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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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11 hurt after work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center

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11 hurt after work vehicle collides with Silver Line train at Metro Center


An early Wednesday morning incident at D.C.’s Metro Center left multiple riders injured after a work vehicle made contact with a Silver Line train just before the end of service.

According to Metro officials, the train was holding at the station when the work vehicle struck the rear car shortly after midnight. Officials said there were 27 customers on board at the time.

Officials say 11 people reported non-life-threatening injuries and that Metro personnel were not seriously injured.

SEE ALSO | Metro’s board to vote on budget that calls for fully automated trains on the Red Line

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Passengers who did not report injuries were transferred to another train and continued toward Downtown Largo.

The train involved was the final Silver Line run of the night.

Metro said the incident remains under investigation as crews work to determine the cause.

As of 3:30 a.m., it’s not clear what the potential impacts to the morning service may be.

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How much you need to earn to be middle class in DC, MD and Virginia

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How much you need to earn to be middle class in DC, MD and Virginia


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Earning enough to be considered middle class has gotten more expensive, with rising housing and everyday costs pushing the income bar higher, according to a recent report from GOBankingRates.

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The median range for middle-class income across the country is between $59,000 and $104,000 in 2026, depending on which state you live in. GOBanking Rates used Pew Research Center’s definition of middle class — income ranging from two-thirds to twice a state’s median household income — and added data from the U.S. Census Bureau to report lowest middle-income, highest middle-class income and median income for each state, including Maryland and Virginia, and Washington D.C.

The current national middle-class minimum of $59,000 would have declared you middle class a decade ago in the U.S. In 2016, earning $39,000 placed a household at the lower edge of the middle class — and in regions like DC, MD and VA, median incomes were already far higher than the national median, so the “middle-class floor” was much higher than $39,000 even then.

In the DC region, the income required to be considered middle class is significantly higher than nationally, with the threshold starting around $61,000 in Virginia and nearly $69,000 in Maryland — compared with about $47,000 nationwide, GOBankingRates data shows. To be considered middle class in Washington DC, you’d have to earn at least $70,200. GoBankingRates omitted DC from their report; however, using the same formula and same US Census data cited, USA TODAY Network was able to calculate the low, high and median middle class income ranges. Here’s what the report shows and what we found for middle-class consideration in 2026.

What is middle class in Washington DC?

The middle class is a socioeconomic group in the U.S. that falls between the working class and upper class, earning around the middle of the income distribution for where they live. Middle class households often are able to cover their bills, rely on loans to buy homes or cars, and occasionally eat out or vacation, but not without careful budgeting, according to Investopedia.

Washington DC’s middle-class income in 2024 (the most recent year available from Census data) was between $70,200 and $209,600. GoBankingRates omitted DC middle-class data; however, USA TODAY Network used the same calculation, using the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey (ACS) and the Pew Research Center’s benchmark definition of middle class. Here is the breakdown for middle-class in Washington DC:

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  • Median household income: $104,800
  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $70,200
  • Highest end of middle-class income: $209,600

Due to the region’s high cost of living, Washington DC’s middle-class median income surpasses not only the U.S. median, but it’s neighbors in Delaware, Virginia and Maryland. It also slightly surpasses the median middle-class income of New Jersey.

What is middle class in Virginia?

In Virginia, the income needed to be considered middle class starts at about $61,400 and can range up to roughly $184,200, according to GOBankingRates. That is based on Pew Research Center’s definition — two-thirds to twice the median household income. Here’s the breakdown of Virginia’s middle-class income as reported in 2026 using the latest Census data available from 2024:

  • Median household income: $92,090
  • Lowest end of middle-class income: $61,393
  • Highest end of middle-class income: $184,180

What is middle class in Maryland?

To be considered middle-class in Maryland, the income required starts at about $68,600 and can extend up to roughly $205,800, according to GOBankingRates, which used the latest 2024 U.S. Census Bureau data available in their 2026 report.

For many Maryland households, especially in the DC suburbs, earning what sounds like a solid income does not always translate into financial comfort once housing, childcare and community costs are factored in: Maryland housing costs (rent and home prices) are well above national averages, according to Zillow market trends, and commuting costs for DC-area workers are among the longest and costliest, Census data shows. Maryland also consistently ranks among the most expensive states for childcare, often surpassing $15,000 per year per child, according to a Care.com 2024 Cost of Care report.

Highest middle-class incomes in the US

  1. Massachusetts income range: $69,885 to $209,656
  2. Maryland income range: $68,603 to $205,810
  3. New Jersey income range: $69,529 to $208,588
  4. Hawaii income range: $67,163 to $201,490
  5. California income range: $66,766 to $200,298
  6. New Hampshire income range: $66,521 to $199,564
  7. Washington income range: $66,259 to $198,778
  8. Colorado income range: $64,742 to $194,226
  9. Connecticut income range: $64,033 to $192,098
  10. Virginia income range: $61,393 to $184,180

Lori Comstock is a New Jersey-based news reporter covering trending news with USA TODAY Network’s Mid-Atlantic Connect TeamShe covers news in the Northeast, including New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Washington DC, Maryland, and Virginia. Reach her at LComstock@usatodayco.com.



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US industry leaders take sport fishing issues to Washington DC – Angling International

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US industry leaders take sport fishing issues to Washington DC – Angling International


The impact of tariffs on the US fishing tackle industry and the need for sound fisheries management were among the topics discussed by attendees of the American Sportfishing Association (ASA)’s first ever Keep America Fishing in DC Fly-In.

It included industry leaders who last week joined together in Washington DC and all walked hundreds of miles across the US Capital Complex to advocate for the interests of the US trade and the entire recreational fishing community.

The group also enjoyed conversations with National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Director, Dr Neil Jacobs, Director of the US Fish and Wildlife Service, Brian Nesvik, Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) and Representative Blake Moore (R-UT).

ASA President and CEO, Glenn Hughes, said: “We look forward to continuing the conversation with legislators throughout the rest of this Congress and to an even bigger Keep America Fishing Fly-In in 2027.”

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Above: From left: ASA President Glenn Hughes and Vice President of Government Affairs, Mike Leonard, with Senator Martin Heinrich (centre).





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