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Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement on her vote for H.R.4405, the “Epstein Files Transparency Act”, which requires the Department of Justice to publish all unclassified materials related to the investigation and prosecution of Jeffrey Epstein.

“The victims of Jeffrey Epstein, their families, and the American people deserve to know the whole truth about Epstein’s heinous crimes,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Our legal system is based on transparency and accountability, and justice cannot be served in darkness. The “Epstein Files Transparency Act” is an important step to answering the questions our country has on the Epstein investigation, and I was proud to vote for their release.”

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) released a statement condemning the cruel and inhumane practices of U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) as the agency concludes their campaign of terror against the Charlotte-Mecklenburg community.

“Border Patrol’s operation in Charlotte-Mecklenburg was an inhumane and unnecessary campaign of terror that disrupted the lives of our entire community. Students stayed home from school, employees missed work, and businesses closed their doors to keep their employees and customers safe,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Charlotte never caved to their cruelty and fear. Citizens instead packed churches for training to empower themselves to respond to Border Patrol agents, parents banded together to safely get children to school, and business owners patrolled the streets to protect their neighbors. I’m grateful for the community’s efforts and am proud that Charlotte will always be a place that stands up for one another.”

On Friday, November 14, Congresswoman Adams sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem calling for an end to CBP’s unwanted operations in Charlotte.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), Senior Member of the House Agriculture Committee, and Senator Peter Welch (D-VT) introduced the Fair Credit for Farmers Act to strengthen financial security for agriculture producers. The bill improves access and accountability for the farm loan services offered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Farm Service Agency (FSA) and strengthens the borrower rights of the farmers and ranchers who provide our food, feed, and fiber.

“The Fair Credit for Farmers Act offers relief to our small, mid-sized, and family farms, allowing them to compete with the growing corporate consolidation of agriculture,” said Congresswoman Adams. “Small-scale farmers are the backbone of North Carolina’s economy but falling commodity prices, the impacts of climate change, and the Trump trade war are making it harder for these farms to stay in business. My bill reforms FSA loans, making it easier for farmers to get farm credit and removing harmful barriers that have prevented underserved farmers from receiving the support they deserve.”

“Vermont farmers are facing challenges at every turn, from brutal flooding and drought to shifting markets and rising costs caused by Trump’s reckless economic policies. Those hardships are made worse when farmers have nowhere to turn to absorb losses without risking their farms. Working to eliminate financial barriers and expand access to FSA loans is essential to ensuring farmers facing hardship can get help when they need it most,” said Senator Welch. “Our bill will reform FSA loans to better meet the needs of farmers in Vermont, North Carolina, and across the country.” 

“Independent farmers and ranchers are facing extreme, often unpredictable financial challenges, including the highest level of farm debt in history. Improving transparency and fair access to the public loans offered by FSA must be a top priority to support the hard-working farmers that put food on our tables. The improvements made through the Fair Credit for Farmers Act will support farmers in confidently sustaining and growing their businesses, and their ability to remain resilient against the unique challenges of farming,” said the National Family Farm Coalition.

“Farmers are navigating all types of uncertainty right now – whether that’s fluctuating costs and prices, changes at USDA, or increasingly frequent weather disasters.  Farmers need FSA to be a lender where they can have a fair shot at accessing credit that makes sense for their businesses, and who will work with them when they hit hard times. The Fair Credit for Farmers Act directly addresses many of the barriers we’ve seen farmers encounter as we work with them to navigate those crises,” said Margaret Krome-Lukens, RAFI Policy Co-Director.

Bill text can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

WASHINGTON, DC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12) sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) disturbing actions in Charlotte during the agency’s “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” This is the second letter Rep. Adams sent to DHS surrounding their immigration operations in Charlotte. On Friday, November 14, Rep. Adams sent a previous letter to DHS Sec. Kristi Noem and CBP Commissioner Rodney Scott raising concern over the impact CBP operations will have on the Charlotte community.

In her letter, Rep. Adams addressed the troubling operations of federal agents since launching their campaign in Charlotte: “Since November 15, 2025, agents from Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) have carried out what can only be described as a campaign of terror. Although this operation has been cited as targeting “criminal illegal aliens,” media reports indicate that only a small portion of those arrested have been classified as criminals. While DHS has yet to provide Congress or state and local officials with up-to-date information on these arrests, media sources have shared that more than 370 people have been arrested to date. The lack of transparency surrounding these detainments is deeply troubling, especially given reports of unjust arrests involving individuals with lawful presence in the United States.”

The letter continued by calling attention to the extreme, brutal tactics levied by immigration officials in Charlotte: “[W]e have witnessed cases of federal agents using or threatening to use excessive force against detainees and bystanders, as well as engaging in severe racial profiling. In a widely circulating video, border patrol agents were shown smashing the car window of a U.S. citizen born in Honduras, throwing him to the glass-covered ground, and detaining him after he had already identified himself as a U.S. citizen. Reports also indicate that agents have conducted arrests at integral community spaces, including places of worship, sparking tremendous fear throughout our communities.”

Rep. Adams continued by stressing the economic harm CBP’s operation has caused for Charlotte local businesses: “Because of the paralyzing fear caused by this operation, several small businesses—whose customer bases and workforces include immigrant community members—temporarily closed due to the sharp drop in customers and fear that their businesses will be subject to CBP raids if their doors remained open. The economic consequences for both Charlotte and North Carolina will be severe, as small businesses serve as one of the primary pillars of our economy.”

Rep. Adams also emphasized the impact CBP’s operation has caused for Charlotte-Mecklenburg children, impacting their academic success: “On Monday, November 17, more than 30,000 students, roughly 20% of enrolled students, in Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools, were reported absent.  Important academic activities, including after-school programming, are being disrupted as our students, teachers, and school staff are being traumatized by this operation.”

The letter addressed the operation’s cost to taxpayers at a time when the average American is struggling to make ends meet: “I am further concerned about the presumed excessive cost of this unnecessary operation—a cost borne by American taxpayers—despite the absence of transparent information detailing how this operation was funded. The American people deserve to know where their tax dollars were spent and why they were allocated to support a discriminatory and harmful operation rather than toward initiatives that would actually improve public safety.”

The letter concluded by saying, “This campaign of terror will have long-term and devastating effects on the Charlotte community, and North Carolina broadly. Any operation of this scale requires full transparency regarding the status of those detained, the cost of the operation, the policies governing agents’ actions, and the legal authority underpinning this raid.”

Rep. Adams called for a response to the questions listed by December 5, 2025.

The full letter can be found here.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Alma Adams (12th District of North Carolina)

CHARLOTTE, NC—Today, Congresswoman Alma S. Adams, Ph.D. (NC-12), senior member of the House Agriculture Committee, held her fourth quarterly Adams Hunger Initiative (AHI) of 2025, bringing together 24 leaders in nutrition, hunger, farming, and food security throughout Charlotte-Mecklenburg.

In the 4^th quarter Adams Hunger Initiative, participants discussed the state of hunger in the region, the impact of the government shutdown on their operations, and how they are working to keep the community fed during the holiday season and into 2026.

“When the federal government failed our community during the government shutdown, our feeding organizations and agriculture producers stepped up to ensure Charlotte-Mecklenburg families could put food on the table,” said Congresswoman Adams. “I’m proud to partner with these impactful groups through the Adams Hunger Initiative because of their dedication and service to our community. As food security programs face new attacks in 2026, from reduced funding to stripping away people’s access to benefits, I’m committed to supporting these organizations because they have always supported us.”

Rep. Adams led 2025’s Adams Hunger Initiative meetings at a time when agriculture and food security faced unprecedented attacks at the federal level. Changes to SNAP in the Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill could cause as many as 142,000 North Carolinians to lose SNAP benefits. Agriculture tariffs, high costs and low commodity prices, and agriculture programs eliminated by the Trump administration, including the Regional Food Business Center program, have devastated farmers and ranchers. During the government shutdown, the Trump administration’s unlawful withholding of SNAP benefits saw 34,000 12th District households go without access to this lifesaving food security program.

The Adams Hunger Initiative is a coalition of nutrition, hunger, and food security leaders in North Carolina’s 12^th Congressional District, Charlotte, and Mecklenburg County formed by Congresswoman Adams in 2015. The AHI works to promote public-private partnerships, create dialogues between elected officials and key stakeholders, draft legislation aimed at addressing hunger and food insecurity, and promote and protect critical food programs and food banks.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congressman Tracey Mann (KS-01), members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced a bipartisan resolution recognizing December as “National Impaired Driving Prevention Month”.

Impaired driving is a persistent factor in crash fatalities and injuries on U.S. roadways, accounting for 30% of roadway deaths each year on average. On average, someone is killed or injured in a drunk driving crash every 42 minutes, and the average drunk driver has driven drunk 87 times before their first arrest.

“Every life lost to impaired driving is a tragedy and a preventable death. We must do more to address drunk and impaired driving and prevent repeated offenses,” said Congressman Pappas. “This month, we raise awareness about the dangers of driving under the influence, support the prevention efforts of federal agencies and local law enforcement, and urge individuals to drive sober or make plans for a safe ride home. I’ll keep working to pass legislation that will make roads safer for everyone, including my bipartisan End DWI Act.”

Yesterday Pappas joined Advocates for Highway and Auto Safety President Cathy Chase, advocates, and law enforcement officers for a press conference on strengthening road safety and to talk about his bipartisan End Driving While Intoxicated (DWI) Act, which would create a national ignition interlock standard by encouraging states to adopt mandatory first-time offender ignition interlock laws, helping reduce recidivism and improve road safety by ensuring fewer drunk drivers are on the road. Twenty-four states and D.C., including New Hampshire, already meet the standards outlined in this legislation. 

The use of ignition interlock devices (IIDs) reduces recidivism by up to 70% in first-time, repeat, and high-risk offenders. Across the country, IIDs prevented 3.78 million attempts to drive drunk between 2006 and 2020, including 390,456 attempts in 2020 alone. A University of Pennsylvania study found that requiring IIDs for all drunk-driving convictions was associated with 15% fewer alcohol-involved crash deaths, compared with states with less stringent requirements. According to the study, “Interlocks are a life-saving technology that merit wider use.”

“Every year, nearly 14,000 Americans lose their lives to impaired driving,” said Congressman Mann. “During National Impaired Driving Prevention Month, we can increase awareness and provide more resources that reduce these tragedies and save lives. I will continue to support legislation that aims to reduce recidivism like my End DWI Act and makes our roads and passengers safer.” 

“We applaud Congressman Pappas and Congressman Mann for shining a bright spotlight on Impaired Driving Prevention Month during this higher risk December holiday season, and for championing the End DWI Act – bold action to strengthen DUI laws and save lives,” said Brandy Nannini, Board Member of the SAFE Coalition. “Drunk driving is the leading killer on America’s roads, and it is entirely preventable. As holiday celebrations begin, we ask everyone to make one simple pledge that can save lives: Plan a sober ride home. Even a small amount of alcohol can impair your ability to drive.”

“Every day, families lose parents, siblings, friends and loved ones to the devastating consequences of impaired driving. These tragedies are not inevitable—they are entirely preventable. Recognizing Impaired Driving Prevention Month is a critical step toward shining a light on this national crisis and mobilizing action to save lives. The National Safety Council applauds Representatives Pappas and Mann for their bipartisan leadership in championing safer roads for everyone. Together, we can turn awareness into prevention and ensure that no more lives are needlessly lost,” said Lorraine Martin, CEO, National Safety Council.

“Drunk driving kills or injures someone every 85 seconds in the U.S. Thank you Rep. Pappas and Rep. Mann for calling attention to the risks on our roads especially during the holiday season. We appreciate your commitment to ending this crime,” said Stacey D. Stewart, CEO, Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD).

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Today Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) helped announce a new bipartisan health care framework, CommonGround 2025, led by Representatives Josh Gottheimer (NJ-05) and Jen Kiggans (VA-02). The bipartisan framework includes a two-year extension of health insurance premium savings for American families, including a year of the enhanced Premium Tax Credits (ePTCs), with targeted modifications, to be voted on by December 18, 2025, in the U.S. Senate and House of Representatives. The Members backing the framework have also co-signed a letter urging House and Senate leadership to meet with them to discuss the framework and a constructive pathway forward in both chambers.

The framework would also extend the open enrollment period for this year through March 19, 2026, as Pappas has led, with Goodlander joining, the call for the Department of Health and Human Services to do. 

“I’m continuing to work with colleagues to address health care affordability, and the framework we developed will extend health insurance cost savings for Granite Staters through the next two years,” said Congressman Pappas. “As we near the end of the year, more and more families are confronting massive cost increases as they consider their coverage for next year, and we must work together to get a proposal to the House floor that will cut premiums and ensure families can make ends meet. I will continue working with anyone who is willing to come to the table in good faith to improve the lives of Granite Staters.”

“Lowering the sky-high cost of healthcare is a matter of life or death for people across New Hampshire,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “Tens of thousands of Granite Staters are just days away from losing their healthcare. Congress must act, and the bipartisan plan we launched today with a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers is a mission-critical step to protecting your healthcare and lowering your costs.”

A fact sheet on the bipartisan plan is available HERE.

Background:

In November Pappas led the call for the Trump administration to extend the ACA open enrollment period and subsequently introduced the Right to Enroll Act, which would require the Department of Health and Human Services to extend the enrollment period through May 1, 2026. As negotiations to extend these critical cost savings continue, Pappas’s legislation would ensure families aren’t forced to make decisions about their health care coverage for next year without sufficient time to consider their changing options. 

Goodlander has dedicated her life to ensuring a fair deal for the people of New Hampshire. Since the devastating H.R.1 was first introduced, she has worked to deliver a bipartisan solution to the health care crisis, including by leading commonsense, bipartisan legislation, the Fix It Act, to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA) premium tax credits for tens of thousands of Granite Staters who rely on them. She has also urged Senate leadership to engage in bipartisan discussions across both chambers to resolve the crisis of health care affordability.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Pappas signs bipartisan discharge petition that would require a vote on legislation to ban members of Congress from trading stocks and getting rich on inside information.

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Last week Pappas led a bipartisan call pushing for HHS to take all necessary steps to distribute LIHEAP by November 30

Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman Chris Pappas (D-NH)

Congressman Chris Pappas (NH-01) joined Senator Jeanne Shaheen (NH), a lead negotiator of the water provisions in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Senator Maggie Hassan (NH) and Congresswoman Maggie Goodlander (NH-02) in applauding the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) announcement of $28,650,000 in new funding for New Hampshire to identify and remove lead pipes. The funding comes from the bipartisan infrastructure law, which was supported by Shaheen, Hassan, and Pappas.

“Removing lead pipes is essential to ensure New Hampshire families and children have safe, clean drinking water,” said Congressman Chris Pappas. “I fought to pass the bipartisan infrastructure law to deliver federal resources to New Hampshire, and I’m pleased these funds will help communities modernize water infrastructure and protect the health and well-being of Granite Staters.”

“Granite State families should be able to trust that the water coming out of their tap is lead-free and safe to drink,” said Senator Shaheen. “With new funding from a Bipartisan Infrastructure Law program that I helped negotiate, more communities will be able to upgrade aging water infrastructure and remove toxic lead pipes from water systems.” 

“Every Granite Stater should have reliable access to clean and safe drinking water,” said Senator Maggie Hassan. “This new $28 million in federal funding will help communities across our state identify and remove aging lead pipes that put families at risk. When I helped negotiate and pass the bipartisan infrastructure law, investments like this were a top priority, and I will keep working to deliver resources to protect public health and support our economy.”

“Every Granite Stater needs reliable access to clean water,” said Congresswoman Goodlander. “This federal investment will make life better for hardworking people across New Hampshire, and I’ll never stop fighting to deliver every penny promised to our state.”

The New Hampshire Congressional delegation has championed work to ensure every Granite Stater has access to clean, safe drinking water, no matter where they live. Including the $28.65 million announced this week, New Hampshire has received more than $363 million for water infrastructure from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law since its enactment in 2021.