View source for Virginia Foxx

{{Short description|American politician (born 1943)}}
{{About|the member of Congress|the silent film actress|Virginia Fox}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2025}}
{{Infobox officeholder
| name                = Virginia Foxx
| image               = Virginia Foxx official photo (slight crop).jpg
| caption             = Official portrait, 2017
| office              = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]]
| term_start          = January 3, 2025
| term_end            = 
| predecessor         = [[Michael C. Burgess]]
| successor           = 
| office1             = Chair of the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Education Committee]]
| term_start1         = January 3, 2023
| term_end1           = January 3, 2025
| predecessor1        = [[Bobby Scott (politician)|Bobby Scott]]
| successor1          = [[Tim Walberg]]
| term_start2         = January 3, 2017
| term_end2           = January 3, 2019
| predecessor2        = [[John Kline (politician)|John Kline]]
| successor2          = Bobby Scott
| office3             = Ranking Member of the [[United States House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Education Committee]]
| term_start3         = January 3, 2019
| term_end3           = January 3, 2023
| predecessor3        = Bobby Scott
| successor3          = Bobby Scott
| office4             = [[Republican Conference Secretary of the United States House of Representatives|Secretary of the House Republican Conference]]
| leader4             = [[John Boehner]]<br>[[Paul Ryan]]
| term_start4         = January 3, 2013
| term_end4           = January 3, 2017
| predecessor4        = [[John Carter (Texas politician)|John Carter]]
| successor4          = [[Jason T. Smith]]
| state5              = [[North Carolina]]
| district5           = {{ushr|NC|5|5th}}
| term_start5         = January 3, 2005
| term_end5           = 
| predecessor5        = [[Richard Burr]]
| successor5          = 
| office6             = Member of the [[North Carolina Senate]]
| term_start6         = January 1, 1995
| term_end6           = January 1, 2005
| predecessor6        = Alexander Sands<br>Fred Folger
| successor6          = [[John A. Garwood|John Garwood]]
| constituency6       = [[North Carolina's 12th Senate district|12th]] district (1995–2003)<br>[[North Carolina's 45th Senate district|45th]] district (2003–2005)
| birth_name          = Virginia Ann Palmieri
| birth_date          = {{birth date and age|1943|6|29}}
| birth_place         = [[New York City]], [[New York (state)|New York]], U.S.
| death_date          = 
| death_place         = 
| party               = [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| spouse              = {{marriage|Thomas Foxx|1963}}
| children            = 1
| education           = [[University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill]] ([[Bachelor of Arts|BA]])<br>[[University of North Carolina, Greensboro]] ([[Master of Arts|MA]], [[Doctor of Education|EdD]])
| signature           = Virginia Foxx signature.png
| website             = {{url|foxx.house.gov|House website}}<br>{{url|virginiafoxx.com|Campaign website}}
|module      = {{Listen
|pos         = center
|embed       = yes
|filename    = Rep. Virginia Foxx on the Apple Crunch.ogg
|title       = Foxx's voice
|type        = speech
|description = Foxx supporting a resolution on Apple Crunch, a Pennsylvania-based nutritional food event.<br>Recorded July 29, 2008}}
}}
'''Virginia Ann Foxx''' (née '''Palmieri''';<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc223/pdf/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc223-3-2.pdf |title=First-term women members of the 109th Congress |publisher=Government Printing Office |date=August 1, 2006 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |archive-date=October 19, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151019065550/http://www.gpo.gov/fdsys/pkg/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc223/pdf/GPO-CDOC-108hdoc223-3-2.pdf |url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="Bioguide">[http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=f000450 Foxx, Virginia Ann] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130203183007/http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=f000450 |date=February 3, 2013 }}. ''Biographical Directory of the United States Congress.''</ref> born June 29, 1943) is an American politician, businesswoman, and educator serving as the [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. representative]] for {{ushr|NC|5}} since 2005. A member of the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican Party]], Foxx has served as chair of the [[United States House Committee on Rules|House Rules Committee]] since 2025 in the 119th Congress.<ref>{{cite news |first1=Lauren |last1=Peller |first2=Arthur II |last2=Jones |first3=Stacey |last3=Dec |title=Virginia Foxx to be only woman leading House committees in 119th Congress |url=https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/republican-women-chosen-lead-house-committees-time-decades/story?id=116764680 |date=January 14, 2025 |access-date=January 27, 2025 |publisher=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]]}}</ref> She also served as [[Republican Conference Secretary of the United States House of Representatives|Secretary of the House Republican Conference]] from 2013 to 2017.<ref>Sherman, Jake. [https://www.politico.com/story/2012/11/house-committee-chairs-all-men-084293?hp=f3 "House committee chairs all men"]  ''Politico.'' (Published November 27, 2012) <www.politico.com> Retrieved November 28, 2012.</ref>{{Better source needed|reason=How can a 2012 source support "from 2013 to 2017"?|date=January 2025}} She was the ranking member of the [[House Committee on Education and the Workforce|House Committee on Education and Labor]] from 2019 to 2023 and served as the committee's chair from 2017 to 2019 and from 2023 to 2025. Foxx's district encompasses much of the rural northwestern portion of the state, including the majority of [[Greensboro, North Carolina|Greensboro]]. Since January 2025, Foxx has been the dean of [[United States congressional delegations from North Carolina|North Carolina's congressional delegation]],<ref>{{cite web |last1=Zhu |first1=Christine |title=Meet the North Carolina members of the U.S. House |url=https://ncnewsline.com/2024/11/11/meet-the-north-carolina-members-of-the-u-s-house/ |website=ncnewsline.com |publisher=NC Newsline |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref> having previously shared the deanship with [[Patrick McHenry]] until his retirement.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Babington |first1=Charles |title=Two Paths to Power |url=https://www.theassemblync.com/politics/virginia-foxx-patrick-mchenry/ |website=theassemblync.com |publisher=The Assembly |access-date=24 May 2025}}</ref>

==Early life and career==
Foxx was born Virginia Ann Palmieri in the [[Manhattan]] borough of New York City on June 29, 1943, to Dollie (née Garrison) and Nunzio John Palmieri.<ref>{{congbio|id = F000450|inline = yes|accessdate = July 19, 2025}}</ref><ref name="auto">{{Cite web |url=https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=364983 |title=Rep. Foxx Tries to Balance Needy Students, Tax Dollars in Education Debate |date=December 19, 2013 |website=U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx|quote = Foxx... was born in Manhattan}}</ref><ref name = Brooks>{{cite news|url = https://thehill.com/homenews/house/5402151-virginia-foxx-north-carolina-house-gop/|title = Virginia Foxx not done making waves as the 'Iron Lady' of the House GOP|last = Brooks|first = Emily|date = July 16, 2025|accessdate = July 19, 2025|newspaper = [[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]]}}</ref> Her father was a painter and a paperhanger who also worked as a hairdresser and construction worker and her mother worked odd jobs, working in restaurants as well as a hotel maid and weaver.<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://thehill.com/capital-living/20680-a-foxx-at-home-in-the-jungle/amp/ |title=A Foxx at home in the jungle |work=[[The Hill (newspaper)|The Hill]] |date=May 10, 2005}}</ref> She and her family moved near [[Linville Falls, North Carolina]], when she was 6.<ref name="auto" /> Foxx grew up in a poor family and didn't live in a home with running water and electricity until age 14. Although baptized [[Catholic]], her family attended a [[Baptist]] church since there was no Catholic church nearby.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://foxx.house.gov/news/documentsingle.aspx?DocumentID=398989 |title=A Day in the Life of Virginia Foxx |date=December 22, 2016 |website=U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx}}</ref><ref name="news and observer">{{cite news |title=Virginia Foxx |url=http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/virginia_foxx |work=Raleigh News & Observer |access-date=March 28, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120728014722/http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome/profiles/virginia_foxx |archive-date=July 28, 2012}}</ref>

While attending Crossnore High School in [[Crossnore, North Carolina]], she worked as a janitor at the school and was the first in her family to graduate from high school.<ref>{{cite web|title=Celebrities, Notable Public Figures Reveal Their Most Memorable Teachers|url=http://www.nea.org/grants/17345.htm|publisher=National Education Association|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120424201956/http://www.nea.org/grants/17345.htm|archive-date=April 24, 2012}}</ref> For a brief period after high school, she returned to New York City, earning money by working as a typist and living with family in [[the Bronx]].<ref name = Brooks/> She then moved back to North Carolina to continue her education, initially at [[Appalachian State University]].<ref name = Brooks/> When she was 20 years old, she married Thomas Foxx, with whom she had a daughter.<ref>{{cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/2024/04/16/us/virginia-foxx-harvard-antisemitism.html|title = A Republican Who Is Making Harvard Sweat|last = Hartocollis|first = Amanda|date = April 17, 2024|page = A1|newspaper = [[The New York Times]]|url-access = limited|accessdate = July 19, 2025}}</ref> She graduated from the [[University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill]] with a bachelor's degree in 1968, and later earned both a Master of Arts in college teaching (1972) and a Doctor of Education (1985) from the [[University of North Carolina at Greensboro]].<ref name="Bioguide"/><ref name="About Foxx">{{cite web|title=About Virginia Foxx|url=http://virginiafoxx.com/about|publisher=VirginiaFoxx.com|access-date=March 28, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120216014452/http://www.virginiafoxx.com/about|archive-date=February 16, 2012}}</ref> Foxx and her husband owned and operated a [[Plant nursery|nursery]] and [[landscaping]] business.<ref name="About Foxx"/>

Foxx worked as a research assistant and then an English instructor at [[Caldwell Community College & Technical Institute]] and [[Appalachian State University]] before moving into university administration. From 1987 until her 1994 entry into politics, she was president of [[Mayland Community College]]. Under North Carolina Governor [[James G. Martin]], Foxx served as Deputy Secretary for Management.<ref name="About Foxx"/> From 1994 to 2004, she served in the [[North Carolina Senate]].<ref name="House Bio">{{cite web|title=Biography|url=http://foxx.house.gov/biography/|access-date=February 24, 2015|archive-date=February 9, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150209021440/http://foxx.house.gov/biography/|url-status=live}}</ref>

==United States House of Representatives==

===Political campaigns===
[[File:Virginia Foxx 2009.jpg|thumb|right|alt=Virginia Foxx |Foxx talking with constituents in Yadkinville, NC]]
Foxx was first elected to the U.S. House in 2004, defeating [[Jim Harrell, Jr.]] with 59% of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|title=Statistics of the Presidential & Congressional Election of November 2, 2004|url=http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf|publisher=United States House of Representatives|access-date=April 13, 2016|archive-date=January 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170123044710/http://clerk.house.gov/member_info/electionInfo/2004election.pdf|url-status=live}}</ref>

Foxx was briefly targeted in the [[2006 United States House of Representatives elections in North Carolina|2006 elections]], but the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]]' top choice, Winston-Salem mayor [[Allen Joines]], decided not to run. Joines later said he lacked the stomach for the kind of race he felt it would take to defeat Foxx.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sexton |first1=Scott |title=Nasty battle against Foxx didn't suit Joines' style |work=[[Winston-Salem Journal]] |date=January 12, 2006 |id={{ProQuest|370121068}} |quote=[Allen Joines] didn't have the stomach to run against U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx, R-5th.}}</ref> Her 2006 opponent was [[Roger Sharpe]], whom she defeated.

Roy Carter of [[Ashe County, North Carolina|Ashe County]] was Foxx's opponent in the 2008 election; she won by a substantial margin.

In 2010, Foxx was reelected with about 65% of the vote.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/house |work=The New York Times |title=House Results Map |access-date=November 11, 2010 |archive-date=February 8, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110208100157/http://elections.nytimes.com/2010/results/house |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2014, Foxx was reelected with about 60% of the vote, defeating software developer Josh Brannon.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://centralnc.twcnews.com/content/politics/713619/us-rep--foxx-wins-6th-term-in-nc-s-5th-district/ |title=TWC News Politics |access-date=November 5, 2014 |archive-date=November 5, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141105092014/http://centralnc.twcnews.com/content/politics/713619/us-rep--foxx-wins-6th-term-in-nc-s-5th-district/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2016, Foxx was reelected with about 59% of the vote, again over Brannon.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5-foxx-brannon |title=The New York Times |website=[[The New York Times]] |access-date=February 26, 2017 |archive-date=February 2, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170202063828/http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5-foxx-brannon |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2018, Foxx was reelected with 57% of the vote, defeating DD Adams, a council member for the North Ward of Winston-Salem.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5|title=NY Times Elections|access-date=February 26, 2017|archive-date=November 6, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181106233956/https://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/north-carolina-house-district-5|url-status=live}}</ref>

In the 2020 general election, Foxx won over 66% of the vote, defeating Democrat David Brown.<ref>{{cite news |title=North Carolina Election Results: Fifth Congressional District |url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-north-carolina-house-district-5.html |website=The New York Times |date=November 3, 2020 |access-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428025408/https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-north-carolina-house-district-5.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

In 2022, Foxx sought re-election in the redrawn 5th congressional district, which favored Republicans.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Larson |first1=David |title=Few competitive races, more safe incumbents as NC's congressional filing closes |url=https://www.carolinajournal.com/few-competitive-races-more-safe-incumbents-as-ncs-congressional-filing-closes/ |access-date=April 28, 2022 |work=The Carolina Journal |date=March 5, 2022 |archive-date=April 28, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428021902/https://www.carolinajournal.com/few-competitive-races-more-safe-incumbents-as-ncs-congressional-filing-closes/ |url-status=live}}</ref> Foxx was endorsed by former President Donald Trump in 2021.<ref>{{cite news |title=President Donald J. Trump Endorses Virginia Foxx for Re-Election in 2022 |url=https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/president-donald-j-trump-endorses-virginia-foxx-for-re-election-in-2022.html |access-date=April 28, 2022 |work=High Country Press |date=June 4, 2021 |archive-date=July 25, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210725034511/https://www.hcpress.com/front-page/president-donald-j-trump-endorses-virginia-foxx-for-re-election-in-2022.html |url-status=live }}</ref> She defeated Democrat Kyle Parrish, 63.2–36.8%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/11/08/us/elections/results-north-carolina-us-house-district-5.html|title=North Carolina Fifth Congressional District Election Results |website=The New York Times|access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref>

===Tenure===
[[File:Virginia Foxx.jpg|thumb|Foxx during the [[110th United States Congress|110th Congress]]]]

====Hurricane Katrina====
In September 2005, Foxx was one of 11 members of Congress to vote against<ref>{{cite news|last=McMurray|first=Jeffrey|title=Representatives stand by their votes against hurricane aid|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L-kvAAAAIBAJ&pg=4966,7230333&dq=katrina+virginia-foxx&hl=en|newspaper=Rome News-Tribune|date=September 22, 2005|access-date=April 1, 2020|archive-date=December 13, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201213121424/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=L-kvAAAAIBAJ&pg=4966,7230333&dq=katrina+virginia-foxx&hl=en|url-status=live}}</ref> the $51 billion aid package to victims of [[Hurricane Katrina]].

====Opposition to birthright citizenship====
In January 2013, Foxx co-sponsored legislation that would stop children born in the United States to undocumented parents from gaining citizenship.<ref>{{cite news | first = Elise | last = Foley | title = Steve King Introduces Bill To Stop 'Anchor Babies' | date = January 4, 2013 |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/steve-king-anchor-babies_n_2411989.html | work = [[The Huffington Post]] | access-date = January 7, 2013 | archive-date = January 6, 2013 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130106213350/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/01/04/steve-king-anchor-babies_n_2411989.html | url-status = live }}</ref>

====First Trump impeachment====

On December 18, 2019, Foxx voted against both articles of impeachment (abuse of power and obstruction of Congress) of President [[Donald Trump]].

====House security====

In May 2021, Foxx became the fifth Republican representative to be fined for evading metal detectors put in place outside the chamber after the [[January 6 United States Capitol attack]]. Foxx ran through the magnetometer, setting it off, and ignored officers attempting to prevent her entering the House floor.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Solender |first1=Andrew |title=Rep. Virginia Foxx Is Latest Republican Fined $5,000 For Evading Metal Detector: 'Good Thing No One Stopped Me' |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/05/18/rep-virginia-foxx-is-latest-republican-fined-5000-for-evading-metal-detector-good-thing-no-one-stopped-me/?sh=314340f5528d |website=Forbes |access-date=June 6, 2021 |language=en |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606060813/https://www.forbes.com/sites/andrewsolender/2021/05/18/rep-virginia-foxx-is-latest-republican-fined-5000-for-evading-metal-detector-good-thing-no-one-stopped-me/?sh=314340f5528d |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McFall |first1=Caitlin |title=Rep. Virginia Foxx becomes 5th House member fined for failing to pass through metal detectors |url=https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-virginia-foxx-becomes-5th-house-member-fined-for-failing-to-pass-through-metal-detectors |publisher=Fox News |access-date=June 6, 2021 |date=May 18, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606060813/https://www.foxnews.com/politics/rep-virginia-foxx-becomes-5th-house-member-fined-for-failing-to-pass-through-metal-detectors |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Zilbermints |first1=Regina |title=Fourth House GOP lawmaker issued $5,000 metal detector fine |url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/554182-fourth-house-gop-lawmaker-issued-5000-metal-detector-fine/ |website=The Hill |access-date=June 6, 2021 |language=en |date=May 18, 2021 |archive-date=June 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210606060813/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/554182-fourth-house-gop-lawmaker-issued-5000-metal-detector-fine |url-status=live }}</ref>

====Behavior with the news media====

Foxx has been known for frequently scolding reporters and staff for being on or near members-only elevators in Capitol buildings.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4274345-republican-tells-reporter-to-shut-up-johnson-2020-election/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025151533/https://thehill.com/homenews/house/4274345-republican-tells-reporter-to-shut-up-johnson-2020-election/|url-status=dead|archive-date=October 25, 2023|title=House Republican tells reporter to 'shut up' for asking Johnson about overturning 2020 election|last=Irwin|first=Lauren|website=The Hill|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023|language=en}}</ref> In October 2023 while among Republicans gathered for a press conference for then-House speaker nominee [[Mike Johnson]], she was scrutinized for telling a reporter to "go away" and "shut up" when Johnson was asked to speak about [[Attempts to overturn the 2020 United States presidential election|his efforts to overturn the 2020 U.S. Presidential election]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.charlotteobserver.com/opinion/article280979418.html|title=NC congresswoman tells reporter to shut up at House GOP news conference|last=Masten|first=Paige|work=The Charlotte Observer|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/2023/10/25/johnson-speaker-republicans/|title=Shouting down an election-denial question embodies the Republicans' problem|last=Bump|first=Philip|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hindustantimes.com/world-news/us-news/despicable-behavior-republican-virginia-foxx-faces-backlash-for-asking-reporter-to-shut-up-101698240177592.html|title='Despicable behavior' Republican Virginia Foxx faces backlash for asking reporter to 'shut up'|last=Upadhayay|first=Prapti|work=The Hindustan Times|date=October 25, 2023|access-date=October 25, 2023|language=en}}</ref>

=== Committee assignments ===
For the [[119th United States Congress|119th Congress]]:<ref>{{cite web |title=List of Standing Committees and Select Committees of the House of Representatives|url=https://clerk.house.gov/committee_info/scsoal.pdf |publisher=Clerk of the United States House of Representatives |access-date=April 10, 2025}}</ref>
* [[United States House Committee on Education and Workforce|Committee on Education and Workforce]]
** [[United States House Education Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions|Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor, and Pensions]]
* [[United States House Committee on Oversight and Reform|Committee on Oversight and Reform]]
** [[United States House Oversight Subcommittee on Government Operations|Subcommittee on Government Operations]]
* [[United States House Committee on Rules|Committee on Rules]] (Chair)

===Caucus memberships===
* [[Republican Study Committee]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Member List|url=https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|publisher=Republican Study Committee|access-date=November 17, 2017|archive-date=January 1, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190101195017/https://rsc-walker.house.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Constitution Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members|url=https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|publisher=Congressional Constitution Caucus|access-date=May 8, 2018|archive-date=June 14, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180614044928/https://congressionalconstitutioncaucus-garrett.house.gov/about-us/membership|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Caucus on Turkey and Turkish Americans]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Members of the Caucus on U.S. - Türkiye Relations & Turkish Americans|author=|url=https://www.tc-america.org/in-congress/caucus.htm|publisher=Turkish Coalition of America|date=|accessdate=September 26, 2024}}</ref>
* [[Congressional Taiwan Caucus]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Congressional Taiwan Caucus|url=https://sherman.house.gov/taiwancaucus| publisher=Congressman Brad Sherman|access-date=11 August 2025}}</ref>
* [[United States–China Working Group]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Our Mission|author=|url=https://larsen.house.gov/uscwg/ |format=|publisher=U.S.-China Working Group|date=|accessdate=February 26, 2025}}</ref>

==Political positions==
===Abortion===
Foxx opposes legal access to [[abortion]]. She voted for a bill to repeal a rule requiring state and local governments to distribute federal funds to qualified health centers, even if they perform abortions.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/virginia-foxx/|title=Tracking Virginia Foxx In The Age Of Trump|last=Bycoffe|first=Aaron|date=January 30, 2017|work=FiveThirtyEight|access-date=August 4, 2017|language=en-US|archive-date=August 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170805014829/https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/congress-trump-score/virginia-foxx/|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2014, Foxx was asked whether there were any conditions under which she considered abortion acceptable. She replied that, even in the case of rape, incest, or the health of the mother, no exception should be made to justify abortion.<ref>{{cite news |publisher=WXII 12 News |title=Virginia Foxx talks immigration, abortion, debt limit |date=October 15, 2014 |via=YouTube |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RrqMQgBtuHk |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/RrqMQgBtuHk| archive-date=December 12, 2021 |url-status=live |access-date=August 4, 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Economy===
Foxx, along with all other Senate and House Republicans, voted against the [[American Rescue Plan Act of 2021]].<ref name="BipartisanshipDead">{{cite news |last=Hulse |first=Carl |date=March 6, 2021 |title=After Stimulus Victory in Senate, Reality Sinks in: Bipartisanship Is Dead |newspaper=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/stimulus-senate-bipartisanship-biden.html |url-status=live |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210317011426/https://www.nytimes.com/2021/03/06/us/politics/stimulus-senate-bipartisanship-biden.html |archive-date=March 17, 2021}}</ref>

===Epstein files===
On July 14, 2025, Foxx voted against an amendment by Congressman [[Ro Khanna]] seeking to release the [[Jeffrey Epstein client list|Jeffrey Epstein files]]. Foxx stated that the decision to release any of the files was better left to the president.<ref>{{Cite web |title=House GOP blocks Dem maneuver to force release of Epstein files |url=https://www.axios.com/2025/07/15/trump-epstein-khanna-doj-democrats-republicans |access-date=July 14, 2025 |website=Axios}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Epstein files chaos: House Republicans spike Democrat's amendment calling for release of files |url=https://www.msnbc.com/the-last-word/watch/epstein-files-chaos-house-republicans-spike-democrat-s-amendment-calling-for-release-of-files-243223109747 |access-date=July 15, 2025 |website=MSNBC}}</ref> Later, Foxx opposed another proposal that would require the full U.S. House of Representatives to consider and vote on the [[Epstein Files Transparency Act]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |date=2025-09-02 |title=Massie vows to press forward with Epstein discharge petition |url=https://www.politico.com/live-updates/2025/09/02/congress/epstein-discharge-petition-filed-00540016 |access-date=2025-09-11 |website=POLITICO |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last1=Mikkelsen |first1=Emily |last2=DeBusk |first2=Justyn Araya |date=September 9, 2025 |title=NC Rep. Virginia Foxx votes with Republicans against forcing House vote on Epstein files |url=https://myfox8.com/national/nc-rep-virginia-foxx-votes-with-republicans-against-advancing-bill-to-force-house-vote-on-epstein-files/ |access-date=September 11, 2025 |work=FOX8 Morning News}}</ref>

===Health care===
An opponent of the [[Affordable Care Act]] (Obamacare), she has said, "we have more to fear from the potential of the [[Affordable Health Care for America Act]] passing than we do from any terrorist right now in any country."<ref name="mediamatters_nov02_2009">{{cite web |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Rep. Foxx: Health Care Bill A Greater Threat Than Any Terrorist In The World |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sA66v858_NU&feature=player_embedded |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211212/sA66v858_NU |archive-date=December 12, 2021 |access-date=November 2, 2009 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref name="hill_nov02_2009">{{cite web |last=O'Brien |first=Michael |date=November 2, 2009 |title=Foxx: Health bill a greater threat than any terrorist |url=https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/53791-foxx-health-bill-a-greater-threat-than-any-terrorist/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091106124211/http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/65893-foxx-passign-health-bill-a-greater-threat-than-any-terrorist |archive-date=November 6, 2009 |access-date=November 2, 2009 |work=The Hill}}</ref>  When commenting on the House version of the reform bill that funds counseling for end-of-life issues, Foxx said, "Republicans have a better solution that won't put the government in charge of people's health care" and "[The plan] is pro-life because it will not put seniors in a position of being put to death by their government."<ref name="fox_july30_2009">{{cite web |last=Tucker |first=Chad |date=July 30, 2009 |title=Virginia Foxx Uses Strong Words to Oppose Health Care Reform Bill |url=http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-foxx-health-care-comments-090730,0,2622612.story |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090802035648/http://www.myfox8.com/wghp-foxx-health-care-comments-090730,0,2622612.story |archive-date=August 2, 2009 |access-date=August 9, 2009 |publisher=[[WGHP|FOX8 WGHP]] }}</ref>

===LGBT rights===
In April 2009, Foxx expressed opposition to the [[Matthew Shepard and James Byrd, Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act]], claiming that [[Matthew Shepard]]'s murder was not a hate crime. While debating the act in the House, she called the murder a "very unfortunate incident" but claimed "we know that that young man was killed in the commitment of a robbery. It wasn't because he was gay." She ultimately called that allegation "a hoax that continues to be used as an excuse for passing [[hate crimes]] bills".<ref>{{cite news |last=Mary Ann |first=Akers |date=April 29, 2009 |title=Virginia Foxx: Matthew Shepard's Murder Not a Hate Crime |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |url-status=dead |access-date=May 20, 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612031310/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |archive-date=June 12, 2012}}</ref> Some media outlets, including ''[[The New York Times]]'',<ref name="hoax NYT">{{cite news |date=May 5, 2009 |title=Matthew Shepard Act |work=The New York Times |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?_r=1 |url-status=live |access-date=July 19, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120617074639/http://www.nytimes.com/2009/05/06/opinion/06wed3.html?_r=1 |archive-date=June 17, 2012}}</ref> ''[[The Washington Post]]'',<ref name="hoax WaPo">{{cite web |last=Akers |first=Mary Ann |date=April 29, 2009 |title=The Sleuth – Virginia Foxx: Matthew Shepard's Murder Not a Hate Crime |url=http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120612031310/http://voices.washingtonpost.com/sleuth/2009/04/virginia_foxx_mathew_shepards.html |archive-date=June 12, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |work=[[The Washington Times]]}}</ref> and ''[[HuffPost|The Huffington Post]]'',<ref name="hoax Huff">{{cite news |last=Ryan |first=Grim |date=May 30, 2009 |title=Virginia Foxx: Story of Matthew Shepard's Murder A "Hoax" |work=[[HuffPost|The Huffington Post]] |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/virginia-foxx-story-of-ma_n_192971.html |url-status=live |access-date=December 20, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111219175138/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/04/29/virginia-foxx-story-of-ma_n_192971.html |archive-date=December 19, 2011}}</ref> criticized her statements, as did Representative [[Debbie Wasserman Schultz]].<ref name="hoax Politico">{{cite web |last=Thrush |first=Glenn |date=April 29, 2009 |title=Matthew Shepard killed in non-bias "robbery," Foxx says |url=https://www.politico.com/blogs/on-congress/2009/04/matthew-shepard-killed-in-non-bias-robbery-foxx-says-017956?showall |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120718230944/http://www.politico.com/blogs/glennthrush/0409/Matthew_Shepard_killed_in_nonbias_robbery_Foxx_says.html?showall |archive-date=July 18, 2012 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |work=Politico}}</ref> Democratic sources claimed that Matthew Shepard's mother was present during Foxx's statements.<ref name="hoax Politico" />

Foxx later retracted her comments, suggesting her use of the word "hoax" was in bad taste.<ref name="hoax retraction LA Times">{{cite web |last=Malcolm |first=Andrew |date=April 30, 2009 |title=Rep. Virginia Foxx retracts word 'hoax' in Matthew Shepard murder |url=http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/matthew-shepard-virginia-foxx-gay.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110129171034/http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009/04/matthew-shepard-virginia-foxx-gay.html |archive-date=January 29, 2011 |access-date=July 19, 2012 |work=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> She suggested that Shepard's murder was a tragedy and that his killers had received appropriate justice.<ref name="hoax retraction LA Times" />

In 2015, Foxx condemned the Supreme Court decision in ''[[Obergefell v. Hodges]]'', which held that [[same-sex marriage]] bans violated the constitution.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Voter's Self Defense System |url=https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/989178/foxx-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-redefining-marriage |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220412202521/https://justfacts.votesmart.org/public-statement/989178/foxx-statement-on-supreme-court-decision-redefining-marriage |archive-date=April 12, 2022 |access-date=April 12, 2022 |website=Vote Smart}}</ref>

In 2019, Foxx strongly opposed the [[Equality Act (United States)|Equality Act]], a bill that would expand the federal [[Civil Rights Act of 1964]] to ban discrimination based on [[sexual orientation]] and [[gender identity]], and urged Congress members to vote against it.<ref>{{cite news |date=May 17, 2019 |title=House Debate on the Equality Act |publisher=[[C-SPAN]] |url=https://www.c-span.org/video/?460685-3/house-debate-equality-act |url-status=live |access-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190804153435/https://www.c-span.org/video/?460685-3%2Fhouse-debate-equality-act |archive-date=August 4, 2019}}</ref>

In December 2022, Foxx voted against the [[Respect for Marriage Act]], which codified same-sex and interracial marriage rights into federal law.<ref>{{cite web |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Roll Call 513 Roll Call 513, Bill Number: H. R. 8404, 117th Congress, 2nd Session |url=https://clerk.house.gov/Votes/2022513}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Dormido |first1=Hannah |last2=Blanco |first2=Adrian |last3=Perry |first3=Kati |date=December 8, 2022 |title=Here's which House members voted for or against the Respect for Marriage Act |language=en |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/politics/interactive/2022/house-vote-count-respect-for-marriage-act/ |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=December 9, 2022 |title=North Carolina Republicans vote against same-sex, interracial marriage bill despite NC Sen. Tillis' religious freedom amendment |publisher=[[WGHP|FOX8 WGHP]] |url=https://myfox8.com/news/politics/your-local-election-hq/north-carolina-republicans-vote-against-same-sex-interracial-marriage-bill-despite-nc-sen-tillis-religious-freedom-amendment/ |access-date=December 23, 2023}}</ref>

===Privacy rights===
She introduced the 'Preserving Employee Wellness Programs Act' (H.R. 1313; 115th Congress) in 2017.<ref name="1313text">{{cite web|title=H.R. 1313 – Text|url=https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1313/text|publisher=United States Congress|access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=March 12, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170312012908/https://www.congress.gov/bill/115th-congress/house-bill/1313/text|url-status=live}}</ref> The bill would eliminate the genetic privacy protections of the [[Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act|Genetic Information Nondiscrimination Act of 2008 (Public Law 110–233)]]; allow companies to require employees to undergo [[genetic testing]] or risk paying a penalty of thousands of dollars; and let employers see that genetic and other health information.<ref name="forbes_mar12_2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/03/10/the-gop-wants-to-let-your-boss-poke-around-in-your-genome|title=The GOP Wants To Let Your Boss Poke Around In Your Genome|last=Willingham|first=Emily|date=March 10, 2017|work=Forbes |access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=March 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170310215436/https://www.forbes.com/sites/emilywillingham/2017/03/10/the-gop-wants-to-let-your-boss-poke-around-in-your-genome/|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="sciamerican_mar12_2017">{{cite web|url=https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/house-republicans-would-let-employers-demand-workers-rsquo-genetic-test-results/|title=House Republicans Would Let Employers Demand Workers' Genetic Test Results|last=Begley|first=Sharon|date=March 10, 2017|work=Scientific American |access-date=March 12, 2017|archive-date=March 11, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170311014937/https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/house-republicans-would-let-employers-demand-workers-rsquo-genetic-test-results/|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Marijuana ===
In December 2020, Foxx voted against the [[Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act]] (MORE), which aimed to [[Removal of cannabis from Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act|remove marijuana from the Controlled Substances Act]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Porter |first=Jane |date=September 10, 2021 |title=Report: U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx Opposes Marijuana Legalization But Invests in Cannabis Stock |url=https://indyweek.com/api/content/9609e8e2-122b-11ec-b1ea-1244d5f7c7c6/ |access-date=September 19, 2021 |newspaper=[[INDY Week]] |language=en-us |archive-date=June 23, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623144556/https://indyweek.com/news/northcarolina/u-s-rep-virginia-foxx-opposes-marijuana-legalization-invests-in-cannabis-stock/}}</ref> According to financial disclosure reports, she has made at least six investments in [[Altria]], one of the world's largest tobacco companies and a leader in the burgeoning U.S. cannabis industry, since September 2020.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Office of the Clerk, U.S. House of Representatives|url=https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/|access-date=September 19, 2021|website=disclosures-clerk.house.gov|archive-date=September 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210923003408/https://disclosures-clerk.house.gov/|url-status=live}}</ref> In all, records show she has purchased somewhere between $79,000 and $210,000 in Altria stock.<ref>{{Cite web |first=Brett |last=Bachman |date=May 29, 2021 |title=Meet the anti-legalization GOP Congresswoman cashing in on marijuana stocks |url=https://www.salon.com/2021/05/29/meet-the-anti-legalization-gop-congresswoman-cashing-in-on-marijuana-stocks/ |access-date=September 19, 2021 |website=[[Salon.com|Salon]] |language=en |archive-date=September 18, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210918194203/https://www.salon.com/2021/05/29/meet-the-anti-legalization-gop-congresswoman-cashing-in-on-marijuana-stocks/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Personal life==
Foxx is Catholic.<ref>{{cite web |title=Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress |url=https://www.pewresearch.org/wp-content/uploads/sites/20/2024/12/pr_2025-01-02_faith-on-the-hill_member-list.pdf |publisher=Pew Research Center |access-date=January 8, 2025}}</ref> Her former son-in-law, Mustafa Özdemir, is a Turkish businessman.<ref>http://www.turkishcoalition.org/young_turks%20_080807.html{{dead link|date=November 2016 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Taniş |first=Tolga |date=January 6, 2011 |title=Ermeni tasarısı iki yıl yok |language=tr |newspaper=Hürriyet |url=http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/16693239.asp?top=1 |url-status=live |access-date=January 11, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121018050903/http://www.hurriyet.com.tr/dunya/16693239.asp?top=1 |archive-date=October 18, 2012}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Women in the United States House of Representatives]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikiquote}}
* [https://foxx.house.gov U.S. Congresswoman Virginia Foxx] official U.S. House website
* [http://www.virginiafoxx.com/ Virginia Foxx for Congress]
* {{C-SPAN|1013052}}
* {{CongLinks | congbio=F000450 | votesmart=6051 | fec=H4NC05146 | congress=virginia-foxx/F000450 }}

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[[Category:1943 births]]
[[Category:20th-century American women politicians]]
[[Category:20th-century members of the North Carolina General Assembly]]
[[Category:21st-century American women politicians]]
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[[Category:21st-century United States representatives]]
[[Category:American people of Italian descent]]
[[Category:American women academics]]
[[Category:Appalachian State University faculty]]
[[Category:Catholics from North Carolina]]
[[Category:Female United States representatives]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:North Carolina Republicans]]
[[Category:People from Avery County, North Carolina]]
[[Category:Politicians from Manhattan]]
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[[Category:University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill alumni]]
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[[Category:Women state legislators in North Carolina]]