The following Questions and Answers are posted here to provide general information concerning frequent requests made of Congressman Jones.
Q: How may I contact Congressman Jones' office to voice my opinions about federal legislation and national policy?
A: Congressman Jones welcomes the opinions and comments of his constituents on federal issues that are of concern to them.
You may e-mail Congressman Jones' office by filling out the e-mail form on this site. All comments will be provided a written response. You may also mail comments on federal legislation to the following address:
Congressman Walter B. Jones
U.S. House of Representatives
2333 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
Please feel free to call the Congressman's Washington, D.C., office at 202-225-3415, or visit the contact information page for more information.
Q: How can I purchase an American flag that has been flown over the U.S. Capitol Building?
A: Congressman Jones' office is available to arrange your purchase of an American flag that has flown over the United States Capitol Building. You may visit the flag information page to fill out the online form. Or, please write to the above address indicating a flag request and include the following:
1) Your name, mailing address, and phone number
2) Check or money order made out to: "Keeper of the Stationery"
3) Person for whom the flag is to be flown
4) Occasion for which the flag is to be flown (if applicable)
5) Date flag is to be flown over Capitol (if applicable)
Q: How can I obtain a nomination to one of the U.S. military academies?
A: Congressman Jones is permitted to make a limited number of nominations for appointments to the U.S. Naval Academy, the U.S. Air Force Academy, the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy and the U.S. Military Academy at West Point.
For instructions on how to apply for a nomination, visit the service academy appointments page or call the Congressman's Greenville office at 252-931-1003.
Q: How can I obtain tour reservations for the White House?
A: To arrange a tour, please call Rep. Jones’ Washington, D.C. office (at least four months in advance) and ask for the tour coordinator. The phone number is 202-225-3415.
Q: How can I arrange a visit to the House Chamber?
A: Visit the tour information page and fill out the reservation form. When in Washington, please visit Congressman Jones' Capitol Hill office in Room 2333, Rayburn House Office Building (on Constitution Ave., N.E., across the street from the U.S. Capitol Building) and pick up passes to the House Chamber's Visitors' Gallery.
Q: How can I find out about internship opportunities in Congressman Jones' offices?
A: Congressman Jones' offices welcome the assistance of interns who wish to experience the inner workings of a House office.
A limited number of volunteer internships are available to students (usually at the college level) in Congressman Jones' Capitol Hill office. Visit the internships information page for more information and forms. The first step in the application process is to send a resume, writing sample and cover letter to:
Congressman Walter Jones
Attn: Intern Coordinator
2333 Rayburn House Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20515
For information about internships in Congressman Jones' district office, contact the Greenville office directly.
Q: How can I contact Congressman Jones' offices to request assistance with a bureaucratic problem within the federal government?
A: Congressman Jones' office is available to assist you in solving any difficulties you may encounter with federal agencies. Please visit the constituent assistance page for more information.
To request assistance, please send a letter explaining the situation, or fill out the constituent request for service form. Please send either the letter or the form to the Greenville office. Due to federal privacy laws, Congressman Jones must receive a written request from you in order to contact any agency on your behalf. The letter should include your name, postal address and telephone number.
Q: I am from a local government, private company, or organization that would like to request information on the grant process and how I may obtain Congressman Jones' support on obtaining a grant. How do I do this?
A: One of the best ways local governments and agencies, businesses and non-profit organizations can fund projects is through federal grants, which do not have to be repaid. Grant proposals are competitive in nature and Congressman Jones can in no way influence the decision of the Federal entity involved. Grant proposals must be submitted in writing to Congressman Jones’ staff person in charge of grant proposals in the Greenville office. If appropriate, a grant support letter from Congressman Jones is sent to the Federal entity giving the grant.
Q: How do I access the texts of bills, statements, or resolutions on the Internet?
A: You can access all statements, bill texts, and resolutions by going to the legislation section of this site, or visit the Library of Congress' Thomas website. If you have trouble locating a document that you are seeking, please e-mail Congressman Jones or call the Washington office at 202-225-3415.
Q: What is an appropriation?
A: The funding of government agencies and programs or the granting of money. Appropriations bills originate in the House.
Q:What is an authorization?
A: The act of establishing a program and setting its general level of funding. The process of authorization must be followed by that of an appropriation before a program can go into effect. There are often great disparities between what is authorized and what is appropriated.
Q: What is a balanced budget?
A: A budget in which income equals or exceeds spending. Most states require balanced budgets, but the federal government does not.
Q: What is a budget agreement?
A: A complex accord between Congress and the White House to reduce deficit spending over a five year period. The Balanced Budget agreement for 1997 set the parameters for a balanced budget.
Q: What is a budget resolution?
A: Concurrent resolution, not a law, setting out the congressional spending priorities for the next five fiscal years.
Q: What is a censure?
A: The act of disciplining a fellow member through a vote of disapproval or condemnation. This may be a reprimand, severe reprimand, censure, condemnation, or expulsion. The Constitution specifies that each house may "punish its members for disorderly behavior, and, with the concurrence of two thirds, expel a Member."
Q: What is a conference committee?
A: Panel of members from both the House and Senate, usually key members of the committees that handled the bill under consideration, given the job of working out a compromise between the usually different versions of a bill passed by the House and Senate.
Q: What is discretionary spending?
A: Spending that is not guaranteed by entitlements. This increasingly shrinking authority was split into three categories – defense, domestic, and international.
Q: What is the electoral college?
A: The body of presidential electors, equal in number to each state's representation in Congress, as chosen by the voters in presidential elections. It takes 270 votes in the electoral college to become president.
Q: What are entitlements?
A: Programs, such as Medicare, Medicaid, and veterans' benefits, that must be provided to all eligible persons who seek them, with the added assurance of legal recourse if they are not.
Q: What is an omnibus bill?
A: Any piece of proposed legislation that deals with a wide variety of subjects. Today, the term is used mostly to describe a mammoth bill like a continuing resolution, which is usually used at the end of the legislative session to package many bills together. This is usually done with spending bills.
Q: What is a quorum call?
A: A demand that the members present be counted to see if a quorum is present. Most quorum calls in the House are actually used to delay proceedings until a deal can be worked out or until a tardy speaker can get to the floor. Anyone may set a quorum call in motion, usually by saying "I suggest the absence of a quorum."
Q: Can I contact someone in Congressman Jones' office if I have further questions?
A: Of course, please feel free to contact us. Congressman Jones maintains an office in North Carolina to serve you. You may write, phone, fax or email the office. For more information on how to contact Congressman Jones, please visit the contact information page.
