Connect with us

North Carolina

NC congressional votes for the week ending April 3

Published

on


Here’s how North Carolina members of Congress voted over the previous week.

Along with the week’s roll call votes, the House also passed these measures: the Internal Revenue Service Math and Taxpayer Help Act (H.R. 998), to require additional information on math and clerical error notices; the Recovery of Stolen Checks Act (H.R. 1155), to allow taxpayers to elect to receive certain replacement refunds electronically; the Electronic Filing and Payment Fairness Act (H.R. 1152), to apply the mailbox rule to documents and payments electronically submitted to the Internal Revenue Service; and a bill (H.R. 1234), to direct the Librarian of Congress to promote the more cost-effective, efficient, and expanded availability of the annotated Constitution and pocket-part supplements by replacing the hardbound versions with digital versions.

House votes

DISASTERS AND TAX DEADLINES: The House has passed the Filing Relief for Natural Disasters Act (H.R. 517), sponsored by Rep. David Kustoff, R-Tenn., to extend by two months tax filing deadlines for people affected by a federally declared disaster, and also authorize extensions for disasters declared by a state government. Kustoff said the bill, by redressing a situation in which taxpayers must wait for a federal disaster declaration in order to get more time to file their taxes, would “ensure that disaster victims are able to receive more timely relief.” The vote, on March 31, was unanimous with 388 yeas.

  • 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)

TAXPAYER ADVOCATE LAWYERS: The House has passed the National Taxpayer Advocate Enhancement Act (H.R. 997), sponsored by Rep. Randy Feenstra, R-Iowa, to move authority for hiring lawyers managed by the National Taxpayer Advocate out of the Treasury Department’s legal office, and instead have the lawyers report directly to the Advocate. Feenstra said: “Since 2015, the IRS has prohibited the National Taxpayer Advocate from hiring her own legal counsel, which undermines her ability to provide insight, ensure fair treatment of taxpayers, and responsibly work with the IRS caseworkers.” The vote, on March 31, was unanimous with 385 yeas.

  • 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), Knott R-NC (13th), Davis (NC) D-NC (1st), Foushee D-NC (4th), Moore (NC) R-NC (14th)
  • NOT VOTING: Edwards R-NC (11th)

TAX REFUNDS AND DISASTERS: The House has passed the Disaster Related Extension of Deadlines Act (H.R. 1491), sponsored by Rep. Gregory F. Murphy, R-N.C., to have the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) make the extension of federal tax return deadlines due to a declared disaster also apply to tax refunds, and also account for such deadline extensions before issuing tax collection notices. Murphy called the bill a way “to ensure that victims of natural disasters are not burdened by our tax code.” The vote, on April 1, was unanimous with 423 yeas.

  • 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)

Senate votes

AMBASSADOR TO NATO: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Matthew Whitaker to be the permanent representative of the U.S. on the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s Council. Whitaker, currently an official at several conservative think tanks, was a Justice Department senior official in the first Trump administration, including time as the Acting Attorney General; a private practice lawyer in Iowa for most of the 2010s; and a U.S. attorney in Iowa from 2004 to 2009. A supporter, Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, called Whitaker “a principled leader with a proven track record. Under President Trump’s peace-through-strength approach, I have no doubt that Matt will be an effective advocate for America’s interests and a champion of our national strategy.” The vote, on April 1, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.

  • YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

CANADA TARIFFS: The Senate has passed a resolution (S.J. Res. 37), sponsored by Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va., that would end a national emergency declared two months ago by President Trump that levied 10% and 25% tariffs on goods imported from Canada. Kaine called the resolution a way to “stand strong for our businesses and consumers, our foresters and farmers, our national defense industry and shipbuilders, against cost increases that will hurt people’s pocketbooks, hurt American competitiveness, and hurt our national security.” An opponent, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said illegal migration and fentanyl smuggling over the Canada-U.S. border had created a crisis that warranted declaration of a national emergency. The vote, on April 2, was 51 yeas to 48 nays.

  • NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

WALK-IN FREEZERS: The Senate has passed a resolution (H.J. Res. 24), sponsored by Rep. Stephanie I. Bice, R-Okla., to disapprove of and void an Energy Department rule, issued last December, establishing efficiency standards for walk-in coolers and freezers. The vote, on April 3, was 53 yeas to 42 nays.

  • YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

SOLICITOR GENERAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Dean John Sauer to be U.S. Solicitor General. Sauer was Missouri’s solicitor general from 2017 to 2023, and previously was a federal prosecutor and a civil lawyer. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said “Sauer’s failure to comply with court orders and his refusal to recuse himself from pending Trump matters render him unfit for this role.” The vote, on April 3, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.

  • YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

WEAPONS SALE TO ISRAEL: The Senate has rejected a motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee a resolution (S.J. Res. 33), sponsored by Sen. Bernie Sanders, ID-Vt., that would have cancelled the planned sale to Israel of up to 40,000 bomb bodies and warheads, as well as support, services, and spare parts for the weapons. Sanders said the sale would be wrong because “it is illegal for the U.S. Government to provide Israel with more offensive weaponry. It is simply against our laws” to supply weapons to a country that is violating human rights. A motion opponent, Sen. James Risch, R-Idaho, said cancelling the sale “would abandon Israel, our closest ally in the Middle East, during a pivotal moment for global security.” The vote, on April 3, was 15 yeas to 82 nays, with 1 voting present.

  • NAYS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

MEDICARE AND MEDICAID: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Mehmet Oz to be Administrator of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) agency. Oz was a heart surgeon and professor in New York City starting in 1986, hosted the Dr. Oz television show from 2009 to 2022, and was a member of the President’s Council on Sports, Fitness, and Nutrition during President Trump’s first term. A supporter, Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said Oz’s “vision for treating the underlying causes of chronic disease and equipping providers with innovative technologies to serve patients will also be a much needed sea change at CMS.” An opponent, Sen. Ron Wyden, D-Ore., said Oz “has been out there peddling, over the years, unproven cures and treatments and encouraging people to ignore proven facts and science.” The vote, on April 3, was 53 yeas to 45 nays.

  • YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC

ASSISTANT ATTORNEY GENERAL: The Senate has confirmed the nomination of Harmeet Dhillon to be the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights. Dhillon has been a lawyer at her own law firm in San Francisco since 2006, specializing in election law, First Amendment litigation, and commercial litigation. An opponent, Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., said Dhillon’s “record suggests she is more likely to attack civil rights than defend them.” The vote, on April 3, was 52 yeas to 45 nays.

  • YEAS: Tillis R-NC, Budd R-NC



Source link

Advertisement

North Carolina

Bill Belichick fires former Alabama quarterback, NFL coordinator at North Carolina

Published

on

Bill Belichick fires former Alabama quarterback, NFL coordinator at North Carolina


North Carolina coach Bill Belichick has fired offensive coordinator Freddie Kitchens and special-teams coordinator Mike Priefer.

“We want to thank Coach Kitchens and Coach Priefer for their commitment and many contributions to our program and student-athletes,” Belichick said in a statement, per ESPN. “We wish them both nothing but the best in their future endeavors.”

Kitchens, the former Alabama quarterback and head coach of the Browns in 2019, was the Tar Heels’ interim coach in 2024.

Belichick brought Priefer to UNC after two decades in the NFL, and two years out of football.

Advertisement

Under Kitchens, North Carolina’s offense ranked 119th in scoring (19.3 PPG) and 129th in total offense (288.8 YPG).

The Tar Heels finished 4-8 overall and 2-6 in the ACC.

Kitchens won Alabama’s Mr. Football honor in 1992 as the quarterback at Etowah High School.

Kitchens shared the quarterback duties at Alabama with Brian Burgdorf in 1995 before taking over full-time under center for the Crimson Tide in the 1996 and 1997 seasons.

After three more college stops, Kitchens entered the NFL as the Dallas Cowboys’ tight-ends coach in 2006 and stayed in the league for the next 17 seasons, including as Cleveland’s head coach in 2019, when the Browns went 6-10.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

North Carolina

Ex-senator’s wife, 75, found escaped inmate cowering in the backseat of her car: ‘I was shaking like a leaf’

Published

on

Ex-senator’s wife, 75, found escaped inmate cowering in the backseat of her car: ‘I was shaking like a leaf’


The 75-year-old wife of a former Republican North Carolina senator had a frightening start to her week when she discovered an escaped inmate hiding in the backseat of her car, according to local reports.

Marie Steinburg, married to ex-State Senator Bob Steinberg, left her Edenton home for work around 7:30 a.m. Monday when she unlocked her Honda Civic and found 23-year-old accused thief Charles Babb cowering in the backseat, with a blanket wrapped around his orange prison jumpsuit.

“I headed out the door, and I clicked the unlock, and it must have scared the guy, because the next thing I know, I saw something moving in my backseat,” the startled senior said, WTKR reported.

Charles Babb, 23, was found cowering in the back of Marie Steinburg’s Honda Civic after breaking out of the Chowan County Detention Center. WAVY 10

“I kept backing up little by little by little because I thought, I don’t know what this man is going to do.”

Advertisement

Babb — who police said escaped from the Chowan County Detention Center Sunday night — then jumped out the car.

While residents were urged to lock their doors and windows, stay inside, and avoid interacting with the armed and dangerous fugitive, Steinburg said she remained calm and began talking to him.

Marie Steinburg, 75, made the startling discovery Monday morning when she left the house for work. WAVY 10

“I figured if I was nice to him, he’d be nice to me,” she said, WAVY reported.

“I just figured that was the thing to do because I didn’t know if he was really dangerous,” Steinburg explained, adding that “he kept saying, ‘I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I’m sorry. I’m so cold.’ And, you know, I was startled and I know he was too. And I said, “Well, hey, let me go in and get you a coat.’”

Steinburg said Babb then turned and raced down the driveway — reportedly leaving behind his prison sandals and a face mask — as she ran inside, called out to her husband, and dialed 911.

Advertisement
Steinburg said Babb was cowering in her backseat with a blanket wrapped around his orange prison jumpsuit. WAVY 10

“I got in as fast as I could,” she recalled, according to WTKR.

“I was shaking like a leaf, and I could barely get the key in the lock, but I did.”

The Edenton Police Department apprehended the convict nearby shortly thereafter.

Police did not give details on how Babb escaped jail, other than to say he used a make-shift edged weapon. He was being held on felony breaking and entering and larceny charges before his breakout, according to the Daily Advance.

Babb raced down the driveway, leaving behind his prison sandals and a face mask. WAVY 10

Her husband, who advocated for prison reform during his 10 years in office, praised his wife for how she handled the terrifying situation, believing a higher power was looking out for them.

Advertisement

The couple added that they will never forget to lock their car doors again.

“Oh let me tell you, if I don’t, [my husband] is gonna,” a relieved Steinberg said.

The Edenton Police Department apprehended the convict nearby shortly thereafter. WAVY 10

“It’s one of those things that we learned.”

The Chowan County Sheriff’s Office has since launched an investigation into Babb’s jailbreak.

Advertisement



Source link

Continue Reading

North Carolina

How Seth Trimble’s Injury Unlocked North Carolina’s Potential

Published

on

How Seth Trimble’s Injury Unlocked North Carolina’s Potential


Injuries are an unfortunate element in sports, and that has been relevant for the North Carolina Tar Heels this season. Now, most of the time, those injuries occur in games or practices. That was not the case for Seth Trimble, who suffered a broken arm in a workout accident.

The senior guard has not played since the second game of the season against the Kansas Jayhawks on Nov. 7.

Advertisement

Nov 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis with guard Seth Trimble (7) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Although the injury forced the Tar Heels’ coaching staff and players into an uncomfortable situation, the team has responded, winning six of seven games in Trimble’s absence. You never want to see a player suffer a significant injury, but in this particular case, it has opened the door to possibilities that North Carolina may not have been aware of if this never transpired.

Here is why Trimble’s injury has not been doom and gloom for the Tar Heels in this early portion of the season.

Unlocking a Potential Star Off the Bench

Advertisement

Dec 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with guard Derek Dixon (3) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

Before the last two games, North Carolina’s backcourt situation appeared to be a significant shortcoming for the Tar Heels. Because of that, Davis was forced to expand his bench with the hopes of unlocking the offense while supplying consistent production.

Advertisement

That has elevated freshman guard Derek Dixon’s role in the rotation, which has proven to be pivotal in North Carolina’s wins in the last two games against Kentucky and Georgetown. During that span, the 6-foot-5 guard has averaged 11.5 points while shooting 53.3 percent from the field and 50 percent from three-point range.

With the rotation becoming solidified in recent weeks, head coach Hubert Davis explained how the backcourt has taken shape following the Tar Heels’ win over Georgetown on Sunday.

Advertisement

Dec 7, 2025; Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA; North Carolina Tar Heels head coach Hubert Davis talks with guard Kyan Evans (0) and guard Derek Dixon (3) in the second half at Dean E. Smith Center. Mandatory Credit: Bob Donnan-Imagn Images | Bob Donnan-Imagn Images

  • “I really like [Kyan] and Derek [Dixon] on the floor at the same time,” Davis continued. “I’ve always said that I love multiple ball handlers. You can’t take us out of our offense. And with those two, with the way that Georgetown was switching defenses, we always had somebody that can handle the basketball and get us into a set and get us organized.”

  • “So, it’s trying to figure out rotations,” Davis continued. “And then when Seth comes back, it’s finding it again. Different combinations is one of the things that I was excited about coming into the season. That is the versatility that we have, that we can throw out a number of different rotations out there that can be really effective on the floor.”

Please follow us on X when you click right HERE!

Advertisement

Please make sure you follow us today on our Facebook page when you click right HERE!



Source link

Continue Reading

Trending