congress

I don't have a lot to add to this great Q-Notes article, other than to ask, if elected, would Rep. Brandon be the first openly gay Congress member in the south?

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — State Rep. Marcus Brandon (D-Guilford) has formally announced his decision to run for North Carolina’s 12th Congressional District. Brandon filed paperwork to form his campaign committee on May 1. The committee’s formation was made public this week.

The seat has been held by Rep. Mel Watt since 1993. On May 1, Watt was nominated by President Barack Obama to head the Federal Housing Finance Agency.

Money Talks. Congress Listens.

Does the NRA reflect the feelings of its members or the needs of its donors? What are its real priorities? A survey of membership in 2012 found that 74% of members are in favor of mandatory background checks for gun purchases. 74%. Why does NRA rhetoric not reflect this in their chosen talking points but instead pushes against background checks? Could it be that they don’t really serve their members but their masters--the armament producers? In the minds of most Americans there is a big difference between defending an individual’s right to gun ownership and a manufacturer’s supposed right to make huge profits by selling the same.

The fiscal cliff negotiations are coming down to the wire in Washington, D.C. – which means our country faces a choice of protecting working families and the middle class, or going over the "cliff" in order to save tax breaks for the very wealthy. On Monday, Congress will likely be voting on several proposals to protect middle class families – which means now is the time for us to make our voices heard in public and in the media.

Please join us on Monday, December 31 at 2 PM in Raleigh near the Fayetteville Street New Year's Eve acorn drop site. We will be gathering to urge Congress to "not drop the ball on the middle class" in order to protect tax breaks for the wealthy. This will be a public media event (so turnout will be important). It will also be an opportunity to make calls to Congress and to educate the public about the choices facing our country.

From Elisabeth Motsinger:

This evening, we will know who the voters of the 5th District of North Carolina have selected as your congresswoman for the next two years. You, my supporters, have been so generous with your time, your money, and your encouragement over the last year. You have inspired me--and even more importantly--the campaign's core staff and volunteers--to keep going when the going got rough, when we faced attack mailers from the incumbent, and a smear campaign from a disgruntled blogger.

(Winston-Salem) Elisabeth Motsinger has called on her Congressional opponent to explain why she co-sponsored a bill that would gut welfare work requirements, while simultaneously criticizing President Obama and the Department of Health and Human Services for welfare reforms that she mistakenly claims would do the same thing.

Virginia Foxx co-sponsored HR 118, the Workforce Investment Improvement Act, which would allow states to combine moneys from state-federal employment and training funds into a single fund. According to the Congressional Research Service (CRS), the nonpartisan analysis arm of Congress, the bill would nullify federal eligibility requirements for those programs, including the work requirement.

“I am confused why Mrs. Foxx puts forth a bill that directly contradicts her criticisms of the president,” Motsinger said. “Citizens back here in the district have the right to an explanation.” Motsinger is running to unseat Foxx in North Carolina’s 5th District.

This guest editorial is from the Raleigh News and Observer and is written by former Congressman Bob Etheridge. He served on the House Budget Committee with Paul Ryan.

Having served with Ryan on the House Budget Committee, I have no doubt he meant this as an earnest compliment. But the irony of his words shouldn’t be lost on anybody who understands both the history of our state and the radical direction that Ryan and his running mate, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, want to take us.

Read the full piece here.

Elisabeth Motsinger has challenged Virginia Foxx to a series of debates prior to the Nov. 6 election. Motsinger has accepted invitations from Wake Forest University, Lenoir-Rhyne University, Appalachian State University, Salem College, and Kids Voting USA at Sparta Elementary School. Up to five additional debates are expected to be confirmed soon. Motsinger and Foxx are opponents for U.S. Congress from the 5th District.

Elisabeth Motsinger responded to the latest Gallup Poll showing public approval of Congress is tied at an all-time low, saying, “This is a good illustration of why I will win in November.” Motsinger is challenging Virginia Foxx for North Carolina’s 5th district seat in Congress.

“Clearly, it is time for a change,” Motsinger said. “My opponent does not support policies that serve her constituents. Her votes do not reflect our North Carolina values.”

A poll was released Tuesday showing Congress currently has an approval rating of only 10 percent, tying the record-low score set in February of this year. Based on telephone interviews conducted August 9-12, the score is the lowest in the 38 years that Gallup has measured public approval of Congress. (The Gallup Poll is available at http://www.gallup.com/poll/156662/Congress-Approval-Ties-Time-Low.aspx)

Whether he's riding his 2005 Honda motorcycle or driving whatever car is available in the family, John Motsinger, Jr. -- youngest son of Elisabeth Motsinger, the Democratic candidate for U.S. Congress -- is logging miles for his mom this summer. And the campaign trail does not end for the college senior until after the November election. John Jr. is taking the semester off from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro to devote all his time and attention to his mother's campaign.

"Our country is at a crossroads politically," John Jr. says. "If I am not putting everything I have into the political arena right now, I am hurting myself in the long run."

Thanks to you we won big in the primary on May 8th. Now we have a chance to expand our grassroots campaign with the help of the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee. We need YOU to vote for Patsy in the DCCC’s 2012 Grassroots Champion challenge.

It’s easy to vote for Patsy, just follow these quick steps:

1) Click here to go to the DCCC’s website
2) Complete the form
3) Write in “Patsy Keever (NC-10)”
4) Click “Submit Form”

It’s that easy!

Vote Today
Please Cast your vote today. The first round of voting ends at midnight on June 5th, 2012. Only the top 6 vote getters will move to the final round.