Valerie Foushee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Val Foushee
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| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from North Carolina's 4th district |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | David Price |
| Member of the North Carolina Senate from the 23rd district |
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| In office September 13, 2013 – January 1, 2023 |
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| Preceded by | Eleanor Kinnaird |
| Succeeded by | Graig Meyer |
| Member of the North Carolina House of Representatives from the 50th district |
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| In office January 1, 2013 – September 13, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Bill Faison |
| Succeeded by | Graig Meyer |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Valerie Jean Paige
May 7, 1956 Chapel Hill, North Carolina, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Stanley Foushee |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill (BA) |
| Website | |
Valerie Jean Foushee (/fuˈʃiː/ FOO-shee; born May 7, 1956) is an American politician. She serves as a U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 4th congressional district since 2023. This means she helps make laws for the entire country.
Valerie Foushee is a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining the U.S. House, she worked in the North Carolina House of Representatives and the North Carolina Senate. She is the first African American woman to represent her district in the U.S. Congress.
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Early Life and Education
Valerie Foushee was born in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. She went to Chapel Hill High School and graduated in 1974.
Later, she studied at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She earned a college degree in political science and African-American studies in 2008.
Early Career and Community Work
In 1987, Valerie Foushee started working for the Chapel Hill Police Department. She was an administrative officer until 2008. This job involved managing office tasks and helping the department run smoothly.
While raising her children, she became very involved in their schools. She joined the School Governance Council, which helps make decisions for schools. In 1997, she was elected to the Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools Board of Education. She served on this board until 2004 and was even the chair (leader) from 2001 to 2003.
After that, she was elected to the Orange County Board of Commissioners in 2004. This board helps manage the county. She served there until 2012 and was the chair from 2008 to 2010.
Serving in the State Legislature
Valerie Foushee was elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. This is part of North Carolina's state government. In 2013, she was chosen to fill a vacant spot in the North Carolina Senate.
As a state senator, she helped create laws for North Carolina. In 2015, she was one of 12 African Americans serving in the North Carolina Senate.
What are Committees?
In government, committees are small groups of lawmakers. They study specific topics and propose new laws. During the 2021–22 session, Valerie Foushee served on several important committees:
- Appropriations on Education/Higher Education (about money for schools and colleges)
- Appropriations/Base Budget (about the state's main budget)
- Commerce and Insurance (about business and insurance rules)
- Education/Higher Education (about education policies)
- Finance (about state money and taxes)
- Select Committee on Nominations (about approving people for government jobs)
- State and Local Government (about how state and local governments work)
U.S. House of Representatives
As a U.S. Representative, Valerie Foushee works in Washington, D.C. She helps make laws for the entire United States.
Elections to Congress
2022 Election
In 2022, Valerie Foushee ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. She wanted to represent North Carolina's 4th congressional district. She won the primary election, which is an election to choose a party's candidate.
On November 8, 2022, she won the main election. She defeated her opponent, Courtney Geels, with 67% of the votes.
2024 Election
Valerie Foushee ran for reelection in 2024. On November 5, 2024, she won again. She received 74.9% of the votes, defeating Eric Blankenburg and Guy Meillur.
Committee Assignments in Congress
In the U.S. House, Valerie Foushee serves on important committees. These committees focus on different areas of government work:
- House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure: This committee deals with roads, bridges, airports, and other transportation systems.
- Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials
- Subcommittee on Aviation
- House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology: This committee focuses on science, space exploration, and new technologies.
- Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics (She is the ranking member, meaning she is the top member of her party on this subcommittee.)
- Subcommittee on Energy
What are Caucuses?
Caucuses are groups of lawmakers who share similar interests or backgrounds. They work together on specific issues. Valerie Foushee is part of several caucuses:
- Black Maternal Health Caucus
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
- Congressional Equality Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
Political Views
Valerie Foushee has clear views on important topics.
Healthcare
She supports a plan called "Medicare for all." This plan aims to provide healthcare for everyone in the country. When she was a state senator, she also supported expanding "Medicaid," which helps low-income people get healthcare.
Foreign Affairs
Valerie Foushee voted to support Israel after an attack in 2023. In March 2024, she visited Israel to meet with leaders like Benjamin Netanyahu. Later, in December 2024, she signed a letter with other lawmakers. This letter asked President Biden to help negotiate a ceasefire in Gaza. The goal was to prevent more loss of life and help with the humanitarian crisis there.
Making Elections Fair
In 2023, Valerie Foushee helped introduce a bill called the Redistricting Transparency and Accountability Act. This law aims to make the process of drawing election districts more open and fair. It tries to stop "gerrymandering," which is when political districts are drawn unfairly to give one party an advantage.
Personal Life
Valerie Foushee is married to Stanley Foushee. They have two sons.
Images for kids
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Valerie Foushee in the U.S. Congress.
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Valerie Foushee (center, in blue) and other members of the 118th United States Congress are sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives in 2023.
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Valerie Foushee at a meeting of the House Transportation Committee in 2023.
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Valerie Foushee meets with local elected officials in her congressional district in 2023.
