North Carolina

State Senators:

Ted Budd (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2023

Full Name: Theodore Paul Budd
Date of Birth: October 21, 1971
Birthplace: Winston-Salem, North Carolina, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Ted Budd was born in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, and raised in Davie County. He attended Davie County High School and went on to earn a Bachelor of Business Administration from Appalachian State University in 1994. Budd later obtained a Master of Business Administration from the Wake Forest University School of Business in 2007.

Personal Life: Ted Budd is married to Amy Kate Budd, and they have three children. The family resides in Davie County, North Carolina. Known for his commitment to conservative principles and his background in business, Budd continues to work towards policies that promote economic prosperity and individual liberties.

Early Career: After completing his education, Budd worked in various roles in the private sector. He managed his family’s facility services business and owned a gun store and range, ProShots, in Rural Hall, North Carolina. His background in business provided him with experience in management, finance, and entrepreneurship.

Political Career:

U.S. House of Representatives: In 2016, Budd was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, representing North Carolina’s 13th congressional district. He served three terms from 2017 to 2023. During his time in the House, Budd focused on issues such as tax reform, regulatory reduction, and Second Amendment rights. He was a member of the Freedom Caucus, known for its conservative stance on fiscal and social issues.
U.S. Senate: In 2022, Budd was elected to the U.S. Senate, succeeding retiring Senator Richard Burr. He took office on January 3, 2023. As a senator, Budd continues to advocate for conservative policies, emphasizing limited government, individual freedoms, and economic growth.

Committees:

Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Legislative Achievements:

Economic Policies: Budd focuses on conservative economic principles, including tax reform, reducing government spending, and deregulation. He has supported legislation aimed at lowering taxes and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses.
Second Amendment Rights: As a strong advocate for gun rights, Budd has consistently supported legislation to protect and expand Second Amendment rights. He has opposed efforts to implement more restrictive gun control measures.
Healthcare: Budd supports market-based healthcare reforms and has voted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He advocates for policies that increase competition and reduce costs in the healthcare system.
Education: Budd emphasizes the importance of local control over education and school choice. He supports policies that allow parents more options in their children’s education and reduce federal involvement in local schools.
National Security: Serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Budd is focused on strengthening national defense and supporting the military. He advocates for robust defense spending and policies that enhance the security of the United States.

Senator Budd is known for his dedication to conservative economic policies, Second Amendment rights, market-based healthcare reforms, local control over education, and strong national defense. His background as a businessman and his experience in the U.S. House of Representatives shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit North Carolinians and the nation.

Committees

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP): Committee addresses issues related to health care, education, employment, and retirement policies.

Small Business and Entrepreneurship: Committee plays a crucial role in advocating for the needs of small businesses, promoting entrepreneurship, and creating an environment conducive to small business success and economic growth.

Voting patterns

Senator Budd has a voting record that reflects his commitment to conservative economic policies, Second Amendment rights, market-based healthcare reforms, local control over education, and strong national defense.

Key Voting Patterns:

Economic Policies:

Tax Reform: Budd supports lowering taxes and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. He voted for the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R.1) to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses.
Government Spending: Budd advocates for reducing government spending and has consistently supported measures to cut federal expenditures and reduce the national debt.

Second Amendment Rights:

Gun Rights: As a strong advocate for the Second Amendment, Budd has supported legislation to protect and expand gun rights. He has opposed efforts to implement more restrictive gun control measures and supports measures to enhance gun ownership and self-defense rights.

Healthcare:

Market-Based Reforms: Budd supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with market-based solutions. He voted for the “American Health Care Act” (H.R.1628) to repeal and replace the ACA, emphasizing increased competition and reduced costs in the healthcare system.
Prescription Drug Costs: Budd has supported measures to reduce prescription drug prices through market competition and increased transparency.

Education:

School Choice: Budd emphasizes local control over education and supports school choice policies that allow parents more options in their children’s education. He has voted for measures to reduce federal involvement in local schools and increase funding for charter schools and voucher programs.

National Security and Defense:

Defense Spending: Serving on the Senate Armed Services Committee, Budd supports robust defense spending and policies that enhance the security of the United States. He has consistently voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” (H.R.4350) to ensure military readiness and support defense initiatives.
Veterans’ Affairs: Budd is committed to supporting veterans and their families, voting for measures to improve veterans’ healthcare, education, and employment opportunities.

Social Issues:

Conservative Values: Budd upholds conservative values on social issues, including opposition to abortion and support for religious freedom. He has supported legislation to restrict abortion access and protect religious liberties.

Senator Budd’s voting record reflects his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention in healthcare, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. His stance on environmental issues prioritizes economic growth and energy independence.

Full Name: Thomas Roland Tillis
Date of Birth: August 30, 1960
Birthplace: Jacksonville, Florida, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Thom Tillis was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and grew up in a working-class family. He moved frequently during his childhood due to his father’s career in the military. Tillis graduated from high school in Nashville, Tennessee, and later earned a Bachelor of Science in Technology Management from the University of Maryland University College in 1997.

Personal Life: Thom Tillis is married to Susan Tillis, and they have two children. The family resides in Huntersville, North Carolina. Known for his dedication to public service and his pragmatic approach to governance, Tillis continues to work towards policies that promote security, prosperity, and opportunity for all Americans.

Early Career: Before entering politics, Tillis worked in the private sector, primarily in technology and management consulting. He held various leadership roles at companies such as PricewaterhouseCoopers and IBM, where he gained experience in business management, strategy, and information technology.

Thom Tillis (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2015

Political Career:

North Carolina House of Representatives: Elected in 2006, Tillis represented North Carolina’s 98th district. He served as the Speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives from 2011 to 2014. Tillis quickly rose to leadership positions, becoming the House Minority Whip in 2009 and later the Speaker of the House from 2011 to 2015. During his tenure, he focused on economic development, education reform, and regulatory reform.
U.S. Senate: In 2014, Tillis was elected to the U.S. Senate, defeating incumbent Senator Kay Hagan. He was re-elected in 2020. As a senator, Tillis has been known for his pragmatic approach and focus on issues such as national security, immigration reform, and economic policy.

Committee Assignments:

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe
Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
Committee on Finance
Committee on the Judiciary
Committee on Veterans’ Affairs

Legislative Achievements:

National Security and Defense: Tillis serves on the Senate Armed Services Committee and has focused on strengthening national defense, supporting military personnel, and enhancing cybersecurity. He has supported robust defense funding and policies to improve military readiness.
Veterans’ Affairs: Tillis is committed to supporting veterans and has worked on legislation to improve veterans’ healthcare, education, and employment opportunities. He has supported measures to enhance the services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.
Economic Policies: Tillis advocates for conservative economic principles, including tax reform, reducing government spending, and deregulation. He supported the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R.1) to lower taxes for individuals and businesses.
Healthcare: Tillis supports market-based healthcare reforms and has voted to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act. He advocates for policies that increase competition and reduce costs in the healthcare system.
Immigration: Tillis supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes securing the borders, enforcing immigration laws, and providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (DREAMers).

Senator Tillis is known for his dedication to national security, veterans’ affairs, conservative economic policies, healthcare reform, and immigration reform. His background in the private sector and his experience in the North Carolina House of Representatives shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for policies that benefit North Carolinians and the nation.

Committees

Commission on Security and Cooperation in Europe: Also known as the U.S. Helsinki Commission. This is a U.S. government agency that monitors and promotes the following in Europe and surrounding areas: Human Rights, Democracy, Military Security, Economic Cooperation, and Humanitarian Issues. The commission includes members from the U.S. Senate, House of Representatives, and executive branch, and it conducts various activities to inform U.S. policy and ensure adherence to international agreements.

Banking, Housing, and Urban Development: Committee ensures that the banking system is safe, housing is accessible, urban areas are well-developed, and consumers are protected in financial matters.

Finance: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping the economic direction of a country or region by influencing fiscal and monetary policies that impact individuals, businesses, and governments.

Judiciary: Committee plays a role in shaping the nation’s legal framework and ensuring the fair administration of justice. Its work impacts a wide range of issues, from the confirmation of judges to the protection of civil liberties and the enforcement of federal laws.

Veterans’ Affairs: Oversees veterans’ benefits, medical care, and assistance in transitioning to civilian life.

Voting patterns

Senator Tillis has a voting record that reflects his commitment to national security, veterans’ affairs, conservative economic policies, healthcare reform, and immigration reform

Key Voting Patterns:

National Security and Defense:

Defense Authorization: Tillis supports robust national defense measures and has consistently voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” (H.R.4350) to ensure military readiness and support defense initiatives.
Cybersecurity: Tillis has focused on enhancing cybersecurity measures to protect national infrastructure and sensitive information.

Veterans’ Affairs:

Veterans’ Services: Tillis is committed to improving services for veterans. He has supported legislation like the “VA MISSION Act” (S.2372) to enhance healthcare, education, and employment opportunities for veterans.

Economic Policies:

Tax Reform: Tillis supports lowering taxes and reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. He voted for the “Tax Cuts and Jobs Act” (H.R.1) to reduce taxes for individuals and businesses.
Government Spending: Tillis advocates for reducing government spending and has consistently supported measures to cut federal expenditures and reduce the national debt.

Healthcare:

Market-Based Reforms: Tillis supports repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act (ACA) with market-based solutions. He voted for the “American Health Care Act” (H.R.1628) to repeal and replace the ACA, emphasizing increased competition and reduced costs in the healthcare system.
Prescription Drug Costs: Tillis has supported measures to reduce prescription drug prices through market competition and increased transparency.

Immigration:

Comprehensive Reform: Tillis supports comprehensive immigration reform that includes securing the borders, enforcing immigration laws, and providing a pathway to citizenship for undocumented immigrants brought to the U.S. as children (DREAMers). He has voted for measures to enhance border security and reform the immigration system.

Social Issues:

Conservative Values: Tillis upholds conservative values on social issues, including opposition to abortion and support for religious freedom. He has supported legislation to restrict abortion access and protect religious liberties.

Senator Tillis’s voting record reflects his commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention in healthcare, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. His stance on environmental issues prioritizes economic growth and energy independence.