Senator Richard Burr
Press Releases
Burr Statement Following Confirmation Hearing for Education Secretary Nominee Betsy DeVos
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions yesterday held a confirmation hearing for Education Secretary nominee Betsy DeVos. Committee member Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) released the following statement: "I'm glad that we had a lively discussion with Betsy DeVos about her vision for the Department of Education," said Senator Burr. "Her commitment to improving education and expanding opportunity for our students is unmatched. Betsy DeVos is the person we need for this job an… Continue Reading
01.13.17
Joint Statement on Committee Inquiry into Russian Intelligence Activities
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today issued a joint statement regarding the Committee's inquiry into Russian intelligence activities: "As part of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence's oversight responsibilities we believe that it is critical to have a full understanding of the scope of Russian intelligence activities impacting the United St… Continue Reading
01.13.17
Senate Intel Committee Advances Intelligence Authorization Bill
The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence yesterday passed the Intelligence Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2017 by unanimous consent. This legislation authorizes funding for the U.S. intelligence community. "Our action yesterday represents an effort by the Committee to complete the unfinished legislative business of the 114th Congress," said Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) and Vice Chairman Mark Warner (D-VA). "We look forward to its expeditious consideration by the full Senate." The bill au… Continue Reading
01.13.17
Dept. of Veterans Affairs Announces Compensation for Lejeune Veterans Affected by Tainted Water
Today, the Department of Veterans Affairs published a regulation announcing compensation payments to Marines suffering from health problems caused by tainted water at Camp Lejeune. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) has long fought for medical coverage and compensation for Lejeune veterans suffering from medical conditions including multiple kinds of cancer and Parkinson's disease. "It's about time, these veterans put their lives on the line for our nation and they were negligently poisoned by the gov… Continue Reading
01.10.17
Hearing for CIA Director Nominee Pompeo Moved to Thursday
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today announced the hearing for Central Intelligence Agency Director nominee Michael R. Pompeo will take place on January 12th, 2017, one day later than previously scheduled. Details Hearing: Hearing for Rep. Michael R. Pompeo, Nominee for Director of Central Intelligence Agency Witness: Rep. Michael R. Pompeo (R-KS… Continue Reading
01.09.17
Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Nomination of Former Sen. Coats to Director of National Intelligence
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement on the nomination of former Senator Dan Coats (R-Indiana) to Director of National Intelligence: "I'm pleased to hear the President-elect has nominated my colleague and friend Dan Coats to be the next head of our Intelligence Community. Dan's experience as a valued member of the Senate Intelligence Committee will help to guide him as the next Director of National Intelligence. His … Continue Reading
01.06.17
Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Intelligence Community Report on Russian Actions
Senate Select Committee on Intelligence Chairman Richard Burr (R-NC) today made the following statement on the newly released, declassified version of the Director of National Intelligence's report on Russia's hacking interference in 2016: "The Intelligence Community's report on Russian activities and intentions in recent US elections highlights for the American people the direct and aggressive covert influence campaign conducted against our nation. The Committee will continue to compile the fa… Continue Reading
01.06.17
Senate Intel Committee Open Hearing Tuesday on Russian Intelligence Activities
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today announced an open hearing on Russia's intelligence activities for Tuesday, January 10th. Details Hearing: Russian Intelligence Activities Witnesses: James Clapper, Director of National Intelligence John Brennan, Director, Central Intelligence Agency Admiral Michael Rogers, Director, National Security Agency… Continue Reading
01.04.17
Senate Intel Committee Announces Nomination Hearing for CIA Director Nominee Pompeo
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, today announced that the nomination hearing for Central Intelligence Agency Director Michael R. Pompeo will take place on January 11th, 2017. Details Hearing: Confirmation Hearing for Rep. Michael R. Pompeo, Nominee for Director of Central Intelligence Agency Witness: Rep. Michael R. Pompeo (R-KS), Nominee for Dire… Continue Reading
01.03.17
Senate Intelligence Committee Welcomes Members for 115th Congress
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, and Senator Mark Warner (D-VA), Vice Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, welcome the 115th Congress Committee members: Richard Burr, North Carolina (Chairman) Jim Risch, Idaho Marco Rubio, Florida Susan Collins, Maine Roy Blunt, Missouri James Lankford, Oklahoma Tom Cotton, Arkansas John Cornyn, Texas Mark Warner, Virginia (Vice Chairman) Dianne Feinstein, California Ron Wyden, O… Continue Reading
12.19.16
President Obama Signs Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization into Law
On Friday afternoon, President Obama signed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act into law. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) led the effort in the Senate to reauthorize this legislation which encourages the Justice Department to investigate civil rights era cold cases. Senator Burr worked in partnership with Alvin Sykes, a civil rights activist and friend of the Till family, who has worked tirelessly to bring justice for the families of the victims of unsolved civil rights … Continue Reading
12.16.16
Senate Intel Chairman Burr on Committee’s Review of Russian Intelligence
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI), made the following statement on the planned review of Russian intelligence activities: "The Senate Select Committee on Intelligence (SSCI) was established to oversee the intelligence activities and programs of the United States Government, and to ensure that the appropriate departments and agencies provide informed and timely intelligence to our nation's leaders. The threats and challenges facing our c… Continue Reading
12.12.16
Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act Passed by Congress
- On Saturday December 10th in its final session of the 114th Congress, the Senate passed the Emmett Till Unsolved Civil Rights Crimes Reauthorization Act of 2016 (S.2854/H.R.5067). In the Senate the bill was led by Sen. Richard Burr (R-NC), Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-MO), and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO). In the House, original sponsors were Rep. John Lewis (D-GA), Rep. Jim Sensenbrenner (R-WI), and Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-MI). BACKGROUND Before the passage of major civ… Continue Reading
12.10.16
Legislation Protecting Western N.C. Houseboats Passes Senate
Oversight, the Senate passed Senator Richard Burr's (R-NC) and Senator Thom Tillis' (R-NC) legislation to prevent the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) from banning houseboats on Lake Fontana and Hiwasee Lake. TVA's original proposed ban on houseboats would affect nearly 400 houseboat owners in Western North Carolina. The language was included in the Water Resources Development compromise bill which is now headed to President Obama's desk. "This legislation will prevent the Tennessee Valley Auth… Continue Reading
12.09.16
Senator Burr Statement on $330 million in Disaster Relief for NC in CR
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) praised the Senate for passing legislation today by a vote of 63 to 36 that included over $330 million for disaster relief for North Carolina. Voting today on both the Continuing Resolution and the Water Resources Development Act, these pieces of legislation provide assistance for parts of North Carolina devastated by Hurricane Matthew. Additionally, WRDA maintains over $50 million in funding for natural disasters. "I've worked with Sen. Thom Tillis to make sure that… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Senator Burr Statement on Meeting with Rep. Tom Price for HHS Secretary
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today met with Representative Tom Price, M.D., whom President-Elect Donald Trump has named as his pick to head the Department of Health and Human Services: "I look forward to getting Congressman Price through the confirmation process in the Senate. His knowledge of the healthcare system is a true benefit to the American people. I know he will be a superb HHS Secretary and promptly find solutions to the broken Obamacare system. As a doctor, I know he will work to prov… Continue Reading
12.08.16
Senate Approves Nearly $300 Million for N.C. Military Construction Projects
Today, the Senate passed the National Defense Authorization Act conference report. The legislation, which works out the differences between the House and Senate versions of the National Defense Authorization bills that passed earlier this year, funds our nation's military including $297.1 million for military construction projects in North Carolina. The conference report also includes provisions sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) to prevent the transfer of Guantanamo Bay Naval Station to C… Continue Reading
12.07.16
Senate Passes 21st Century Cures Legislation, Includes Key Health Care Innovation Bills Championed by Burr
Today, the Senate passed the 21st Century Cures Act by a vote of 94-5. The bipartisan legislation includes several health care provisions written by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) as well as $4.8 billion in targeted funding for the National Institutes of Health to accelerate key research initiatives, including the Precision Medicine Initiative and the Vice President's Cancer Moonshot. The 21st Century Cures Act also provides $1 billion to help states combat our nation's tragic opioid abuse epidemi… Continue Reading
12.06.16
Senate Intel Chairman Burr Statement on Today’s Meeting with Rep. Pompeo
Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), Chairman of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, made the following statement after meeting with Congressman Mike Pompeo (R-KS), President Elect Donald Trump's nominee for Director of the Central Intelligence Agency: "Representative Pompeo and I had a productive and engaging conversation today as we discussed his nomination to be the next Director of the Central Intelligence Agency. Mike's intellectual rigor, honorable service, and outstanding judgment make… Continue Reading
12.02.16
Charlotte Weather Radar Study Passes Senate
Last night, the Senate unanimously passed an amended version of The Metropolitan Weather Hazards Protection Act. The legislation, sponsored by Senator Richard Burr (R-NC), directs the National Weather Service (NWS) to study areas of the country, including the Charlotte metropolitan area, with inadequate weather radar and develop a plan to improve radar coverage. Senator Maria Cantwell (D-WA) is a cosponsor of the final bill. "Our nation has an excellent weather radar system, but there are holes… Continue Reading
