Virginia Foxx addresses students in Ross Auditorium. Photo Creds: Charlie Stumb, Watauga Yearbook.
On April 23, U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx, a Republican who has represented North Carolina's 5th congressional district since 2005, paid a visit to Watauga High School to speak to several Civics classes and other interested students. Foxx gave a brief speech and then spent most of her time on a student-led Q&A.
During her speech, Foxx provided students with background about her upbringing and career in the Watauga area, including her 3, 4-year terms on the Watauga County Board of Education and her shared ownership of Grandfather Nursery with her husband beginning in 1976.
Foxx used the Constitution as the text for her speech, citing the opening words, “We the People,” as the most important words outside the Bible. Foxx also stated that the U.S. Constitution is the most enduring document governing a country. It is the basis of all her work, including her decisions as the Chairwoman of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a member of the House Committee on Oversight and Reform, said Foxx.
During the Q&A portion of the event, students came well-prepared with relevant and revealing questions. One question asked about Foxx’s thoughts on the rise of mental distress in high school students, to which Foxx replied that she is concerned by the rise of mental distress in students and identified her believed source, adding that responsibility to address the trend does not lie with the federal government.
“I do think we have a serious issue in our country with mental distress,” said Foxx. “I think much of it has to do with the breakdown of the families and family values that have existed over the years. I have members of my committee who want to work on some of the issues, but again, I see that primarily as a local and state issue.”
Another student asked if Foxx is committed to working on both sides of the aisle as the government becomes increasingly politically polarized.
“I try my best to work in a bipartisan fashion,” said Foxx. “We want very much to work with people who share some of our views, but not all of our views. The best way to get a bill passed out of the House of Representatives is to have it be bipartisan.”
Throughout several responses, Foxx maintained her conservative viewpoint that federal funding should extend to very few needs, which do not include education or infrastructure. She interprets the Constitution in a literal manner, meaning she believes almost all funding impacting citizens is a state or local responsibility. One priority Foxx does support funding federally is war and defense, including the United State’s support for Israel.
“I am not happy to provide money for education, to provide money for bike paths, to provide money for a lot of other things. But I'm a big believer in supporting Israel,” Foxx said.
Students also asked about Foxx’s support of a ceasefire in Gaza, thoughts on bills regulating the social media app TikTok, and her plan to address the climate crisis.
In a sit-down interview with the Congresswoman, Foxx stuck to promoting A Stronger Workforce For America Act, one that she deems her proudest piece of recent legislation to have worked on. The Act, which would make considerable updates to the Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, will provide several systemic skill development opportunities under the law.
“My proudest piece of recent legislation would be the A Stronger Workforce For America Act. It has passed the House and has gone to the Senate,” Foxx said. “I'm very pleased with that piece of legislation. Our culture right now is really focused on skill development and certification.”
Foxx views North Carolina’s education as “strong,” but believes that there are certain parts of the state that require much more funding and need more help than the Blue Ridge regions such as Watauga, Avery, and Ashe counties.
“I think North Carolina education is very strong in most places. There are some counties that are definitely not as strong as Watauga, Avery, and Ashe, the ones we’re familiar with,” Foxx said. “Down East, there are a lot more problems with education, with funding for education, with emphasis put on the importance of education.”
There is much more work to be done for Foxx, as she plans to lower the cost of attendance to North Carolina universities with the College Cost Reduction Act, which would provide transparency to future students and focus on the skill development of students from across the state.