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Representative Gregory F. Murphy, M.D.: February updates from Eastern NC and Washington, D.C. — Neuse News

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Representative Gregory F. Murphy, M.D.: February updates from Eastern NC and Washington, D.C. — Neuse News


Before departing for a District Work Period, House Republicans passed strong legislation to put an end to President Biden’s anti-American energy agenda and took a bold step to hold the Biden Administration accountable for the border crisis by impeaching DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas. In addition, I participated in several important committee hearings throughout the week on matters ranging from artificial intelligence, cyber security and oversight over the VA neglecting sexual harassment allegations.

This past week, I returned to Eastern North Carolina to visit local businesses and meet with constituents throughout the district, as well as host my office’s third Veterans History Project event in New Bern, NC. The initiative has been a tremendous success, and I am so grateful to help preserve the stories of our veterans for future generations.

The next few weeks will be pivotal for our country. I look forward to being back in Washington to D.C. to fight on your behalf. As always, it is my privilege to be your representative and voice in Congress.

If you wish to stay more engaged and aware of what is happening in Washington and our District please follow me on my socials linked above or here: InstagramTwitterFacebook and YouTube.

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Congressional Art Competition

I am excited to announce that my office will participate in this year’s annual Congressional Art Competition. A huge thank you to the Craven Arts Council and Gallery in New Bern for hosting this special event.

The first-place winner of the competition will be invited to Washington, DC, for the national reception where the artwork will be showcased in the Capitol.

I’m excited to see the interpretations of this year’s theme of “Scenery” for NC-03’s competition. Artwork submissions are being accepted now through March 23rd, 2024! More details below.

 Key Votes

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Impeachment of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas

Secretary Mayorkas bears responsibility for the unprecedented crisis at our border, has failed to enforce laws passed by Congress, and has breached the public’s trust. The self-inflicted crisis has cost this nation over 450 billion dollars, accelerated human and drug trafficking, and endangered community safety. Impeachment is one of the most consequential actions granted to Congress in the Constitution. It is a vote no Member of Congress takes glee in taking.

After great deliberation and consideration of the Articles brought forth against him, I voted in favor. Mayorkas’ actions and purposeful neglect of our nation’s laws are unbecoming of the office he holds. Our nation cannot prosper if our leaders are not held accountable when they fail to uphold the oath they made to our Constitution and the American people.

Read the Articles of Impeachment here

View the Committee on Homeland Security’s Phase 1 Report on Evidence of DHS Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas’ Dereliction of Duty here

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Unlocking Our Domestic LNG Potential Act of 2024

Biden’s decision to ban LNG exports to appease climate extremists will have catastrophic consequences on our economy, national security and efforts to reduce carbon emissions. The world should be powered with natural gas from America, not Russia.

For months, Americans have felt the financial burden of escalating energy expenses, and this latest ban twists the knife. Unleashing American energy here at home to reduce our reliance on adversaries is absolutely essential to our nation’s prosperity.

I voted YES to putting an end to Biden’s anti-American energy agenda:

 National Sweetpotato Month

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Happy National Sweetpotato Month! North Carolina is the largest producer of sweetpotatoes in the United States. Our state has fueled a remarkable surge in production thanks to the contributions of 300 local family farms.

In 2023, North Carolina produced 72,000+ acres of sweetpotatoes accounting for 40% of the annual produced crop being exported!

Thank you North Carolina Sweetpotatoes for dropping off some delicious sweetpotatoes!

VA Full Committee Oversight Hearing

Allegations of the VA neglecting sexual harassment reports is deeply concerning and should be evaluated without a partisan lens.

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This incident has absolutely nothing to do with politics. While I appreciate Secretary McDonough for responding to these allegations, actions speak louder than words. There must be disciplinary measures implemented and rules enforced to prevent this from happening again.

We must press forward with this investigation and demand transparency to ensure justice and accountability.

Watch my full questioning of Secretary McDonough here

Ways and Means Full Committee Hearing

In the Ways and Means Committee, we held a hearing with IRS Commissioner Daniel Warfel. I raised my concern with cyber and national security risks surrounding TikTok’s availability on government devices, despite its prohibition.

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TikTok is a tool used by the Chinese Communist Party to gather personal data of users and influence behavior through meticulously rigged algorithms. I appreciate his commitment to investigate this further and ensure there are no artificial intelligence biases when conducting audits.





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Nonprofit sues the federal government over plans to paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue

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Nonprofit sues the federal government over plans to paint Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool blue


With a blue sky above the Lincoln Memorial, people walk along the reflection pool in Washington, D.C., on June 9, 2023.

Jose Luis Magana/AP


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Jose Luis Magana/AP

A nonprofit is suing the National Park Service, the Department of the Interior and Interior Secretary Doug Burgum over the decision to resurface the Lincoln Memorial Reflecting Pool at Washington D.C.’s National Mall, and to paint the pool’s basin blue.

The suit was filed Monday in U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia by The Cultural Landscape Foundation (TCLF), an education and advocacy organization. In the suit, TCLF is asking a federal judge to halt the project, saying that the Trump administration failed to have the project reviewed federally, as is dictated by the National Historic Preservation Act.

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President Trump revealed his plans for the pool do-over last month in “American flag blue,” saying that the project would take one week and $2 million, and that it would be completed in time for the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence on July 4. A few days later on Truth Social, the president posted a fake image of himself and several of his administration officials in swimsuits, along with an unidentified woman in a gingham bikini, lounging in the water with the Washington National Monument at the rear. (Swimming in the reflecting pool is prohibited by federal law.)

In a YouTube video posted by the White House on April 23, Trump called the pool “filthy dirty” and said it “leaked like a sieve.” In that video, Trump said he was going to call three companies that he has worked with in the past – “all they do is swimming pools” – and say, “Give me a good price.”

The New York Times reported last Friday that the contract for the reflecting pool’s resurfacing was awarded in a $6.9 million no-bid contract to a company called Atlantic Industrial Coatings, which previously has never held any federal contracts.

An employee at the Atlantic Industrial Coatings confirmed in a telephone call on Monday that it has been contracted for this project, but referred all other questions to the Department of the Interior.

The Times reported on Monday that the final cost of the project could be upward of $13 million, per documents it says it has obtained. The Department of the Interior did not confirm the cost of the project, but wrote: “The contract price reflects the effort necessary to expedite the timeline of completing the leak prevention coating project—more people, more materials, more equipment and longer hours ahead of our 250th.”

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In an unsigned statement emailed to NPR Monday afternoon, the Interior Department wrote: “The National Park Service chose the best company to expedite the repair of the iconic Reflecting Pool ahead of our 250 celebrations. The choice of American Flag Blue will enhance the visitor experience by making the pool reflect the grand Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument. NPS is also investing in a state-of-the-art ozone nanobubbler filtration system and will now have a dedicated crew who will maintain the grounds’ from wildlife. The Department is proud of the work being carried out by our Park Service to ensure this magical spot can be enjoyed for not only our 250th, but for many generations to come.”

Critics of the project, including TCLF, don’t share that vision – and are taking particular umbrage at the color.

“The reflecting pool should not be viewed in isolation; it is part of the larger ensemble of designed landscapes that comprise the National Mall,” Charles A. Birnbaum, the president and CEO of TCLF, said in a statement emailed to NPR Monday. “The design intent, to create a reflective surface that is subordinate, is fundamental to the solemn and hallowed visual and spatial connection between the Washington Monument and the Lincoln Memorial. A blue-tinted basin is more appropriate to a resort or theme park.”

The National Park Service regularly cleans out algae, goose droppings and other detritus from the reflecting pool. The last major renovation of the reflecting pool, which included the installation of a new circulation and filtration system, took place during the Obama administration at a reported cost of $34 million.

Before founding TCLF in 2008, Birnbaum served for 15 years as the coordinator of the Historic Landscape Initiative for the National Park Service.

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TCLF has another open lawsuit against the federal administration: it is one of eight cultural and architecture groups currently suing President Trump and the Kennedy Center board over the planned renovations of the complex, which are planned to start in July.



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K-9 Knox to be honored at ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday

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K-9 Knox to be honored at ceremony in Washington, D.C. on Monday


The memorial service will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial at 1 p.m.

A brave K-9 hero from the region will be honored at the Annual National Police K9 Memorial Service on Monday afternoon. (Roanoke Police Department)

WASHINGTON D.C. – A brave K-9 hero from the region will be honored at the Annual National Police K9 Memorial Service on Monday afternoon.

K-9 Knox died in the line of duty last year after he was accidentally hit by a police vehicle while pursuing a suspect involved in a stolen vehicle incident. He was a 3-year-old German shepherd and had served as a narcotics detection and patrol apprehension K-9 for the Roanoke Police Department since May 2023.

The memorial service will include a wreath-laying ceremony and will be held at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C., at 1 p.m. The event will open with a musical performance by Frank Ray, and the guest speaker will be Deputy Jared Hahn of the Miami-Dade Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit.

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The San Antonio Police Department Blue Line Choir will sing the national anthem, and the Emerald Society Pipes & Drums band will also perform.




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Storm Team4 Forecast: Showers, cool temps to start off the workweek

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Storm Team4 Forecast: Showers, cool temps to start off the workweek


4 things to know about the weather:

  1. Shower chance Monday morning
  2. Cooler Monday
  3. Midweek rain chance
  4. Warmer end to the week

Showers continue to move west with a cold front tonight. There will be a break in the rain overnight, but showers return for the start of the day on Monday. Monday afternoon will be dry, but noticeably cooler.

Sunshine returns Tuesday, but the break in the rain will be short-lived with rain chances on Wednesday

Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to check the weather radar on the go.

QuickCast

TONIGHT:
Showers early
Mostly cloudy
Wind: N 5-10 mph
LOW: Low 50s

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MONDAY:
Morning shower chance
Wind: N 5-10 mph
HIGH: Upper 60s

TUESDAY:
Sunny
Wind: N 5-10 mph
HIGH: Near 70°

WEDNESDAY:
Shower chance
Wind: S 5-10 mph
Gusts at 20 mph
HIGH: Low 70s

SUNRISE: 5:59 a.m.    SUNSET: 8:10 p.m.
AVERAGE HIGH: 75°   AVERAGE LOW: 56°

Stay with Storm Team4 for the latest forecast. Download the NBC Washington app on iOS and Android to get severe weather alerts on your phone.

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