Blog

By Congresswoman Renee Ellmers As a mother, a wife, and a devout Catholic, protecting life is a mission that is very near and dear to my heart. Having served as a nurse for over 21 years, I have witnessed firsthand how fragile and delicate our lives are, and as a mother, I know how special and wonderful a new little life is. It is my ultimate hope that we strengthen the pro-life community and that we do so through the embodiment of compassion— we need to personify compassion and use it to empow... Read more

Today marks one year since the House passed the Working Families Flexibility Act, which makes it easier for workers to use their overtime towards paid time-off if that is their choice. This is especially helpful for working women, who often confront a lack of flexibility. Read more

Medicare Advantage is under siege. For the past three years, the Obama administration has carried out an orchestrated attack on the funding for Medicare Advantage and the cost-saving mechanisms that have allowed it to provide important care for our seniors. Read more

For nearly a century, conservative women have changed history and become an important voice in our democratic republic. Read more

Our national debt is out of control – currently around 18 trillion dollars and growing by the second. Allowing our debt to continue growing at an unchecked pace is something we simply cannot afford. The country has been on a dangerous spending spree. We have been operating without a budget and funded through a continuing resolution, which allowed the White House to direct and control spending. After 5 years of having the White House dictate our spending, it was time for Congress to take control... Read more

During my time back home in Raleigh, North Carolina, I was given the opportunity to tour IBM's Research Triangle Park facility. During my visit, I sat down with a group of women at IBM for an insightful and eye-opening discussion our experiences in the workforce. The women I met are contributing to our country's economic success and competitive edge through their education and raw talent, but they are only a small portion of the many brilliant women nationwide Read more

In June, President Obama visited North Carolina as part of his Middle-Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour. Tomorrow, he will return to the state to talk about jobs…again! Read more

In June, President Obama visited North Carolina as part of his “Middle-Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour.” Tomorrow, he will return to the state to talk about jobs…again! Americans need more than talk. The jobs situation today remains dire. There are almost 2 million fewer jobs now than there were when the recession started. Even more disturbing is the current labor force participation rate – the number of people who have a job or are actively looking for work – which has dropped to 63%, the lowe... Read more

Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this morning after the US Senate refused to pass the House version of a continuing resolution to keep the government running last night: "I hoped this day would never come, but unfortunately Senate Democrats and President Obama refused to come to the table to negotiate our differences and devise a solution as to how we can best perform our responsibilities as stewards of taxpayer dollars. I was elected to Congress to serve t... Read more

WASHINGTON – Congresswoman Renee Ellmers (R-NC-02) released the following statement this morning after the US Senate refused to pass the House version of a continuing resolution to keep the government running last night. Read more

This week, President Obama will be in North Carolina as part of his “Middle-Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour.” This visit comes at a time when 4.4 million Americans have been unemployed long term – out of work for 27 weeks or longer. Unfortunately, North Carolinians are suffering with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country – around 9 percent are without jobs and actively looking for work. The numbers are even worse when we look at the full picture. According to the Bureau of Labor ... Read more

This week, President Obama will be in North Carolina as part of his “Middle-Class Jobs and Opportunity Tour.” This visit comes at a time when 4.4 million Americans have been unemployed long term – out of work for 27 weeks or longer. Unfortunately, North Carolinians are suffering with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country – around 9 percent are without jobs and actively looking for work. The numbers are even worse when we look at the full picture. According to the Bureau of Labor ... Read more

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that some employers are being forced to offer “bare-bones” health care plans in order to avoid Obamacare penalties. This week, a New York Times report focuses on another provision of Obamacare -- the so-called “Cadillac” tax. The “Cadillac tax” punishes companies that offer high-end health care plans to their employees by hitting them with a 40 percent excise tax if the plan exceeds a government mandated level. Even though the tax does not go into eff... Read more

Last week, the Wall Street Journal reported that some employers are being forced to offer “bare-bones” health care plans in order to avoid Obamacare penalties. This week, a New York Times report focuses on another provision of Obamacare -- the so-called “Cadillac” tax. The “Cadillac tax” punishes companies that offer high-end health care plans to their employees by hitting them with a 40 percent excise tax if the plan exceeds a government mandated level. Even though the tax does not go into eff... Read more

Each year we spend the first weekend of summer visiting with friends and family and enjoying the comfort of our surroundings. Memorial Day is so much more than this - it is a time to honor the memory of our bravest men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. From the fields of Saratoga and Gettysburg to the sands of Normandy and Fallujah, American men and women gave their lives for the preservation of our republic and the freedoms we hold dear. We must never forget their sacrifice and the lo... Read more

Each year we spend the first weekend of summer visiting with friends and family and enjoying the comfort of our surroundings. Memorial Day is so much more than this - it is a time to honor the memory of our bravest men and women who made the ultimate sacrifice. From the fields of Saratoga and Gettysburg to the sands of Normandy and Fallujah, American men and women gave their lives for the preservation of our republic and the freedoms we hold dear. We must never forget their sacrifice and the lo... Read more

As additional provisions of Obamacare go into effect, employers are addressing the impact that the law will have on their businesses. At every turn we see another negative consequence of Obamacare for both employers and employees. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that in order to avoid penalties under Obamacare, some employers are now offering employee health care plans that lack the basic benefits which employees have previously enjoyed. Some of these benefits include such basics as... Read more

As additional provisions of Obamacare go into effect, employers are addressing the impact that the law will have on their businesses. At every turn we see another negative consequence of Obamacare for both employers and employees. Yesterday, the Wall Street Journal reported that in order to avoid penalties under Obamacare, some employers are now offering employee health care plans that lack the basic benefits which employees have previously enjoyed. Some of these benefits include such basics as... Read more

I joined Representative Mike Kelly and 52 members of the House in a letter to President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanding answers to questions regarding the events leading up to and following the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi. The letter asks the following: Why did administration officials deny repeated requests for stronger security measures from U.S. personnel on the ground in Libya, especially in light of the escalating... Read more

The October jobs report released last week shows an increase in the unemployment rate to 7.9 percent. This is disappointing news for the over 12 million Americans looking for work and it is just not good enough. After spending trillions of dollars on a failed stimulus plan, government takeover of our healthcare system, and industry bailouts, we have a $16 trillion national debt, the highest poverty rate since 1993, a 45% increase in the number of Americans on food stamps, and more than 12 milli... Read more

The October jobs report released last week shows an increase in the unemployment rate to 7.9 percent. This is disappointing news for the over 12 million Americans looking for work and it is just not good enough. After spending trillions of dollars on a failed stimulus plan, government takeover of our healthcare system, and industry bailouts, we have a $16 trillion national debt, the highest poverty rate since 1993, a 45% increase in the number of Americans on food stamps, and more than 12 milli... Read more

I joined Representative Mike Kelly and 52 members of the House in a letter to President Barack Obama and U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton demanding answers to questions regarding the events leading up to and following the September 11, 2012, terrorist attack on the U.S. compound in Benghazi. The letter asks the following: Why did administration officials deny repeated requests for stronger security measures from U.S. personnel on the ground in Libya, especially in light of the escalating... Read more

A common concern I hear from business owners in our district is that the uncertainty they have regarding taxes and regulations makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to expand their businesses and hire new employees. Uncertainty exists not only about the economy in general, but also specifically regarding tax rates, the impending “fiscal cliff,” and the economic impact of coming regulations --including those stemming from Obamacare mandates just now going into effect. This uncertainty ... Read more

A common concern I hear from business owners in our district is that the uncertainty they have regarding taxes and regulations makes it difficult, if not impossible, for them to expand their businesses and hire new employees. Uncertainty exists not only about the economy in general, but also specifically regarding tax rates, the impending “fiscal cliff,” and the economic impact of coming regulations --including those stemming from Obamacare mandates just now going into effect. This uncertainty ... Read more

Americans are well aware of the state of our economy and jobs market, but several benchmarks reached this week have provided concrete evidence of it. For the first time in American history, our national debt passed the $16 trillion mark. Yesterday marked one year since Solyndra, the failed energy company that received millions in "stimulus" dollars, declared bankruptcy. Third, the jobs report released today showed unemployment above 8 percent for the 43rd straight month in a row. Of even greate... Read more

Americans are well aware of the state of our economy and jobs market, but several benchmarks reached this week have provided concrete evidence of it. For the first time in American history, our national debt passed the $16 trillion mark. Yesterday marked one year since Solyndra, the failed energy company that received millions in "stimulus" dollars, declared bankruptcy. Third, the jobs report released today showed unemployment above 8 percent for the 43rd straight month in a row. Of even greate... Read more

In yesterday’s edition of the Washington Post, a recent manufacturing industry report was cited which showed “the economic burden of federal regulation in the United States has risen dramatically over the past 20 years, particularly affecting the nation’s manufacturers.” According to the report, “the average number of major federal regulations — those expected to have an economic impact in excess of $100 million — that have been finalized each year has risen with each recent administration…the ... Read more

In yesterday’s edition of the Washington Post, a recent manufacturing industry report was cited which showed “the economic burden of federal regulation in the United States has risen dramatically over the past 20 years, particularly affecting the nation’s manufacturers.” According to the report, “the average number of major federal regulations — those expected to have an economic impact in excess of $100 million — that have been finalized each year has risen with each recent administration…the ... Read more

Recent reports of extreme forms of intimidation being used against those exercising their free speech rights online are troubling. One tactic being used against some conservative bloggers is referred to as “SWAT-ting” -- when individuals call emergency dispatchers under the guise of another person’s name with false claims intended to prompt dispatch of an emergency response team to the victim’s home. The result is an extremely dangerous situation for the victim, law enforcement officers and the... Read more

I voted to reauthorize the Export-Import Bank this week to help create American jobs and expand our trade. The Export-Import Bank is a key driver in re-building the US workforce in industries such as manufacturing, oil & gas, aerospace, agriculture machinery and mining. In 2011 alone, the Export-Import Bank supported over 290,000 export related US jobs -- jobs we cannot afford to lose. The Export-Import Bank consistently operates at a profit and it’s default rate is below the default rate of co... Read more

Over the past three weeks, my office has been competing in the 2012 House GOP New Media Challenge. After a qualifying round to place contestants into NCAA style brackets, I've faced off against a different member of Congress each week in Facebook, Twitter, and now, YouTube rounds. The competition, now it its third year, promotes the use of new media among members and their constituents. The House Republican Conference sponsors the competition and Vice Chairwoman Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers' off... Read more

Over the past three weeks, my office has been competing in the 2012 House GOP New Media Challenge. After a qualifying round to place contestants into NCAA style brackets, I've faced off against a different member of Congress each week in Facebook, Twitter, and now, YouTube rounds. The competition, now it its third year, promotes the use of new media among members and their constituents. The House Republican Conference sponsors the competition and Vice Chairwoman Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers' off... Read more

When President Obama ran for office in 2008, he promised to bring the country “hope” and “change.” He certainly delivered change, but not for the better. The unemployment rate has gone from 7.8 percent in January of 2009 to a high of 10.1 percent in October of 2009. Jim Pethokoukis recently noted we have experienced “the longest streak of 8%-plus unemployment since the Great Depression” and “the U.S. economy hasn’t been below 8% unemployment since Obama took office in January 2009.” In the U.S.... Read more

When President Obama ran for office in 2008, he promised to bring the country “hope” and “change.” He certainly delivered change, but not for the better. The unemployment rate has gone from 7.8 percent in January of 2009 to a high of 10.1 percent in October of 2009. Jim Pethokoukis recently noted we have experienced “the longest streak of 8%-plus unemployment since the Great Depression” and “the U.S. economy hasn’t been below 8% unemployment since Obama took office in January 2009.” In the U.S.... Read more

It has been over 1000 days since Senate Democrats have produced a budget. In that time, President Obama has added over 5 trillion dollars to the national debt. The president’s budget calls for even more spending and more debt. The approach the president and Democrats in Congress have taken is grossly irresponsible. Their refusal to seriously address the problems we face is inexcusable and has real consequences for American families, seniors and future generations. House Republicans believe it i... Read more

It has been over 1000 days since Senate Democrats have produced a budget. In that time, President Obama has added over 5 trillion dollars to the national debt. The president’s budget calls for even more spending and more debt. The approach the president and Democrats in Congress have taken is grossly irresponsible. Their refusal to seriously address the problems we face is inexcusable and has real consequences for American families, seniors and future generations. House Republicans believe it i... Read more

Last week, I attended the inaugural meeting of my Housing Advisory Council. Home builders, realtors, and lenders from across the Second District shared their experiences and observations with me in a round table discussion in Clayton. I heard story after story about individuals and businesses with good credit ratings and established relationships with their local banks being unable to get loans or lines of credit due to the stringent requirements of Dodd-Frank. Without accessible financing, bui... Read more

The sacrifices our military veterans and their families have made to provide our security is something we honor officially on Veterans Day, but we enjoy the protection they provide every day. Each generation faces its own struggle for freedom throughout the world. On this Veterans Day, we offer our thanks and deep appreciation for those who have served to guarantee the freedoms we enjoy. Every veteran is a hero for their willingness to devote their life to service and it is important that we ac... Read more

The sacrifices our military veterans and their families have made to provide our security is something we honor officially on Veterans Day, but we enjoy the protection they provide every day. Each generation faces its own struggle for freedom throughout the world. On this Veterans Day, we offer our thanks and deep appreciation for those who have served to guarantee the freedoms we enjoy. Every veteran is a hero for their willingness to devote their life to service and it is important that we ac... Read more

The chance that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life is 1 in 8. This year, over 6,500 North Carolina women will be diagnosed with the disease and breast cancer will claim the lives of approximately 1,340 women in the state. Considering those statistics, it is not surprising that most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to call attention to the effectiveness of early detecti... Read more

The chance that a woman will be diagnosed with breast cancer at some point in her life is 1 in 8. This year, over 6,500 North Carolina women will be diagnosed with the disease and breast cancer will claim the lives of approximately 1,340 women in the state. Considering those statistics, it is not surprising that most of us know someone who has been affected by breast cancer. Since October is National Breast Cancer Awareness Month, I’d like to call attention to the effectiveness of early detecti... Read more

According to a CBS News poll, 73 percent of Americans think our country is on the wrong track. Considering the nation’s historically high 9.1 percent unemployment rate and crushing $14.7 trillion debt, we believe they’re right. In January, 87 men and women representing a variety of geographic, economic and professional backgrounds came to Washington carrying a message from the American people that it was time to turn our economy around and preserve the American dream for generations to come. Si... Read more

Although many provisions of Obamacare do not take effect until 2014, we have already seen the reluctance of small businesses to hire additional employees based on the uncertainty the law has created. Results of recent studies show more consequences of the healthcare law including higher premiums and the likelihood that employers will stop offering health coverage altogether. Today the Kaiser Family Foundation released itsannual Health Benefits Survey showing health care premiums in the workplac... Read more

Although many provisions of Obamacare do not take effect until 2014, we have already seen the reluctance of small businesses to hire additional employees based on the uncertainty the law has created. Results of recent studies show more consequences of the healthcare law including higher premiums and the likelihood that employers will stop offering health coverage altogether. Today the Kaiser Family Foundation released itsannual Health Benefits Survey showing health care premiums in the workplac... Read more

In a speech this week, the President called on Congress to pass his “American Jobs Act” right away. He also released his plan to pay for it -- $1.5 trillion in jobs-killing tax hikes. He said the plan is not class warfare, but simply “math.” Any plan that chooses winners and losers by calling for massive tax increases aimed at America’s entrepreneurs and job creators will further hamper job growth and only exacerbate the already dire unemployment situation. The President is pursuing the same fa... Read more

In a speech this week, the President called on Congress to pass his “American Jobs Act” right away. He also released his plan to pay for it -- $1.5 trillion in jobs-killing tax hikes. He said the plan is not class warfare, but simply “math.” Any plan that chooses winners and losers by calling for massive tax increases aimed at America’s entrepreneurs and job creators will further hamper job growth and only exacerbate the already dire unemployment situation. The President is pursuing the same fa... Read more

Today the President brought his American Jobs Act tour to North Carolina. Unfortunately the President’s long-awaited plan (and promotional tour) are more about politics than policy. Not only is the President late with his jobs proposal, but he is pursuing an approach that will do nothing to create an environment for job creation. The President’s plan is a repackaged version of the failed “stimulus” strategy that has resulted in sustained unemployment of over 9 percent. To make matters worse, he... Read more

Today the President brought his American Jobs Act tour to North Carolina. Unfortunately the President’s long-awaited plan (and promotional tour) are more about politics than policy. Not only is the President late with his jobs proposal, but he is pursuing an approach that will do nothing to create an environment for job creation. The President’s plan is a repackaged version of the failed “stimulus” strategy that has resulted in sustained unemployment of over 9 percent. To make matters worse, he... Read more

Reportedly in his upcoming jobs speech, President Obama will be proposing a $300 billion "jobs package" consisting of temporary tax cuts, infrastructure spending and aid to state and local governments. In order to offset these short-term measures he will reportedly call on Congress to raise taxes in the "later years." In his Labor Day speech, Obama claimed to be responsible for the “biggest middle-class tax cut in history.” If that statement left you scratching your head, this fact check in the... Read more

Reportedly in his upcoming jobs speech, President Obama will be proposing a$300 billion "jobs package" consisting of temporary tax cuts, infrastructure spending and aid to state and local governments. In order to offset these short-term measures he will reportedly call on Congress to raise taxes in the "later years." In his Labor Day speech, Obama claimed to be responsible for the “biggest middle-class tax cut in history.” If that statement left you scratching your head, this fact check in the ... Read more

Some reports suggest that in his “jobs speech” Thursday, the President will recommend another round of spending similar to that in his 2009 “stimulus plan.” More government spending is the last thing America can afford and is not an approach that will result in the job creation we so desperately need. Every economic report released recently provides more evidence that our economy will continue to struggle if we stay on the same big spending course the President and Democrats in Congress have fa... Read more

Some reports suggest that in his “jobs speech” Thursday, the President will recommend another round of spending similar to that in his 2009 “stimulus plan.” More government spending is the last thing America can afford and is not an approach that will result in the job creation we so desperately need. Every economic report released recently provides more evidence that our economy will continue to struggle if we stay on the same big spending course the President and Democrats in Congress have fa... Read more

Today, as the President announced that he will finally reveal his jobs plan next week, Solyndra, a company he touted a year ago as a green jobs success story, announced it is suspending operations and plans to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company employs over 1,000 workers. Solyndra’s $535 million loan was the highly celebrated first stimulus loan guarantee awarded by the Department of Energy and now is the most recent example of the Administration’s failed economic policy. The President’s s... Read more

Today, as the President announced that he will finally reveal his jobs plan next week, Solyndra, a company he touted a year ago as a green jobs success story, announced it is suspending operations and plans to file Chapter 11 bankruptcy. The company employs over 1,000 workers. Solyndra’s $535 million loan was the highly celebrated first stimulus loan guarantee awarded by the Department of Energy and now is the most recent example of the Administration’s failed economic policy. The President’s s... Read more

Nothing worthwhile has ever come easy. I have often reflected on these words throughout my life as a wife, mother, and a nurse for over 21 years. Yesterday, as I stood on the House floor, I took a deep breath and cast my vote for a bill that, while imperfect, will protect our economy and begin bringing accountability back to Washington. This crisis did not begin last week or even a few months ago. The pressure has been growing in the months leading up to this vote while fear and anger has swell... Read more

Last week I joined Majority Leader Eric Cantor in announcing the second phase of last year's popular YouCut initiative. YouCut gives Americans the opportunity to have a direct say in how we address the national debt by voting online to cut funding from one of three wasteful government programs. This week's vote, which continues through the end of this week, presents three programs that include funding for cultural and development programs in other countries totaling hundreds of millions of doll... Read more

Last week I joined Majority Leader Eric Cantor in announcing the second phase of last year's popular YouCut initiative. YouCut gives Americans the opportunity to have a direct say in how we address the national debt by voting online to cut funding from one of three wasteful government programs. This week's vote, which continues through the end of this week, presents three programs that include funding for cultural and development programs in other countries totaling hundreds of millions of doll... Read more

The growing number of waivers being doled out to those the White House deems deserving is enough to make the case that Obamacare punishes business and kills jobs. But is not just the number of businesses that have received the waiversthat should draw the public ire; there is even moreto be learned from what type of businesses receive them and where they are located. This week it was reported by The Daily Caller that 20% of the latest batch of waivers went to recipients in one congressional dist... Read more

Being a fan of new media and the many different ways it allows me to connect with constituents, I am happy to announce that my office is participating in some good natured competition with my fellow GOP House Members in a New Media Challenge. Read more