Mark Harris

Harris Announces Nearly $20 Million to Modernize Rail Infrastructure in South-Central North Carolina

Position: The release announces a $19.9 million federal CRISI grant to Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway for rail upgrades in Stanly and Montgomery counties and states that the congressman advocated for the investment. It expresses support for the rail modernization project.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) announced that Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway (ACWR) has been awarded $19.9 million from the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) through the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. This summer, Congressman Harris advocated for the investment in a letter to the FRA. “Modernizing our rail infrastructure in Stanly and Montgomery counties will improve safety, strengthen freight transportation, and support the businesses that drive our local economy,” said Congressman Harris. “I was proud to support this project because a safe, reliable rail network is essential to ensuring south-central North Carolina remains economically strong and competitive for years to come. This nearly $20 million federal investment is a major win for North Carolina’s 8th District.” The funding will support approximately 30 miles of rail upgrades in Stanly and Montgomery counties, replacing aging track dating back to the early 1900s with modern continuous welded rail. These improvements will enhance safety, increase freight capacity, and improve the efficiency of rail transportation for businesses and industries throughout the region. “A healthy rail network is critical to take freight off of our nation’s highways, and we thank the FRA and USDOT for supporting projects like ours,” said Anthony Menzies, CEO of Aberdeen Carolina & Western Railway. The federal grant is part of a $41 million infrastructure investment, with ACWR and the North Carolina Department of Transportation providing the remaining 52 percent in non-federal matching funds. The project builds on previous improvements to ACWR’s Piedmont rail corridor, which serves agricultural producers, manufacturers, and other businesses throughout south-central North Carolina. Read Congressman Harris’s letter of support here. ###

Harris Announces $1.9 Million Federal Grant to Combat Fraud in North Carolina

Position: Congressman Harris announced a federal grant of approximately $1.9 million to North Carolina's State Auditor to combat fraud, and states that taxpayer funds should be protected and those who commit fraud held accountable.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) announced that the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor has been awarded approximately $1.9 million in federal funding through the Department of Justice’s Bureau of Justice Assistance FY 2026 Special Attorneys Program. Harris helped secure the funding by joining a letter of support led by Senator Ted Budd alongside members of North Carolina’s congressional delegation. The funding will strengthen North Carolina’s ability to investigate fraud and hold wrongdoers accountable. “North Carolina taxpayers work hard for every dollar they earn, and they deserve to know their money is being protected,” said Congressman Harris. “I’m proud to have supported this grant and grateful for State Auditor Dave Boliek’s leadership in rooting out waste, fraud, and abuse. Those who cheat the system must be held accountable, and this funding will help bring them to justice.” In a letter thanking Congressman Harris for his support, North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek emphasized the impact the grant will have on his office’s investigative capabilities. “This funding will significantly strengthen our ability to identify and investigate fraud involving public funds, coordinate with state and federal partners, support complex case development, and pursue appropriate enforcement actions,” Boliek wrote. ###

Harris’s PARITY Act Garners Support from Coalition of Free-Market Organizations

Position: Congressman Harris supports the PARITY Act, which would repeal the 90/10 rule in the Higher Education Act that applies only to proprietary institutions, arguing it unfairly singles out career and vocational schools. A coalition of free-market organizations has also urged passage of the legislation.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Congressman Mark Harris’s (NC-08) Promoting Access and Revenue Integrity Through Institutional Transparency (PARITY) Act is gaining nationwide support from leading free-market organizations. Consumer Action for a Strong Economy (CASE) and a coalition of 12 other organizations and advocates recently sent a letter to House and Senate leaders urging passage of the legislation, which would repeal the 90/10 rule in the Higher Education Act. Under current law, the rule applies only to proprietary institutions and requires them to derive at least 10 percent of their revenue from non-federal sources. “I’m grateful to CASE and the coalition of freedom-advocating organizations for their continued support and work to advance the PARITY Act in both chambers,” said Congressman Harris. “The 90/10 rule unfairly singles out career and vocational schools while allowing other institutions to operate under a different set of standards. Students deserve the freedom to choose the education and career path that best fits their goals, and the PARITY Act would end this outdated double standard and ensure workforce-focused institutions can continue preparing the skilled professionals our communities and local economies depend on.” “We are in strong agreement that U.S. higher education policy should establish high, consistent performance standards and provide institutions the freedom to compete and innovate. We believe students should be able to access education options that best suit their learning and career goals,” the coalition wrote in its letter to Senate HELP Committee Chairman Bill Cassidy and House Education and Workforce Committee Chairman Tim Walberg. BACKGROUND: Title IV of the Higher Education Act authorizes federal student aid programs such as Pell Grants and Direct Loans. Institutions seeking to participate in these programs must meet a variety of eligibility requirements. The 90/10 rule is one of those eligibility requirements, but it applies only to proprietary institutions. Public and nonprofit institutions that also receive federal student aid are exempt. Through the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, Congress enacted a universal earnings and return-on-investment framework tied to Title IV eligibility that applies across institution types. This outcome-based accountability system makes the 90/10 rule redundant and outdated. In the House-passed version, House Republicans repealed 90/10 completely, but the repeal was not included in the Senate’s version that became law. Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) is leading the Senate companion bill. The full coalition letter can be found here. The full text of the PARITY Act can be found here. ###

Harris Statement on FDA’s Mifepristone Safety Study Update

Position: The release calls the FDA's mifepristone safety study update unacceptably delayed and states that chemical abortions are unsafe, and it urges Congress to pass the Teleabortion Prevention Act, which would require in-person medical care before, during, and after a chemical abortion.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement in response to the Food and Drug Administration’s court-ordered update on its mifepristone safety study: “Chemical abortions are unsafe for the mother and lethal for the baby. Further delays are unacceptable and will result in the deaths of an additional 90,000 unborn children in pro-life states. “We have a moral duty to protect the lives of the most vulnerable, and amid the continued absence of critical safeguards, Congress must pass my Teleabortion Prevention Act. My bill would crack down on mail-order abortions by requiring in-person medical care before, during, and after a chemical abortion.” ###

Harris Statement on Third Anniversary of October 7th Attack

Position: The release affirms Israel's right to defend itself, calls for continued U.S. support for Israel, and states a commitment to combating antisemitism on college campuses, including through the House Education and Workforce Committee.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement on the third anniversary of the October 7 terrorist attacks on Israel: “Three years ago today, Hamas terrorists unleashed unspeakable evil on the people of Israel. Innocent men, women, and children were brutally murdered, raped, tortured, and taken hostage in the deadliest day for the Jewish people since the Holocaust. We must never forget the horrors of that day or allow anything like it to ever happen again. “Israel has every right to defend itself and its people against those who seek its destruction, and America must stand firmly with our greatest ally in the Middle East. I am grateful for President Trump’s leadership in bringing every one of the 254 hostages home and for his commitment to restoring peace through strength throughout the region. “Here at home, we have also witnessed a disturbing rise in antisemitism, particularly on our college campuses. As a member of the House Education and Workforce Committee, I will continue working to ensure Jewish students feel safe on campus and to confront this hatred across our country. Antisemitism has no place in our schools or anywhere in America. “Today, we recommit ourselves to supporting Israel and the Jewish people and to ensuring that the forces of radical Islamic terrorism never again have the opportunity to inflict the kind of horror the world witnessed three years ago. May God bless the victims and their families, the Jewish people, and the State of Israel.” ###

Harris Calls on WNBA to Define Woman as Biological Female, Establish Clear Eligibility Standards

Position: Rep. Harris urged the WNBA to define women as biological females in its Collective Bargaining Agreement and to make biological sex the basis for eligibility in women's basketball. He also praised a player who publicly supported protecting women's sports.

WASHINGTON, DC — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) sent a letter to Women’s National Basketball Association (WNBA) Commissioner Cathy Engelbert urging the league to define women as biological females under its Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) and establish biological sex as the basis for eligibility in women’s basketball. The letter follows backlash against Indiana Fever player Sophie Cunningham after she publicly spoke out in support of protecting women’s sports. Commissioner Engelbert subsequently addressed the controversy in a memo to teams but stopped short of announcing changes to the league’s eligibility rules. Earlier this year, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) adopted a policy limiting eligibility in the female category to biological females beginning with the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. Despite the WNBA’s longstanding connection to Olympic basketball, the league has not announced plans to take similar action. KEY EXCERPTS FROM THE LETTER: “Since then, the league has played a pivotal role in advancing women’s sports and creating opportunities for female athletes. Preserving those opportunities requires a clear and consistent standard for eligibility and a commitment to maintaining the integrity of women’s basketball.” “Yet the league’s Collective Bargaining Agreement (CBA) leaves a critical question unanswered. Article XIII, Section 1(a) states, ‘Only players who are women are eligible to play in the WNBA,’ but the CBA does not define ‘women’ according to biological sex or establish a clear standard for determining eligibility. Without that clarity, female athletes and fans are left uncertain about the standard governing who may compete in a league created specifically for women.” “Sophie Cunningham deserves recognition for having the courage to raise concerns about protecting women’s sports and maintaining a fair competitive environment for female athletes. Athletes should feel confident that they can speak openly about legitimate issues affecting their sport without being subjected to controversy or backlash simply for doing so.” “I respectfully ask the WNBA to adopt a definition of ‘woman’ under its CBA that defines women as biological females and establishes biological sex as the basis for eligibility in women’s basketball. Female athletes deserve certainty that the opportunities created for them—and the integrity of women’s basketball—will continue to be protected.” The full text of Congressman Harris’s letter can be found here. ###

Congressman Harris Delivers Floor Remarks in Support of Constitutional Amendment to Keep Nine Supreme Court Justices

Position: The release states Congressman Mark Harris's support for H.J. Res. 1, a proposed constitutional amendment requiring the Supreme Court to be composed of nine justices.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) delivered remarks on the House floor in support of H.J. Res. 1, legislation which proposes an amendment of the Constitution of the United States to require that the Supreme Court of the United States be composed of nine justices.

Congressman Harris Applauds House Passage of FY27 National Defense Authorization Act

Position: Supports House passage of H.R. 8800, the FY2027 National Defense Authorization Act, which authorizes $1.15 trillion for national defense priorities including munitions, domestic defense production, and military pay increases.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) applauded House passage of H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, the annual legislation that sets national defense policy and authorizes funding for the United States military. “The first and foremost responsibility of the federal government is to provide for the common defense and protect the American people,” said Congressman Harris. “At a time of growing threats from China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist organizations around the world, America must have the military strength and industrial capacity necessary to deter our adversaries and defend our interests at home and abroad. “This legislation rebuilds America’s arsenal by strengthening domestic manufacturing, securing critical supply chains, replenishing our munitions stockpiles, and investing in the capabilities our warfighters need to carry out their missions. It also supports our service members and their families through increased military pay and important investments in housing, education, and childcare. “For decades, the National Defense Authorization Act has reflected a bipartisan commitment to putting our national security first. Today’s vote reflects the unfortunate political reality that 205 House Democrats opposed the annual defense legislation necessary to maintain America’s military readiness and protect our nation.” BACKGROUND: H.R. 8800, the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2027, authorizes $1.15 trillion for national defense priorities to strengthen America’s military, revitalize the defense industrial base, support service members and their families, and advance President Trump’s Peace Through Strength agenda. The FY27 NDAA focuses on rebuilding America’s Arsenal of Freedom by expanding domestic defense production, strengthening critical supply chains, reducing barriers for small businesses and innovative companies, and creating new opportunities for America’s skilled technical workforce. The legislation authorizes multiyear procurement for critical weapons systems, accelerates the production and acquisition of munitions, and invests in the ships, aircraft, combat vehicles, missile defenses, autonomous systems, hypersonic weapons, and other capabilities American warfighters need to deter and defeat emerging threats. The bill supports service members and military families by authorizing a 5% to 7% pay increase, investing more than $1.8 billion in military barracks and family housing, expanding access to on-base childcare, and increasing the Family Separation Allowance for deployed service members. The FY27 NDAA strengthens American deterrence against China, Russia, Iran, North Korea, and terrorist organizations while supporting key allies and partners around the world. It also continues military support for law enforcement operations along the southern and maritime borders. The legislation cuts nearly $30 billion in wasteful spending, including funding for inefficient and underperforming programs, while advancing reforms intended to reduce fraudulent payments and move the Department of War toward a full and clean audit. Under the rule governing consideration of H.R. 8800, the text of the House-passed SAVE America Act will be added to the legislation before it is transmitted to the Senate. The SAVE America Act requires proof of U.S. citizenship to register to vote in federal elections and establishes voter identification requirements for federal elections. H.R. 8800 passed the House by a vote of 216-212. ###

Congressman Harris Applauds House Passage of Budget Reconciliation 3.0 Framework

Position: The release applauds House passage of H. Con. Res. 113, a budget resolution starting the reconciliation 3.0 process, which instructs committees to develop legislation for military operations, intelligence activities, election integrity measures, and farmer economic assistance, and urges the Senate to act quickly on it.

WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) issued the following statement in response to the House passage of H. Con. Res. 113, a resolution that begins the budget reconciliation 3.0 process. “Since the beginning of this Congress, House Republicans have been united in getting our country back on track and delivering on the mandate entrusted to us by the American people,” said Congressman Harris. “Without a single Democrat vote, we have used the budget reconciliation process to pass the largest tax cut in American history and fund the law enforcement agencies tasked with securing our border. “By passing this third budget resolution, we are taking the first step toward ensuring the brave men and women who defend our nation have the tools, resources, and support they need to carry out their missions and keep the American people safe. We are also advancing commonsense measures to restore confidence in our elections and provide assistance to the farmers and producers who sustain our nation’s food supply. “The Senate should now build on the work of the House without delay so we can advance these critical priorities and seize the opportunity of our Republican majority to make our nation stronger, safer, and more prosperous.” BACKGROUND: H. Con. Res. 113 unlocks the budget reconciliation process, allowing Congress to advance legislation with a simple majority vote in the Senate and avoid the 60-vote threshold. The resolution contains budgetary instructions totaling up to $95 billion across four House committees. It instructs the House Armed Services Committee to develop legislation providing up to $60 billion for military operations, readiness, service member pay, and critical munitions investments. It also instructs the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence to develop legislation providing up to $13 billion for intelligence-related activities that protect the nation. The resolution instructs the Committee on House Administration to develop legislation providing up to $10 billion to advance election integrity measures included in the SAVE America Act. It also instructs the House Committee on Agriculture, on which Congressman Harris serves, to develop legislation providing up to $12 billion in economic assistance for American farmers and food producers and help ensure the nation’s food supply remains secure and affordable. During consideration of H. Con. Res. 113, 211 House Democrats voted against moving forward with the framework to strengthen our national defense, secure our elections, and support American farmers. ###

Harris Celebrates House Passage of the Farm Bill to Strengthen North Carolina Agriculture

WASHINGTON, DC — Congressman Mark Harris (NC-08) released the following statement after the House of Representatives passed H.R. 7567, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026, a modern Farm Bill that strengthens American agriculture, supports rural communities, protects taxpayers, and gives North Carolina farmers the tools they need to succeed: “North Carolina farmers feed our families, fuel our economy, and keep rural communities strong,” said Congressman Harris. “This Farm Bill gives them the certainty and tools they need to continue producing the abundant food supply American families depend on. “American agriculture looks very different today than it did when the first Farm Bill was passed nearly a century ago, and the challenges facing our producers have changed with it. Farmers are facing rising costs, rapid changes in technology, foreign competition, and burdensome regulations that make it harder to stay in business. This bill meets those modern challenges by strengthening risk management tools, expanding access to credit, supporting precision agriculture, investing in research and innovation, and improving rural infrastructure. “One of the most important ways we can support our farmers is by protecting them from harmful mandates that drive up costs and create uncertainty. I am especially proud that this Farm Bill protects North Carolina pork producers from California’s disastrous Proposition 12. Families who have raised hogs for generations in our state should not be forced to follow one state’s radical mandates just to sell their products across state lines. By including the Save Our Bacon Act, this bill restores certainty in the marketplace, protects interstate commerce, and stands up for North Carolina farmers. “Beyond the farm gate, this legislation strengthens the rural communities that make American agriculture possible. It strengthens voluntary conservation programs, expands rural broadband, improves water and wastewater infrastructure in rural America, and prioritizes American agriculture on the global stage. These are practical policies that give our farmers and rural communities the tools they need to succeed for the next generation. “Food security is national security, and protecting our food supply also means protecting taxpayers. This Farm Bill strengthens American agriculture while improving SNAP integrity, locking in savings, reducing waste, and making sure hardworking Americans’ tax dollars support the American people — not Washington’s bureaucracy. As a member of the House Committee on Agriculture, I am proud of our work to deliver for our farmers, strengthen rural America, protect taxpayers, and help secure America’s food supply for generations to come.” BACKGROUND: The Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 provides certainty to farmers, ranchers, producers, and rural communities currently operating under the third consecutive extension of the 2018 Farm Bill. With 14 Democrats voting in favor, the Farm, Food, and National Security Act of 2026 earned the strongest bipartisan support for any House farm bill since 2008. More than 96% of House Republicans backed the bill, marking the highest level of GOP support for a farm bill in modern history. The legislation makes locks in the agriculture-related provisions in the Working Families Tax Cuts including: Commonsense reforms to the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) that save taxpayers almost $200 billion over the next decade: Requires states who fail to reduce their error rates to shoulder a share of the SNAP benefit costs beginning in Fiscal Year 2028. Narrows eligibility for waivers from the work requirement to areas with high unemployment, reasserting Congressional intent. Expands the Work Requirement for Able-Bodied Adults Without Dependents. Restricts SNAP eligibility for illegal aliens. The largest investment in American farmers in at least a generation: Expands farm safety net investments for programs in Title I (Commodities) as well as Title XI (Crop Insurance). Provides additional investment in the Specialty Crop Research Initiative and Specialty Crop Block Grants and doubles funding for export promotion programs. Provides $125 million per year for the Agriculture Research Facilities Act and $1.5 billion over the next decade in livestock biosecurity programs. The Farm Bill includes the Save Our Bacon Act to stop California’s Proposition 12 from controlling how North Carolina pork producers operate, protecting farmers from a patchwork of state-by-state regulations that drive up costs and threaten interstate commerce. The Farm Bill strengthens key risk management tools like crop insurance, promotes precision agriculture, supports specialty crop producers, and reinforces voluntary conservation programs that help farmers remain good stewards of their land while keeping their operations productive and viable. The Farm Bill modernizes rural development programs by strengthening critical infrastructure in rural communities, including broadband and water and wastewater systems, while making targeted investments in agricultural processing capacity to reduce supply chain bottlenecks and drive economic growth at the local level. The Farm Bill strengthens Buy American requirements, prioritizes American agriculture in the global marketplace, and adds stronger protections against foreign adversaries purchasing American agricultural land. ###