Name: Valerie P. Foushee

Age: 70

Party affiliation: Democrat

Campaign website: https://valeriefoushee.com

Occupation & employer: Member of Congress, U.S. House of Representatives

Years lived in the area: 70

1. What are your primary concerns for the State of North Carolina?

“Rising costs and preserving democracy.

Republicans continue to ignore skyrocketing prices while our district has been the hardest hit in the nation by Trump’s federal funding cuts with an estimated 186 federal grants slashed. This affects thousands of the over 11,000 federal workers who call our district home and the numerous organizations doing impactful work right here in North Carolina with the help of federal dollars. We must take a multi-faceted approach and exhaust all avenues to reinstate the jobs and federal funding cuts by the Trump Administration, while addressing the rising costs hurting these same families whose jobs are threatened. This includes passing Medicare for All, expanding child care, and supporting small businesses to establish a strong economic backbone for our country, while rebuilding the agencies that employ so many of our local residents.

In North Carolina, we’ve also seen new Congressional maps in nearly every election for the last decade, constant efforts to hamper our communities’ access to the ballot box, and even attempts to overturn elections. We cannot depend on the General Assembly to deliver for North Carolinians. When we retake the majority, Democrats will be ready to pass federal legislation to end partisan redistricting and expand the Supreme Court to ensure that voting rights can no longer come under attack from the nation’s highest court. Passing these laws is long overdue—Democrats cannot afford to operate without alarm, our democracy is at stake.”

2. What in your background qualifies you to represent the people of this state effectively? What would you cite as your biggest career accomplishments? 

“I am running to continue delivering for this district as I have done for over 2 decades in public service and during my 3 years representing this district in Congress. I was born in this district, attended a segregated elementary school here, graduated from college here, and have developed deep roots across this community. I’ve served on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board, I was the first African American female elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners, and eventually served in the North Carolina State House and Senate.

I’ve seen firsthand how much this region has grown with flourishing immigrant communities and a robust economy. I’ve also seen how much our communities are hurting as food, housing, and healthcare costs continue to rise. My depth of experience as a legislator, combined with my lived experience here in our community, makes me effective in delivering the results our district needs.

Despite serving only in Republican House Majorities, I helped secure $1 billion for the Raleigh-Richmond S-Line through a grant program made possible by the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. I also secured nearly $12M for Community Funded Projects in 2024 alone including nearly $3.5 million for local affordable housing initiatives, and I’ve successfully passed a bill to help protect the environment through a Republican-majority House of Representatives twice.

This shows that my work in Congress is not just lip service. I have delivered real results for our community while pushing for the progressive change our district seeks. When Democrats regain the majority, passing legislation to protect our community will be essential, and I will ensure that our district’s priorities are acted on immediately.”

3. If elected, what three policies would you prioritize and how would you work across the aisle to enact those initiatives?

“My three biggest priorities would be preserving our democracy, protecting our community from ICE, and addressing the rising cost of healthcare.

Trump is the biggest threat to democracy our nation has ever faced. He’s engaging in open corruption, taking away rights, weaponizing the government against our communities, all while he lines his own pockets. I continue to support his impeachment, but that is the minimum. Congress must advance a package of legislation that fixes our broken campaign finance system, establishes independent redistricting commissions, and addresses discriminatory voter laws and unethical tactics that limit the voice of the American people.

Though I believe we do need a form of immigration enforcement in our country, it’s clear that ICE is not compatible with our democracy and must be defunded. Though I am a cosponsor of the Melt ICE Act to strip ICE of its authority to detain while rerouting ICE funding to community programs, our communities do need real policy changes to stop ICE from continuing to hurt Americans right now under Trump. I will continue to vote in favor of any steps possible to end ICE’s inhuman immigration enforcement, even if it requires a government shutdown of the Department of Homeland Security as we saw earlier this year, to protect our communities.

Finally, I support Medicare for All, and continue to fight for legislation that establishes a single-payer healthcare system. It is unfathomable that our nation, the richest in the world, has been unwilling to guarantee healthcare for every single person. I was proud to have helped expand Medicaid in North Carolina during my time in the State Senate, and protecting healthcare has always been one of my priorities. I do support extending the Affordable Care Act tax credits, but near-yearly negotiations over their renewal are unsustainable, and Medicare for All is the right step forward towards properly addressing healthcare access.”

4. Federal cuts to Medicaid are expected to cost the state $50 billion over the next decade, according to the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services. How would you address Medicaid funding to maintain coverage for the millions of North Carolinians enrolled?

“Ideally, I would pass Medicare for All to establish a single-payer healthcare system at the federal level to properly deliver healthcare access to every North Carolinian, regardless of their Medicaid eligibility. American families should never have to worry about their federal government cutting billions of dollars from healthcare and putting their care at risk.

Without the passage of Medicare for All, I still believe the federal government should cover this estimated $50 billion cut to Medicaid. I will continue to fight for that in Congress.”

5. How would you address the rising costs of housing, childcare, and basic necessities facing North Carolina families?

“Since it is clear that Trump is almost solely interested in corrupt deals with his billionaire friends, sending money abroad for wars, and tariffs that drive up costs, Congress must unite and exert its power to immediately address the rising cost of housing, childcare, and basic necessities.

To lower housing costs, Congress can pass legislation to stop hedge fund speculators from buying up housing in our area, which increases prices, and can increase federal funding for a broad range of programs designed to promote affordable housing, homeownership, and community development. Our government should heavily subsidize childcare costs for families across our communities who need extra support—and as these same families are seeing higher grocery and gas prices, ending forever wars abroad is one of the easiest ways we can start prioritizing putting money into our communities over our bloated defense budget.

Raising the corporate tax rate, increasing capital gains and buyback taxes, and instituting a 25% minimum tax rate on households with a net worth over $100 million are all simple ways Congress can lower the wealth gap and secure proper funding to direct toward programs that help our communities. However, if lawmakers do not proactively pass legislation to stop corporate campaign expenditures, corruption, collusion, and monopolies, we will continue to experience an economy that prioritizes the ultra-wealthy over hardworking Americans. I continue to support legislation to overturn Citizens United and have been proud to be a leading voice alongside Rep. Deborah Ross in calling on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau and Federal Housing Finance Agency to investigate whether investors are taking advantage of federal affordable housing programs at the expense of homeowners and renters. I will continue these fights and more to ensure that Congress supports everyday people across the country.”

6. Thousands of North Carolina workers lost their jobs in 2025 due to federal budget cuts—RTI and FHI 360 alone have laid off hundreds of employees, while Duke and UNC face massive funding cuts and hiring freezes. How would you address both the human toll and the long-term economic impact of these federal funding changes on our state?

The solution here is not a single fix. We must rebuild and codify proper funding for USAID, the Department of Education, and the aforementioned agencies that bring jobs to our district and partner critically with our local universities and technical colleges. However, rebuilding our agencies, federal grants, and restoring federal jobs will require time—and many skilled workers the government depends on have moved to other sectors. Congress must prioritize raising the minimum wage to $24 an hour, address barriers to entry for small businesses, pass legislation to lower childcare costs like my Expanding Child Care Access Act, fund programs to promote affordable housing and homeownership, and establish a single-payer national health program through Medicare for All. Establishing this strong economic backbone will allow our communities to recover as we rebuild these federal agencies and restore the thousands of incredibly impactful jobs this Administration cut.

7. Climate disasters are intensifying: Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina in 2024, Tropical Storm Chantal flooded the Triangle in 2025, and coastal erosion threatens the Outer Banks. With much affordable housing located in flood-prone areas and FEMA resources stretched thin, what is your plan for climate resilience and disaster relief?

“FEMA needs proper funding to deliver for our communities in times of need, and Congress must ensure that specific FEMA programs, like the Building Resilient Infrastructure and Communities (BRIC) program, are adequately funded. The BRIC program helps provide states with resources to mitigate environmental hazard risks. Though I am grateful that a court ruled Trump’s cuts to the BRIC program illegal last December, I continue to explore all avenues in Congress to strengthen FEMA programs that help our communities with disaster preparedness.

However, climate resilience extends beyond FEMA’s response to natural disasters. People throughout the country and North Carolina are often forced to deal with extreme weather events like extreme heat without any support from Congress. I am proud to have introduced the Cool Roof Rebate Act to provide financial incentives for homeowners to install reflective roofing aimed at reducing heat-related health risks. I am also continuing to explore all routes to give our communities protection from extreme weather events as the climate crisis worsens.”

8. Last year, federal agents arrested more than 250 people in immigration enforcement operations across North Carolina, creating fear in immigrant communities and disrupting businesses and schools. How do you view the enforcement actions, and how would you address their impact on North Carolina’s economy and communities?

“The actions of federal immigration enforcement have been horrific. They are tearing families and communities apart while targeting Black, Brown, and immigrant communities. No child should have to worry about their parents being sent to another country by the time they’re home from school, but that is a real reality that so many children across the nation are facing—it’s disgusting and completely incompatible with our democracy.

Inaction means Congress is complicit. I am proud to cosponsor the Melt ICE Act to strip ICE of its authority to detain or surveil, which will deal a crushing blow to Trump’s inhuman immigration enforcement while rerouting funding to programs that will actually help our communities. I have also conducted oversight visits of ICE facilities, helped advocate for the release of my constituents who have been wrongfully detained by ICE, and hosted a Know Your Rights training while partnering with local organizations to help our communities at risk.

However, defunding ICE will never bring back the lives lost, businesses closed and trauma caused to families across the nation by ICE. As we respond to ICE’s activities, we must ensure charges are pursued against abusive ICE agents, and we must reapportion federal funding to help our communities rebuild from this terror.

We need to ease the pathway to citizenship for DACA recipients and Dreamers, update our antiquated visa lottery structure, end family separations and travel bans, and ensure that we are properly providing Temporary Protected Status for foreign nationals from countries facing armed conflict and natural disasters. And finally, Congress needs to pass legislation that ensures immigrants are treated with dignity regardless of their documented status. Immigrants are what make our country great, and the Fourth District is a perfect representation of that fact.”

9. Federal contractors are no longer required to maintain non-discrimination policies, and many DEI-related programs have been eliminated across sectors in our state. What is your view on recent changes to DEI and anti-discrimination policies?As a Black woman who grew up during the Civil Rights era, I have been subjected to and continue to face discrimination daily. I grew up in our state during Jim Crow attending a segregated elementary school, and I use those lived experiences every single day to inform my decision-making to ensure justice, fairness and inclusion for all. Addressing gaps in diversity, equity, and inclusion is paramount to my efforts in public service. I’ve seen firsthand how gaps in workforce development, education outcomes, and everyday treatment of minority communities negatively affect our country.

As Vice Chair of the Congressional Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Caucus, I know how much these recent attacks on DEI-related programs across sectors in our state, including our local public universities, are hurting our district in particular. Cuts to grant programs have left students struggling to pay for college. Local governments and colleges are struggling to fill-in funding gaps, and many talented professionals have been demonized for their hard work and have lost their jobs entirely. 

On the national level, Trump gutted the Minority Business Development Agency, over $1 billion in school mental health grants, and hundreds of other federal grants while attempting to roll back DEI. These efforts have real consequences for our communities here in the Fourth District, which is also home to a renowned HBCU, North Carolina Central University that continues to push forward with transformative education efforts despite attacks by the Trump Administration. I will ensure that these programs are reinstated and funding to support DEI initiatives is restored—and will continue to push for federal protections surrounding DEI efforts to ensure that states cannot attack efforts to promote diversity and inclusion.

10. Federal education funding faced significant delays and cuts in 2025, affecting Title I programs, teacher training, and after-school services in North Carolina. How will you work to ensure stable federal education funding for our state’s schools?

As a graduate of North Carolina’s public education system, and having started my career in public service on the Chapel Hill-Carrboro Schools Board, I understand the importance of properly funding schools to ensure that our children receive the education they need and deserve. I am proud to cosponsor the Department of Education Protection Act to safeguard this vital agency, and will continue to work to secure stable federal education funding for North Carolina schools by ensuring the department’s funding is properly codified and protected from Trump’s Executive Orders.

The challenges facing our education system were extensive even before Trump’s cuts. Congress must proactively improve and support Elementary and Secondary education nationwide to ensure children across the country have equal learning opportunities. Particularly, we need to provide teachers with the resources and compensation they need and deserve to be successful—teachers around the country have been underpaid and overworked for far too long. 

Congress should view funding the Department of Education, student loan forgiveness programs, and grant programs which help local students and universities as one of its top priorities. Many states already struggle to fund education programs, with some spending as low as $8,000 per K-12 student. The Department of Education helps fill those gaps, administers financial aid for students, and ensures that students with disabilities aren’t left behind through the Office of Special Education Programs and Section 504. Passing legislation to improve teacher pay and expand funding for the Department of Education is a requirement if we want our nation to progress and our kids to thrive—period.

11. President Trump has dramatically expanded executive power through emergency declarations, the use of federal agents in cities without local coordination, and the initiation of a war in Iran without Congressional approval. What role should Congress play in checking executive power?

“Congress completely abdicated its responsibility to hold the President accountable during the Trump Administration. We have seen that we cannot solely depend on the courts to defend our democracy, particularly with the current makeup of the Supreme Court.

Congress has to be the leader in preserving our democracy. We must stop Trump’s inhumane immigration enforcement, the use of emergency declarations to criminalize organizations and threaten elections, and blatant disregard for international law and human rights. That includes passing legislation to repeal the Alien Enemies Act of 1798 which allows the President to apprehend and remove non-citizens, legislation that ensures congressionally-approved federal funding cannot be reapportioned elsewhere, and legislation to reestablish Congress’ authority over our armed forces through War Powers resolutions like those I’ve cosponsored in the House.

In accordance with that effort, I have also voted in favor of every single war powers resolution to come to the floor in this Congress, and have voted in favor of advancing impeachment against Trump at every opportunity in this Congress. Not holding the presidency means that Democrats will need to stay vigilant in fighting back against Republicans in every way possible, and I will continue to do so even as we retake the majority in Congress.”

12. Both Democrats and Republicans are experiencing severe internal divisions. How would you navigate disagreements within your own party while still effectively representing North Carolina’s interests? Or, if you are running as an Independent, how will you work effectively with both parties?

“The people of North Carolina’s Fourth District are my sole focus, and have been my sole focus for my almost 4 years in Congress. Many times, the majority of the Democratic party supports legislation that does not properly serve our region. I have no issue making my voice heard and casting votes against that legislation, as seen with my votes against our bloated defense budget in 2024 and 2025.

However, I am well aware of the realities of Congress and legislative systems. I have disagreed with many bills, yet I still worked to improve them to ensure our community is not left behind if the legislation passes. This year alone I have disagreed with and voted against a variety of federal funding bills, but I still managed to insert language into these pieces of legislation to secure federal funding for our district knowing some of the bills might pass the Republican majority.

Being a member of Congress isn’t just about voting against bills I disagree with, it’s also about maximizing positive outcomes for my constituents even if a bill I disagree with passes. That intent—delivering for the priorities of our district—has always been my sole focus, and I will continue to use my positions in the House to ensure the priorities of our district are heard, no matter which party is in the majority.”

13. Give an example of an opinion, policy, vote or action you changed based on constituent feedback. If you have not yet held elected office, describe a time when you changed your position on an issue after listening to those affected by it.

“Taking money from AIPAC in my run for Congress in 2022. Though the Fourth District once represented vastly different communities, it is clear that Netanyahu’s indiscriminate killing of innocent Palestinians in Gaza cannot continue.

The actions of Hamas on October 7th, 2023 were horrific. However, achieving durable peace in the region cannot be attained through a long, drawn-out war that claims the lives of innocent civilians and children. That is why I have cosponsored the Block the Bombs Act and the West Bank Violence Prevention Act, voted in favor of Rep. Massie’s amendment to cut all funding from Israel in the State Department funding package, and continue to advocate for ending arms sales to Israel.

Americans want to see human rights respected at home and abroad. Continuing to use taxpayer money to fund wars abroad, particularly while Americans here at home are suffering with higher grocery, healthcare, and housing costs, is out of touch.”

14. Are there any issues this questionnaire has not addressed that you would like to address?

“The importance of addressing our climate crisis. Recent extreme weather events continue to highlight the real effects of the climate crisis on our communities, but Congress still hasn’t taken enough proper steps to ensure our environment remains protected for future generations. It starts with passing legislation like the Green New Deal—but here in the Fourth District, we also know all too well the importance of Congress properly funding new, clean energy technologies that will help move our country forward.

As a member of the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, and a Co-Chair of the House Democrats Commission on AI and the Innovation Economy, I will continue to fight to hold big corporations like data center developers accountable, and work to lessen our dependence on fossil fuels while meeting our climate goals.”