Congressman Butterfield’s roots in Wilson, N.C. taught him the values of hard work and responsibility. His father, Dr. G. K. Butterfield Sr., was a respected dentist and elected official. Dr. Butterfield graduated from Meharry Dental College and practiced dentistry for 50 years in the poor, segregated community of East Wilson. Many of his patients had never received dental services because they were unable to afford care. However, Dr. Butterfield did not turn anyone away because they were unable to pay. To him, access to care was a right for everyone, not a privilege for the few.
Congressman Butterfield’s mother, Addie, was passionate about education. She taught elementary school for 48 years in some of the poorest communities in North Carolina. Mrs. Butterfield was keenly focused on making sure her students learned to read--a right that was denied to many Blacks in the South.
Congressman Butterfield hopes to maintain and improve all modes of transportation from high and rail, to airports and sea ports. A connected North Carolina provides job opportunities, moving commerce, and a stronger connection with the global economy.
As a senior member of the Subcommittee on Communications and Technology for the House Energy and Commerce Committee, Congressman Butterfield's goal is to connect the rural communities of the First Distrcit to the global exchange of technology. Providing agricultural producers with access to world markets, employment opportunities, federal assistance, and new methods of production are critical if rural communities are to thrive.
Congressman Butterfield believes that hard work and responsibility should be rewarded. The people of the First District deserve equal and fair access to the tools and opportunities that allow them to compete in the global workforce, earn decent wages, and have a fair shot at obtaining the American dream.
As the son of a school teacher, Congressman Butterfield knows that education is the best investment we can make in our nation’s future. Early childhood programs such as Head Start and quality primary education will give children the solid foundation to compete in the global workforce, earn fair wages and lead our nation forward.
Congressman Butterfield believes bold action is needed to bridge the gap between those looking for jobs and employers looking for skilled workers. Strengthening our competitiveness begins with providing North Carolinians with tools to succeed through expanding access to high quality education and innovative training programs. Doing so will grow the pool of highly skilled workers that companies are looking for to grow their businesses.
Congressman Butterfield is committed to breaking down the barriers to equal pay and employment for women. True opportunity requires that all people, regardless of their gender, have equal access to the rights, benefits, and opportunities defined by our Constitution. Congressman Butterfield supported President Obama in passing the Lilly Ledbetter Fair Pay Act in 2009, which provides a remedy for women and men who have been victims of pay discrimination.
Congressman Butterfield understands that a weakened U.S. economy depresses incomes, strains households, and eliminates entire job markets, making it harder for families to stay healthy and provide for their loved ones. He will continue to protect and improve crucial safety net programs that help families get back on their feet after unexpected challenges.
As Co-chair of the Out of Poverty Caucus and member of the Democratic Whip’s Task Force on Poverty, Income Inequality, and Opportunity, Congressman Butterfield will continue to protect and strengthen crucial safety net programs like the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF), Unemployment Insurance (UI) programs, and the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC), which help families get back on their feet after unexpected challenges. These critical programs are absolutely essential to keep children and families from going hungry while helping get people back to work.
As an influential leader on the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Health, Congressman Butterfield is committed to ensuring that Americans have access to health care. He played a supportive role in the development of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that has given millions of uninsured and underinsured Americans access to affordable healthcare.
Congressman Butterfield believes that homeownership is a key part of achieving the American Dream. Homeownership constitutes the bulk of wealth for the majority of American households and represents a stepping stone into the middle class.
As former civil rights attorney and advocate of voting rights, Congressman Butterfield believes the right to vote embodies the spirit of American democracy. He works tirelessly to eliminate barriers that prevent North Carolinians from exercising their right to vote in free and fair elections.
Congressman Butterfield is dedicated to protect the right to vote for all Americans. On June 25, 2013, the Supreme Court struck down Section 4 (b) of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 (VRA). The historic VRA prohibits racial discrimination in elections. Section 4 of the VRA is the formula that designates certain areas of the country that must have proposed changes to their voting laws cleared by the federal government or in federal court before implementing those changes. Without an enforceable Section 4, the VRA has been exploited by extreme and conservative state legislatures in an effort to suppress minority voters. Congressman Butterfield will not let this setback to the VRA hinder America’s progress for equality and representative democracy.
Congressman Butterfield is fighting to stop the aggressive efforts to disenfranchise voters in North Carolina. The right to vote for all eligible adults embodies the spirit of American democracy and should be protected.
As a veteran of the U.S. Army, Congressman Butterfield believes we need to do more for our veterans and servicemembers. One of the most important aspects of his job in Congress is to proudly represent and support servicemembers and their families of the First District, which is home to Seymour Johnson Air Force Base in Goldsboro.
A long-time advocate of our men and women in uniform, Congressman Butterfield believes that educational benefits are important steps towards honoring those who serve and helping them prepare for civilian life. He is working to resolve an inequity in existing law that allots fewer education funds to veterans who attend public institutions of higher learning.
Congressman Butterfield demands that the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs quickly make meaningful reforms to remedy the problems within the VA healthcare system so our veterans can start receiving the high quality care they deserve. As a country, we must support those who protect our freedom and provide them with quality healthcare.
Congressman Butterfield is committed to honoring the brave men and women who served our country in the Merchant Marines during World War II and have gone unrecognized for their service. Through no fault of their own, these selfless individuals have been unable to prove their service in the Merchant Marines because the documents needed to prove service either did not survive over time or never existed at all. Congressman Butterfield believes now is the time to stand-up for these great Americans and give them the recognition they rightly deserve.
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Open Enrollment is available NOW through December 15, 2017. If your employer does not provide health care coverage or you are self-employed, you can purchase, renew, or change your insurance plan for 2018 until December 15, 2017 on healthcare.gov ("the Marketplace"). STEP 1: Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to get started (it is helpful to review this checklist before starting a Marketplace application). STEP 2: Shop for a plan that meets your needs. Answer a few quick questions to browse plans, compare coverage, and estimate costs before you apply. Check this calendar for upcoming Open Enrollment events in your area. STEP 3: Need help? Click here to make an appointment with a free enrollment expert in your area who can walk your through your options. |
The earned income tax credit, also known as the EITC or EIC, is a refundable tax credit for working people with low to moderate income. A tax credit puts more money in your pocket, reduces the amount of tax you owe, and may also give you a refund. Yet, one out of five eligible workers fails to claim it. You might qualify for EITC this year even if you didn't in the past.
With the exception of someome who receives certain disability income, you must work for someone or run your own business or farm to qualify for EITC. Workers can find out if they qualify for EITC using the EITC Assistant tool at www.irs.gov/eitc.
To claim EITC on your tax return, you must meet the following rules:
Financial stability and social justice are deeply interconnected. Today, this factor remains as true as ever. However, families have to work harder and harder to realize their American dream.
Our nation and workforce are strongest when all individuals- regardless of race or ethnicity, location, or family wealth- have the opportunity to work hard and build a productive life.
We need a plan that creates more high-paying jobs and provides the support needed for workers to have the opportunity to get ahead. And we need to help every family get ahead so they can not only make ends meet, but earn enough to save for a secure retirement.
The Jobs and Justice Agenda calls for a recommitment to our founding principles of the American Dream, working to reverse years of inequality and injustice, and leveling the playing field for all.