National Security

As I began my professional career as a surgical intensive care nurse, I quickly learned that success in the high pressure environment of intensive care was achieved as a team. The nurses, doctors, and other health care providers – all pulled together to devise and execute a care plan for the patient. Three months into my first term as your representative in Congress we saw massive destruction from tornadoes and this same team approach to serving constituents became very clear. No member of Congr... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below release after learning that the last C-130H plane is set to depart from Pope Army Airfield tomorrow, Wednesday, June 29 at 9:00 a.m. “The final C-130H plane may be leaving Pope Army Airfield tomorrow, but Congressional oversight to ensure accountability will not. I had an amendment* pass earlier this year requiring the Air Force and the Army to complete quarterly reports on the levels of air support provided to Fort Bragg – whic... Read more

Tonight, Rep. Ellmers spoke on the House floor regarding her amendment to the NDAA which will hold the Air Force accountable for any negative impact to paratrooper training as a result of deactivating the 440th Airlift Wing. Click here to see the full video. WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after voting on H.R. 4909, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2017. “The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) allocates crit... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below release following the Air Force’s announcement to move forward with deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing located at Pope Army Airfield on Fort Bragg. “Even after the hardships experienced during Operation Toy Drop and reports of monthly jump requirements falling well-short of the 18th Airborne’s intended goal, the Air Force marches forward with the decision to deactivate. The bottom line is that the Air Force has already demon... Read more

"This is not the time to be cutting our military," she said. "This is the time to strengthen it." Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below release following passage of H.R. 4482 – the Southwest Border Security Threat Assessment Act of 2016 and H.R. 4403 – Enhancing Overseas Traveler Vetting Act. “Today, the House overwhelmingly passed two measures that will ensure the safety and security of Americans both here and abroad from terrorist threats like ISIS. These measures will strengthen security at our border and improve our ability—and that of our allies’—to watch, ... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below statement after learning that Fort Bragg soldiers will deploy overseas this summer to lead the charge against defeating the terrorist group, ISIL. “The 18th Airborne Corps has always been a key element to our national security. Our servicemen and women will continue to bravely answer the call of duty as they prepare to lead the fight to defeat and destroy ISIL.” “I am proud to represent the 18th Airborne Corps and know they will... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below statement following President Obama’s plan to close Guantanamo Bay. “Our president has continued to misjudge the threat of Islamic extremism, and this last-ditch effort to fulfil a campaign promise reaffirms that. Closing a base in a communist country rife with human rights violations signals a full retreat to every country around the world. Guantanamo Bay is not just a prison—it’s a military facility serving as our eyes and ear... Read more

Paratroopers worked at a fever pitch Monday to get soldiers and equipment from the country's Global Response Force onto airplanes and into combat. They would swoop down out of the skies in the wee hours of Tuesday morning, strike hard and fast at an enemy airfield and seize the weapons of mass destruction believed to be stored there. Taking hostile airfields is a specialty of the 82nd Airborne Division, one it rehearses regularly. For soldiers in the division's 1st Brigade, it was a key mission... Read more

North Carolina’s Congressional delegation is vowing to continue its two-year fight to save Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing. The Pentagon took a big step last week toward shutting down the unit that flies paratrooper training jumps. It certified that eliminating the unit won’t affect Army training. Military leaders plan to rely on C-130 aircraft from other bases to travel to Fort Bragg when they're needed for training. Republican Congresswoman Renee Ellmers of the state's Second Congressional Dis... Read more

FAYETTEVILLE, N.C. - U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers wants the Air Force to prove it can cover Army airborne operations out of Fort Bragg without an airlift wing based there. Local media outlets report that Ellmers met Monday with military leaders and the chief of the Air Force Reserve. The meeting came days after the Army signed off on an Air Force plan to deactivate the 440th Airlift Wing based at Pope Field. Ellmers' district includes Fort Bragg and says Congress has 90 days to review the decision. S... Read more

Rep. Renee Ellmers is calling for the Air Force to prove it can support the Home of the Airborne without a dedicated airlift wing. Ellmers, whose congressional district includes Fort Bragg, met Monday with local military leaders and the chief of the Air Force Reserve. She discussed the pending inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing, which currently flies the only C-130s permanently based at Fort Bragg. The Air Force plans to inactivate the Reserve wing in September, the end of the fiscal year. ... Read more

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — State and local leaders are not settling for the military’s decision to close Fort Bragg’s 440th Airlift Wing. WNCN spoke to 2nd District Rep. Renee Ellmers about what she’s doing to fight the deactivation. Ellmers met with military officials at Fort Bragg Monday to see if there is any way to avoid shutting down the 440th. She, along with local officials, says it is the wrong decision for Fayetteville, Ft. Bragg and the entire military. “When we have as significant a force... Read more

ICYMI: Ellmers Punches Back Regarding Deactivation of 440th AW On Monday, Feb. 8, Rep. Ellmers met with the Chief of the Air Force Reserve, Lt. Gen. James Jackson; Commander of the 18th Airborne Corps, Lt. Gen. Stephen Townsend; Commander of the 440th AW, Col. Karl Schmitkons. Following these meetings, Rep. Ellmers called for a 12-month period of demonstration for the Air Force to prove that they can fulfill all training needs and requirements of Fort Bragg paratroopers without organic airlift. ... Read more

The 440th Airlift Wing began a somber drill weekend Saturday, as the remaining members of the Air Force Reserve wing gathered on Fort Bragg. Airmen have until September to find new units, when the wing is expected to officially inactivate. About 550 service members remain in the unit, once home to 1,200 airmen and civilians. After a two-year battle to save the unit, airmen learned Friday that the fight was apparently over. While some in the community and Congress have pledged to continue the fi... Read more

Congressional and community leaders said they were surprised and disappointed to learn Army leaders had signed off on a plan that inactivates the 440th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg. The news also hit airmen hard even though some said earlier this week they thought a decision on the unit would be made soon. "Many of us truly believed the Army would say 'No,'" said one airman. Army and Air Force leaders announced the decision in a letter to Congress on Thursday. The Reserve wing's airmen, numbering... Read more

The Air Force will no longer have C-130s permanently based at Fort Bragg by the end of the year. Army leaders have thrown their support behind a plan that includes the inactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing. Army and Air Force leaders announced the decision in a letter to Congress dated Thursday. The letter was sent to members of the House and Senate Armed Services Committee and was signed by Secretary of the Air Force Deborah Lee James, acting Secretary of the Army Patrick J. Murphy, Air Force... Read more

Kimberly Ritter, an anti-sex trafficking advocate, describes the horror: “They take little girls and walk them from truck to truck, they call them lot lizards. The pimp needs to keep control of the girls, that pimp can sell her up to 20 times a day, 7 days a week.” The girls can be 12 and 15 years old; they are our neighbors, nieces, sometimes our daughters or sisters. Take a moment; picture the pain, the torment, the hopelessness and anguish. The stories are real. Modern day slavery is happenin... Read more

Rep. Renee Ellmers is through playing nice, Sen. Thom Tillis is surprised and deeply disappointed, and local leaders are at a loss for words. Meanwhile, many members of the 440th Airlift Wing are in a state of shock after learning Army leaders have signed off on an Air Force plan that includes the inactivation of the unit. "Many of us truly believed the Army would say 'No,'" said one airman. The Reserve wing's airmen, numbering roughly 550, were traveling to Fort Bragg for a regularly scheduled ... Read more

Congresswoman Ellmers joins Goldy on Good Morning Fayetteville to discuss President Obama's last State of the Union address and various issues including healthcare, the economy, immigration and defunding of Planned Parenthood. Interview Part 1 Interview Part 2 Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this evening following President Obama's State of the Union address to Congress: “To date, I have witnessed each of the president’s State of the Union addresses, and each of them reiterates the same thing: big promises for a bigger government in attempts to leave President Obama with an even bigger legacy. “The president came in 8 years ago promising hope and change, but he instead leaves us with a checklist of m... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the below release following the first crude oil export shipments in more than 40 years. One tanker, Theo T, departed on December 31, 2015, from Corpus Christi, Texas, and another tanker called the Angelica Schulte is scheduled to leave by the end of the week. “Somewhat overshadowed by the start of a new year, is an important feat that hasn’t occurred in nearly 40 years: the U.S. officially began the unrestricted export of crude oil to ou... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the following release after passage of the Consolidated Appropriations Act, which is legislation to fund the government for 1-year. Included in this legislation is the extension of numerous tax provisions that, without Congressional renewal, would have expired. “Today’s funding bill provides some certainty while also lessening tax burdens on North Carolina small businesses, farmers and families. This bill makes several tax provisions perm... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the following release after introducing a resolution condemning any legislation that infringes upon American citizens’ 2nd amendment rights. “As the terrorist watch list includes some American citizens who have not been accused of a crime, this list should not be used to dictate eligibility for purchase of a gun. There are already significant and robust safeguards in place to prevent terrorists from acquiring firearms, and my resolution r... Read more

The Asheboro Courier-Tribune By Congresswoman Renee Ellmers Wednesday, December 16, 2015 This year has been busy on all fronts. I have worked alongside my colleagues to restore fiscal sanity, place checks on the president’s imperialistic tendencies and uphold our number one responsibility: to defend this nation against all enemies foreign and domestic. As a representative and a registered nurse, I have a responsibility to care for the vulnerable. As a conservative, I have an obligation to strea... Read more

“There are 38 countries that participate with this program,” Ellmers said Wednesday. “As you can imagine, that leaves us very vulnerable. There are individuals who could be coming from one of the countries that we know has terrorist ties, and they could simply go through one of those 38 countries and come to us without the need for a visa for 90 days.” Read more

WASHINGTON – On Tuesday, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) sent a letter to Secretary Carter to convey the prominent role of the 440th Airlift Wing (AW) throughout Operation Toy Drop. Given the slated deactivation status of the 440th AW, Operation Toy Drop was supposed to demonstrate that outside aircraft could seamlessly take the place of the 440th AW and provide necessary support and logistics to complete missions. Background: Operation Toy Drop is a Fort Bragg tradition and one of the wor... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following after passage of H.R. 158 – Visa Waiver Program Improvement & Terrorist Travel Prevention Act. “ISIS has made it clear they are willing to use whatever means possible – including the exploitation of our refugee system— in order to attack the very foundation of our country. Knowing this, Congress has a responsibility to examine potential weaknesses within existing programs, including the Visa Waiver Program (VWP), to elimin... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the statement below Sunday night, following President Obama’s Oval Office address on terrorism: “I'm astounded that our president would use tonight's speech to promote his own political agenda as opposed to articulating a plan to shore up defense efforts, work with trusted allies and protect innocent Americans from the threat of radical Islam. The San Bernardino terrorist attack is the worst terrorist attack on U.S. soil since September 1... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) issued the following release after passage of her two amendments and support of H.R. 8 – the North American Energy Security and Infrastructure Act. “After working with the Energy & Power subcommittee on a comprehensive energy package for the last several months, I am thrilled to see it passed in the House. This bill, H.R. 8, helps to unleash our nation’s full energy potential and also moves to modernize and secure our energy infrastructure.” “I... Read more

WASHINGTON –Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) voted to support H.R. 4038, the American Security Against Foreign Enemies (SAFE) Act of 2015 to implement robust and enhanced security measures in order to secure the American people. “The President’s own national security advisors* have repeatedly warned that the U.S. government is not prepared for an influx of refugees, and they have made it clear that we lack the appropriate resources to fully vet refugees from Syria—yet our president is willi... Read more

“The President’s passive approach has proven to be no deterrent to these Islamic extremists – and it’s time he implement a clear and comprehensive strategy to completely destroy ISIS abroad...” Congresswoman Ellmers spoke on the House floor Monday evening during a Special Order to express solidarity with France and to reiterate her commitment to destroying ISIS. Full text of speech below: “The attacks carried out on Friday by radical Islamic extremists can only be described as barbaric—and we ar... Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after President Obama vetoed H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “The House and Senate have overwhelmingly, and in a bipartisan manner, passed the NDAA in order to authorize critical funding for our troops, including those currently deployed from Fort Bragg. It is unbelievable that our commander-in-chief would consciously choose to put national security at risk with the swift stroke of h... Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after Congressional Leaders signed H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and sent it to the president’s desk: “After months of hard work and bipartisan collaboration among members of the House and Senate, an agreement was reached on this year’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). While this legislation received broad bipartisan support from Conference committee members, and meets th... Read more

Today Representative Ellmers Met with General Abrams, Colonel Funck and Lieutenant General Tovo to Discuss Issues of Importance to Fort Bragg Click here to view other high resolution photos from Rep. Ellmers’ visit to Fort Bragg today. WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after meeting with Fort Bragg officials: “As always, I was thrilled to spend time at Fort Bragg today. I had the opportunity to speak with GEN Robert B. Abrams of Army Forces Comm... Read more

Rep. Ellmers Voted on the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2016 that Will Provide Essential Funding for Fort Bragg WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement on the Conference Report to H.R. 1735, the Fiscal Year 2016 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): “After months of hard work among members of the House and Senate, I am glad to see an agreement reached on the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation authoriz... Read more

Many may remember the iconic photo of President Truman holding the paper with the mistaken headline stating, “Dewey Defeats Truman.” At least that was a historic mistake people could laugh about. On July 14, the Obama administration and other members of the P5+1 made headlines when they reached a “historic” agreement with Iran, purportedly to curb Iran’s nuclear program and protect American interests. This deal is certainly historic — a historic mistake and not one to be taken lightly. The admin... Read more

Sitting down recently with The Herald, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers had a pressing matter on her mind. The second-term congresswoman is waging dozens of battles on many fronts – ranging from Medicare to human trafficking. But lately, she's directed a fair amount of grit to preserving the 440th Airlift Wing based at Fort Bragg. Read more

After the Air Force Reserve Command pushed back the deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing by one year, U.S. Rep. Renee Ellmers was one of the first to say the fight wasn't over. "We will remain in this effort and on this fight, and we will be watching really closely and [will be] ready to act at anytime," Ellmers, who represents North Carolina's 2nd district, said Thursday. Read more

The Air Force Reserve Command (AFRC) has once again delayed plans to deactivate the 440th Airlift Wing, a reserve unit that operates 12 C-130 H2 aircraft at Pope Army Airfield on Ft. Bragg. Col. Karl Schmitkons, who recently took over command of the 440th, announced the latest delay in a July edition of the unit's newsletter, Combat Airlifter. Read more

"I am encouraged that the Air Force has finally seen the light," Republican 2nd District Congresswoman Renee Ellmers said in a statement. "While I'm glad to see the Air Force has delayed deactivation, it is pivotal that we maintain pressure so they stop pursuing this destructive proposal." Ellmers said she wants the U.S. Secretary of Defense to personally certify that deactivation of the unit would not impact military readiness. Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement on the Obama Administration's proposed nuclear deal with Iran Read more

Without the 440th Airlift Wing at Pope Army Airfield, can we expect a loss in training and increased wait times for airborne exercises? Read more

I do not take this threat to Fort Bragg's paratroopers and Pope's airmen lightly. I think about the 1,284 brave men and women who are serving at this wing each time I bring this fight to the attention of military leaders. I will continue to use every tool at my disposal to prevent this backward decision - and I will unapologetically lead this charge alongside my North Carolina colleagues. Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after learning that the Air Force Reserve Command has pushed back deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing until at least the fall of 2016: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02), the Representative of Fort Bragg, issued the following statement after the U.S. Army's announcement regarding a reduction of 842 military positions at Fort Bragg Read more

Fort Bragg's Representative Proposed an Amendment to Prevent Deactivation of the 440th Wing and Addresses the Air Force's Concerted Effort to Hollow Out the Wing Read more

This week, we Take 5 with Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, who represents the 2nd Congressional District of North Carolina in the U.S. House of Representatives, about a number of legislative issues. Read more

Fighting to save Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing hasn't always looked good, but Rep. Renee Ellmers is confident it will end in victory. She shared that optimism to a group of Fort Bragg leaders and retired military officers on Wednesday, speaking at a luncheon hosted by the Cape Fear Chapter of the Military Officers Association of America. Ellmers called saving the 440th the "most important issue" for her office. "I just have to believe the Air Force is going to make the right decision," she said. Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after the House of Representatives unanimously passed her amendment, requiring the Secretary of Defense to certify that deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing will have no impact to military readiness. This amendment was adopted to H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016, which passed this morning Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after submitting 4 amendments for consideration to House Rules Committee for H.R. 1735, the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) for Fiscal Year 2016: Read more

Rep. Renee Ellmers has introduced four amendments to this year's National Defense Authorization Act aimed at fighting the inactivation of Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing. In a release, the Republican representative of Fort Bragg said the amendments would prohibit money from being used to shutter the post's only air wing, require an Army study of how the closure could affect the readiness of local soldiers and require Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Army Chief of Staff Gen. Raymond Odierno to certify the decision will not affect that readiness. Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement following passage of her human trafficking legislation, The Trafficking Awareness Training for Health Care Act, which was proposed as amendment S. 308 to Senator John Cornyn's legislation, the Justice for Victims of Trafficking Act. Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02), the Representative of Fort Bragg, released the statement below following yesterday's release of the United States Air Force's mandatory Report on C-130 Force Structure. Read more

Ellmers Testifies Before House Armed Services Committee to Prevent Deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing at Fort Bragg Click here or on the image above to watch the video clip. Yesterday, Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) testified before the House Armed Services Committee on the proposed deactivation of the 440th Airlift Wing. Her full testimony can be found here, and an excerpt from her testimony is included below: “Mr. Chairman, I am the proud representative of the Second District of No... Read more

The House Armed Services Committee opened its floor to the entire legislative body Tuesday, and Rep. Renee Ellmers used the opportunity to once again lobby for Fort Bragg's 440th Airlift Wing. Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement regarding an appropriations request she lead with Representatives Richard Hudson (R-NC-08), David Rouzer (R-NC-07), David Price (D-NC-04) and George Holding (R-NC-13): Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the below statement following her meeting with Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC), Secretary of the Air Force Deborah James and Deputy to the Chief of the Air Force Reserve Major General Maryanne Miller: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed a joint session of Congress: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after leading a letter to General Odierno with other members of the North Carolina delegation: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement after learning of the death of American aid worker, Kayla Mueller: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this evening in response to President Obama's address to the nation on the threat of ISIL in the Middle East: Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers released the following statement this morning from her office in Washington: "I join all Americans and North Carolinians in applauding the brave men and women of Ft. Bragg for their crucial role in the planning and execution of bringing Osama bin Laden to justice. As it was reported yesterday, Fort Bragg's Joint Special Operation Command (JSOC) and special forces provided intelligence and played a crucial role in the highly successful and confidential mission that br... Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers released the following statement from her office in Washington this morning: "Nearly a decade ago on a beautiful September morning, our nation witnessed the worst in human terror as over 3,000 men, women, and children were murdered in cold blood. But that day also showed the greatness that is the American spirit and how our resolve will never falter. Last night we learned that at long last, justice has been served and Osama Bin Laden will never again harm another inn... Read more

Today Congresswoman Renee Ellmers issued the following statement regarding support for Israel: “It has been reported that the Obama Administration will support a U.N. Security Council statement rebuking Israel. The statement, which would condemn Israeli settlement activity, is reportedly being offered as a compromise – because the Obama Administration doesn’t want to veto a stronger statement issued by the Council. This is not the time to abandon our closest and strongest democratic ally in the... Read more