without burdening responsible businesses.” The vote, on April 29, was 378 yeas to 42 nays.
- NAYS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Knott R-NC (13th)
- YEAS: Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
INTERNET-CONNECTED APPLIANCES: The House has passed the Informing Consumers about Smart Devices Act (H.R. 859), sponsored by Rep. Russ Fulcher, R-Idaho, to require manufacturers of Internet-connected products to inform shoppers that the products have a camera or microphone. Fulcher said of the need for consumer awareness: “Our stoves or refrigerators shouldn’t be secretly recording conversations in our homes. Such information could be accessed by a hacker or nefarious third party.” The vote, on April 29, was 415 yeas to 9 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Adams D-NC (12th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
GLEN CANYON RECREATION: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 60), sponsored by Rep. Celeste Maloy, R-Utah, to disapprove of and void a National Park Service rule, issued this January, restricting the use of motor vehicles in the Glen Canyon National Recreation Area in Arizona and Utah. Maloy said that by cancelling the rule, “We can ensure that Glen Canyon remains a place of freedom, adventure, and opportunity for generations to come and isn’t a hindrance to the local economies.” A resolution opponent, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., said the rule appropriately “balances visitor use and access with the long-term stewardship and management of park resources.” The vote, on April 29, was 219 yeas to 205 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
- NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th)
CALIFORNIA VEHICLE EMISSIONS REGULATIONS: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 87), sponsored by Rep. John James, R-Mich., to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency notice granting the California Air Resources Board a waiver allowing that state to impose various emissions standards on motor vehicles. James said a waiver “allows California to ram its comply-or-die, zero-emission truck rule down the throat of the American trucking industry, essentially gutting the trucking industry all across Michigan and across the country.” A resolution opponent, Rep. Luz M. Rivas, D-Calif., said: “Strong vehicle standards protect Americans from expensive and volatile fossil fuels and accelerate the adoption of cleaner vehicle technologies to help us compete globally.” The vote, on April 30, was 231 yeas to 191 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
- NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th)
VEHICLE NITROGEN OXIDE EMISSIONS: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 89), sponsored by Rep. Jay Obernolte, R-Calif., to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency rule issued this January that granted the California Air Resources Board a waiver allowing the state to regulate vehicle nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions. Obernolte said: “If we were to allow every single state in the country to establish its own emission standards for those trucks, every one of these goods would have to stop at every single state line and be trans-shipped from one truck to another truck. Madam Speaker, that is ridiculous, costly, inefficient, and unnecessary.” A resolution opponent, Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-N.J., said: “Maintaining the California program is critical to improve public health outcomes and secure the right to clean air for everyone.” The vote, on April 30, was 225 yeas to 196 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
- NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th)
STATUS OF LONGFIN SMELT: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 78), sponsored by Rep. Doug LaMalfa, R-Calif., to disapprove of and void a 2024 U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rule that listed the San Francisco Bay variety of the longfin smelt fish as an endangered species. LaMalfa said: “The longfin smelt is being used as the latest weapon to take water away from farmers and take water away from people.” An opponent, Rep. Jared Huffman, D-Calif., called the listing “both scientifically and legally sound. The longfin population has declined over 99 percent since the 1980s.” The vote, on May 1, was 216 yeas to 195 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
- NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th)
CALIFORNIA CLEAN CARS WAIVER: The House has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 88), sponsored by Rep. John Joyce, R-Pa., to disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency notice issued this January that granted the California Air Resources Board a waiver in order to allow the state’s Advanced Clean Cars II regulatory plan. Joyce said that allowing California’s plan to require all new vehicles sold in the state in 2035 to be electric ran against the principles of consumer freedom and open markets, and would impose high costs on drivers. A resolution opponent, Rep. Paul Tonko, D-N.Y., said “after the upfront costs, EVs are proven to save consumers considerably through reduced fuel and maintenance costs.” The vote, on May 1, was 246 yeas to 164 nays.
- YEAS: Harrigan R-NC (10th), Foxx R-NC (5th), Hudson R-NC (9th), Murphy R-NC (3rd), Rouzer R-NC (7th), Harris (NC) R-NC (8th), McDowell R-NC (6th), Edwards R-NC (11th), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
- NAYS: Adams D-NC (12th), Ross D-NC (2nd), Foushee D-NC (4th)
Senate votes
CHINA AMBASSADOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of David Perdue to be Ambassador to China. Perdue was a senator from Georgia from early 2015 to early 2021; otherwise, he has been in private business, including as a senior executive at Reebok and Dollar General. A supporter, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, said, “We need a strong leader like David Perdue at the front of our fight with the Chinese government to execute on President Trump’s vision.” The vote, on April 29, was 67 yeas to 29 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
U.K. AMBASSADOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Warren Stephens to be Ambassador to the United Kingdom. Stephens is chairman of the Stephens investment bank, and a leading philanthropist in Arkansas. A supporter, Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., called Stephens “the right person to lead our strong, special relationship with the United Kingdom.” The vote, on April 29, was 59 yeas to 39 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
TURKEY AMBASSADOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Thomas Barrack to be Ambassador to Turkey. Barrack was the founder and CEO of the private equity Colony Capital (since renamed as Digital Bridge) real estate firm, and was an Interior Department official early in the Reagan administration. A supporter, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, called Barrack “the right man to tackle this challenging post” in Turkey, given the country’s ties to Russia and Hamas while remaining a U.S. ally. The vote, on April 29, was 60 yeas to 36 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
ITALY AMBASSADOR: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Tilman Fertitta to be Ambassador to Italy, and to concurrently be Ambassador to San Marino. Fertitta is primary owner of the Landry’s hospitality company, the Houston Rockets basketball franchise, and Golden Nugget Hotel and Casinos. A supporter, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, voiced confidence that Fertitta would help address U.S. objections to Italy’s barriers to U.S. product imports, and its relatively low military spending levels. The vote, on April 29, was 83 yeas to 14 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
APPLIANCE ENERGY STANDARDS: The Senate has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 42), sponsored by Rep. Andrew S. Clyde, R-Ga., to disapprove of and void an Energy Department rule issued last October that tightened energy efficiency requirements for consumer appliances such as washing machines, and industrial climate controls. A resolution supporter, Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, said: “This rule wastes time and money, raising costs without delivering meaningful energy savings on items like dishwashers, clothes washers, and HVAC systems.” The vote, on April 30, was 52 yeas to 46 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
TARIFFS EMERGENCY DECLARATION: The Senate has rejected a resolution (S.J. Res. 49), sponsored by Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., that would have voided President Trump’s declaration a month ago of an emergency that involved imposing a base 10% tariff on imports into the U.S., with additional tariffs imposed for numerous specific countries. Wyden said the Senate “cannot be an idle spectator in the tariff madness. The Congress has the power to set tariffs and regulate global trade.” A resolution opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said “disapproving this emergency will undercut the serious negotiations that are underway, which are also yielding results” for the U.S. The vote, on April 30, was 49 yeas to 49 nays. A subsequent motion to reconsider the resolution was tabled by a 50 yeas to 49 nays vote, with Vice President Vance as the 50th yea.
- NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
REGULATING COMMERCIAL REFRIGERATORS: The Senate has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 75), sponsored by Rep. Craig Goldman, R-Texas, that would nullify and void an Energy Department rule issued this January that set out energy efficiency standards for commercial refrigeration products. A resolution supporter, Sen. Ashley Moody, R-Fla., said keeping the standards “would force commercial fridge and freezer manufacturers to discontinue product lines and close factories in the U.S.” An opponent, Sen. Ed Markey, D-Mass., said the standards save energy, cut climate emissions, and “reduce costs for American families and businesses.” The vote, on May 1, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
REGULATING AIR POLLUTANTS: The Senate has passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 31), sponsored by Sen. John R. Curtis, R-Utah, that would disapprove of and void an Environmental Protection Agency rule regarding emitters of persistent, bioaccumulative hazardous air pollutants. The vote, on May 1, was 52 yeas to 46 nays.
- YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC
A top North Carolina lawmaker who suffered a stunning upset in his primary election last month spoke publicly about the result Tuesday, blaming the loss on political opponents across the aisle.
North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger — who has led the chamber since 2011 — lost the Republican primary for his seat to Rockingham County Sheriff Sam Page by 23 votes, one of the closest elections in state history. Berger conceded defeat in a March 24 statement after a machine recount and partial hand recount yielded no change in Page’s lead.
Berger discussed the experience with reporters Tuesday after lawmakers convened for a short legislative session in Raleigh. Asked what message voters sent him in the primary, Berger said: “Democrats like to vote in some Republican primaries. That’s the message.”
Berger didn’t elaborate on his explanation. Registered Democrats are only allowed to take Democratic ballots in primary elections. But unaffiliated voters are allowed to participate in a party primary of their choice. Berger didn’t suggest changes to that law, but he mentioned possible examination of other election laws.
He said lawmakers should reconsider the number of days North Carolina allows for early voting in primaries. In-person early voting started on Feb. 12 and ended Feb. 28.
“Seventeen days of early voting just seemed pretty excessive and it really stresses the local boards of elections,” Berger said. Some county election boards struggle to find daily staffing for all of their voting sites in the early voting period, he said.
Minority Leader Sydney Batch, D-Wake, called Berger’s comments “an insult to his district and an affront to our democracy.”
“The voters sent him a clear message,” Batch said. “It’s time he accept it and get back to work to finish the job he still has, while he still has it. Pass a budget.”
State lawmakers haven’t adopted a comprehensive state budget since 2023. They were expected to do so last year, but Berger and Republican House Speaker Destin Hall have been at odds over a range of issues, including tax policy, Medicaid funding, and other line items affecting billions of dollars in state funding.
Berger said Tuesday that he and Hall were on the verge of a spending agreement for Medicaid, the government-funded health insurer for people who are young, impoverished or disabled. Republican legislators plan to approve Democratic Gov. Josh Stein’s $319 Medicaid request, while adding guardrails and oversight measures to prevent fraud and waste.
To strike the deal, Berger said Tuesday that he had agreed to postpone discussions about funding for a massive new children’s hospital. The 2023 budget authorized about $320 million over three fiscal years for North Carolina Children’s Health — a partnership between UNC Health and Duke Health — to open in Apex in 2032. About $216 million has already been spent. Hall has said his caucus wants to reconsider the final installment of funds, about $103 million, while Berger has called on House leaders to release the money.
“We’ve agreed to move the discussion of whether or not the House is going to honor the agreement they made in 2023 to the full budget discussion,” Berger said Tuesday.
Earlier Tuesday, Hall told reporters that progress had been made on negotiating children’s hospital funding.
“It’s not resolved yet,” Hall said. “I think there’s some questions about how much more money it’s going to need exactly in order to be a viable project. And so, you know, those discussions continue.”
Those budget negotiations are ongoing, but Berger said recent conversations have given him reason to be optimistic. “We’re having conversations,” he said. “They are substantive. They haven’t gotten us to an agreement yet, but we are continuing to talk, continuing to exchange ideas,” Berger said.
Hall described budget talks similarly: “The trajectory is good [enough] to where we’re very likely to get a budget done, hopefully sooner rather than later.”
Berger said that, in the final months of his term, he wants to focus on policies that make North Carolina a top destination for businesses.
“I’d like to continue the progress that we’ve made over the years in making North Carolina number one state for business and making North Carolina a competitive state in terms of our tax climate and our regulatory climate,” Berger said, adding that he wants to boost education funding as well.
Addressing property taxes
House and Senate Republicans are also offering separate proposals for limiting property taxes in North Carolina.
House Republicans are pursuing a constitutional amendment that would give the state more control over how much cities and counties can raise property taxes. On Tuesday, Berger said he doesn’t think there’s a consensus on the proposed amendment and noted that it would take several months to enact into law. Voters must approve constitutional amendments at the polls in order for them to become law.
“It’s a start that we can look at,” Berger said of the proposed constitutional amendment. “But that, by itself, would not actually go into effect until after the voters approve it, if they approve it, and then the legislature actually passes some sort of legislation.”
Berger said he plans to introduce a bill that freezes municipal property tax revaluations for 12 months while legislators study the issue further.
“We’ve got to do something,” Berger said. “I just don’t know that there’s consensus as to what that something is.
“The best thing that we can do at this point is just call a timeout and give the legislature an opportunity to try to review whatever proposals might be out there.”
Less than two weeks after losing its head coach to Duke University, a North Carolina high school football program has been promoted from within.
Kevin Reddick will become the new head coach at Rolesville High School, replacing Ranier Rackley, who became the Director of Player Development at Duke University.
News of the decision was first reported by High School OT.
Reddick was the defensive coordinator for the Rams for the past three seasons, helping the team win 25 games during that run. Last year, Rolesville allowed just under 15 points per game with Reddick in charge of the defense.
North Carolina High School Promotes Defensive Coordinator To Head Coach
Rolesville finished 9-4 last season under Rackley and Reddick.
Reddick is a graduate of New Bern High School, helping the Bears capture the 2007 Class 4AA North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship. He was tabbed the most valuable player of that title game as a sophomore fullback after scoring two touchdowns in a 28-17 victory over Independence.
At New Bern, Reddick earned conference defensive player of the year honors and was all-state at lineback as a senior after recording 189 tackles, eight quarterback sacks, six forced fumbles and four blocked punts. He also ran for over 160 yards and scored six touchdowns.
Kevin Reddick Was College Standout, Had NFL Career Before Becoming Coach
Following his high school career, Reddick signed with North Carolina as a four-star prospect, earning first team all-ACC honors as a senior. He also had offers from North Carolina State, Virginia and Clemson.
With the Tar Heels, Reddick played in 50 games, recording 275 tackles, including 36 for loss, with 8.5 quarterback sacks, two interceptions and two forced fumbles.
Reddick signed with the New Orleans Saints as an undrafted rookie free agent, and also had stints with the San Diego Chargers, Carolina Panthers and Buffalo Bills.
Rolesville reached the North Carolina High School Athletic Association State Football championship game with Reddick on the coaching staff and the third round this past season.
Rolesville Returns Top Rusher, Several Other Key Players
The Rams will be replacing starting quarterback Kaleb Williams, who had almost 2,500 yards passing and 22 touchdowns, as freshman Chase Williams was 8-for-8 for 98 yards with a touchdown in three games.
They will have top running back Amir Brown back, as he ran for 1,374 yards with 22 touchdowns and six games of 100 yards rushing as a junior. He also had 13 receptions for 106 yards and another TD.
Anthony Roberts is another key player back, as he caught 35 passes for 656 yards and nine TDs. Top tacklers Jayden Broadie, Javon Campbell, Genesis Allen and Keonte Sutton are all set to return, as well.
Follow
At least two people are dead and “several” others are injured after a “planned fight” at a North Carolina park escalated into a mass shooting, authorities said.
Police have identified several victims and suspects after Monday’s shooting at Leinbach Park near Jefferson Middle School, according to the Winston-Salem Police Department.
Authorities confirmed there were multiple victims in the shooting, but did not provide an exact number. The suspects were still at large over two hours later.
Officers were called to the park just before 10 a.m. after reports of a fight, which then escalated into multiple people shooting each other.
Area schools are not in lockdown, and classes are operating as normal, police said.
“Due to the number of people involved, efforts are ongoing to account for everyone. At this time, some of those involved in the incident are juveniles,” police said.
According to local news station WFMY, at least three people were taken to the hospital. Officials have not shared their conditions.
Police said the shooting was an isolated incident and remains under investigation.
This is a developing story
-
Washington, D.C1 minute ago11 hurt after work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center
-
Cleveland, OH7 minutes agoHouston Astros at Cleveland Guardians prediction, pick for Tuesday 4/21/26
-
Austin, TX13 minutes agoAppeals court rules Texas can require public schools to display Ten Commandments in class
-
Alabama19 minutes agoAlabama Defeated By Birmingham
-
Alaska25 minutes agoHawaiian, Alaska reservation systems merge: Big changes for travelers start April 22
-
Arizona31 minutes agoMichigan defenseman Hunter Hady transfers to Arizona State
-
Arkansas37 minutes ago
#24 Arkansas Explodes for Eight Runs in Eighth to Race past Missouri State in Midweek Rematch
-
California43 minutes agoCalifornia Islamic calligraphy artist preserves ancient tradition during Arab American Heritage Month
