Virginia Foxx: Difference between revisions

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{{Infobox person
{{Infobox person
| name         = Virginia Foxx
| name         = Virginia Foxx
| birth_name   = Virginia Ann Palmieri
| birth_name   = Virginia Ann Palmieri
| birth_date   = {{Birth date and age|1943|6|29}}
| birth_date   = {{birth date and age|1943|6|29}}
| birth_place   = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| birth_place = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| nationality  = American
| party       = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| party         = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| occupation  = Politician, businesswoman, educator
| education     = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] (BA)<br>[[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]] (MA, EdD)
| education   = [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]], [[Doctor of Education|EdD]])
| occupation    = Politician, businesswoman, educator
| children     = 1
| children     = 1
| known_for   = U.S. Representative for [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]]; Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]]; Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and the Workforce]]
| known_for     = U.S. Representative for [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]]; Chair of the [[House Rules Committee]]; Chair of the [[House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Education Committee]]
| awards      = Frederick Douglass Award (FREOPP, 2025)
| website       = {{URL|https://foxx.house.gov/}}
| website     = {{URL|foxx.house.gov}}
}}
}}


'''Virginia Ann Foxx''' (née '''Palmieri'''; born June 29, 1943) is an American politician, businesswoman, and educator who has served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]] since 2005. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Foxx has built a long career in public service that spans local government, the [[North Carolina Senate]], and the U.S. Congress, where she has emerged as one of the most prominent conservative voices on education policy and legislative procedure. Since January 2025, she has served as chair of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]] in the [[119th United States Congress|119th Congress]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758 |url=https://rules.house.gov/media/press-releases/foxx-opening-remarks-hr-4626-and-hr-4758 |publisher=House of Representatives Committee on Rules |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Previously, she chaired the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and the Workforce]] from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2023 to 2025, and served as the committee's ranking member from 2019 to 2023. She also held the position of Secretary of the [[House Republican Conference]] from 2013 to 2017. Since January 2025, Foxx has been the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a distinction she previously shared with [[Patrick McHenry]] until his retirement from Congress.
'''Virginia Ann Foxx''' (née '''Palmieri'''; born June 29, 1943) is an American politician, businesswoman, and educator who has served as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]] since 2005. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Foxx has built a lengthy career in public service that spans local government, the [[North Carolina Senate]], and more than two decades in the U.S. Congress. Her district encompasses much of the rural northwestern portion of [[North Carolina]], including the majority of [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]. Since January 2025, Foxx has served as chair of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]] in the [[119th United States Congress|119th Congress]].<ref name="rules-chair">{{cite web |title=Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758 |url=https://rules.house.gov/media/press-releases/foxx-opening-remarks-hr-4626-and-hr-4758 |publisher=House of Representatives Committee on Rules |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She previously served as chair of the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and the Workforce]] from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2023 to 2025, and as its ranking member from 2019 to 2023. As the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation since January 2025, Foxx is the longest-serving member of the state's House contingent. Throughout her tenure, she has been a prominent conservative voice on education policy, fiscal issues, and higher education accountability.


== Early Life ==
== Early Life ==


Virginia Ann Palmieri was born on June 29, 1943, in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. Details of her upbringing reflect a trajectory from the urban Northeast to the rural South, where she would eventually build her political career. She relocated to [[North Carolina]], where she pursued higher education and became deeply involved in the civic and educational life of the western part of the state.
Virginia Ann Palmieri was born on June 29, 1943, in [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]]. She grew up in modest circumstances before eventually relocating to [[North Carolina]], where she would build her career in education and politics. Details of her early family life have remained relatively private, though her upbringing in New York City shaped her identity prior to her long association with the state of North Carolina.


Foxx's early experiences shaped a worldview oriented toward self-reliance and fiscal conservatism, themes that would become central to her political identity. She settled in the northwestern region of North Carolina, an area defined by its rural character, Appalachian geography, and traditionally conservative politics. This region would later form the core of the congressional district she has represented for over two decades.
Foxx settled in the northwestern part of North Carolina, an area she would come to represent in both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. Before entering politics, she pursued careers in education and business, establishing herself as a community figure in the region. Her background as an educator informed much of her later legislative work, particularly her focus on education policy at both the state and federal levels.


== Education ==
== Education ==


Foxx earned a [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. She subsequently pursued graduate studies at the [[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]], where she obtained both a [[Master of Arts]] degree and a [[Doctor of Education]] (EdD). Her academic credentials in education informed her later career both as an educator and as a legislator focused extensively on education policy at the federal level.
Foxx earned her [[Bachelor of Arts]] degree from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]]. She subsequently attended the [[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]], where she earned both a [[Master of Arts]] and a [[Doctor of Education]] (EdD). Her advanced degrees in education provided the academic foundation for her work in higher education administration and her later role as a leading congressional voice on education policy and workforce development.


== Career ==
== Career ==


=== North Carolina Senate (1995–2005) ===
=== North Carolina State Senate (1994–2004) ===


Before entering the U.S. Congress, Foxx served in the [[North Carolina Senate]] for a decade. She initially represented the 12th district from 1995 to 2003, and following redistricting, she represented the 45th district from 2003 to 2005. During her tenure in the state senate, Foxx established herself as a conservative legislator with a particular focus on education and fiscal policy.
Before entering the U.S. Congress, Foxx served in the [[North Carolina Senate]] for a decade. She initially represented the 12th district from 1995 to 2003, and following redistricting, she represented the 45th district from 2003 to 2005. During her time in the state legislature, Foxx developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative and established many of the policy positions she would carry into her federal career. Her service in Raleigh gave her extensive experience in state-level education policy and budgetary matters, which she would later apply to her work in Washington.
 
=== Election to Congress (2004) ===
 
In 2004, Foxx ran for the U.S. House seat in [[North Carolina's 5th congressional district]], which had been vacated by [[Richard Burr]], who was running for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]]. Foxx won the Republican primary and the general election, succeeding Burr as the district's representative.<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Election Information |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |date=2004 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She took office on January 3, 2005, beginning what would become a lengthy tenure in Congress.


=== U.S. House of Representatives ===
=== U.S. House of Representatives ===


==== Election to Congress ====
Foxx has been reelected consistently since her initial victory in 2004. In the 2010 midterm elections, she won reelection to her seat.<ref>{{cite news |title=Election Results 2010 |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/house |work=The New York Times |date=2010 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She continued to win subsequent races, including her 2016 reelection.<ref>{{cite news |title=North Carolina House District 5 Results |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5-foxx-brannon |work=The New York Times |date=2016 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Her longevity in the district has reflected both her personal popularity among constituents and the solidly Republican character of the 5th district, which encompasses rural and suburban communities in northwestern North Carolina.
 
==== House Republican Conference Leadership ====


In 2004, Foxx won election to the U.S. House of Representatives, succeeding [[Richard Burr]], who vacated the seat to run for the [[United States Senate|U.S. Senate]].<ref>{{cite web |title=2004 Election Information |url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf |publisher=Clerk of the U.S. House of Representatives |date=2004 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> North Carolina's 5th congressional district encompasses much of the rural northwestern portion of the state, including the majority of [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]. Foxx has been reelected consistently since her initial victory, winning her sixth term in 2014<ref>{{cite web |title=US Rep. Foxx wins 6th term in NC's 5th District |url=http://centralnc.twcnews.com/content/politics/713619/us-rep--foxx-wins-6th-term-in-nc-s-5th-district/ |publisher=TWC News Central NC |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> and continuing to secure reelection in subsequent cycles, including in 2016<ref>{{cite news |title=North Carolina House District 5 Results: Virginia Foxx vs. Josh Brannon |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5-foxx-brannon |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> and 2010.<ref>{{cite news |title=Election Results 2010 — House |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/house |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
From January 2013 to January 2017, Foxx served as Secretary of the [[House Republican Conference]], a leadership position within the Republican caucus. She served under House Speakers [[John Boehner]] and [[Paul Ryan]] during this period. The role placed her within the party's leadership structure and gave her influence over internal Republican messaging and strategy. She was succeeded in the position by [[Jason Smith (politician)|Jason T. Smith]].


==== House Republican Conference Leadership ====
==== Chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce ====


Foxx served as Secretary of the [[House Republican Conference]] from January 2013 to January 2017, serving under Speakers [[John Boehner]] and [[Paul Ryan]]. In this leadership role, she was responsible for assisting with internal party communications and messaging. She succeeded [[John Carter (politician)|John Carter]] in the position and was later succeeded by [[Jason T. Smith]].
Foxx's most prominent committee role has been her leadership of the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and the Workforce]] (formerly known as the House Committee on Education and Labor). She first served as chair of the committee from January 2017 to January 2019, succeeding [[John Kline (politician)|John Kline]] of Minnesota. When Democrats took the House majority following the 2018 elections, Foxx became the committee's ranking member from January 2019 to January 2023, with [[Bobby Scott (politician)|Bobby Scott]] of Virginia serving as chair during that period.


==== Chair and Ranking Member of the Education Committee ====
When Republicans regained the House majority after the 2022 elections, Foxx resumed the chairmanship from January 2023 to January 2025, again succeeding Bobby Scott. She was in turn succeeded as chair by [[Tim Walberg]] of Michigan when she moved to lead the Rules Committee in the 119th Congress.


Foxx's most prominent committee work has centered on the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and the Workforce]] (formerly the Committee on Education and Labor). She served as chair of the committee during the [[115th United States Congress|115th Congress]] (2017–2019), a period in which she oversaw significant legislative activity related to higher education, workforce development, and labor policy.
During her tenures as chair, Foxx focused on issues including higher education accountability, workforce development, and oversight of federal education programs. She was involved in efforts to reform the [[Higher Education Act]] and advocated for increased transparency in higher education spending and outcomes.


During her first tenure as chair, Foxx advanced [[H.R. 1313]], the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act, which drew significant attention and controversy. The bill, introduced in the 115th Congress, would have permitted employers to require employees to undergo genetic testing as part of workplace wellness programs, a provision that critics argued undermined genetic privacy protections established by existing law.<ref>{{cite web |title=H.R.1313 — Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1313/text |publisher=Congress.gov |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''Scientific American'' reported that the legislation would have allowed employers to demand workers' genetic test results.<ref>{{cite news |title=House Republicans Would Let Employers Demand Workers' Genetic Test Results |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/house-republicans-would-let-employers-demand-workers-rsquo-genetic-test-results/ |work=Scientific American |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''Forbes'' similarly covered the bill, noting the implications for employee privacy.<ref>{{cite news |last=Willingham |first=Emily |date=2017-03-10 |title=The GOP Wants To Let Your Boss Poke Around In Your Genome |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/03/10/the-gop-wants-to-let-your-boss-poke-around-in-your-genome |work=Forbes |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
===== Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act =====


When Democrats gained control of the House in 2019, Foxx transitioned to the role of ranking member of the committee, serving in that capacity from January 2019 to January 2023 under the chairmanship of [[Bobby Scott (politician)|Bobby Scott]]. She returned to the chairmanship in January 2023 when Republicans regained the majority in the [[118th United States Congress|118th Congress]], serving until January 2025.
In 2017, during Foxx's first term as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee, the committee advanced H.R. 1313, the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act.<ref>{{cite web |title=H.R. 1313 — Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act |url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1313/text |publisher=Congress.gov |date=2017 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The bill attracted significant public attention and criticism from scientific and privacy advocacy organizations. Critics argued that the legislation would allow employers to require employees to undergo [[genetic testing]] as part of workplace wellness programs and to penalize those who declined to participate. ''[[Scientific American]]'' reported that the bill would "let employers demand workers' genetic test results."<ref>{{cite news |title=House Republicans Would Let Employers Demand Workers' Genetic Test Results |url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/house-republicans-would-let-employers-demand-workers-rsquo-genetic-test-results/ |work=Scientific American |date=2017 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''[[Forbes]]'' similarly covered the controversy, describing the bill's provisions as allowing employers to "poke around in your genome."<ref>{{cite news |last=Willingham |first=Emily |title=The GOP Wants To Let Your Boss Poke Around In Your Genome |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/03/10/the-gop-wants-to-let-your-boss-poke-around-in-your-genome |work=Forbes |date=2017-03-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The bill did not advance beyond the committee stage.


During her second stint as chair, Foxx continued to focus on higher education accountability. In 2025, she co-introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative [[Josh Gottheimer]] aimed at holding institutions of higher education accountable for activities related to the [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS movement]] against Israel. The bill, the Protect Act, was introduced in response to what the sponsors described as a rise in antisemitism on college campuses.<ref>{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Gottheimer, Foxx Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Anti-Israel, BDS Activity |url=https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-foxx-introduce-bill-to-hold-higher-education-accountable-for-anti-israel-bds-activity |publisher=Office of Rep. Josh Gottheimer |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
===== Higher Education Oversight and Campus Antisemitism =====


==== Oversight of Higher Education and Campus Protests ====
In her later tenure as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee (2023–2025), Foxx took a prominent role in congressional oversight of higher education institutions, particularly regarding campus responses to [[antisemitism]] and protests related to the [[Israel–Hamas war]]. This work continued to generate attention even after she moved to the Rules Committee.


Foxx became a prominent figure in congressional oversight of universities' handling of campus protests, particularly those related to the [[2023 Israeli–Palestinian crisis|Israel–Hamas conflict]]. Her role as chair of the Education Committee placed her at the center of congressional investigations into antisemitism on college campuses, and she used the committee's subpoena power to press university administrators on their responses to protest activities.
In July 2025, Foxx co-introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative [[Josh Gottheimer]] (D-NJ) aimed at holding higher education institutions accountable for what the sponsors described as anti-Israel and [[Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions|BDS]] (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) activity on campus.<ref>{{cite web |title=RELEASE: Gottheimer, Foxx Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Anti-Israel, BDS Activity |url=https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-foxx-introduce-bill-to-hold-higher-education-accountable-for-anti-israel-bds-activity |publisher=Office of Representative Josh Gottheimer |date=2025-07-31 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


In February 2026, a federal lawsuit was filed against Foxx by Khymani James, a suspended member of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) organization. James alleged that Foxx violated his [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] rights by using her congressional authority to pressure Columbia University into taking action against him for his pro-Palestinian advocacy.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suspended CUAD member Khymani James sues Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), alleging First Amendment violations |url=https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/02/10/suspended-cuad-member-khymani-james-sues-rep-virginia-foxx-r-nc-alleging-first-amendment-violations/ |work=Columbia Daily Spectator |date=2026-02-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The lawsuit attracted national media coverage, with outlets including NewsNation reporting that James claimed Foxx had "abused her authority" to pressure the university into expelling the student over anti-Israel posts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rep. Virginia Foxx sued after Columbia student's expulsion for anti-Israel posts |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/virginia-foxx-columbia-expulsion-anti-israel-posts/ |work=NewsNation |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Appalachian Online'', the student newspaper of [[Appalachian State University]] located in Foxx's district, also reported on the lawsuit.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suspended Columbia University student files suit against Representative Virginia Foxx |url=https://theappalachianonline.com/suspended-columbia-university-student-files-suit-against-representative-virginia-foxx/ |work=The Appalachian Online |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In February 2026, Khymani James, a suspended member of the [[Columbia University]] Apartheid Divest (CUAD) organization, filed a federal lawsuit against Foxx alleging [[First Amendment to the United States Constitution|First Amendment]] violations. James claimed that Foxx had abused her congressional authority to pressure Columbia University into disciplinary action against the student over anti-Israel social media posts.<ref>{{cite news |title=Suspended CUAD member Khymani James sues Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), alleging First Amendment violations |url=https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/02/10/suspended-cuad-member-khymani-james-sues-rep-virginia-foxx-r-nc-alleging-first-amendment-violations/ |work=Columbia Daily Spectator |date=2026-02-10 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Suspended Columbia University student files suit against Representative Virginia Foxx |url=https://theappalachianonline.com/suspended-columbia-university-student-files-suit-against-representative-virginia-foxx/ |work=The Appalachian Online |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Rep. Virginia Foxx sued after Columbia student's expulsion for anti-Israel posts |url=https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/virginia-foxx-columbia-expulsion-anti-israel-posts/ |work=NewsNation |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The lawsuit was ongoing as of February 2026.


==== Chair of the House Rules Committee ====
==== Chair of the House Rules Committee (2025–present) ====


In January 2025, with the start of the [[119th United States Congress|119th Congress]], Foxx assumed the chairmanship of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]], succeeding [[Michael C. Burgess]]. The Rules Committee occupies a central position in the legislative process, determining the terms under which legislation is debated and voted upon on the House floor.
In January 2025, at the start of the 119th Congress, Foxx assumed the chairmanship of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]], one of the most powerful committees in the House of Representatives. She succeeded [[Michael C. Burgess]] in the role.<ref name="rules-chair" /> The Rules Committee controls the terms of debate for legislation that reaches the House floor, including whether amendments may be offered and how much time is allotted for debate.


Under Foxx's leadership, the Rules Committee has faced criticism from Democrats regarding the use of "closed rules," which restrict or prevent amendments from being offered on the floor. In February 2026, Representative [[Jim McGovern]] (D-Mass.) stated during a Rules Committee hearing that House Republicans had broken a record for the most closed rules in a single Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=New closed rule record |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/23/congress/new-closed-rule-record-00793799 |work=Politico |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> In her capacity as chair, Foxx has presided over committee proceedings on major legislation, including opening remarks on H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758 in February 2026.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758 |url=https://rules.house.gov/media/press-releases/foxx-opening-remarks-hr-4626-and-hr-4758 |publisher=House of Representatives Committee on Rules |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Under Foxx's chairmanship, the Rules Committee has continued a trend of adopting "closed rules," which restrict or prohibit floor amendments to legislation. In February 2026, Representative [[Jim McGovern]] (D-MA) noted during a Rules Committee hearing that House Republicans had broken a record for the most closed rules in a single Congress.<ref>{{cite news |title=New closed rule record |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/23/congress/new-closed-rule-record-00793799 |work=Politico |date=2026-02-23 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The use of closed rules has been a point of contention between the majority and minority parties, with Democrats arguing that the practice limits deliberation and amendment opportunities.


==== Voting Record and Political Alignment ====
==== Voting Record and Political Alignment ====


Foxx has maintained a consistently conservative voting record throughout her congressional career. According to FiveThirtyEight's Trump Score, which measures how often a member of Congress votes in line with [[Donald Trump]]'s position, Foxx has demonstrated a high level of alignment with the Trump administration's policy agenda.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Foxx — Congress Trump Score |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/virginia-foxx/ |publisher=FiveThirtyEight |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> She has been a member of the [[Republican Study Committee]], the largest caucus of conservative members in the House.<ref>{{cite web |title=Republican Study Committee |url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/ |publisher=Republican Study Committee |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Foxx has maintained a consistently conservative voting record throughout her congressional career. The analytical website [[FiveThirtyEight]] tracked her voting alignment with the positions of President [[Donald Trump]] during his first term, finding a high degree of concordance.<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Foxx — Congress Trump Score |url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/virginia-foxx/ |publisher=FiveThirtyEight |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Foxx has been a member of the [[Republican Study Committee]], the largest conservative caucus in the House.<ref>{{cite web |title=Republican Study Committee |url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/ |publisher=Republican Study Committee |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
 
==== Notable Controversies ====
 
===== Matthew Shepard Comments (2009) =====


==== Health Care Debate ====
In April 2009, Foxx drew widespread criticism for remarks she made on the House floor regarding the murder of [[Matthew Shepard]], a gay college student who was beaten and left to die in [[Laramie, Wyoming]], in 1998. During debate on the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], Foxx described the characterization of Shepard's murder as a hate crime as a "hoax," stating that it was instead a robbery gone wrong. The comments were made while Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, was present in the House gallery.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virginia Foxx: Matthew Shepard's Murder a 'Hoax' |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |work=The Washington Post |date=2009-04 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Matthew Shepard, Virginia Foxx, gay |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/matthew-shepard-virginia-foxx-gay.html |work=Los Angeles Times |date=2009-04 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


During the 2009 debate over health care reform, Foxx made public comments that drew media attention. She described the Democratic health care proposal in terms that generated controversy and coverage by regional media outlets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foxx Health Care Comments |url=http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-foxx-health-care-comments-090730,0,2622612.story |publisher=MyFox8 |date=2009-07-30 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
The remarks were condemned by editorial boards and advocacy groups. ''[[The New York Times]]'' published an editorial criticizing Foxx's comments and calling them "cruel" and "ignorant."<ref>{{cite news |title=Editorial |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |date=2009-05-06 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Foxx subsequently issued a statement saying she had not intended to diminish the tragedy of Shepard's death, though she did not fully retract her characterization.


==== Matthew Shepard Remarks ====
===== Health Care Reform Comments (2009) =====


In April 2009, during House debate on the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], Foxx stated on the House floor that the murder of [[Matthew Shepard]] was "a hoax" and that it was not a hate crime. The remarks were made while Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, was in the House gallery. The comments generated immediate and widespread criticism. The ''Washington Post'' reported on the remarks, noting the context of Shepard's mother's presence during the statement.<ref>{{cite news |title=Virginia Foxx: Matthew Shepard's Murder a 'Hoax' |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |work=The Washington Post |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The ''Los Angeles Times'' also covered Foxx's comments extensively.<ref>{{cite news |title=Matthew Shepard — Virginia Foxx — Gay |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/matthew-shepard-virginia-foxx-gay.html |work=Los Angeles Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> ''The New York Times'' editorial board addressed the incident, criticizing Foxx's characterization of the Shepard case.<ref>{{cite news |date=2009-05-06 |title=Editorial |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?_r=1 |work=The New York Times |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> The remarks received international coverage as well, including in the Turkish newspaper ''Hürriyet''.<ref>{{cite news |title=Coverage of Virginia Foxx remarks |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/16693239.asp?top=1 |work=Hürriyet |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref> Foxx subsequently acknowledged that she had used a poor choice of words, though the episode remained a defining moment of public criticism during her career.
Also in 2009, during the congressional debate over health care reform, Foxx made remarks that generated media coverage. Speaking on the House floor, she argued against the proposed health care legislation, making statements that were described by local media as provocative.<ref>{{cite web |title=Foxx Health Care Comments |url=http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-foxx-health-care-comments-090730,0,2622612.story |publisher=MyFox8 |date=2009-07-30 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


=== 2026 Primary Election ===
=== Dean of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation ===


As of early 2026, Foxx has faced at least one challenger in the Republican primary for her congressional seat. The ''Raleigh News & Observer'' profiled the candidates on the ballot in the 2026 primary election, including a GOP primary challenger who denied that the 2020 presidential election was stolen.<ref>{{cite news |title=GOP primary challenger denies stolen 2020 election. What else the candidates say |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article314547007.html |work=Raleigh News & Observer |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Since January 2025, Foxx has served as the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a designation given to the longest-serving member of a state's House contingent. She had previously shared the deanship with [[Patrick McHenry]], who retired from Congress at the end of the 118th Congress. The role is largely ceremonial but carries a degree of informal influence within the state's representation in Washington.


== Personal Life ==
== Personal Life ==


Virginia Foxx resides in the 5th congressional district of North Carolina, in the northwestern part of the state. She has one child. Her birth name was Virginia Ann Palmieri; she has used the surname Foxx throughout her political career. Beyond her political career, Foxx has been involved in business and education in North Carolina's northwestern communities.
Foxx resides in the 5th congressional district of North Carolina. She has one child. Beyond these publicly documented facts, Foxx has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout her political career. Her background as an educator, with advanced degrees from the [[University of North Carolina system]], has been a recurring element of her public identity, and she has frequently referenced her experience in education when discussing policy matters.
 
Foxx has maintained a long-standing connection to the rural and Appalachian communities of her district, and her political persona has been closely associated with the conservative values of that region. She has represented the same geographic area in various capacities — first in the North Carolina Senate and subsequently in the U.S. Congress — for over three decades.


== Recognition ==
== Recognition ==
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In November 2025, the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) announced that it would honor Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at its Freedom and Progress Conference, recognizing her work on education and workforce policy.<ref>{{cite news |title=CORRECTING and REPLACING FREOPP to Honor Congresswoman Virginia Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at Freedom and Progress Conference |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119036333/en/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-FREOPP-to-Honor-Congresswoman-Virginia-Foxx-with-the-Frederick-Douglass-Award-at-Freedom-and-Progress-Conference |work=Business Wire |date=2025-11-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
In November 2025, the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) announced that it would honor Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at its Freedom and Progress Conference, recognizing her work on education and workforce policy.<ref>{{cite news |title=CORRECTING and REPLACING FREOPP to Honor Congresswoman Virginia Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at Freedom and Progress Conference |url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119036333/en/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-FREOPP-to-Honor-Congresswoman-Virginia-Foxx-with-the-Frederick-Douglass-Award-at-Freedom-and-Progress-Conference |work=Business Wire |date=2025-11-19 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


Foxx's long tenure in Congress — serving continuously since 2005 — has made her one of the most senior members of the North Carolina congressional delegation. Since January 2025, she has held the title of dean of the delegation, the distinction given to the longest-serving member, a role she previously shared with Representative Patrick McHenry before his retirement.
Foxx's longevity in Congress and her leadership of key committees have made her one of the most prominent Republican members of the North Carolina delegation. Her tenure as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee across two separate periods (2017–2019 and 2023–2025) made her one of the most influential figures in federal education policy during those years. Her subsequent appointment as chair of the Rules Committee in 2025 placed her in one of the most procedurally powerful positions in the House of Representatives.


Her committee leadership positions — chairing both the Education and the Workforce Committee and the Rules Committee — place her among a relatively small number of House members who have chaired multiple standing committees during their congressional careers. The Rules Committee chairmanship, in particular, is one of the most powerful positions in the House, given the committee's role in shaping the terms of floor debate for virtually all major legislation.
As of the 2026 primary election cycle, Foxx has faced challengers within the Republican primary for her seat, reflecting the competitive nature of Republican politics in the district.<ref>{{cite news |title=GOP primary challenger denies stolen 2020 election. What else the candidates say |url=https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article314547007.html |work=Raleigh News & Observer |date=2026-02 |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== Campaign Finance ==
== Campaign Finance ==


Foxx's campaign finance filings are publicly available through the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Foxx — Candidate Overview |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC05146 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>
Foxx's campaign finance filings are maintained by the [[Federal Election Commission]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Virginia Foxx — Candidate Profile |url=https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC05146 |publisher=Federal Election Commission |date= |access-date=2026-02-24}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
<references />
<references />


[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
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[[Category:American women in politics]]
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[[Category:Republican Party members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from North Carolina]]
[[Category:North Carolina state senators]]
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[[Category:Republican Party North Carolina state senators]]
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[[Category:Women state legislators in North Carolina]]
[[Category:American educators]]
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[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni]]
[[Category:University of North Carolina at Greensboro alumni]]
[[Category:People from New York City]]
[[Category:American educators]]
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Virginia Foxx
BornVirginia Ann Palmieri
29 6, 1943
BirthplaceNew York City, New York, U.S.
OccupationPolitician, businesswoman, educator
Known forU.S. Representative for North Carolina's 5th congressional district; Chair of the House Rules Committee; Chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce
EducationUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (BA)
University of North Carolina at Greensboro (MA, EdD)
Children1
AwardsFrederick Douglass Award (FREOPP, 2025)
Website[[foxx.house.gov foxx.house.gov] Official site]

Virginia Ann Foxx (née Palmieri; born June 29, 1943) is an American politician, businesswoman, and educator who has served as the U.S. representative for North Carolina's 5th congressional district since 2005. A member of the Republican Party, Foxx has built a lengthy career in public service that spans local government, the North Carolina Senate, and more than two decades in the U.S. Congress. Her district encompasses much of the rural northwestern portion of North Carolina, including the majority of Greensboro. Since January 2025, Foxx has served as chair of the House Rules Committee in the 119th Congress.[1] She previously served as chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce from 2017 to 2019 and again from 2023 to 2025, and as its ranking member from 2019 to 2023. As the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation since January 2025, Foxx is the longest-serving member of the state's House contingent. Throughout her tenure, she has been a prominent conservative voice on education policy, fiscal issues, and higher education accountability.

Early Life

Virginia Ann Palmieri was born on June 29, 1943, in New York City, New York. She grew up in modest circumstances before eventually relocating to North Carolina, where she would build her career in education and politics. Details of her early family life have remained relatively private, though her upbringing in New York City shaped her identity prior to her long association with the state of North Carolina.

Foxx settled in the northwestern part of North Carolina, an area she would come to represent in both the state legislature and the U.S. Congress. Before entering politics, she pursued careers in education and business, establishing herself as a community figure in the region. Her background as an educator informed much of her later legislative work, particularly her focus on education policy at both the state and federal levels.

Education

Foxx earned her Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She subsequently attended the University of North Carolina at Greensboro, where she earned both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Education (EdD). Her advanced degrees in education provided the academic foundation for her work in higher education administration and her later role as a leading congressional voice on education policy and workforce development.

Career

North Carolina State Senate (1994–2004)

Before entering the U.S. Congress, Foxx served in the North Carolina Senate for a decade. She initially represented the 12th district from 1995 to 2003, and following redistricting, she represented the 45th district from 2003 to 2005. During her time in the state legislature, Foxx developed a reputation as a fiscal conservative and established many of the policy positions she would carry into her federal career. Her service in Raleigh gave her extensive experience in state-level education policy and budgetary matters, which she would later apply to her work in Washington.

Election to Congress (2004)

In 2004, Foxx ran for the U.S. House seat in North Carolina's 5th congressional district, which had been vacated by Richard Burr, who was running for the U.S. Senate. Foxx won the Republican primary and the general election, succeeding Burr as the district's representative.[2] She took office on January 3, 2005, beginning what would become a lengthy tenure in Congress.

U.S. House of Representatives

Foxx has been reelected consistently since her initial victory in 2004. In the 2010 midterm elections, she won reelection to her seat.[3] She continued to win subsequent races, including her 2016 reelection.[4] Her longevity in the district has reflected both her personal popularity among constituents and the solidly Republican character of the 5th district, which encompasses rural and suburban communities in northwestern North Carolina.

House Republican Conference Leadership

From January 2013 to January 2017, Foxx served as Secretary of the House Republican Conference, a leadership position within the Republican caucus. She served under House Speakers John Boehner and Paul Ryan during this period. The role placed her within the party's leadership structure and gave her influence over internal Republican messaging and strategy. She was succeeded in the position by Jason T. Smith.

Chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce

Foxx's most prominent committee role has been her leadership of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce (formerly known as the House Committee on Education and Labor). She first served as chair of the committee from January 2017 to January 2019, succeeding John Kline of Minnesota. When Democrats took the House majority following the 2018 elections, Foxx became the committee's ranking member from January 2019 to January 2023, with Bobby Scott of Virginia serving as chair during that period.

When Republicans regained the House majority after the 2022 elections, Foxx resumed the chairmanship from January 2023 to January 2025, again succeeding Bobby Scott. She was in turn succeeded as chair by Tim Walberg of Michigan when she moved to lead the Rules Committee in the 119th Congress.

During her tenures as chair, Foxx focused on issues including higher education accountability, workforce development, and oversight of federal education programs. She was involved in efforts to reform the Higher Education Act and advocated for increased transparency in higher education spending and outcomes.

Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act

In 2017, during Foxx's first term as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee, the committee advanced H.R. 1313, the Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act.[5] The bill attracted significant public attention and criticism from scientific and privacy advocacy organizations. Critics argued that the legislation would allow employers to require employees to undergo genetic testing as part of workplace wellness programs and to penalize those who declined to participate. Scientific American reported that the bill would "let employers demand workers' genetic test results."[6] Forbes similarly covered the controversy, describing the bill's provisions as allowing employers to "poke around in your genome."[7] The bill did not advance beyond the committee stage.

Higher Education Oversight and Campus Antisemitism

In her later tenure as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee (2023–2025), Foxx took a prominent role in congressional oversight of higher education institutions, particularly regarding campus responses to antisemitism and protests related to the Israel–Hamas war. This work continued to generate attention even after she moved to the Rules Committee.

In July 2025, Foxx co-introduced bipartisan legislation with Representative Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ) aimed at holding higher education institutions accountable for what the sponsors described as anti-Israel and BDS (Boycott, Divestment, and Sanctions) activity on campus.[8]

In February 2026, Khymani James, a suspended member of the Columbia University Apartheid Divest (CUAD) organization, filed a federal lawsuit against Foxx alleging First Amendment violations. James claimed that Foxx had abused her congressional authority to pressure Columbia University into disciplinary action against the student over anti-Israel social media posts.[9][10][11] The lawsuit was ongoing as of February 2026.

Chair of the House Rules Committee (2025–present)

In January 2025, at the start of the 119th Congress, Foxx assumed the chairmanship of the House Rules Committee, one of the most powerful committees in the House of Representatives. She succeeded Michael C. Burgess in the role.[1] The Rules Committee controls the terms of debate for legislation that reaches the House floor, including whether amendments may be offered and how much time is allotted for debate.

Under Foxx's chairmanship, the Rules Committee has continued a trend of adopting "closed rules," which restrict or prohibit floor amendments to legislation. In February 2026, Representative Jim McGovern (D-MA) noted during a Rules Committee hearing that House Republicans had broken a record for the most closed rules in a single Congress.[12] The use of closed rules has been a point of contention between the majority and minority parties, with Democrats arguing that the practice limits deliberation and amendment opportunities.

Voting Record and Political Alignment

Foxx has maintained a consistently conservative voting record throughout her congressional career. The analytical website FiveThirtyEight tracked her voting alignment with the positions of President Donald Trump during his first term, finding a high degree of concordance.[13] Foxx has been a member of the Republican Study Committee, the largest conservative caucus in the House.[14]

Notable Controversies

Matthew Shepard Comments (2009)

In April 2009, Foxx drew widespread criticism for remarks she made on the House floor regarding the murder of Matthew Shepard, a gay college student who was beaten and left to die in Laramie, Wyoming, in 1998. During debate on the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act, Foxx described the characterization of Shepard's murder as a hate crime as a "hoax," stating that it was instead a robbery gone wrong. The comments were made while Shepard's mother, Judy Shepard, was present in the House gallery.[15][16]

The remarks were condemned by editorial boards and advocacy groups. The New York Times published an editorial criticizing Foxx's comments and calling them "cruel" and "ignorant."[17] Foxx subsequently issued a statement saying she had not intended to diminish the tragedy of Shepard's death, though she did not fully retract her characterization.

Health Care Reform Comments (2009)

Also in 2009, during the congressional debate over health care reform, Foxx made remarks that generated media coverage. Speaking on the House floor, she argued against the proposed health care legislation, making statements that were described by local media as provocative.[18]

Dean of North Carolina's Congressional Delegation

Since January 2025, Foxx has served as the dean of North Carolina's congressional delegation, a designation given to the longest-serving member of a state's House contingent. She had previously shared the deanship with Patrick McHenry, who retired from Congress at the end of the 118th Congress. The role is largely ceremonial but carries a degree of informal influence within the state's representation in Washington.

Personal Life

Foxx resides in the 5th congressional district of North Carolina. She has one child. Beyond these publicly documented facts, Foxx has maintained a relatively private personal life throughout her political career. Her background as an educator, with advanced degrees from the University of North Carolina system, has been a recurring element of her public identity, and she has frequently referenced her experience in education when discussing policy matters.

Recognition

In November 2025, the Foundation for Research on Equal Opportunity (FREOPP) announced that it would honor Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at its Freedom and Progress Conference, recognizing her work on education and workforce policy.[19]

Foxx's longevity in Congress and her leadership of key committees have made her one of the most prominent Republican members of the North Carolina delegation. Her tenure as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee across two separate periods (2017–2019 and 2023–2025) made her one of the most influential figures in federal education policy during those years. Her subsequent appointment as chair of the Rules Committee in 2025 placed her in one of the most procedurally powerful positions in the House of Representatives.

As of the 2026 primary election cycle, Foxx has faced challengers within the Republican primary for her seat, reflecting the competitive nature of Republican politics in the district.[20]

Campaign Finance

Foxx's campaign finance filings are maintained by the Federal Election Commission.[21]

References

  1. 1.0 1.1 "Foxx Opening Remarks on H.R. 4626 and H.R. 4758".House of Representatives Committee on Rules.2026-02-23.https://rules.house.gov/media/press-releases/foxx-opening-remarks-hr-4626-and-hr-4758.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  2. "2004 Election Information".Clerk of the United States House of Representatives.2004.http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  3. "Election Results 2010".The New York Times.2010.http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/house.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  4. "North Carolina House District 5 Results".The New York Times.2016.https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5-foxx-brannon.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  5. "H.R. 1313 — Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act".Congress.gov.2017.https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1313/text.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  6. "House Republicans Would Let Employers Demand Workers' Genetic Test Results".Scientific American.2017.https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/house-republicans-would-let-employers-demand-workers-rsquo-genetic-test-results/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  7. WillinghamEmilyEmily"The GOP Wants To Let Your Boss Poke Around In Your Genome".Forbes.2017-03-10.https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/03/10/the-gop-wants-to-let-your-boss-poke-around-in-your-genome.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  8. "RELEASE: Gottheimer, Foxx Introduce Bill to Hold Higher Education Accountable for Anti-Israel, BDS Activity".Office of Representative Josh Gottheimer.2025-07-31.https://gottheimer.house.gov/posts/release-gottheimer-foxx-introduce-bill-to-hold-higher-education-accountable-for-anti-israel-bds-activity.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  9. "Suspended CUAD member Khymani James sues Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), alleging First Amendment violations".Columbia Daily Spectator.2026-02-10.https://www.columbiaspectator.com/news/2026/02/10/suspended-cuad-member-khymani-james-sues-rep-virginia-foxx-r-nc-alleging-first-amendment-violations/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  10. "Suspended Columbia University student files suit against Representative Virginia Foxx".The Appalachian Online.2026-02.https://theappalachianonline.com/suspended-columbia-university-student-files-suit-against-representative-virginia-foxx/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  11. "Rep. Virginia Foxx sued after Columbia student's expulsion for anti-Israel posts".NewsNation.2026-02.https://www.newsnationnow.com/us-news/education/virginia-foxx-columbia-expulsion-anti-israel-posts/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  12. "New closed rule record".Politico.2026-02-23.https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2026/02/23/congress/new-closed-rule-record-00793799.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  13. "Virginia Foxx — Congress Trump Score".FiveThirtyEight.https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/virginia-foxx/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  14. "Republican Study Committee".Republican Study Committee.https://rsc-walker.house.gov/.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  15. "Virginia Foxx: Matthew Shepard's Murder a 'Hoax'".The Washington Post.2009-04.http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  16. "Matthew Shepard, Virginia Foxx, gay".Los Angeles Times.2009-04.http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/matthew-shepard-virginia-foxx-gay.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  17. "Editorial".The New York Times.2009-05-06.https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?_r=1.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  18. "Foxx Health Care Comments".MyFox8.2009-07-30.http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-foxx-health-care-comments-090730,0,2622612.story.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  19. "CORRECTING and REPLACING FREOPP to Honor Congresswoman Virginia Foxx with the Frederick Douglass Award at Freedom and Progress Conference".Business Wire.2025-11-19.https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20251119036333/en/CORRECTING-and-REPLACING-FREOPP-to-Honor-Congresswoman-Virginia-Foxx-with-the-Frederick-Douglass-Award-at-Freedom-and-Progress-Conference.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  20. "GOP primary challenger denies stolen 2020 election. What else the candidates say".Raleigh News & Observer.2026-02.https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article314547007.html.Retrieved 2026-02-24.
  21. "Virginia Foxx — Candidate Profile".Federal Election Commission.https://www.fec.gov/data/candidate/H4NC05146.Retrieved 2026-02-24.