U.S. House · North Carolina's 5th District

• NoWar Powers Resolution directing removal of forces from Iran hostilities · H. Con. Res. 86 · Passed 215–208 · 2026-06-03 roll call ↗The resolution directs the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities with Iran that Congress has not authorized, invoking the War Powers Resolution. It passed the House with support from Democrats and a number of Republicans.
• NoResolution disapproving tariffs on Canada · H.J. Res. 72 · Passed 219–211 · 2026-02-11 roll call ↗The resolution terminates the national emergency the President declared in February 2025 to justify a 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada, ending that tariff if it becomes law. It passed with a bipartisan majority, including several Republicans who broke with the administration on trade policy.
• YesConsolidated Appropriations Act, 2026 — full-year government funding · H.R. 7148 · Passed 217–214 · 2026-02-03 roll call ↗The bill provides full-year discretionary appropriations for federal agencies for the remainder of fiscal year 2026, replacing the stopgap funding enacted after the fall 2025 shutdown. It sets spending levels across defense and non-defense programs through September 2026.
• NoBreaking the Gridlock Act — ACA subsidy extension · H.R. 1834 · Passed 230–196 · 2026-01-08 roll call ↗The bill extends for additional years the enhanced Affordable Care Act premium tax credits that were expanded in 2021 and had lapsed at the end of 2025, lowering health-insurance premiums for people who buy coverage on ACA marketplaces. It passed with support from nearly all Democrats and a small group of Republicans.
• NoWar Powers Resolution on Venezuela · H. Con. Res. 64 · Failed 211–213 · 2025-12-17 roll call ↗The resolution would have directed the President to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities in or against Venezuela that Congress had not authorized. It failed after U.S. military strikes on suspected drug-trafficking vessels off Venezuela had raised questions in Congress about the administration's legal authority for military action in the region.
• YesNational Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2026 — final passage · S. 1071 · Passed 312–112 · 2025-12-10 roll call ↗The fiscal year 2026 NDAA authorizes roughly $900 billion in defense spending, including a pay raise for service members and funding for shipbuilding, munitions, and missile-defense programs. It also sets policy on military personnel, procurement, and other Defense Department programs for the year.
• YesEpstein Files Transparency Act · H.R. 4405 · Passed 427–1 · 2025-11-18 roll call ↗The bill directs the Department of Justice to publicly release its investigative files related to Jeffrey Epstein within 30 days, while allowing redactions to protect victim identities, ongoing investigations, and law enforcement techniques. It passed with near-unanimous support.
• YesContinuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2026 — shutdown-ending vote · H.R. 5371 · Passed 222–209 · 2025-11-12 roll call ↗The bill reopened the federal government after a 43-day shutdown by funding most agencies through January 30, 2026, and providing full-year funding for a smaller group of agencies through September 2026. It also reversed shutdown-related federal layoffs and funded SNAP benefits retroactively.
• YesCLARITY Act — digital asset market structure · H.R. 3633 · Passed 294–134 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The CLARITY Act creates a regulatory framework dividing oversight of digital assets between the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission. It sets registration and disclosure requirements for cryptocurrency exchanges and other digital-asset intermediaries.
• YesGENIUS Act — stablecoin regulation · S. 1582 · Passed 308–122 · 2025-07-17 roll call ↗The GENIUS Act creates a federal regulatory framework for payment stablecoins, requiring issuers to hold reserves backing their tokens on a one-to-one basis and to comply with new disclosure and licensing rules. It was the first major piece of cryptocurrency legislation enacted into federal law.
• YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — final passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 218–214 · 2025-07-03 roll call ↗H.R. 1, the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, extends and expands the 2017 tax cuts, adds new deductions for tips, overtime pay, and seniors, and raises the cap on state and local tax deductions. It increases border security and defense spending while cutting projected Medicaid and SNAP spending and adding new work requirements; President Trump signed it into law on July 4, 2025.
• YesRescissions Act of 2025 · H.R. 4 · Passed 214–212 · 2025-06-12 roll call ↗The Rescissions Act canceled about $9 billion in previously approved federal spending, mostly for foreign aid programs and for the Corporation for Public Broadcasting. It was the first rescissions package Congress had approved in decades.
• YesOne Big Beautiful Bill Act — House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 215–214 · 2025-05-22 roll call ↗H.R. 1 extends and modifies the 2017 individual and business tax cuts, creates new deductions for tips and overtime pay, and increases spending on border security and defense. It also reduces projected spending on Medicaid and food-assistance programs and adds new work requirements for some recipients.
• YesSAVE Act — proof-of-citizenship voter registration · H.R. 22 · Passed 220–208 · 2025-04-10 roll call ↗The SAVE Act would require individuals to provide documentary proof of U.S. citizenship in person when registering to vote in federal elections. It also directs states to establish procedures to remove noncitizens identified on voter rolls.
• YesFull-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2025 · H.R. 1968 · Passed 217–213 · 2025-03-11 roll call ↗The bill funded the federal government through the remainder of fiscal year 2025, largely at prior-year spending levels, averting a shutdown ahead of a March 14 deadline. It also extended several expiring health and other program authorizations.
• YesLaken Riley Act — final passage · S. 5 · Passed 263–156 · 2025-01-22 roll call ↗The Laken Riley Act requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain undocumented immigrants who are arrested, charged, or convicted for theft, burglary, or certain violent crimes. It also allows state attorneys general to sue the federal government over certain immigration enforcement decisions.
• YesSecure the Border Act of 2023 — House passage · H.R. 2 · Passed 219–213 · 2023-05-11 roll call ↗Would have resumed border-wall construction, restricted asylum eligibility, expanded detention, and mandated E-Verify for employers.
• NoInflation Reduction Act — final House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–207 · 2022-08-12 roll call ↗Enacted clean-energy and climate tax credits, a 15% minimum tax on large corporations' book income, a 1% excise tax on stock buybacks, and Medicare drug-price negotiation.
• NoAssault Weapons Ban of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 1808 · Passed 217–213 · 2022-07-29 roll call ↗Would have banned the sale, manufacture and import of many semiautomatic assault weapons and large-capacity magazines.
• NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2022 — House passage · H.R. 8296 · Passed 219–210 · 2022-07-15 roll call ↗Passed after Dobbs; would have created a federal statutory right to abortion services and limited state restrictions.
• NoBipartisan Safer Communities Act — final House passage · S. 2938 · Passed 234–193 · 2022-06-24 roll call ↗Expanded background checks for buyers under 21, funded state red-flag and crisis-intervention programs, and narrowed the "boyfriend loophole."
• NoBuild Back Better Act — House passage · H.R. 5376 · Passed 220–213 · 2021-11-19 roll call ↗Would have funded clean-energy tax credits, universal pre-kindergarten and child-care subsidies, and extended health-coverage subsidies; it did not pass the Senate.
• NoWomen's Health Protection Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 3755 · Passed 218–211 · 2021-09-24 roll call ↗Would have created a federal statutory right for providers to offer, and patients to receive, abortion services, limiting state restrictions.
• NoAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2021 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 228–197 · 2021-03-18 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
• NoRaise the Wage Act — House passage · H.R. 582 · Passed 231–199 · 2019-07-18 roll call ↗Would have raised the federal minimum wage in steps from $7.25 to $15 an hour by 2025.
• NoAmerican Dream and Promise Act of 2019 — House passage · H.R. 6 · Passed 237–187 · 2019-06-04 roll call ↗Would have created a path to permanent legal status for many undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children and for certain TPS and DED holders.
• NoBipartisan Background Checks Act — House passage · H.R. 8 · Passed 240–190 · 2019-02-27 roll call ↗Would have required background checks for most firearm transfers between private parties.
• YesTax Cuts and Jobs Act — final House passage · H.R. 1 · Passed 224–201 · 2017-12-20 roll call ↗Cut the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21% and lowered individual rates, including the top rate from 39.6% to 37% (individual provisions set to expire after 2025).
• YesConcealed Carry Reciprocity Act — House passage · H.R. 38 · Passed 231–198 · 2017-12-06 roll call ↗Would have required states to recognize concealed-carry permits issued by other states.
• YesPain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act — House passage · H.R. 36 · Passed 237–189 · 2017-10-03 roll call ↗Would have banned most abortions after 20 weeks post-fertilization, with limited exceptions.
• YesAmerican Health Care Act — House passage · H.R. 1628 · Passed 217–213 · 2017-05-04 roll call ↗Would have repealed the ACA individual mandate penalty, converted federal Medicaid funding to per-capita caps, and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.
• NoAffordable Care Act — final House passage · H.R. 3590 · Passed 219–212 · 2010-03-21 roll call ↗Established health-insurance marketplaces with premium subsidies, expanded Medicaid eligibility, and barred insurers from denying coverage for pre-existing conditions.

• action2025 · Chairs the House Committee on Rules and also serves on the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform (Government Operations Subcommittee) and the Committee on Education and the Workforce.[2]
• action2023-2024 · Chaired the House Committee on Education and the Workforce during the 118th Congress (2023-2025).[2]

• ✕OpposesStricter gun lawsFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Bipartisan Background Checks Act (H.R. 8, 2019-02-27). Voted no on Assault Weapons Ban of 2022 (H.R. 1808, 2022-07-29). Voted no on Bipartisan Safer Communities Act (S. 2938, 2022-06-24). Voted yes on Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act (H.R. 38, 2017-12-06).[25][26][27][28]

  What they say: Describes herself as a lifelong defender of Second Amendment rights and opposes new proposals she says would infringe on law-abiding citizens' right to keep and bear arms.[6]

  “As a lifelong defender of Second Amendment freedoms, I am committed to ensuring that any new proposals considered in Washington do not infringe upon the constitutionally-guaranteed rights of law-abiding citizens.”

• ✓SupportsExpand immigration enforcement and deportationsFrom recorded votes

  Voted yes on Laken Riley Act (S. 5, 2025-01-22). Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which funded expanded immigration enforcement, detention and border operations. Voted yes on Secure the Border Act of 2023 (H.R. 2, 2023-05-11). Voted no on American Dream and Promise Act of 2019 (H.R. 6, 2019-06-04; 2021-03-18).[11][12][13][14][15][16][17]

  What they say: Says she supports enforcing current immigration laws, backed H.R. 4760 (Securing America's Future Act), which included border wall funding and mandatory E-Verify, and supports making E-Verify mandatory to reduce the incentive for illegal immigration.[7]

  “Our first principles on immigration reform should be to secure the borders, uphold American laws, and protect our national security. This is why I support enforcing our current immigration laws.”

• ✕OpposesProtect legal access to abortionFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2021 (H.R. 3755, 2021-09-24). Voted no on Women's Health Protection Act of 2022 (H.R. 8296, 2022-07-15). Voted yes on Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act (H.R. 36, 2017-10-03).[30][31][32]

  What they say: Says she is grieved by lives lost to abortion, has voted for multiple bills restricting abortion access and funding, and introduced legislation to prevent health savings accounts from funding elective abortion.[8]

  “I am grieved by the number of innocent lives lost to abortion each year and continue to strive to be a nation that respects life from conception to natural death.”

• ✕OpposesRaise taxes on high earners or corporationsFrom recorded votes

  Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03; 2017-12-20), which made the 2017 individual tax rates, including the 37% top rate, permanent. Voted no on Inflation Reduction Act (H.R. 5376, 2022-08-12), which added a 15% minimum tax on large corporations and a stock-buyback excise tax.[12][13][14][23][22]

  What they say: Says she opposes higher taxes and supported the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, which reduced tax rates for businesses of all sizes as well as individuals.[9]

  “As a strong fiscal conservative, I will continue to oppose unnecessary federal spending and higher taxes and will support responsible long-term solutions to shrink the national debt and restore fiscal sanity to this country.”

• ✕OpposesExpand public health coverageFrom recorded votes

  Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which reduced federal Medicaid spending and added Medicaid work requirements. Voted no on Breaking the Gridlock Act (H.R. 1834, 2026-01-08). Voted no on Affordable Care Act (H.R. 3590, 2010-03-21). Voted yes on American Health Care Act (H.R. 1628, 2017-05-04), which would have capped federal Medicaid funding and ended enhanced funding for the Medicaid expansion.[12][13][14][18][19][20]

  What they say: Supported replacing the Affordable Care Act with legislation to return control of health care to the states and the free market rather than expand federal coverage programs.[10]

  “That is why I supported the American Health Care Act, a comprehensive replacement of ObamaCare that delivered relief from Obamacare's taxes and mandates that have hurt job creators, increased premiums, and limited options for patients and health care providers. The bill returns control of health care from Washington back to the states and restores the free market.”

• ✕OpposesFaster transition away from fossil fuelsFrom recorded votes

  Voted yes on One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1, 2025-05-22; 2025-07-03), which phased out Inflation Reduction Act clean-energy tax credits. Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19; 2022-08-12), which would have funded clean-energy tax credits.[12][13][14][21][22]

• ✓SupportsBroad tariffs on imported goodsFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Resolution disapproving tariffs on Canada (H.J. Res. 72, 2026-02-11).[24]

• ✕OpposesUniversal, publicly funded child careFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Build Back Better Act (H.R. 5376, 2021-11-19), which would have funded universal pre-K and child-care subsidies.[21]

• ✕OpposesRaise the minimum wageFrom recorded votes

  Voted no on Raise the Wage Act (H.R. 582, 2019-07-18).[29]

• Opposing new federal gun restrictions as infringements on the constitutional right to keep and bear arms.[6]
• Securing the border, enforcing current immigration law, and requiring mandatory E-Verify for employment.[7]
• Fiscal conservatism, including opposing unnecessary federal spending and higher taxes and pursuing an "all of the above" energy policy.[9]

• Born in New York, New York, in 1943; earned a bachelor's degree and M.A.C.T. from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1968, 1972) and an Ed.D. from the University of North Carolina at Greensboro (1985).[2]
• Worked as an instructor at Caldwell Community College and as an instructor and assistant dean at Appalachian State University; owned a landscape nursery and served as Deputy Secretary for Management at the North Carolina Department of Administration.[2]
• Served on the Watauga County Board of Education before her election to Congress.[2]

Raised $1.7M · spent $1.2M · $3.4M cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

• ✓SupportsRaise the minimum wage

  Says Congress must raise the minimum wage and shift more of the tax base to wealthy people and corporations to help working families get by.[4]

• ✓SupportsExpand public health coverage

  Pledges to always vote to protect Medicare and Medicaid benefits that North Carolinians depend on.[4]

• ✓SupportsProtect legal access to abortion

  Says he will always protect a woman's right to choose and access to critical reproductive healthcare.[4]

• Addressing the rising cost of healthcare, housing, child care, groceries and utilities, and raising the minimum wage.[4]
• Supporting public education, teachers, and school infrastructure.[4]
• Protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security benefits, and access to reproductive healthcare.[4]

• Born in Bryson City, North Carolina; earned a bachelor's degree from Wofford College in 1985.[3]
• Career experience includes working as a journalist; has been affiliated with the Wilkes Recovery Revolution, the Wilkes Child Abuse Prevention Team, and the Wilkes Prison Ministry.[3]

Raised $395K · spent $302K · $100K cash on hand (through 2026-06-30) FEC filing ↗

• Congressional term limits, saying he would only seek to serve up to five total terms himself.[5]
• Immigration reform, saying Congress has not meaningfully updated immigration law since 1996.[5]
• Marijuana legalization and record expungement for past marijuana charges.[5]

• Career experience includes working in transportation.[5]