Spotlight on the 115th Congress:
Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC-05)
Q Through your experience as an educator, what
certain skills or perspectives do you apply as a
public official? Every day, I learn something
A be done to empower fami-
At times I’m referred to as a “former teacher,” but I often
say I’m still a teacher today. Teachers have a constant
thirst for knowledge. They listen, learn and lead. That’s the
same approach I apply to chairing the Education and Workforce
Committee and serving the people of North Carolina. Tackling
the challenges we face as a nation requires listening to the
concerns of families and small businesses, learning about how
best to address those concerns and then leading an effort to
find the right solution.
Tackling the challenges we face as a nation
requires listening to the concerns of fami-
lies and small businesses, learning about
how best to address those concerns and then
leading an effort to find the right solution.
new about what needs to
lies and small businesses to
succeed.
Q
How has your role as the chairwoman of the House
Committee on Education and the Workforce influ-
enced your opinion(s) on the current threats to small
business?
A
Our committee has an important role in addressing the
challenges facing small businesses and working families.
Every day, I learn something new about what needs to be done
to empower families and small businesses to succeed. We’ve
already had a number of small businesses testify before the
committee this year, and their testimony helps shape our policy
priorities here in Congress. There’s a lot of work to do, including
restoring fairness and balance to federal labor policies.
Q
Q
A
In what ways are you seeking feedback from small
businesses in North Carolina and then using that
information in Washington, D.C.?
What do you see as the current biggest threat to
small-business owners?
15
I use every opportunity I have to hear the concerns of
North Carolina’s small-business owners, whether it’s
when I’m traveling my district or exchanging letters with
constituents. Their feedback makes a big difference here in
Washington. For example, their voice is very important in the
current health care debate. For years, we’ve been hearing from
small businesses and working families who have demanded
relief from the failed health care law. We are now not only
delivering on our promise to repeal Obamacare, but advancing
positive reforms that will empower small businesses to provide
affordable health care coverage for their employees. S
My husband and I started our own small business, so we
know firsthand how misguided federal policies can make
it harder for small businesses and their employees to succeed.
In recent years, small businesses have been hit by a regula-
tory onslaught that is limiting their ability to grow, hire new
workers and offer better wages. That’s why Congress has taken
a number of steps this year to provide regulatory relief and roll
back the harmful rules advanced by the previous administra-
tion. We’ll continue to do so in the weeks and months ahead.
A