Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Senator Burr Statement on Mount Tabor High School Shooting
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) released the following statement on the school shooting at Mount Tabor High School: "I'm deeply saddened to hear of the passing of a Mount Tabor High School student this afternoon. I commend local law enforcement and first responders for their quick and ongoing efforts to keep our community safe. My prayers are with the students and faculty during this time."… Continue Reading
08.31.21
Senator Burr Statement on U.S. Withdrawal from Afghanistan
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), member and former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement: "President Biden broke his word to American citizens and our allies. Plain and simple. Two weeks ago, the President pledged to get any American out of Afghanistan who wanted to leave. Today, he brazenly defended his decision to pull out of the country entirely, leaving an undetermined number of U.S. citizens behind at the mercy of the Taliban. "Presid… Continue Reading
08.26.21
Senator Burr Statement on Reports of Explosions Outside Afghanistan Airport
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), member and former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after the recent reports of explosions outside Afghanistan's Hamid Karzai International Airport: "I am closely monitoring the situation in Kabul as details continue to emerge. My prayers are with the victims of today's unconscionable attacks and the U.S. servicemen and women working around the clock to secure safe passage and evacuation for all U.S. cit… Continue Reading
08.16.21
Senator Burr Statement on Collapse of Afghanistan Following President Biden’s Withdrawal of U.S. Forces
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), member and former Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, released the following statement after President Biden's remarks regarding Afghanistan's fall to Taliban rule: "I disagreed with President Biden's decision to withdraw U.S. forces from Afghanistan, concerned that this Administration, like the last, had not fully considered the consequences. It was my hope, however, that in exercising his right as Commander-in-Chief, the President woul… Continue Reading
08.10.21
Senators Burr, Feinstein Introduce Legislation to Ensure Medicaid Access for Vulnerable Foster Care Children
Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Dianne Feinstein (D-CA) introduced the Ensuring Medicaid Continuity for Children in Foster Care Act of 2021. This bipartisan legislation would clarify existing law to ensure that the care provided for certain foster children in need of a higher level of care are covered by Medicaid. "Medicaid should not be a barrier for foster children with emotional or behavioral challenges to receive care in a setting that best meets their individual needs," said Senato… Continue Reading
08.10.21
Senate Passes Historic, Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill
Today, the U.S. Senate passed H.R. 3684, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, a historic, bipartisan bill to modernize America's aging infrastructure. The $1.2 trillion bill, which includes $550 billion in infrastructure funding, passed on a vote of 69-30. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee and one of 22 Senators who helped negotiate the framework of the bill, released the following statement: "This bipartisan… Continue Reading
08.06.21
Senator Burr Criticizes Biden Admin Extension of Student Loan Repayment Freeze
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), the Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after the Biden Administration announced its four-month extension of the COVID-19 student loan repayment freeze, the fourth such extension to date: "Every American over the age of 12 has had the opportunity to get vaccinated and return to school and work. Students and families faced immense challenges last year, but the American economy co… Continue Reading
08.03.21
Senator Burr Votes Against Advancing Nominations of David Weil and Catherine Lhamon
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, voted against advancing the nominations of David Weil to serve as the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division at the Department of Labor and Catherine Lhamon to serve as the Assistant for Civil Rights at the Department of Education. The Committee voted 11-11 on both nominees. Following the Committee's vote, Senator Burr released the following statement: "It's unfortunate… Continue Reading
07.30.21
Burr: The CDC Has Got to Do Better
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement on new data related to the spread of COVID-19 released today by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): "I'm deeply concerned it took the CDC three days to publicly release formal data justifying its reasoning behind the updated COVID-19 guidance. "This data should have been released at the same time the updated guidance was an… Continue Reading
07.30.21
Senator Burr Statement on Passing of Former Senator Carl Levin
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today released the following statement on the passing of former Michigan Senator Carl Levin: "I'm saddened by the passing of Carl Levin. Carl was already an institution in the Senate by the time I arrived in 2005. Our political beliefs might have been on opposite ends of the spectrum, but we agreed on the importance of working across the aisle to get things done. He took his job seriously and never lost sight of the people he was working for back home in Michigan. My… Continue Reading
07.28.21
Burr Releases New Report on Improving Existing Public Health Programs, Recommendations for Maintaining Vigilance for Next Threat
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released a new report highlighting longstanding federal public health programs that support state and local health departments, and recommendations for improving these programs based on lessons learned from the COVID-19 pandemic. The policy brief, titled "Preparing for Future Health Threats: Improving and Sustaining Foundational Public Health Capabilities in Response to COVID… Continue Reading
07.27.21
Burr Reiterates Call for All Eligible Americans to Get Vaccinated
Today, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Ranking Member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, released the following statement after today's announcement from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) issuing new guidance on mask wearing: "I'm urging everyone who is eligible but who has not already done so to get vaccinated. Do it to protect your parents, your children, your community, and yourself. The COVID-19 vaccines are safe, they work, and they are th… Continue Reading
07.27.21
Burr: Public Health Reforms Should Focus on Sustainable Policies that Endure Long After COVID-19 Response
Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing entitled, "The Path Forward: Building on Lessons Learned from the COVID-19 Pandemic." Ranking Member Burr's Full Prepared Opening Statement: "Thank you, Senator Murray for holding this hearing today. "Even before the first case was identified in America, this Committee has been extremely dedicated, in a bipartisan manner, to understanding the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. "Just last week, we heard from… Continue Reading
07.27.21
Senator Burr Statement on Passing of Former Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today released the following statement on the passing of former Wyoming Senator Mike Enzi: "The news of Mike Enzi's sudden passing is devastating for all of us who served with him in the U.S. Senate. Mike was a true problem solver, working across the aisle to build consensus on issues important to Wyoming and the nation. I had the honor of working alongside him to pass pandemic and biodefense preparedness legislation, a priority we both shared as members of the Senat… Continue Reading
07.25.21
Senator Burr Honors Emmett Till's 80th Birthday
Today, on what would have been Emmett Till's 80th birthday, Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) released the following statement honoring his life and legacy 66 years later: "Emmett Till's gruesome murder and the subsequent acquittal of his killers tragically demonstrated the violence and injustice that result from the evils of racism. The horrors of Till's death and the incredible courage of his mother, Mamie Till-Mobley, brought national attention to the Civil Rights Movement and galvanized many in t… Continue Reading
07.21.21
Bipartisan Senators Reintroduce Legislation to Improve Seniors’ Access to Breakthrough Medical Innovations
Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC), Michael Bennet (D-CO), Tom Carper (D-DE), and Tim Scott (R-SC) reintroduced the New Opportunities for Value to Extend Lives (NOVEL) Act. This bipartisan legislation would update coding, coverage, and payment processes at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to improve seniors' access to life-saving medical innovations. "The United States has historically been the undisputed leader in biomedical innovation," said Senator Burr. "Unfortunately… Continue Reading
07.20.21
Burr: Now Is the Time to Anticipate Next Phase of Pandemic Preparedness and Response
Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held a hearing entitled, "The Path Forward: A Federal Perspective on the COVID-19 Response." This is the Committee's third hearing with federal officials on the COVID-19 pandemic this year. Ranking Member Richard Burr's Prepared Opening Remarks: "Chair Murray, I am pleased to hold this hearing today, our third panel with members of the administration this Congress to discuss COVID-19. "To our witnesses, welcome and welco… Continue Reading
07.19.21
OP-ED: Burr: Congress Should Help Working Parents by Investing in Proven Child Care Programs
Roll Call Op-ed: We already have child care and early education programs that work. Let's invest in them By Sen. Richard M. Burr July 19, 2021 The strength of the relationship between a family and their child care provider is deeply important. It's one of the many reasons parents today spend months, if not years, researching the best child care options for their needs. Unfortunately, finding adequate, affordable child care has become increasingly difficult for many working families. Even b… Continue Reading
07.15.21
Burr, Bennet Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Enhance Accessibility of Innovative At-Home Treatments
Today, Senators Richard Burr (R-NC) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Better Wound Care at Home Act, bipartisan legislation to update payment rules at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to give Americans better access to cutting-edge technology and treatment options used in home health settings. "Outdated Medicare payment methods and billing rules shouldn't limit treatment options for Americans,"said Senator Burr. "It's important that seniors receiving care at home have… Continue Reading
07.15.21
Burr Questions Partisan Record, Extreme Agenda of Biden’s Labor Nominees
Today, the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee held itsnomination hearing for David Weil to be the Administrator of the Wage and Hour Division for the Department of Labor and Gwynne Wilcox and David Prouty to be Members of the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB). Excerpt of Ranking Member Richard Burr's Prepared Opening Statement: "Thank you, Chair Murray for scheduling this nominations hearing. "This is proof that there is bipartisanship in Washington because Sena… Continue Reading
