Posted on

Appeals Court Blocks Lower Court Ruling in Felon Voter Case

Today the North Carolina Court of Appeals blocked a lower court ruling in a felon voter rights case, granting a petition for a writ of supersedeas and staying the expanded injunction pending appeal.
 
This decision comes after legislative leaders asked Attorney General Josh Stein to immediately appeal the lower court’s verbal order. When Stein refused to act, legislative leaders fired Stein and hired outside counsel.
 
Sam Hayes, General Counsel for House Speaker Tim Moore said, “We are pleased with the Order upholding the rule of law, which was issued today by the North Carolina Court of Appeals.”
 
He continued, “I want to thank our excellent legal team led by David Thompson, Pete Patterson, and Nicole Moss with the law firm of Cooper & Kirk. Despite the Attorney General’s complete abdication of his duty, they stepped in and scored a major win for the people of North Carolina. Although this fight is far from over, we are confident that the Constitution will prevail in the end.”
Posted on

House Bill 805 Advances Through House with Bipartisan Support

Today in a vote of 63-41, the North Carolina House advanced House Bill 805, a bill to “Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder.”
 
House Speaker Tim Moore said, “North Carolinians should never have to choose between exercising their First Amendment right to freely and peacefully demonstrate and their safety.”
 
He continued, “This bill simply enforces harsher penalties for the perpetrators of violence and looting, while explicitly preserving every North Carolinian’s right to protest peacefully. I hope that Governor Cooper will not hesitate to sign this bill into law and better protect our law enforcement, business owners, and citizens who are exercising their right to protest peacefully.”
 
The bill now goes to the governor’s desk for his signature.
Posted on

Governor Cooper Vetoes Bill That Would Ease Pistol Permit Restrictions

Today Governor Cooper vetoed HB 398, the “Pistol Purchase Permit Repeal.”
 
In May, HB 398 passed through the House in a vote of 69-48. The bill passed in the Senate in a vote of 27-20. HB 398 would have repealed the requirement to obtain a pistol purchase permit from the sheriff prior to the purchase or transfer of the pistol.
 
House Speaker Tim Moore said, “At the height of the pandemic, many North Carolinians felt they needed to purchase a handgun for personal protection, but they were faced with a problem: sheriff’s departments were overloaded with requests for pistol purchase permits. This bill would have provided an avenue for those individuals.”
 
He continued, “To deny North Carolinians a path to obtain that measure of personal protection is to deny a fundamental constitutional right. Governor Cooper is playing politics with our Second Amendment rights.”
Posted on

Senate Passes House Bill 805 to Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder

This week, in a vote of 25-19, the North Carolina Senate passed House Bill 805, a bill sponsored by House Speaker Tim Moore to “Prevent Rioting and Civil Disorder.”

House Speaker Tim Moore said, “I saw firsthand the violence and destruction caused by rioters right here in downtown Raleigh last year. What this bill does is enforce harsher penalties for the perpetrators of violence and looting, while preserving every North Carolinian’s right to protest peacefully.”

He continued, “Our rights to free speech and assembly are precious and must be preserved, but never at the expense of harm to others. House Bill 805 simply ensures the safety of our citizens while upholding their rights to free speech and assembly.”

The bill will return to the House for concurrence.

 

Posted on

New Op-Ed From Speaker Moore as House Passes Resolution on Afghanistan

Raleigh, NC— Today, an op-ed from North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) was published at Townhall.com. The piece is entitled “As a Free Afghanistan Fades Before Our Eyes, We Must Fulfill Our Obligations to Our Veterans and Allies.”
 
Additionally, this morning Speaker Moore introduced a resolution on Afghanistan. It passed unanimously through the House.
 
House Resolution 973 declares, “The House of Representatives urges Congress and President Joe Biden to take additional action regarding the evacuation of American citizens, American troops, ally troops, and Afghan citizens and their families, who helped America fight in the War on Terror and have been properly vetted by the United States’ Department of State, from Afghanistan.”
 

The Principal Clerk will transmit a copy of the resolution to North Carolina’s congressional delegation and the President of the United States.

Posted on

NC House Speaker Leads Charge Advocating for Our Veterans and Allies

Raleigh, NC— This week, North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) called Governor Cooper to urge him to open our state to our Afghan allies who have been thoroughly vetted and granted Special Immigrant Visas by the US Department of State for their service alongside our military.

Many of these men and women served with multiple units from our Marine Corps Base at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and our Army base at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. Throughout Operation Enduring Freedom, these allies risked their safety and security to fight with us against Taliban forces.

Following the call with Governor Cooper, House Speaker Tim Moore said in a video, “What does it say if our country does not stand up and stand by those who fought with us? We need to stand by our word. We need to honor the commitments we made when so many folks took that oath, took a stand, put their lives on the line to fight for freedom, to fight for the ideas of America. It’s our turn to honor that commitment and do all we can to help these folks find freedom.”

Watch the video in full here.

North Carolina House Speaker Leads Charge Advocating for Our Veterans and Allies in Afghanistan

 

 

Posted on

NEWS: Speaker Moore Welcomes Rep. Pyrtle to the NC House of Representatives

Today A. Reece Pyrtle was sworn in as Representative for House District 65, fulfilling the term of the late former Representative Jerry Carter.

House Speaker Tim Moore said, “I am pleased to welcome Rep. Pyrtle to the North Carolina House of Representatives, and I look forward to working alongside him. He joins us from Eden, NC where he has spent 31 years on the police force and has been Chief of Police since 2009. His law enforcement and leadership experience will be a great asset here at the North Carolina General Assembly.”

Posted on

House Speaker Tim Moore Reacts to Events Unfolding in Afghanistan

Today North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore reacted to the events unfolding in Afghanistan as the Taliban takes over the government in Kabul. So far, 3,000 troops have deployed from Ft. Bragg to extract Americans from the region.
 
Speaker Moore said, “President Biden’s failure to swiftly and safely evacuate all Americans, including our wartime combat interpreters, from Kabul is an affront to the brave men and women, Afghan nationals, who were embedded with American troops and promised special immigrant visas upon their faithful service to America. They’re now facing beating, slaughter, and execution of their loved ones. North Carolina stands ready to welcome these heroes, who are some of our bravest, but most unrecognized heroes.”
 
“President Biden must not abandon our wartime allies. At least 84 North Carolinians lost their lives in Afghanistan and 2,000 more have lost their lives to injuries and mental health since their return. Our North Carolina servicemen and women deserve nothing less than our full and unfettered support as the Taliban return to power and resume their reign of terror over the Afghan people.”
Posted on

House Unanimously Passes Bipartisan Bill to End Child Marriage

Today the North Carolina House of Representatives passed a bipartisan bill that ends child marriage in our state. The bill passed unanimously.
 
Dr. Kristin Baker (R-Cabarrus) and Rep. Ashton Wheeler Clemmons (D-Guilford) are both sponsors of House Bill 41 and made the following statements about its passage.
 
Dr. Kristin Baker said, “Research indicates that people who marry as minors face increased dropout rates from both high school and college, increased medical and mental health problems, and markedly increased likelihood of future poverty. This bill raises the age of marriage to 16. It also sets limits on age gaps for marriage of minors ages 16 and 17, thus serving as a deterrent for those who would target North Carolina as a destination state for human trafficking.”
 
She continued, “As a conservative Christian, I am a strong supporter of the sacrament of marriage. As a child psychiatrist, I am determined to protect our vulnerable youth, enhancing their chances for healthy, happy futures. I believe this bill works to achieve those ends. “
 
“I am extremely proud to see this critical bill moving forward in the NC House,” said Rep. Clemmons. She continued, “It is past time that we protect young people – especially young girls – from the well-documented negative impacts of child marriage. I am grateful for the determination of advocates and the bi-partisan, bi-cameral legislative leadership to make this progress to protect our children.”
 
###
Posted on

NC House Speaker Statement on the Passing of Rep. Jerry Carter

NC House Speaker Tim Moore would like to share the following statement in light of the passing of Rep. Jerry Carter (R-Rockingham):
 
“I am heartbroken and devastated by the sudden loss of my friend and colleague Representative Jerry Carter. Representative Carter was an extraordinary legislator and a devoted husband to his wife, who he loved dearly. He was the chaplain of the NC State Highway Patrol and was a man of deep faith and faithful prayer. He was the founder and pastor of Reidsville Baptist Church, and he was deeply passionate about serving Rockingham County and his constituents back home. We will feel Jerry’s loss deeply at the NC General Assembly, and my prayers are with Jerry’s family as they grieve this great loss in the days ahead.”