March 26, 2025
Do you believe that Congress should protect our students and higher institutions against foreign adversaries’ influence?
In response, members of MI contact Edward’s office:
- We should be concerned about leaders such as yourself, Thom Tillis and President Trump are being influenced by foreign adversaries.
- This is a horribly worded survey question and takes advantage of the fact that most people have no clue about how contracts with other countries, i.e., research, takes place. If this passed, U.S. universities would not be able to get funds to collaborate with international partners on everything from research to improve crops to clinical trials for new drugs made in a different country. This would be another blow to research universities.
We received the following reply from Edwards:
March 31, 2025
Thank you for contacting my office regarding the Trump administration and recent executive orders. I understand that this issue is important to you, and I value your perspective. As your congressman, it is helpful for me to know what is on your mind and how the decisions made in Washington affect you.
Your perspective highlights concerns regarding President Trump’s authority to issue executive orders, which is a crucial consideration in the broader discussion of checks and balances as laid out by the U.S. Constitution. I value and appreciate the insight you’ve provided.
I agree with you that it is the constitutional duty of Congress to oversee government spending. The Republican majority in both chambers of Congress are supportive of President Trump’s mission to root out waste, fraud, and abuse of taxpayer dollars by federal agencies.
President Trump was duly elected by a majority of the American people, and this is evidence that our democracy is alive and flourishing. Article II of the U.S. Constitution grants the president the authority to oversee the executive branch in the manner he sees fit.
The agencies that have experienced funding and personnel cuts under the Trump administration fall under the president’s direct authority over the executive branch under Article II, and thus President Trump is acting within the scope of his constitutional authority. Recent court decisions have further confirmed several of these actions to be legal and proper.
It’s apparent we have contrasting but respectful opinions on this matter, but I’m hopeful we might find many others where we agree. I’m confident that we each want the people living in our district to enjoy happy, healthy, free, and fruitful lives as our country’s framers intended.
Again, thank you for taking the time to contact me, and I hope you will feel free to do so in the future.
If you would like to stay updated on my work in Congress, please visit my Congressional Website and sign up for my newsletter. I also encourage you to “like” our Facebook page and “follow” us on X to stay in touch as I work to represent the people of NC-11.
With my warmest regards,
Chuck Edwards
Member of Congress