Thomas Tillis

Tillis Statement on Powell Investigation

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued the following statement: "I have been clear from the start: the U.S. Attorney's Office criminal investigation into Chair Powell was a serious threat to the Fed's independence, and it needed to end before I could support Kevin Warsh's confirmation. I welcome the Inspector General's investigation. This is a necessary and appropriate measure, and I have confidence it will be conducted thoroughly and professionally. "I take the Department of Justice at its word: the investigation is closed, and any appeal of Judge Boasberg's ruling will be with respect to legal principles and not for the purpose of reissuing subpoenas. Only a criminal referral from the inspector general would cause a reopening of the investigation. "With these assurances, I look forward to supporting Kevin Warsh's confirmation. He is an outstanding nominee, and it is time for the Federal Reserve to move beyond this distraction and return its full attention to its mission."

Tillis Statement on the SAVE America Act

Position: Senator Tillis supports voter ID requirements and election integrity measures on a bipartisan basis, but opposes eliminating or weakening the Senate filibuster to pass the SAVE America Act, arguing that filibuster elimination would harm long-term governance and bipartisan compromise.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), issued the following statement on the SAVE America Act: "I am one of the few members of Congress who has actually passed a voter ID law (on a bipartisan basis), which I did as Speaker of the House in North Carolina, and that's why I proudly co-sponsored the SAVE Act. While I support strengthening mail-in ballot integrity, many states like Utah, Florida, Alaska, and Montana rely on the use of mail-in ballots to conduct their elections, and we should not be completely upending how states already securely conduct their elections. Even if this issue is fixed, the SAVE America Act still will not have the 60 votes required to pass it. "While the so-called 'talking filibuster' has been floated as an option, there is a reason why previous attempts to utilize it in recent history have failed. A 'talking filibuster' would effectively make Chuck Schumer the new Senate Majority Leader, allowing Democrats to block every single Trump judge and executive branch nominee, and allow them to force endless votes on anything they want. Democrats would control the floor of the U.S. Senate until the end of the year. "There are only two ways out of a 'talking filibuster.' The first is for Democrats to miraculously give up and allow Republicans to pass the bill with a simple majority. That is never going to happen, and anyone who claims it's even a remote possibility is either completely misinformed or intentionally misleading the American people. "The second way is for Republicans to substantially weaken or eliminate the filibuster altogether. I have made it crystal clear that I will never vote to do this. Eliminating the filibuster is a foolish and lazy idea pushed by politicians seeking short-term gain at the expense of causing irreparable long-term harm to our nation. Succeeding in eliminating the filibuster would significantly weaken the minority party, end the need for bipartisan compromise, and allow erratic swings in policy that would transform America for the worse. Those are just the consequences of a best-case outcome. "During the last Congress, all of my Democratic colleagues currently serving supported nuking the filibuster to try to pass their own partisan election reform bill. Democrats were dead wrong to try to change the filibuster when they controlled the Senate, and Republicans would be dead wrong to try to change the filibuster now that we control the Senate. The only real path to address the American people's declining confidence in our elections is for both parties to find common ground on legislation that supports universal adoption of voter ID, proof of citizenship, and other vital election integrity measures."

Tillis Demands Accountability from DHS on Immigration Enforcement Operations

Position: Senator Tillis expresses support for immigration enforcement operations while demanding accountability and transparency from DHS regarding recent interior enforcement actions, citing concerns about potential constitutional violations and improper detention of U.S. citizens.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently sent a letter to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem seeking answers about interior enforcement operations conducted by U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), including Operation Charlotte's Web and recent activity in Minneapolis ahead of Secretary Noem's hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee on March 3. "The Trump Administration has made measurable progress in restoring order at the southern border. Under the leadership of Border Czar Tom Homan, conditions no longer resemble the instability of the previous administration. That same level of successful and seamless execution has not always been achieved in the Department of Homeland Security's recent interior immigration enforcement operations. Interior enforcement carried out by the U.S. Customs and Border Protection and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement must be effective, disciplined, and fully compliant with constitutional and statutory limits. While these agencies have historically met that standard, recent operations raise serious questions that require direct oversight," Tillis wrote. "On November 15, 2025, DHS conducted Operation Charlotte's Web in my home state of North Carolina. The operation resulted in the apprehension of several criminal illegal aliens with extensive criminal records, an outcome I applaud. At the same time, multiple public reports allege that U.S. citizens were detained, subject to force, and experienced damage to personal property. I seek clarification as to whether these reports are merely disingenuous accounts from partisans who do not share our commitment to a secure border, or if they reflect substantiated incidents," Tillis continued. "Similar concerns have since emerged in Minneapolis, Minnesota, where DHS enforcement actions reportedly involved U.S. citizens, use of force, reliance on administrative warrants, and unclear predication for initial engagements. Taken together, these events point to a broader transparency and accountability gap in DHS interior enforcement operations that this Committee has a responsibility to address," Tillis concluded. The full text of the letter and the list of questions submitted to Secretary Noem are available HERE.

Tillis Statement on the Nomination of Kevin Warsh for Federal Reserve Chairman

Position: Senator Tillis opposes confirmation of Kevin Warsh as Federal Reserve Chairman until the Department of Justice concludes its investigation into Jerome Powell, citing the need to protect Federal Reserve independence from political interference.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, released the following statement regarding the nomination of Kevin Warsh to serve as Chairman of the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System: "Kevin Warsh is a qualified nominee with a deep understanding of monetary policy. However, the Department of Justice continues to pursue a criminal investigation into Chairman Jerome Powell based on committee testimony that no reasonable person could construe as possessing criminal intent. Protecting the independence of the Federal Reserve from political interference or legal intimidation is non-negotiable. "My position has not changed: I will oppose the confirmation of any Federal Reserve nominee, including for the position of Chairman, until the DOJ's inquiry into Chairman Powell is fully and transparently resolved."

Tillis, Blumenthal Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Honor Law Enforcement and Strengthen Officer Safety

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senators Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) recently introduced the bipartisan National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act, legislation to establish a formal program within the U.S. Department of the Interior to support community outreach, public education, and officer safety and wellness initiatives of the National Law Enforcement Museum through grants to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "Our law enforcement officers put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe, and they deserve our full support," said Senator Tillis. "This bipartisan legislation honors the sacrifice of fallen officers while strengthening officer safety, wellness, and public education through the National Law Enforcement Museum and Memorial. I'm proud to stand with our law enforcement officers to ensure these vital programs continue and grow." "Our bipartisan measure brings law enforcement closer to the communities they serve," said Senator Blumenthal. "By investing in programs that support community outreach and honoring the service of fallen officers, our legislation fosters stronger bonds between law enforcement and the public." "On behalf of the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund (NLEOMF), I want to express our sincere thanks to Senators Tillis and Blumenthal for taking the lead in authoring the National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act," said Lori Sharpe Day, Chair, National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund. "The fact that Congress saw fit to create the National Law Enforcement Memorial and the National Law Enforcement Museum set a powerful precedent for Congress recognizing the vital importance of our mission. This legislation is a logical next step for Congress to take to ensure that the vital mission of NLEOMF continues and, in these challenging times for law enforcement, that the important educational and outreach programs run by NLEOMF and the National Law Enforcement Museum are expanded and enhanced. This bill will save police lives and help forge a closer relationship between law enforcement and the communities they serve. It's an important pro-law enforcement bill - one that we strongly endorse and support." The National Law Enforcement Officers Remembrance, Support, and Community Outreach Act would support initiatives to memorialize and honor law enforcement officers, collect and analyze data on law enforcement fatalities and injuries, increase public understanding of and support for law enforcement, enhance officer safety and wellness, and strengthen relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The legislation would authorize $6 million annually for the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund over seven fiscal years. The bill is supported by numerous law enforcement and public safety organizations including: The National Law Enforcement Remembrance, Support and Community Outreach Act is supported by the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund's board member organizations, including the Federal Law Enforcement Officers Association, Fraternal Order of Police, Fraternal Order of Police Auxiliary, International Brotherhood of Police Officers, International Union of Police Associations/AFL-CIO, Motorola Solutions, Verizon, National Association of Police Organizations, National Sheriffs' Associations, COPS, DuPont, National Black Police Association, National Organization of Black Law Enforcement Executives, National Policing Institute, National Troopers Coalition, Police Executive Research Forum, Police Unity Tour, and the United Federation of Police Officers. Full text of the bill is available HERE.

Tillis Statement on Federal Reserve Nominations

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), a member of the Senate Banking Committee, issued the following statement: "If there were any remaining doubt whether advisers within the Trump Administration are actively pushing to end the independence of the Federal Reserve, there should now be none. It is now the independence and credibility of the Department of Justice that are in question. "I will oppose the confirmation of any nominee for the Fed—including the upcoming Fed Chair vacancy—until this legal matter is fully resolved."

Tillis, Colleagues Demand Accountability From Governor Walz Over Child Care Fraud

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) and his Republican Senate colleagues recently sent a letter to Governor Tim Walz (D-MN) demanding accountability amid widespread reports of fraud and abuse of federal child care funding in Minnesota. "We write to express serious concern regarding recent reports and federal investigations alleging widespread fraud and misuse of federal funds within Minnesota's state-administered child care assistance programs. The state's apparent negligent management of federal funds raises significant concerns about the adequacy of the state's oversight, verification, and compliance systems for safeguarding taxpayer dollars intended to support vulnerable children and working families. Unfortunately, these latest reports appear to reflect only the tip of the iceberg," the senators wrote. "Federal prosecutors have been conducting a broader investigation of large-scale fraud in Minnesota's social services programs. Some authorities estimate that billions in federal funds across various programs, including child care, nutrition, Medicaid, and housing assistance, may have been misappropriated since 2018. One example includes the Feeding Our Futurescheme, where more than 50 individuals were convicted for diverting hundreds of millions of dollars in pandemic relief funds intended for school meals," the senators continued. "Under the leadership of President Trump, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has acted promptly to freeze child care payments to Minnesota pending verification and audits of how funds were used. The Constitution grants Congress the power of the purse, and the United States Senate is exercising its duty to ensure proper stewardship of federal taxpayer dollars for child care programs, and we take this responsibility very seriously," the senators concluded. Full text of the letter is available HERE.