Virginia Foxx

Defending Those Who Serve and Protect Us

Position: The release supports H.R. 503, the Qualified Immunity Act, which would codify qualified immunity for law enforcement officers and shield government entities from liability when officers act in good faith. It opposes efforts to restrict qualified immunity.

Without the societal pillar of law enforcement, the ways of life that we are blessed to enjoy would crumble before our very eyes. This is not hyperbole, it’s a fact. The cities, neighborhoods, towns, and rural areas within the 5th District would simply not be able to function without the brave men and women who keep watch over us all and uphold law and order. Anyone who knows me can attest to the simple fact that I have a deep, abiding gratitude for law enforcement officers, and it’s why I continue to support legislation that helps protect them in their work. One such example comes in the form of legislation that I was proud to introduce this Congress: H.R. 503, the Qualified Immunity Act. My legislation carries an explicit, commonsense purpose: to protect those who protect us. H.R. 503 would codify qualified immunity for law enforcement officers while shielding them from frivolous – and often malicious – lawsuits that aim to bankrupt police departments and strain hardworking taxpayers. H.R. 503 draws upon over half a century of Supreme Court rulings under multiple Justices and presidential administrations in favor of qualified immunity and the protection it provides law enforcement. What’s more, this legislation protects federal, state, local, and tribal government from liability when their law enforcement agencies are found to have acted in good faith under qualified immunity. Qualified immunity protects law enforcement officers (LEOs) who operate lawfully, and not those who engage in criminality or who violate the constitutional rights of American citizens. Those who engage willingly in the latter behavior should always be subject to the full force of accountability and the law. That’s a very important distinction to keep in mind. Even when presented with that clear cut understanding, radical, anti-police fanatics still choose to launch crusade after crusade to slash these necessary protections. Look to Colorado and New Mexico – certainly not bastions of conservatism – where this corrosive, anti-police ideology has taken root over the past few years. And what is the result of the anti-police movement, and efforts to burn down qualified immunity? A sharp decline in morale amongst LEOs, increased shortages in staffing, and dedicated men and women who serve their communities second-guessing every move they make in fear that they will be targeted by these kinds of malicious lawsuits. This cannot be allowed to go on. I’m proud to have introduced H.R. 503, and to have earned the support of the Fraternal Order of Police, National Center for Police Defense, the National Police Association, and others for this legislation as well. Congress can and should pass it without delay. We have an obligation to defend those who serve and protect us – you can always count on me to stand with the men and women who protect us, our communities, and our families. Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

For Epstein's Victims, Accountability Will Prevail

Position: The release supports continued bipartisan congressional investigation of Jeffrey Epstein and his associates, including contempt action against Leon Black and referrals to the Department of Justice. It also endorses the Survivor's Voice Protection Act and the Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act, which would tie U.S. foreign aid to foreign nations' anti-sex-trafficking efforts.

Through unified oversight efforts on the part of Democrats and Republicans on the House Committee on Oversight – as well as in the entirety of the People’s House – justice for the victims of Jeffrey Epstein’s heinous crimes is coming to fruition. These efforts have been consistent throughout the 119th Congress and began via a resolution that formalized the federal government’s investigation into Epstein and his associates that I led through the House Rules Committee. More recently, the House voted unanimously to hold Leon Black, a known Epstein associate, in contempt of Congress for his stark refusal to testify about his knowledge, involvement in, and ties to Epstein’s trafficking network. Indeed, no stone is being left unturned, and the facts confirm this. Thus far, our work on the House Oversight Committee has yielded 19 depositions and transcribed interviews, the releasing of approximately 65,000 pages of documents from the Epstein estate, throngs of Epstein’s bank records, and two referrals to the Department of Justice for further investigation of the former Mayor of Miami Beach and a French celebrity hairstylist who were named by one of Epstein’s former assistants. Alongside these ongoing, bipartisan oversight efforts, there is more to this process that is already underway. Important legislation has been filed to further combat sex trafficking and protecting the rights of survivors. I’ve recently signed on as an original cosponsor to the Survivor’s Voice Protection Act, authored by Oversight Committee Chairman James Comer (R-KY). This legislation ensures that private contractual provisions cannot be used to prevent survivors from disclosing sexual abuse—defined as any criminal sexual abuse and assault, the sexual grooming of minors, or human trafficking—while creating additional accountability for trusted individuals to protect minors by establishing a legal obligation for fiduciaries to report suspected grooming behavior to a law enforcement authority. Further, the Survivor’s Voice Protection Act would define “grooming” in federal law for the very first time – a pertinent development that can and should be implemented. It would define “grooming” to mean conduct that is intended to establish an emotional connection with a minor, including manipulation, trust-building, or influence in order to facilitate acts of sexual conduct. Representatives Ann Wagner (R-MO), Madeleine Dean (D-PA), and I have introduced the bipartisan Sex Trafficking Demand Reduction Act that would strengthen existing criteria used by the State Department that would accurately measure a foreign nation’s efforts to eliminate sex trafficking. Foreign nations that do not meet the strict, upgraded requirements imposed by the State Department may be subject to restrictions on U.S. foreign aid. If a foreign nation chooses not to make a serious and substantive effort to combat sex trafficking while at the very same time seeks foreign aid from the United States, there must be consequences. If there’s a through line stemming from the Epstein investigation, it’s that the market and demand driven by sex buyers fuel the profitability of human trafficking. While significant progress has been achieved on a bipartisan basis in the House Oversight Committee to expose Jeffrey Epstein’s sex trafficking, associates, and other criminal dealings, there’s still more work to be done. I’m proud to work alongside colleagues on both sides of the aisle to conduct this work, to bring accountability to the victims of Epstein’s despicable crimes, and to bring meaningful reforms so that victims and survivors of these kinds of crimes can remain protected. Published in the Greensboro News & Record Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx Reintroduces Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act

Position: Representative Foxx supports permanent regulatory reform to streamline disaster recovery and rebuilding, reintroducing the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act to reduce regulatory burdens for areas affected by natural disasters.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) reintroduced the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act, legislation that would implement comprehensive regulatory reform designed to aid areas impacted by natural disasters. “It has now been two years since Hurricane Helene hit the High Country and surrounding areas in Western North Carolina – the work continues to recover and rebuild. Every step of the way, I’ve worked extremely hard alongside FEMA and the administration so that funding for recovery can continue, and I have already helped secure $9 billion for the state,” said Representative Foxx. “Our beautiful district deserves more than funding – it deserves permanent regulatory reform. That said, I’m proud to reintroduce the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act so that North Carolinians will never again have to bear the brunt of exhaustive, crippling red tape and regulatory burdens to simply rebuild what is ours.” Specifically, the Disaster Recovery and Resilience Act would: Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Housing Affordability Is Now Within Reach

Position: The release supports streamlining federal and local housing approval processes, modernizing the HOME block grant program, and enacting the 21st Century Road to Housing Act to increase housing supply and affordability.

For a moment, zoom out and consider the following: the United States’ housing supply has not kept pace with demand. Because of this, our nation has found itself short by as many as 5.5 million housing units. This is not an insignificant number — it reveals how, over time, there have been cogs jamming up the wheel of production. But what exactly are these cogs? We can look at regulatory stalls, outdated zoning limitations, and construction costs that have ballooned. What’s more, we can observe how small and medium sized banks have been hamstrung over time from regulatory snares that prevent them from financing new construction loans. Last Congress, I joined a bipartisan cohort of my colleagues in the People’s House in supporting the Yes In My Backyard (YIMBY) Act, that worked to patch up severe inefficiencies — and a lack of transparency –within federal grant programs that were originally designed with the intent of broadening community development that included affordable housing initiatives. I’m particularly pleased to see how the bipartisan framework and thrust of that bill was incorporated within the 21st Century Road to Housing Act this Congress. One can see this reflected in the provisions that accelerate homebuilding via streamlined federal and local housing processes, strengthening local housing operations, and even the modernization of the HOME program, the largest federal block grant program for states to bolster the supply of affordable housing. As a result of bipartisan efforts, the 21st Century Road to Housing Act has become law. Our unified efforts will bring the appropriate caliber of relief for so many across our area, state, and nation. Housing affordability is no longer a longshot — it’s now within reach for Americans and their families. Published in the Watauga Democrat Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx, Scott Introduce Transparency in Billing Act

Position: Representatives Foxx and Scott support legislation requiring hospitals to provide transparent billing information to patients and payers, particularly regarding site-of-service charges when hospitals acquire independent physician offices.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement on her introduction of the Transparency in Billing Act alongside Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA). “Patients should always have the information they need to make informed health care decisions – this includes understanding the true costs associated with care. Far too often, many are hit with hidden upcharges and extraneous fees without even knowing it – this is an issue that should be rectified immediately,” said Representative Foxx. “I’m proud to put forward this bipartisan solution with Representative Scott to increase transparency and provide a positive course correction that puts patients first.” "We are seeing a growing trend of hospitals acquiring independent physician offices and then charging patients higher prices even if the care they receive is essentially identical to what they received before the hospitals acquired the office. The Transparency in Billing Act prohibits hospitals from billing consumers or private health plans unless they provide sufficient information to allow payers to determine the site at which the care is provided. The American people deserve to know the full picture of the prices they are asked to pay. This bill will help ensure that health care costs are driven by those who provide the highest-quality services—not by those with the most market power,” said Ranking Member Robert C. “Bobby” Scott (VA-03), House Committee on Education and Workforce. Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx Statement on U.S. Military Combat Operations in Iran

Position: Representative Foxx expresses support for U.S. military combat operations against Iran, characterizing the operation as justified response to Iranian terrorism and a positive development for regional stability and American security.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement on the successful U.S. military combat operation in Iran that has crippled Iran’s regime of terror and opened a new door for peace within the Middle East. “Deceased senior leaders of the Iranian regime have reaped what they have sown – their barbarism, terrorism, and blighting of international diplomacy are at an end. Over the course of decades, Iran and its numerous proxies acted with impunity and have murdered Americans, marred stability within the Middle East, and attempted to sow fear in the hearts of millions through brute force. Their reign of terror has been snuffed out like a candle – today is a new day, and one that serves as a turning point for the Iranian people who deserve unbridled freedom on their own terms. Thanks to the bold leadership and resolve of the United States, our ally Israel, and partners in the Middle East, a new opportunity for peace has been kindled. The nations of the world should embrace the decimation of the chief sponsor of global terrorism. Our alliances are being secured. But most of all, American lives, the security of our troops in the region, and the interests of our nation are protected through this operation. May God bless our servicemembers, our allies, and our entire nation.” Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx Praises Significant Peace Agreement Between the State of Israel and Hamas

Position: Representative Foxx expresses support for the Israel-Hamas peace agreement brokered by President Trump, stating it opens the door for peace in the Middle East and will help Israeli families achieve healing and reunification.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Representative Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement on phase one of the historic peace agreement – brokered by President Trump – that was agreed to by the State of Israel and Hamas. “Blessed are the peacemakers. This new agreement has undeniably opened the door for peace within the middle east – we certainly have President Trump to thank for his continued, diligent efforts,” said Representative Foxx. “Israeli families have suffered immeasurable grief in the past two years from the carnage and heinous atrocities that occurred on October 7, 2023. They deserve a sense of peace and healing – they also deserve to be reunited with their loved ones immediately. I pray that this agreement will bring a long lasting, always sought for, peace for the Jewish people –harmony must be returned to their daily lives.” Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx Introduces SOAR Act Improvements Act

Position: Representative Foxx supports reauthorization and targeted improvements to the Opportunity Scholarship Program, a federally funded school choice program in Washington, D.C. that provides scholarships to low-income students to attend private schools.

WASHINGTON – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement after introducing the SOAR Act Improvements Act, legislation that makes targeted improvements to the only federally funded school choice program in the nation to help children from low-income families in Washington, D.C. succeed. “School choice has the power to improve the lives and trajectories of our nation’s future leaders – there’s no question or debate about it. Washington, D.C. is a prime example of where school choice is working in our nation, and countless young men and women from low-income families are receiving a quality education that will propel them to new heights,” said Representative Foxx. “The SOAR Act Improvements Act helps reauthorize the District’s successful Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) that provides low-income children scholarships so they can attend a private school in the District. This bill reauthorizes the program for an additional seven years while providing program administrators increased flexibility to run the program efficiently. It also improves how funds appropriated from Congress are allocated within the program. This is an opportunity to do the right things for the right reasons, and I look forward to this legislation’s full consideration in the House.” Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx, Gottheimer Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for BDS Activity

Position: Representatives Foxx and Gottheimer introduced legislation that would prohibit colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in boycotts, divestment, or sanctions (BDS) activities targeting Israel. The sponsors characterize BDS as antisemitic and argue the measure is necessary to protect Jewish students on campus.

BANNER ELK, N.C. – Today, Representatives Virginia Foxx (R-NC) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) introduced the bipartisan Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act, legislation that prohibits colleges and universities from receiving federal student aid if they engage in commercial and academic boycotts dictated by those in the boycott-sanction-divest (BDS) movement. “The antisemitic rot that has corroded college campuses must be eradicated – enough is enough. The safety and security of Jewish students, faculty, and staff should never be threatened under any circumstances. If an institution of higher education chooses to capitulate to the caustic BDS movement, there will be consequences – starting with this bipartisan legislation,” said Representative Foxx. “The goal of the BDS movement is the destruction of the democratic State of Israel, America’s critical ally in the global fight against terror. BDS has no place on college campuses or anywhere in our country. At a time when our Jewish students are facing death threats, being physically assaulted, and blocked from going to class simply for who they are, we must do everything possible to ensure they can learn safely, speak freely, and get the education they deserve,” said Congressman Josh Gottheimer (NJ-5). “That’s why I’m proud to help introduce the bipartisan Protect Economic Freedom Act to give the Department of Education a critical new tool to combat the dangerous, hate-fueled, antisemitic BDS movement on college campuses. We cannot allow antisemitism to run rampant and endanger Jewish students, staff, and faculty. Now more than ever, we must stand up and protect our Jewish community.” The Protect Economic and Academic Freedom Act would: Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos

Foxx Issues Warning to Columbia University Administrators

BANNER ELK, N.C. – Today, Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) issued the following statement regarding Columbia University’s $200 million agreement with the Trump administration. “Last April, on the steps of Low Library at Columbia University, I stood alongside Speaker Johnson, several of my Republican colleagues, and Jewish students to call attention to the university’s invertebrate response to antisemitic demonstrations and egregious lack of protections given to Jewish students, faculty and staff. “The $200 million agreement between Columbia University and the Trump administration is certainly a good start, and I commend everyone involved in holding the university to account. However, Columbia is not absolved of its sins – its atonement is not said and done with simply through this agreement. The university has a very long way to go if it is to ever retain a shred of credibility or respect in the eyes of many – every time the university’s administrators move a muscle, I will be watching.” Virginia Foxx (@repvirginiafoxx) • Instagram photos and videos