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The Hill
2 hours ago
- Politics
- The Hill
Virginia Foxx not done making waves as the ‘Iron Lady' of the House GOP
From elevator-bound staffers to the top leaders in the House, no one is underestimating 82-year-old Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.). After Foxx chaired a nearly 22-hour House Rules Committee hearing ahead of House passage of Trump's 'One Big Beautiful Bill' in May, Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) called her the 'Iron Lady of the House.' House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) called Foxx a 'tough cookie' and a 'straight shooter' in a press conference a few weeks later. Now in her 11th term in Congress, Foxx is undeniably one of the most iconic figures in the House Republican Conference — a stature achieved not by making waves through social media or bombastic stances, but through being a workhorse and a team player. 'I am really, really focused on not wasting time,' Foxx said in an interview with The Hill in June. 'If you see me when I'm waiting for the train, you'll see I go to the end of the platform so that I am on the first car, so when I get out, I'm as close as I can be to where I'm going.' But while she is known for her toughness, Foxx also has a soft side — tearing up when talking about the American Revolution's 'barefoot soldiers who were willing to risk their lives for freedom.' She's poured her energy through her decades-long career into helping people through education, just as it helped her rise up from poverty. Fox in this Congress is the only Republican woman chairing a committee in the House, selected by the Speaker to lead the powerful Rules panel after she led Republicans on the House Committee on Education and the Workforce for four terms. Foxx, though, doesn't see that statistic as evidence of bias against women in the GOP. 'I think a lot of the press tries to make it look like women are not respected in the Republican Party, but it's really a matter of tenure,' she said, adding: 'The fact that I'm the only woman just means that we haven't had women stay as long as men stay or start earlier to be able to gain the seniority to become a chair. So it's just a matter of timing, more than anything.' Foxx's personal life story centers on the transformative power of education. Born in New York City (Manhattan, to be exact — 'Wikipedia has it wrong'), Foxx moved to North Carolina when she was six years old, living in houses without electricity or running water. She had no plans to go to college until a teacher her senior year encouraged her to do so. She attended Lees-McRae College in North Carolina for a semester; then went to live with her grandparents in the Bronx while she worked as a typist near Wall Street and saved her money; and then went back to enroll at Appalachian State University. Foxx transferred and graduated from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and went on to earn an education doctorate from UNC-Greensboro. But Foxx stresses that benefiting from education is not about collecting college degrees, but about skill development. She recalled her younger brother worrying that his family would be ashamed of him for not wanting to go to college. Foxx helped set up a carpentry apprenticeship program for him to enter, and he eventually got a license. 'We've set a standard for many people that says if you don't have a college degree, you're no good. And that bothers me a lot,' Foxx said. Foxx is as much of a team player on the political side of the House GOP as she is within the official side. One of the booths in the National Republican Congressional Committee from which members make fundraising calls has Foxx's name on it, sources have told The Hill over the years. Those workhorse sensibilities have long been apparent: A profile of Foxx in The Hill 20 years ago described Foxx's personality as 'half-grandmother, half-drill sergeant.' Around the Capitol campus, Foxx is widely known for her reputation for scolding staff and others for hopping on a members-only elevator, or telling staff and reporters to get out of the way. 'I am a rule follower. Ninety-five percent of the time, I'm in a hurry, and most members are,' Foxx said. 'And so there's a members' elevator for a reason, and it really is for time management more than anything else.' Her elevator reputation is so strong that other members have thanked her for the installation of new members-only elevators updates in House office buildings over the last year — but Foxx said the credit for those new key-card activated elevators to House Administration Committee Chair Bryan Steil (R-Wis.), insisting she did not ask for the additions. It's not just elevators. Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.), one of Foxx's friends in Congress, recalled one of his first impressions of her while waiting on a bus to go to an event. 'This white-haired lady stood up and told the bus driver, 'close the door and go,'' Westerman said. 'And the bus driver closed the door and left. And my wife and I were there, and my wife said, 'You better watch out for her.'' 'There's only one Virginia Foxx,' he added. 'I think a lot of people see sometimes a rough exterior, but she's got a huge heart inside.' Foxx also made waves when she scolded a reporter in a press conference after Republicans nominated Johnson to be Speaker after a three-month saga following former Speaker Kevin McCarthy's (R-Calif.) removal in 2023. One of the first questions to Johnson concerned his efforts supporting Trump's 'Stop the Steal' effort after the 2020 election. Republicans booed — and Foxx, standing prominently next to Johnson, shouted back: 'Shut up! Shut up!' Foxx told The Hill she thought the questions should have centered on how the new Speaker nominee felt. 'We were in such a wonderful mood. We'd gone through a lot to get speaker Johnson elected, and the mood in the room was so happy, so happy. And for somebody to bring up something totally opposite of where we were at the moment was very frustrating,' Foxx said. 'The woman was clueless about the tone at the time.' Foxx, who just celebrated her 82nd birthday, is the 15th oldest lawmaker in all of Congress — and the 10th oldest representative. Age has become a major political liability in recent years, particularly with former President Biden being forced to drop out of the 2024 race due to concerns about his mental acuity and a number of other aging lawmakers being scrutinized more regularly. Foxx is 'quite aware' of the scrutiny placed on older members, but sees herself as being at the peak of her career and has no plans to step back. In May, she announced she is seeking reelection in 2026. 'I get letters from people saying you need to quit,' Foxx said. 'My response to that is the Speaker appointed me Chair of the Rules Committee. That's sort of the peak of a career around here. And so I feel like I'm really in a good place. I don't think anybody will say I have any cognitive decline.' 'I'm physically in good shape. I had a fall in January, but that was because of a slick step,' Foxx said, referring to slipping on the marble steps outside the House chamber. 'I don't have any problems with getting around and I feel great. I work out every day, I stretch and I do those kinds of things to keep in good shape.' 'I don't see a reason to quit, as long as I can be the kind of representative my constituents deserve and want,' Foxx said. Last year, Foxx went through the same personal hardships as many of her constituents when Hurricane Helene hit North Carolina — trapping her husband in their mountain home. Foxx told her husband she planned to stay the night in Winston-Salem due to the coming hurricane and meetings in the area the next day, but he didn't expect the storm to be that bad. But Foxx, not wanting to take chances, filled up jugs of water for him – preparedness that paid off after flooding washed away some driveway to her house, trapping him for several days. 'I'm glad in many ways that it happened to us, because we were experiencing the same things that my constituents were experiencing. So when people would call me, I knew exactly what they were dealing with,' Foxx said.
The Sun
5 hours ago
- The Sun
CIA features Malaysian coins at intelligence memorial
THREE Malaysian coins have captured attention after being highlighted by the United States Central Intelligence Agency in their weekly artefact presentation on their official X social media platform. The featured currency includes coins valued at 20 sen (minted in 2018), 10 sen (from 2017), and 5 sen (also from 2018). These coins were found positioned at the foot of the Nathan Hale memorial statue, which stands outside the CIA's original headquarters facility in Langley, Virginia. All three coins bore distinctive small artistic elements: the 20 sen piece displayed artwork depicting a traditional broom figure, the 10 sen coin showed what appeared to be imagery of a woman or child, and the 5 sen coin contained markings resembling animal tracks. The intelligence agency has not disclosed the identity of whoever placed these coins at the memorial site, nor has it revealed the timeframe when they were deposited. According to CIA documentation on their official website, it has become customary for intelligence officers to place coins at the statue's base prior to undertaking overseas assignments. The agency explains that this ritual is steeped in tradition: 'Legend suggests this practice brings fortune and ensures Hale's protective spirit watches over officers during their international missions.' The memorial honours Nathan Hale, recognised as America's inaugural intelligence operative, who faced execution in 1776 when he was just 21 years old. His capture occurred while conducting surveillance on British military operations during the American Revolution. The bronze statue portrays Hale with his hands restrained, his gaze fixed resolutely into the distance. While CIA personnel typically deposit American quarter dollars bearing George Washington's likeness, some opt for alternative currency that holds special significance or personal value. Certain officers choose to leave exactly 76 cents as tribute to the Revolutionary War year of 1776, whilst others select international currency such as these Malaysian coins, which often feature meaningful artwork or inscriptions. The CIA Museum staff regularly gather the accumulated coins from around the statue's perimeter. These collected coins are subsequently contributed to both the CIA Officers Memorial Foundation and the Third Option Foundation - charitable organisations dedicated to supporting wounded intelligence personnel and the families of those who made the ultimate sacrifice in service.
Otago Daily Times
20 hours ago
- Politics
- Otago Daily Times
Letters to the Editor: voting, pubs and mining
Today's Letters to the Editor from readers cover topics including non-resident ratepayer voting, backing the local pub, and trashing our heritage for overseas mining interests. Candidate claim runs counter to principle Green Party mayoral candidate Mickey Treadwell is mistaken in his opinion that non-resident ratepayer voting violates New Zealand's democratic principles ( ODT 11.7.25). "No taxation without representation" is a fundamental principle of democracy. This principle has been established as far back as the Boston Tea Party of 1773, which triggered the American Revolution and the establishment of the first truly democratic modern state. For Mr Treadwell to claim that long-term holiday home owners and non-resident owners of say, commercial property in Dunedin city, have less of an interest in the future of the city and "less investment in public good" is just plainly untrue. Compared to a bunch of students living in a rented flat for a couple of years, each of whom has a residential vote and who will all likely depart the city forever on graduation, who does Mr Treadwell think has a greater stake in the city? I suspect the real reason for Mr Treadwell's concern is that he (rightly) believes that non-resident ratepayer electors are less likely to vote for a Green Party candidate. And just for the record, it doesn't matter how many properties a non-resident ratepayer elector owns within a local body territory: they only get one vote in that territory, even if the property or properties within that territory are jointly owned. Power and votes Green Party mayoral candidate Mickey Treadwell complained that non-resident ratepayers had disproportionate power because they can vote in the council elections. He is quoted as saying: "it's a pretty direct violation of our one-person, one vote democratic principle". I am sure that Mr Treadwell, as a Green Party member, is a supporter of unelected Māori having voting rights on council committees. How he and many liberal lefties reconcile this with his above quote I don't know. I am afraid that we have far too many ideologues as councillors and would-be councillors, who as the above quote reveals are quite happy to foster democracy, but are quite prepared to ignore their principles, when their ideology demands it. We did great There has been a surfeit of grizzling and faux outrage from the right wing and the ignorant regarding Jacinda Ardern, Ashley Bloomfield, and the excellent public health team who led our Covid response. Aotearoa saved 20,000 lives due to the border closure, mask mandates and our vaccination programme, according to statistician Michael Planck and epidemiologist Professor Michael Baker. Official statistical sites reveal that the US suffered 3493 deaths per million people (as at July 2025), the UK 3404, France 2613, Canada 1424 and New Zealand 834. Our economy came out of Covid strongly with low unemployment and with Triple A or Double A plus ratings from Moody's and Standard and Poor's. Yet there is a barrage of often hysterical criticism of the Ardern government's brilliant response to a major pandemic. Perhaps next time a pandemic arrives, the coalition apologists and the egotistical show ponies should go and live in the US and watch as hospitals split at the seams and morgues overflow into the streets while mass graves are dug, as in 2020. Local customer backs his local establishment In the ODT (8.7.25) article regarding the on-licence and off-licence renewal application for Mackies Hotel, Port Chalmers, the Dunedin City Council licensing staff were insinuating Mackies was poorly run and opposed the renewal of the liquor licence. On the contrary, this hotel is a well-run and well-maintained spotless pub. I question the decision made by DCC licensing inspector Tanya Morrison and medical officer Aaron Whipp suggesting Mr Sefton was not a suitable applicant to hold a licence. He admits he got slack with ever-changing compliance, but no need to make a mountain out of mole hill. A word in his ear would have sufficed. Publican Wayne Sefton and his family have been a big support to the Port Chalmers community and sports clubs over the last 40 years. Mr Sefton, like most community publicans, also takes an interest in the wellbeing of his patrons. DCC licensing staff should be supporting and help promote our community pubs: most of them are managed well with no trouble. I would love to see more young people use these establishments. Whilst having a beer or two they would meet a lot of interesting people of all ages and demographics and walks of life. Mining and its legacy I was shocked to hear about the proposed Santana mine at Tarras. Do we really want a Central Otago where the noise of explosions, trucks and stamping machines echoes across the quiet Lake Dunstan, where 24/7 flood-lighting blots out the stars, where carcinogenic arsenic is released from the smashed schist and hangs around in the air and coats the soil, where toxins from a massive tailings dam leaches into the Clutha, where three huge open-cast mines are highly visible? Eventually the Santana mine will expand through the Dunstan mountains and the Maniototo. Everyone who lives, works and plays in Otago and will feel the irreversible effects of the Santana mine. The proposal is being fast-tracked, with diminished local or environmental input. We don't have much time. Parliamentarian Shane Jones has ranted in respect of digging up our landscape and trashing our cultural heritage in favour of carte blanche access for Australian mining interests. In Chillagoe, a one-time mining centre in far north Queensland, there is an abandoned smelter. This small centre is the acknowledged "start-of-the-outback", with something of a character of its own. The place has been suspended in time, in the condition which probably existed on the day the last worker quit the site, no doubt to seek alternative employment at another mine. My argument is: if that is the condition in which Australian mining conglomerates leave their own landscape, what assurances of remediation of our own landscape in the wake of gold, or whatever, finally giving out in New Zealand may be relied upon? We as a country with much less territorial area able to be trashed than Australia, exist in their eyes with only one justification for our existence: our potential to be exploited, for their rapacious gain. [Abridged — length. Editor.] Address Letters to the Editor to: Otago Daily Times, PO Box 517, 52-56 Lower Stuart St, Dunedin. Email: editor@
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Newsweek
Mom of Two US Citizens Faces Deportation After Reporting Assault to Police
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Federal authorities are deporting a Michigan mother of two U.S. citizens after she reported an alleged assault to police. Veronica Ramirez-Verduzco, 49, pleaded guilty to illegally reentering the United States from her native Mexico and was ordered to pay a $100 fine before being handed over to immigration authorities for removal from the country, according to the Detroit Free Press. Her deportation follows her attempt to seek help from police following alleged workplace harassment in southeastern Michigan. Why It Matters Ramirez-Verduzco's case illuminates the risk some crime victims face when interacting with local law enforcement due to current federal immigration enforcement practices. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) records reviewed by Newsweek show Ramirez-Verduzco being detained at the Calhoun County Correctional Center in Battle Creek, Michigan. What to Know Ramirez-Verduzco was not previously targeted by federal immigration authorities, but became known to officials only after she reported workplace harassment to the Van Buren Township Police Department earlier this year. She had been employed at a Belleville assisted living facility. People affiliated with the 50501 movement gather at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to protest the Trump administration on the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. People affiliated with the 50501 movement gather at Hart Plaza in downtown Detroit, Michigan on Saturday, April 19, 2025, to protest the Trump administration on the 250th anniversary of the start of the American Revolution. DOMINIC GWINN/Middle East Image/AFP via Getty Images During their investigation, police ran her information through a statewide system typically used for criminal suspects, which resulted in an automatic notification to federal immigration enforcement. Federal authorities then secured a warrant and later detained her. Local police said they did not intentionally refer her to ICE. Newsweek reached out to ICE, the Van Buren Township Police, and attorney Lisa Dwyer for comment. Prosecutors argued that Ramirez-Verduzco's repeated illegal entries and alleged false statements in employment records warranted a significant sentence to deter further violations. She ultimately received a sentence of time served. Dwyer argued that she is a nonviolent individual devoted to her family and work, rejecting the notion that she fit the profile of a high-priority deportation target. The incident comes amid a broader rise in local federal immigration charges, with the number of cases filed in early 2025 already surpassing the combined numbers of the previous two years. Last week, Cuban reggaeton artist and U.S. permanent resident Leamsy Izquierdo, known artistically as Leamsy La Figura, alleged that detainees at the newly opened "Alligator Alcatraz" immigration detention center in Florida are enduring unsanitary, cold and inhumane conditions. Also last week, dozens of Iranian employment-based green card applicants filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging that a new presidential travel ban has unlawfully derailed their immigration process. Curtis Morrison, an immigration attorney and owner of Red Eagle Law who represents the Iranian immigrants, previously told Newsweek that he has a "high" confidence level that his clients will be provided due consideration. What Happens Next Ramirez-Verduzco is being removed to Mexico, with her family preparing to relocate to a border town to remain together.
New York Times
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- New York Times
When Americans Agreed on History, for 60 Seconds
Fifty years ago on CBS, the revolution was televised, if only for a minute at a time. From July 4, 1974, through the end of 1976, 'Bicentennial Minutes' took 60 seconds in prime time between some of TV's most popular shows to have celebrities, artists and politicians tell viewers what had happened 200 years ago that day, in the early years of the American Revolution. Charlton Heston kicked off the series, backed by a giant American flag, telling of George Washington's worries after the Boston Tea Party. Representative Bella Abzug, in her trademark hat and thick New York accent, related a British man-o-war attack on the city's waterfront. Lucille Ball described 'corn-shucking parties' in colonial New England. (Not every day in history can be equally action-packed.) In a twist on the CBS anchor Walter Cronkite's famous sign-off, each one concluded, 'That's the way it was.' The series was a simple act of civic education — earnest, unflashy, a little corny and mockable. It was not big on geopolitics, gray areas or the moral failings of the home-team rebels. Writing in The New York Times, the TV critic John J. O'Connor called its early episodes 'so insubstantial as to be almost meaningless.' (The series nonetheless won an Emmy in 1976.) But a half-century later, as America prepares to celebrate a bigger mouthful of a birthday, the Semiquincentennial, the 'Bicentennial Minutes' series is educational in a different way. It's a time capsule of 20th-century mass civics, a reminder of how — for good, bad or mediocre — TV once formed a kind of public square that is probably irretrievable. 'Bicentennial Minutes,' like many American inventions, was a creation of commerce. Shell Oil bought each minute of airtime for two years, its logo ending each star-spangled broadcast. (Other sponsors took over after July 4, 1976.) It was a crossover ad for gasoline and America. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
