Valerie Foushee facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Valerie 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) |
Valerie Jean Foushee (pronounced foo-SHEE), born on May 7, 1956, is an American politician. She is currently a representative for North Carolina's 4th congressional district in the United States House of Representatives. She started this important role in 2023 and is a member of the Democratic Party. Before joining the U.S. House, she served in the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012 and then in the North Carolina Senate starting in 2013.
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Serving in North Carolina's Government
Valerie Foushee began her political journey in North Carolina. She was first elected to the North Carolina House of Representatives in 2012. This is one of the two main parts of North Carolina's state government that makes laws.
In 2013, local members of the Democratic Party chose her to fill a spot in the North Carolina Senate. This happened after another senator, Eleanor Kinnaird, left her position. The North Carolina Senate is the other main part of the state's law-making body.
Working on Committees
When Valerie Foushee was a state senator, she worked on several important groups called committees. These groups study different topics and help create new laws. During the 2021–22 session, she was part of these committees:
- Appropriations on Education/Higher Education (deals with money for schools and colleges)
- Appropriations/Base Budget (deals with the state's main budget)
- Commerce and Insurance (looks at business and insurance rules)
- Education/Higher Education (focuses on education at all levels)
- Finance (handles money matters)
- Select Committee on Nominations (reviews people chosen for certain jobs)
- State and Local Government (works on rules for state and local governments)
Representing North Carolina in the U.S. House
The United States House of Representatives is part of the U.S. Congress, which makes laws for the whole country. Each state has representatives based on its population.
How She Was Elected
Winning the 2022 Election
On November 8, 2022, Valerie Foushee ran for the U.S. House of Representatives. She won the election against Courtney Geels, who was the Republican candidate. Valerie Foushee received about 67% of the votes, while Courtney Geels received about 33%. This victory allowed her to become the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 4th congressional district.
Being Part of Groups in Congress
In Congress, members often join groups called "caucuses." These groups bring together representatives who share similar interests or backgrounds. Valerie Foushee is a member of several caucuses:
- Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (she is an associate member)
- Congressional Black Caucus
- Congressional Caucus for the Equal Rights Amendment
- Congressional Equality Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
Her Committee Work in Congress
Just like in the state government, members of the U.S. House of Representatives also work on committees. These committees focus on specific areas of lawmaking. Valerie Foushee is on the:
- House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (deals with roads, bridges, and other public works)
- She is also on the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, which is a smaller group within that committee.
What Valerie Foushee Believes In
Healthcare
Valerie Foushee supports a plan called Medicare for all. This idea suggests that everyone in the country should have health insurance through a government program. When she was a state senator, she also supported laws to make Medicaid coverage available to more people. Medicaid is a program that helps people with lower incomes get healthcare.
Israel
Valerie Foushee voted to provide support to Israel after an attack in 2023. In March 2024, she visited Israel as part of a trip organized by a group called AIPAC. During this trip, she met with Benjamin Netanyahu, who is a leader in Israel. AIPAC has also supported her election campaigns.
See also
- List of African-American United States representatives
- Women in the United States House of Representatives
