Opinions

NIEHOFF, TUCKER: Five tips for creating a culture of caring in our high schools

NIEHOFF, TUCKER: Five tips for creating a culture of caring in our high schools

Participants in high school sports and performing arts are under tremendous pressure these days — from parents, teachers, coaches and peers. Their days are consumed with school, sports and activities. They are trying to figure out who they are and who they want to be — all while having to compare themselves to everyone else on social media. It’s easy to see why high school students have a lot on their plates … and their minds. It is time for all of us to turn our attention to these students, including the activity participants at schools in North Carolina. Empathy…
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HUDSON: Defending your energy security

HUDSON: Defending your energy security

As the trees in the Sandhills begin to show the first signs of fall, we are reminded that colder weather is near. Like many of you, my family faced last winter’s high energy prices and I am left wondering how they will be this year—especially as costs continue to climb. Just like many states across the country, North Carolina is currently seeing another steep rise in the price of gas and energy. In the last month, energy prices have increased 5.6% and gas prices in North Carolina have spiked 16 cents higher per gallon than they were one year ago.…
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HUDSON: We will always remember

HUDSON: We will always remember

September 11th, 2001 was one of the darkest days in our nation’s history. The images of 9/11 remain ingrained into the collective memory of Americans across our nation. I still remember watching TV when the second airplane crashed into the World Trade Center that morning. What we witnessed in the hours and days that followed were some of the most courageous and heroic acts of good. We saw hundreds of first responders rush into the smoke and flames of those burning buildings, passing civilians fleeing. We heard about the courageous passengers on United Airlines Flight 93 who sacrificed their lives…
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HUDSON: Protecting our veterans & honoring our fallen heroes

HUDSON: Protecting our veterans & honoring our fallen heroes

As the representative of the largest Army base in the world, making sure our community’s veterans, troops, and their families get the support they deserve is among my top priorities. At the end of July, the House passed the FY24 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations bill. This legislation will strengthen our commitment to our veterans by fully funding veterans’ health care programs, benefits, and other critical VA programs. This legislation is also providing nearly $800 million above President Biden’s budget request for military construction to improve our national security. I was able to secure large wins for…
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Accountability on the issues impacting you

Accountability on the issues impacting you

President Ronald Reagan famously said, “A nation that cannot control its borders is not a nation.” President Joe Biden’s open border policies have fueled a historic surge in illegal immigration and the flames of our ongoing border crisis. Since Biden took office, there have been over 5.6 million illegal crossings encountered at our Southern border, and while approximately 1.6 million illegal immigrants have escaped apprehension that we know of. According to Customs and Border Protection, 144,500 illegal immigrants were encountered at the Southern border in June alone—a 186% increase from the number of June encounters during the last administration. To…
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HUDSON: One step toward a fiscally responsible future

HUDSON: One step toward a fiscally responsible future

$95,000. That’s more than the average household income for an entire family in North Carolina. It’s also your share of our nation’s astonishing $31 trillion debt. When I think about my seven-year-old son being saddled with a $95,000 bill before he even enters the 2nd grade, I can’t help but be worried about his future and all our children and grandchildren. While our national debt is nothing new, out-of-control spending from Washington the last two years has accelerated this crisis to a five-alarm fire. In fact, since President Joe Biden took office in January 2021, he and House Democrats have…
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HUDSON: Protecting our nation’s financial and national security

HUDSON: Protecting our nation’s financial and national security

“There can be no security anywhere in the free world if there is no fiscal and economic stability within the United States.” - President Ronald Reagan President Reagan understood the importance of getting America’s economy in order. Yet our crippling debt, now at over $30 trillion, continues to threaten our standing in the world and must be addressed. President Joe Biden refused to negotiate for more than 100 days to address the debt. Our country cannot afford to default on our debt due to Washington Democrats’ political games. Under Speaker Kevin McCarthy, House Republicans have raised the debt limit in…
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HUDSON: Working for you

HUDSON: Working for you

“How does this impact you?” That’s the question I ask myself before considering every bill I introduce, cosponsor, or vote on as your Congressman. With our new Republican majority in place, we have hit the ground running this year—and we will not slow down. From stopping soft-on-crime policies, defending the Second Amendment with my Concealed Carry Reciprocity Act, protecting our strategic oil reserves, standing up to socialism and the Chinese Communist Party’s use of a spy balloon over U.S. territory, and voting to end COVID-19 vaccine mandates—House Republicans have delivered results for you and families across the country. Following a…
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LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why students should explore global education opportunities

LETTER TO THE EDITOR: Why students should explore global education opportunities

My study abroad journey in Hong Kong as a Phillips Ambassador is an experience I will cherish forever. When I arrived in Hong Kong, I was struck by the incredible skyscrapers, the mix of East and West influences in the city, and the beautiful natural landscapes. Everyone I met, from students and professors at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) to street food vendors, was friendly and welcoming. The demographics of the locals were similar to those of the “melting pot” that you would see in Chinatowns in the United States, and around every corner were restaurants, shopping centers,…
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HUDSON: There’s no place like home

HUDSON: There’s no place like home

It’s been a busy start to the year under a new Republican majority in the U.S. House. Yet last week, it sure was good to be home. It’s so important to travel across this district and hear from you about issues facing our community and nation. One thing is for sure—Washington needs more common sense and less government bureaucracy. Each week, I try to bring some of that North Carolina wisdom back to our nation’s capital. In order to best address the challenges you and our communities are facing, I stayed busy over the work period and held roundtable discussions…
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