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Edwards urges Stein to lobby Democrats to keep federal government going

U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards speaks during a meeting with other representatives and N.C. Gov. Josh Stein.

By Lightning Reports, Published: September 18, 2025

At a meeting about securing additional funding for Hurricane Helene aid, U.S. Rep. Chuck Edwards called on Gov. Josh Stein to encourage Democrats in Congress to work across party lines to avert a government shutdown, saying a pause of federal operations would have a disastrous effect on recovery efforts. 
“Averting a government shutdown is bigger than politics. It’s about rebuilding our communities,” Edwards said. “A government shutdown would bring Western North Carolina’s already struggling recovery efforts to a complete standstill. As we near the fiscal year deadline, we cannot allow political opportunism and obstruction to take precedence over getting the help we desperately need. Gov. Stein has the opportunity here to bridge that gap and surpass party lines. I am confident he will accept it.”


The push for unity came during a meeting with Stein led by Edwards to discuss the governor’s recent request for additional federal funding for disaster relief. Edwards and Stein were joined by fellow U.S. Reps. Virginia Foxx, Richard Hudson, Alma Adams, Greg Murphy, Deborah Ross, Don Davis, Valerie Foushee, Tim Moore, Addison McDowell and Pat Harrigan as the bipartisan delegation discussed efforts to rebuild Western North Carolina.