Welcome to Adams 🚨 Alerts!

Letting you know everything your Representative and our office are up to in Congress!

If I’ve learned anything in this life, it’s that you’re never too old to learn new skills or make new connections.

As your Representative, part of my job is making sure you’re connected to the work we’re doing in Congress, so I’m using this new tool (Substack) to send you weekly updates about what’s going on in Washington, in our office, and in our 12th Congressional District.

I’m hoping to feature our district events, share news you may have missed, and give more of an inside look into how the House of Representatives works.

These “Adams Alerts” aren’t campaign emails, so you don’t have to worry about anyone asking you for money, or hyper-partisan rhetoric. In fact, much of the work we do - meeting with constituents, helping people with passports, recovering Social Security and Veterans’ benefits, securing federal grants, nominating students to military service academies - isn’t partisan or political. It’s what we should be doing for the folks we represent, regardless of party or affiliation.

You’ll also hear about my votes, which are determined by my values: core American principles like fairness, equality, and equal justice under the law. We may not always agree, but you deserve to know how I’m voting and why on the big issues of the day.

I hope you’ll not only follow what we’re doing in Congress, but also engage with us as well. Communication and connection is a two-way street, and some of the best ideas I’ve been proud to champion in my years of public service have come from constituents like you. So also expect some questions and polls - I’d love to know what you think.

Thanks for reading, and for being engaged in our Democracy.

Sincerely,
Alma

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On Tuesday, May 23, I joined Daniel Tiger (pictured) and the Bipartisan Pre-K and Child Care Caucus on Capitol Hill to celebrate and highlight the importance of high quality, accessible, and affordable early learning and care for our nation’s youngest learners.

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H.R. 1076, the "Preventing Synthetic Drugs Act"

This bill would require the General Accounting Office to prepare a study on the financing of the illicit synthetic drugs trade, including the illicit financial flows that underlie the drug traffickers’ supply chains and the proceeds of their crimes. The study would also examine methods used by traffickers of illicit fentanyl and related drugs to launder and hide their funds. I voted YES.

H.R. 1156, the "China Financial Threat Mitigation Act of 2023"

This bill would require the Treasury Department to study and issue a report that assesses the effects of reforms to the financial sector of the People's Republic of China on the U.S. and global financial system, and it analyzes risks to U.S. financial stability and the global economy emanating from the People’s Republic of China. The bill requires Treasury to provide recommendations for further actions to U.S. representatives of relevant international bodies, like the Financial Stability Board, to better monitor and mitigate such risks. The House previously passed a similar provision three times in the last Congress. I voted YES.

S.J.Res. 11

This is a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Environmental Protection Agency relating to "Control of Air Pollution From New Motor Vehicles: Heavy-Duty Engine and Vehicle Standards."

It would roll back important progress the Biden Administration is making on climate change. I voted NO.

H.J.Res. 45

This is a joint resolution providing for congressional disapproval under chapter 8 of title 5, United States Code, of the rule submitted by the Department of Education relating to "Waivers and Modifications of Federal Student Loans.”

The resolution opposes the historic student debt relief I’ve supported for years. I believe student debt is too high, but we’ve made important progress. We shouldn’t move backward and increase the debt burden on American families. I voted NO.

H.R. 467 – HALT Fentanyl Act

Fentanyl is a devastating, deadly problem in our communities. Data released last week from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show at least 109,680 overdose deaths in 2022. Sixty-seven percent of all overdose deaths in 2022 involved synthetic opioids like fentanyl. Unfortunately, I believe the partisan HALT Fentanyl Act would not meaningfully address substance abuse and would simply result in more incarceration. The legislation does not include a comprehensive public health approach to the opioid crisis, and it does not reform mandatory minimum sentencing that historically has led to mass incarceration

Prior to the final passage of the bill, I voted for an amendment that would prevent the bill from taking effect until the Secretary of Health and Human Services and the Attorney General each certify that this bill will lead to a reduction in overdose deaths. That amendment failed, and since I do not believe the bill addresses the opioid crisis in a meaningful way, I voted NO.

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Adams Floor Speech on Manufactured Debt Ceiling Crisis

Reps. Panetta, Adams Introduce Legislation to Expand Opportunities for Organic Producers

Adams Statement on North Carolina Abortion Vote

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Congresswoman Adams and museum Executive Director Todd Smith with Art Competition Participants at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, May 21, 2023 (Photo by Ghost Crab Productions LLC)

Congressional Art Competition

On Sunday, May 21, our office was proud to host the participants in our 2023 Congressional Art Competition and announce the winners.

First Place: “Red Spider Lilies” by Al Byrne, William Amos Hough High School

Second Place: “Going with the Flow” by Rachael Kaake, Mallard Creek High School

Third Place: “Rift Between Me” by Rachael Nguyen, Mallard Creek High School

Honorable mention: “Crown” by Kendall Hansard, William Amos Hough High School

Honorable mention: “Barn” by Skylar Ann Wiskes, David W. Butler High School

“Red Spider Lilies” by Al Byrne will be exhibited along with other student artists from across the country and will hang in the Cannon Tunnel in the U.S. Capitol for one year. Additionally, Al and one guest will be flown to Washington, D.C. for a reception with other winners from across the country.

Congratulations to all of our student artists!

Congresswoman Adams presents a certificate to Melody Saxton at the Bechtler Museum of Modern Art, May 21, 2023 (Photo by Ghost Crab Productions LLC)

“Reaching Out” by Ethan Eastridge

“Glitch” by Bridget Lyon

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I was an art professor at Bennett College, an HBCU in Greensboro, so I’ve seen a lot of student art over the years. Still, I was so inspired by all of our young artists who entered this year’s Congressional Art Competition. Many of the artists demonstrated a maturity beyond their years, and for the underclassmen who didn’t win this time, I can’t wait to see what they submit next year.

On the other hand, we’re seeing a lack of maturity in Congress this week. Playing a game of “chicken” with the debt ceiling and holding the economy hostage is no way to run a country. It threatens our economy, it hurts our standing in the world, and it could have real, dangerous effects for the American people.

If given the chance, I would vote for a “clean” bill to raise or repeal the debt ceiling, and here’s why: this is a crisis of our own making. Whether you believe Congress should balance the budget with spending cuts, increased revenue, or both, what you don’t want is a financial crisis that will make it impossible to balance the budget and reduce the national debt.

A budget is a reflection of our priorities. Congress can and should have vigorous debates on spending and revenue. However, we shouldn’t manufacture a crisis and put everything from your federal benefits to your retirement portfolio at risk every time we want to have this discussion.

That’s where I’ll lay my hat for this week. Thanks for reading!

Sincerely,
Alma

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