Dear Friends,

Last month, the Trump administration announced they are proposing a rule to remove graduate programs such as nursing, education, and social work from being considered “professional” degrees. This is not only insulting to these noble professions, but it also reduces the amount of federal loans graduate students can take out to pay for their education.

Under new provisions in the Republicans’ One Big Ugly Bill, degrees designated as “professional” can receive up to $50,000 a year in federal student loans while all other graduate degrees are capped at $20,500 annually. That’s well below the average tuition for a graduate degree in the United States.

As our district, state, and country face a teacher and nursing shortage, this reckless attempt by the Trump administration will force more students out of these fields and worsen the healthcare and education crises Republicans have created.

Many hospitals may have to close because of the $1 trillion in cuts to Medicaid, $500 billion in cuts to Medicare, and Republicans’ failure to renew the ACA enhanced premium tax credits. Our students and schools are suffering from a historic teacher shortage. We need more healthcare and education professionals, not less.

North Carolina is experiencing the 8^th worst nursing shortage in the country, with 13% of registered nurse positions remaining unfilled. At the start of the school year, Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools reported almost 300 teacher vacancies, leaving our students without the educators they need to succeed in the classroom.

The proposed rule still has to undergo a public comment period of at least 30 days, with Education Department officials reviewing and responding to comments before issuing a final ruling. When that period opens, I will share where to comment with you so we can make sure our community’s voices are heard.

I remain opposed to this reckless move by the Trump administration and will continue fighting it so we can protect some of the most important professions that serve our country every day.

Rep. Adams speaks at an Education and Workforce Committee Meeting on December 3, 2025.

On Tuesday, November 25, I sent a letter to Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Kristi Noem demanding answers for U.S. Customs and Border Patrol’s (CBP) disturbing actions in Charlotte during the agency’s “Operation Charlotte’s Web.” This is the second letter I sent the agency regarding their cruel, inhumane immigration operations in Charlotte.

During Border Patrol’s campaign of terror, many in our community experienced extreme racial profiling, excessive use of force, and brutal tactics, spreading fear in our community.

U.S. citizens were assaulted by CBP agents, 30,000 CMS students were absent from school, and businesses shut their doors out of fear that their customers and employees would be targeted by federal agents.

Our community deserves answers for Border Patrol’s unlawful actions. I have demanded a response to my letter by the end of today, Friday, December 5, and will continue fighting for answers if they fail to do so.  

You can read the letter here.

Rep. Adams speaks on the House floor on December 3, 2025.

Rep. Adams speaks with training attendees at Mayfield Missionary Baptist Church on November 21, 2025.

On Friday November 21, I joined hundreds of community members at Mayfield Missionary Baptist Church for a training on how to safely and appropriately respond to federal immigration operations in Charlotte.

It’s important that we monitor, record, and document immigration enforcement in our city so we can keep our neighbors safe. No one is above the law, and we must hold Border Patrol accountable when their agents engage in racial profiling and brutal, unlawful tactics.

Charlotte is a community that stands up for each other and I’m proud to see so many of my constituents work to protect the health and wellbeing of everyone who calls the Queen City home.

Rep. Adams speaks at the Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing on December 3, 2025.

On Wednesday, December 3, I spoke about how the growing student debt crisis is impacting millions of Americans across the country in the House Higher Education and Workforce Development Subcommittee hearing.

The cost of attending college today is 40 times higher than it was in 1963. That kind of increase doesn’t just affect students during college—it follows them long after they graduate. Student debt now keeps millions of Americans from buying a home, starting a family, saving for retirement, or simply living the life they hoped for.

Women and people of color take on more student debt, and they’re less likely to be able to pay it off. That’s not because of poor decisions—it’s because of persistent wage gaps, racial wealth disparities, and systemic inequality that continue to shape who gets ahead and who doesn’t.

Congress should be laser-focused on addressing the student loan crisis, bringing down the cost of college, and making student loans more manageable. Instead, Republicans have chosen to try to dismantle the Department of Education, worsen our country’s healthcare crisis, and fail to address the rising cost of living that is crushing everyday Americans.

I am committed to addressing the student debt crisis because high-quality, accessible education is a right that should be afforded to everyone.

You can watch my opening remarks here.

On Wednesday, December 3, I spoke about the importance of the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act, commonly known as FERPA, for protecting student safety and privacy, especially for our most vulnerable students.

Prior to FERPA, there were no federal regulations on what student information could and could not be shared with outside entities. Our immigrant students had no protections to keep their immigration status confidential, placing them at risk.

We witnessed the importance of FERPA when Border Patrol agents sieged Charlotte last month. The law prevented federal agents from accessing school records and targeting immigrant students and their families using information they shared privately with the school district.

As a former educator of 40 years, I know how essential FERPA is for our students, parents, and schools. This is not a partisan issue. We need to strengthen FERPA protections and ensure they are being followed because student safety should always be our biggest priority.

You can watch my remarks here.

You are cordially invited to join me for my 2026 State of the District on Thursday, January 29, 2026, at 7:00 PM.

The State of the District is an opportunity to discuss our work and achievements in 2025, share my vision for the 12^th Congressional District in 2026, and hear our community’s thoughts on the issues impacting our district.

The State of the District will be held in Charlotte with the full location being shared soon.

I look forward to seeing you there.

Renew NC, North Carolina’s disaster recovery effort, is encouraging western North Carolina homeowners to apply for housing recovery assistance through its Single-Family Housing Program.

The deadline for applying is December 31, 2025.

Homeowners who have already received Helene-related assistance from FEMA or a home insurance policy can still apply to the Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program. The program is designed to address housing recovery needs that remain after all other assistance has been exhausted. 

If you or someone you know is struggling with food insecurity in Charlotte, I want to share some resources available to you.

Mecklenburg County has compiled information and resources available to Mecklenburg County residents. You can find that information here.

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina has provided a list of many of the food pantries in Charlotte. You can find that list here.

As your member of Congress, what matters to you matters to me—that’s why I want to hear directly from you on how federal cuts made in 2025 and the Republican government shutdown have impacted you.

Please share your story with my office so I can best fight for your needs in Congress.

Student entries for America’s Field Trip are now open.

America’s Field Trip is a nationwide student contest inviting students to become a part of next year’s 250^th anniversary celebration of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

Students in grades 3–12 can submit their entries by sharing their perspectives on what America means to them — with the chance to earn a once-in-a-lifetime field trip experience at one of 16 different iconic American landmarks or cultural sites, including Mount Rushmore, the National Archives Museum, Kennedy Space Center, and Yellowstone National Park.

Entries can be submitted from now until March 30, 2026.

To learn more and apply, click the link below.

I know this has been a difficult year for our Charlotte-Mecklenburg community but I’m proud of the resilience, tenacity, and care shown by everyone who calls our city home. Please know that I am fighting alongside you in Charlotte and in Washington to keep our district safe, to protect the dignity of our residents, and to ensure everyone has what they need to live a quality life.