Deborah Koff Ross
The Public Record
Deborah Koff Ross is an American politician serving as the U.S. Representative for North Carolina's 2nd congressional district since 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, she has focused on issues such as healthcare, education, and economic development during her time in office. Ross has been an advocate for women's rights and has worked to promote policies that support families and children. Before her election to Congress, she served in the North Carolina General Assembly, where she was known for her commitment to public service and community engagement.
★ Featured Quote
August 24, 2026
Medical debt is the largest debt that people have in this country. It knows no political party, and it knows no geographic limitation.
— Deborah Koff Ross
Most widely reported
by number of sources- on behalf of the 37-member strong fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition, a group of 37 fiscally conservative Democrats that have a common goal, and that is to restore some common sense and fiscal discipline to our Nation's government, and on behalf of the Blue Dog Coalition, I rise this evening as I do every Tuesday evening to discuss the debt, the deficit, the budget and accountability within our government because I believe, as Members of Congress, Members of this body, we were sent here by the American people to be good stewards of our tax dollars. I grew up at Midway United Methodist Church just outside of Prescott, in Hope, Arkansas. Heard a lot of sermons growing up about what it meant to be a good steward. And what I learned growing up at Midway Methodist Church about stewardship I believe also applies to being good stewards of our tax dollars. And, Madam Speaker, I rise this evening because today the U.S. national debt is $8,270,385,415,129 and some change. Again, that is a lot of numbers, and sometimes I get them a little confused. $8,270,385,415,129. For every man and woman and child in America, including those being born right now, each individual in America's share, every man, woman and child's share of the national deb, comes to some $27,000 and some change. It is hard to believe now, but from 1998 through 2001, we had a balanced budget in this Nation.…3 sources2006govinfo.gov
- this evening, as most Tuesday evenings, I rise on behalf of the 43 member strong, fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition. We are a group of Democrats that believe in restoring common sense, fiscal discipline and accountability to our Nation's government. As you walk the Halls of Congress, Mr. Speaker, it is easy to know when you are walking by the office of a member of the fiscally conservative, Democratic Blue Dog Coalition, because you will see this poster in the hallway as not only a welcome mat to that Blue Dog member's office, but to remind Members of Congress and the American people on a daily basis that our country is in a fiscal mess. In fact, today, the U.S. national debt is $8,827,851,749,695, and I ran out of room, Mr. Speaker, but you could add a quarter on to that, 25 cents. You divide that enormous number by every man, woman and child in America, and every one of us, our share of the national debt is $29,262. It is what I commonly refer to as the debt tax, D-E-B-T tax, which is one tax that cannot go away until we get our Nation's fiscal house in order.3 sources2007govinfo.gov
- this evening, as every Tuesday evening, the members of the 37-Member strong fiscally conservative Democratic Blue Dog Coalition come to the floor of the United States House of Representatives, here at our Nation's Capitol, to address the debt, the deficit, and tonight also the budget. And for those of you who have walked the halls of Congress, it is easy to spot when you are walking by a Member's office that is a member of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog Coalition because you will see one of these posters, one of these posters that displays the current national debt. And every American citizen shares the National debt. As you can see, at the moment, the U.S. national debt is $8,378,143,406,405 and some change. And for every man, woman, and child in America, including those being born this hour, your share of the national debt is $28,000. We raise these issues for a number of reasons, Mr. Speaker. It is hard now to remember, but from 1998 to 2001, our Nation enjoyed a balanced budget. We had a surplus. We could meet many of America's priorities. But today, for the sixth year in a row, we have the largest budget deficit ever in our Nation's history. Our Nation is borrowing a billion dollars a day. We are sending $279 million a day to Iraq, $57 million a day to Afghanistan, a billion a day we are borrowing, and on top of that we are spending half a billion dollars a day simply paying interest, not principal but just interest on the debt that we already have.…2 sources2006govinfo.gov
- this evening I rise on behalf of the 37-member strong fiscally conservative democratic Blue Dog coalition. We are 37 fiscally conservative Democrats that are united in the name of fiscal discipline and common sense. We are very concerned about the debt, the deficit, and the future of this country that we are leaving for our children and grandchildren. As you can see right here, today, the United States national debt is $8,369,917,837,082 and some change. And if we divide that number by every man, woman, and child, including those being born today, everyone in America's share, including the children, amounts to about $28,000. It is what we call the debt tax, D-E-B-T, and that is one tax that cannot go away until we get our Nation's fiscal house in order. Because, Mr. Speaker, you see, our Nation is spending about $.5 billion a day not paying principal but simply paying interest on the national debt. One half billion dollars a day. Give me 3 days' interest on the national debt and I can build Interstate 69 through Arkansas. Give me another 3 days' interest on the national debt and I can complete Interstate 49 in Arkansas. Give me less than a day's interest on the national debt, and I can complete the Hot Springs Expressway. Give me less than a day's interest on the national debt, and I can complete I-530 through Arkansas.…2 sources2006govinfo.gov
Jun 12, 2026
The decision to pay off energy companies with taxpayer dollars to cancel projects that would have created high-paying jobs, strengthened American energy independence, and lowered costs for families is especially alarming at a time when…
May 19, 2026
I rise today to honor North Carolina's new Principal of the Year, Wake County's own Dr. Mariah Walker. As the principal of the Wake Young Women's Leadership Academy, Dr. Walker has dedicated her career to ensuring her students are…
May 12, 2026
This bill would require the Attorney General to provide demographic information about NICS denials. I support collecting data to better understand and evaluate the effectiveness of NICS and determine whether it needs to be strengthened in…
Mar 18, 2026
I rise today, during Women's History Month, to honor Ellen Lewis of Wake Forest, North Carolina, a remarkable community member who is not often remembered in the history books. Born into slavery, Ellen Lewis was about 15 years old when…
Feb 4, 2026
after months of delays and distractions, Trump's DOJ finally released another trove of documents from the Epstein files. The DOJ claims it is in full compliance with the Epstein Files Transparency Act, but that is simply not true. It is…
Jan 21, 2026
this week marks the 53rd anniversary of Roe v. Wade when the Supreme Court finally granted women the right to control their own reproductive healthcare. Tragically, in 2022, one-half century of reproductive freedom was stripped away when…
Jan 14, 2026
in November, my home State of North Carolina watched in horror as Federal immigration agents descended on our State and terrorized our communities. During these raids, my constituent Fatima Velasquez-Antonio, was detained. She has work…
Jan 8, 2026
I rise today to honor former Governor Jim Hunt, a giant in North Carolina history who sadly passed last month. Governor Hunt leaves behind an extraordinary legacy as a fighter for education, economic development, equality, innovation, and…
Dec 18, 2025
this week I introduced the FEMA Administrative Reform Act to accelerate the delivery of Federal disaster recovery aid to western North Carolina. All year, President Trump and his administration have continued to withhold aid and politicize…
Dec 12, 2025
we have reached the precipice of a full-blown healthcare crisis in North Carolina and this country. ACA tax credits are only weeks away from expiring. Unless Congress acts, an estimated 157,000 North Carolinians will lose their coverage…
Dec 2, 2025
I rise today to celebrate North Carolina State University's new chancellor, Kevin Howell, who was recently installed as the university's 15th chancellor. I have known Chancellor Howell for 30 years. He has served North Carolina State, the…
Nov 20, 2025
I rise today to condemn the Trump administration's deployment of CBP to North Carolina. Since last weekend, North Carolinians watched in horror as masked agents descended on our State, terrorizing communities, and abducting people off the…
Sep 18, 2025
next week we will recognize the 1-year anniversary since Hurricane Helene plowed a path of destruction across western North Carolina. In August, I had the chance to visit and hear directly from several affected communities. Time and time…
Sep 5, 2025
Thank you for everything that you do. You’ve got supporters from coast to coast
Jul 16, 2025
I rise today to honor a North Carolina trailblazer, Juanita Bryant, who, sadly, passed away last month. Juanita spent her career fighting for the women of North Carolina. She made history by becoming the first woman in North Carolina…
Jul 15, 2025
I rise today to condemn Republicans' big, ugly law, which decimates food assistance for 42 million Americans, including millions of children, seniors, veterans, and people with disabilities. Erica from Wilson, North Carolina, had this to…
Jun 6, 2025
I rise today to honor former Congresswoman Jane Pratt. This week in 1946, she was sworn into the U.S. House of Representatives, becoming the first woman to represent North Carolina in Congress. Prior to her election, she served as a…
Apr 9, 2025
On that I demand the yeas and nays. The yeas and nays were ordered. Announcement by the Speaker Pro Tempore The SPEAKER pro tempore. Pursuant to clause 9 of rule XX, this 15- minute vote on the motion to recommit will be followed by…
Apr 9, 2025
I have a motion to recommit at the desk. The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Clerk will report the motion to recommit. The Clerk read as follows: Ms. Ross of North Carolina moves to recommit the bill H.R. 1526 to the Committee on the Judiciary…
Apr 8, 2025
I thank the ranking member for yielding me time. Mr. Speaker, Article III of our Constitution vests judicial power of the United States in the Supreme Court and lower courts. The Constitution says that this power extends to all cases…
Mar 26, 2025
I thank Congresswoman Scholten for yielding. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor former Ambassador Jeanette Hyde, who, sadly, passed away last month. A North Carolina native, Ambassador Hyde was a trailblazer who paved the path for…
Mar 25, 2025
I am deeply concerned about the Trump administration's act to fire more than 1,000 EPA scientific researchers who have dedicated their careers to protecting the American people. I represent part of the Research Triangle Park, home to the…
Mar 6, 2025
For 3 years, Ukraine has fought for its survival against Russia's brutal assault. For 3 years, America has supported the Ukrainian people in their brave fight for freedom. Mr. Speaker, Trump is halting military aid, blocking intelligence…
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