Washington, D.C. – The Oteen Post Office in Asheville was removed from the U.S. Postal Services’ list of facilities under consideration for closure, Congressman Heath Shuler announced Friday.

“This is great news for people living in the nearby area who now won’t have to drive out of their way to reach a post office that offers the same services as Oteen,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “I understand that the Postal Service must cut costs, but there are better options than just closing post offices.”

The Oteen facility provides valuable services to the Charles George Veterans Affairs Medical Center and the local veterans living in the area. Congressman Shuler urged the Postal Service not to close the Oteen facility in a letter sent to the Postmaster General in September. The Postal Service has winnowed down the number of retail stations and branches that remain under review for possible consolidation to only 241 facilities.

Washington, D.C. – The Federal Highway Administration approved a request for federal emergency relief funds to repair and reopen Interstate 40 following the massive rock slide that closed it in late October, Congressman Heath Shuler said Friday.

“I am happy to see the FHA move so quickly on our request that the state of North Carolina will be reimbursed for the cleanup of I-40,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “This portion of I-40 is essential to the people and businesses of Western North Carolina, and the FHA’s decision today will speed up the reopening of the Interstate.”

On October 30, Congressman Shuler and Congressman Phil Roe, R-Tenn., sent a letter asking the FHA to promptly approve emergency relief funds. The letter also was signed by the entire North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations.

Today, the FHA approved emergency relief funding and agreed to reimburse the North Carolina Department of Transportation for its work to remove debris and repair I-40, according to a letter sent to Congressman Shuler today.

Interstate 40 serves as a vital transportation and commerce link for the U.S., particularly the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. About 25,000 vehicles a day, including 10,000 tractor trailers, travel the section of I-40 that was closed due to the rockslide. Interstate 40 is not expected to reopen until January, according NCDOT officials.

“I am pleased and grateful that this extremely critical regional issue garnered such strong support across state and party lines,” Shuler said. “I also appreciate how quickly and effectively Governor Perdue responded to this disaster at the state level.”

On October 28, Perdue declared the I-40 rock slide a disaster, which was the first step in seeking federal emergency funds. The FHA’s emergency relief program reimburses states and local governments for the cost of fixing damage caused by floods, tornados, landslides and other natural disasters.

“I want to thank the Congressional Delegation for insuring the FHA was aware of the severity of the road damage resulting from the rockslide,” Gov. Perdue said. “NCDOT is working as quickly as possible to open the road with public safety our first goal.” 

"We understand how disruptive the closure has been for the multi-state area,” FHA Administrator Victor Mendez wrote in his letter to Congressman Shuler. “I can assure you that we will continue working with NCDOT to get traffic back to normal."

Washington, D.C. – An emergency hotline set up for citizens to report chemical and hazardous substance spills failed residents who live near the former CTS site in Skyland, according to a government report that was requested by Congressman Heath Shuler.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) utilizes a hotline that allows individuals to report emergencies 24 hours a day. But Skyland residents who called the hotline in April to report a contaminated well were sent to a voicemail system and never received responses, according to a report issued last week by the EPA’s Office of Inspector General.

The hotline’s after-hours calls were directed to the National Response Center (NRC), which is standard procedure. But the NRC failed to notify the EPA of the calls from Western North Carolina, the Inspector General said.

After subpoenaing NRC’s phone records, the Inspector General found a dozen voicemails on various topics that NRC failed to turn over to several different agencies.

“I find it totally unacceptable that this emergency line would be left unstaffed for even a minute,” said Shuler, D-Waynesville, who requested the investigation in April. “The fact that staff at the National Response Center was less than forthcoming with honest information in this situation is infuriating.”

The NRC is managed within the Department of Homeland Security. The EPA Inspector General’s office has informed its counterpart within the Homeland Security Department of its findings for further review. “I’ve been told that the situation has been corrected, but I intend to verify that myself,” Shuler said.

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Washington, D.C. – Western North Carolina businesses that have been hurt economically by the massive rock slide that has closed Interstate 40 may be eligible for Small Business Administration (SBA) aid, according to Congressman Heath Shuler.

The SBA has a program that provides emergency loans to companies that have lost substantial business due to hurricanes, tornadoes, landslides and other natural disasters. To qualify, Gov. Bev Perdue has 120 days after the October 25 rock slide to request an SBA Economic Injury Declaration and must show at least five businesses that have suffered substantial economic injury from the I-40 closure.

“I’m sure that more than five businesses in Western North Carolina have been hit hard by the closure of I-40, which is expected to last for months,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “I would encourage the owners of businesses that are being adversely affected by the closure to contact my office, and I will be happy to relay their information to the proper state and federal officials.”

I-40 serves as a vital transportation and commerce thoroughfare for the U.S., particularly the states of North Carolina and Tennessee. About 25,000 vehicles a day travel the section of I-40 that has been closed because of the rock slide. This includes approximately 10,000 tractor trailers that carry goods throughout the region.

Congressman Shuler and the entire North Carolina Congressional delegation sent a letter last month to the Federal Highway Administrator requesting federal emergency funds for the clean-up and repair of I-40.

“We have to get I-40 reopened as quickly as possible because it is essential to the people and businesses of Western North Carolina,” Congressman Shuler said.

For questions about the SBA emergency loan program, contact Congressman Shuler’s office at 828-252-1651.

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Washington, D.C. – Today, U.S. Representative Heath Shuler, D-Waynesville, released the following statement today after voting against H.R. 3962, the House health care reform legislation.

“There is no question that our nation’s health care system is broken. Over the past few months, I have spoken with hundreds of constituents and received thousands of calls, letters and emails about health care reform. I thank everyone in Western North Carolina who so willingly shared their stories and concerns with me. It is clear to me that we, as a country, are failing to provide enough Americans with affordable options to manage their health care, prevent illness and treat existing conditions.”

“I support many of the provisions in HR 3962. We must require health insurance companies to provide coverage for individuals with pre-existing conditions, and prohibit them from dropping coverage when an insured individual becomes sick. I support expanding coverage to individuals who do not currently have health insurance. I also support a provision in the bill that repeals an antitrust loophole that currently allows insurance companies to artificially drive up the price of coverage. I recognize our nation’s need for reform.”

“However, this legislation costs $1.055 trillion and fails to include sufficient cost-containment and deficit reduction measures. According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, this bill will not reduce the federal government’s spending on health care over the long term. Any reform that does not control long-term costs will be short-sighted and unwise.”

“This legislation fails to control the inefficiencies in health care that could be used to create substantial savings to drive down the bill’s overall cost. Our health care system is laden with waste, fraud and abuse, and this bill has not remedied those problems. Adding millions of people into a broken system is not an acceptable solution. We need reform that rewards quality outcomes and moves us away from the fee-for-service system that rewards the quantity of service. We need reform that rewards healthy lifestyles that would prevent excessive procedures and increased spending.”

“Unemployment has just topped 10 percent nationwide. Now is not the time to raise federal taxes by hundreds of billions of dollars and impose new and costly mandates on state governments, which would likely require states to raise taxes on working families. During these challenging times, I believe we should be focused on our economy and creating jobs, not growing the size of the federal government with new mandates. We must stop the out-of-control spending in Washington and begin reducing our skyrocketing national debt. The path we are on is unsustainable. If health care reform does not bend the overall cost curve, we are simply passing higher costs to our children and grandchildren.”

“It is unfortunate that we have not been able to draft a health care reform package in a bipartisan manner. Unlike some of my colleagues, I pledge to continue to work to improve this legislation rather than to act as a roadblock to prevent any meaningful reform. I am convinced that passing health care reform is a moral obligation and a fiscal necessity, and I will continue to work with my colleagues to address rising health care costs. Today’s vote is one of the first steps in a lengthy legislative process, and I am optimistic that we will craft a solution that will lower health care costs for working families and small businesses. America needs meaningful health care reform that gives our country affordable, accessible, and sustainable health care.”

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Washington, D.C. – The House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics Committee) cleared U.S.  Representative Heath Shuler of any wrongdoing or violations of House rules related to his involvement in the Tennessee Valley Authority’s Maintain and Gain program. 

After a thorough review, the Ethics Committee found that Shuler’s actions “were not improper in any way and did not violate House Rules,” and has closed the matter without further action, the committee said in a letter released late Wednesday.

“Throughout my personal and professional life I have always held myself to the highest possible ethical standard. I maintained that standard through all my interactions with the TVA relating to Blackberry Cove. I have never and will never attempt to use my office for personal gain and look forward to continuing to work on behalf of the people of Western North Carolina,” Congressman Shuler said.

The Ethics Committee noted in its letter that because of Shuler’s position in Congress, the TVA held Blackberry “to a higher standard for approval” within the Maintain and Gain program in order to avoid the appearance of partiality. The letter also disclosed that the Federal Bureau of Investigation reviewed the facts surrounding the Blackberry application and concluded that no criminal statutes were violated.  

Before being elected to Congress in November 2006, Shuler invested in the Cove at Blackberry Ridge, a real estate partnership that owned property near the Watts Bar Reservoir in eastern Tennessee. The partnership, which originally thought it had water-access rights due to maps provided by the TVA, sought and initially received a Maintain and Gain agreement from the TVA that gave the partnership water access rights to build a dock in exchange for other waterfront land the partnership owned.

Shuler's involvement in the matter was first investigated by the TVA Inspector General, who in June found no evidence that Shuler used his position as a Congressman to pressure the TVA. Because it had no jurisdiction over a member of the U.S. House of Representatives, the TVA Inspector General forwarded its report to the Standards Committee for their review.

The Ethics Committee is the third investigative body to confirm that there was no wrongdoing on the part of Congressman Shuler. 

The Committee is composed of ten members, five Democrats and five Republicans. The letter clearing Shuler of any wrongdoing was signed by the Committee’s Chair, Rep. Zoe Lofgren (D-CA), and Ranking Member, Rep. Jo Bonner (R-AL).

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Washington, D.C. – The House passed an Interior Department appropriations bill on Thursday that included funding to buy 88 acres near Catawba Falls, a provision introduced by Congressman Heath Shuler.  

The bill was passed later Thursday by the Senate and can now be signed into law by the PresidentThe bill allocates $713,000 to the Forest Service to buy 88 acres from a private party to expand the trailhead to Catawba Falls and build a parking area. This funding follows the passage in September of a bill authored Congressman Shuler that adjusted the boundaries of the Pisgah National Forest to include a total of 301 acres of additional land, 213 acres already owned by the federal government and the additional 88-acre tract of privately owned land. 

Congressman Shuler’s legislation, House Resolution 1002, authorized the Forest Service, the recipient of the funds appropriated Thursday, to purchase the property to expand the Park and enable access to the Falls.  H.R. 1002 was designed to rectify the current access problem of visitors needing to pass through a steep and rugged wooded area to legally reach the Falls. The difficulty of this access route often led to people inadvertently trespassing upon private property. 

“This is the last piece of legislation needed to allow full public access to our spectacular Catawba Falls,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville. “Now local and visiting hikers and fisherman will be able to enjoy this scenic treasure.  Access to this natural gem will encourage tourism and boost the economy of McDowell County.”

The Foothills Conservancy of North Carolina owns the 88 acres that offers access to the Falls and is willing to sell the land to the Forest Service, said Squeak Smith, chairman of the conservation group. The land will be used as an entryway to the entire Falls area, and include a parking lot and picnic areas, he said.  Besides being supported by the Foothills Conservancy, the initiative also has the backing of the City of Old Fort, McDowell County Tourism Authority, McDowell County Board of Commissioners, and numerous local hiking and hunting groups.

“We’ve been waiting a long time to hear this,” Smith said.  “It’s the last step and will open formal access to the Falls to the public. I want to thank Congressman Shuler for all his hard work on this.” 

“This legislation ultimately provides tremendous recreational benefits to the people of North Carolina as well as offering a shot in the arm to the McDowell County economy,” Congressman Shuler said. “I am grateful that all our efforts have paid off and that people will gain a fuller enjoyment of Catawba Falls.”

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Washington, D.C. – Congressmen Heath Shuler (D-NC) and Phil Roe (R-TN) organized every member of the North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations to advocate for a speedy repair of Interstate 40 after the devastating rock slide last weekend.   Reps. Shuler and Roe wrote the Federal Highway Administrator today requesting federal emergency funds to clean-up and repair the main transportation artery between North Carolina and Tennessee.

Interstate 40 serves as a vital transportation and commerce thoroughfare for the U.S., particularly the states of North Carolina and Tennessee.  Each day, about 25,000 vehicles travel the section of I-40 which has been closed due to the rock slide.  Approximately 10,000 tractor trailers traverse the road daily to carry goods throughout the region. 

Because the portion of I-40 impacted by the landslide is so important to the states they represent, Reps. Shuler and Roe wrote Victor Mendez, Federal Highway Administrator, for assistance.  Specifically, they asked for funds from the Federal Highway Administration’s Emergency Relief Program for the cost of clean-up and repairs.   Every member of the North Carolina and Tennessee Congressional delegations support the effort and have added their names as signatories to the letter. 

“Thousands of families are currently isolated from emergency services, and the detour around the I-40 closure can add an hour and a half to a trip,” said Rep. Shuler, D-N.C.  “We have to get this critical route reopened as quickly as possible.”

“The impact of this rock slide is being felt across East Tennessee and Western North Carolina.  We want to see Interstate 40 safely reopen as soon as possible,” said Rep. Roe, R-TN. “I am working with my colleagues from Tennessee and North Carolina to secure federal assistance to keep the repair process moving.”

On Wednesday, Gov. Bev Perdue declared that the rock slide on I-40 at mile marker 3 was a disaster, which is the first step in seeking federal emergency funds.  Federal Highway Administration Emergency Relief Program funds were established to address damages directly caused by natural disasters such as floods, hurricanes, tidal waves, earthquakes, tornados, storms, and landslides.  The letter from Roe and Shuler indicated that the major rock slide on I-40 in North Carolina fits well within the eligibility requirements to qualify for the funds.  

“This portion of I-40 is essential to the people and the local economy of Western North Carolina, and I hope the Federal Highway Administration will act as quickly as possible to help in the clean-up and repair,” Congressman Shuler said.

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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Heath Shuler applauded the U.S. Forest Service quickly cooperating with the North Carolina Department of Transportation to speed up the removal of the debris caused by Sunday’s rock slide that has closed Interstate 40 near the Tennessee line.

The Forest Service has given DOT emergency access to its property that will enable the DOT to begin removing rubble from the top of the slide.  Rubble from the slide will be deposited in private offsite location and if that fills up, the Forest Service has offered to make arrangements to store excess debris on its own property.

“It’s heartening to see two government agencies working through bureaucratic obstacles to help reopen I-40 as soon as possible. This is a vital highway for our region, and I will do everything I can to assist these agencies in whatever they need,” said Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville.

Transportation officials said it may take months for all the debris to be cleared from I-40. The state DOT issued an emergency declaration on Sunday and advised that drivers from Asheville traveling west detour to I-26 West to I-81 South in Tennessee and then back to I-40.

For more information, contact the North Carolina Department of Transportation.http://www.ncdot.org/

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Washington, D.C. – Congressman Heath Shuler urged the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that rural areas receive their share of the H1N1 vaccine, which remains in short supply during the start of this year's flu season.

“A lack of access to health care is already a major problem in rural areas, such as Western North Carolina, which I represent. It is critical that those in rural areas have equal access to the H1N1 vaccine,” Congressman Shuler, D-Waynesville, wrote in a letter to Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius on Friday.

Vaccine production for the H1N1 flu virus has fallen behind schedule, according to federal health officials. Originally predicting that 120 million doses of the vaccine would be available by now, the current estimate is that only 30 million will be available by the end of October.

Some hospitals, schools and clinics in Western North Carolina have reported receiving limited amounts of vaccine while others have ample supplies. But when vaccines run out in rural areas, people must drive much further to find alternative supplies, and those without access to transportation can be denied treatment.

Congressman Shuler also asked federal officials to do everything possible to speed up the production of H1N1 flu vaccines.

“I strongly urge you to increase production of H1N1 vaccines, and to request that you direct the Centers for Disease Control to work with state Health Departments to ensure sufficient distribution to rural areas,” Congressman Shuler wrote. “Please take the necessary steps to ensure that every at-risk patient can be given this lifesaving, preventative treatment.”

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