Virginia Foxx
RepublicanU.S. Representative, NC-5| Age | 82 (b. 1943-06-29) |
| Gender | Female |
| In office since | 2005-01-04 (~21 yrs) |
| Race / ethnicity | Italian-American (White) |
| Religion | Catholic |
| Education | A.B. (English), UNC-Chapel Hill, 1968; M.A.C.T. (Sociology/College Teaching), UNC-Greensboro, 1972; Ed.D. (Curriculum and Teaching/Higher Education), UNC-Greensboro, 1985 |
| Prior occupation | Instructor, Caldwell Community College; instructor and assistant dean, Appalachian State University; President, Mayland Community College (1987–1994); small business co-owner (Foxx Family Inc., nursery and landscaping) |
| Military service | No |
| Birthplace | Manhattan, New York City, NY |
| Languages | English |
| Marital status | married — Thomas (Tom) Foxx |
| Children | 1 |
| Residence | Banner Elk, Watauga County, North Carolina |
Pending research: notable relatives · openly lgbtq.
Career & politics
| First elected | 2004 |
| Previous offices | Member, Watauga County Board of Education (1976–1988) · President, Mayland Community College (1987–1994) · North Carolina State Senator, District 45 (1995–2005) |
| Committees | House Committee on Rules (Chair, 2025–present) |
| Caucuses | Republican Study Committee · Congressional Constitution Caucus (co-founder) · Congressional Taiwan Caucus · U.S.-China Working Group · Congressional Prayer Caucus · Congressional Second Amendment Caucus · Congressional Textile Caucus · Immigration Reform Caucus · Pro-Life Caucus |
| Leadership | Chair, House Committee on Rules (2025–present) · Chair, House Committee on Education and the Workforce (2017–2019, 2023–2025) · Ranking Member, House Committee on Education and the Workforce (2019–2023) · Secretary, House Republican Conference (2013–2017) |
| Ideology | Lifetime 96% rating from the American Conservative Union; National Journal ranked her among the most conservative members of the NC delegation; consistently votes against tax increases and for reduced federal spending |
| Signature legislation | SKILLS Act (H.R. 803, 2013) – led to Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act (WIOA), signed into law July 22, 2014 · Strengthening Transparency in Higher Education Act (H.R. 4983, 2014) – passed House July 2014 · HERO Act – extended IRA benefits for combat troops · PROSPER Act (H.R. 4508, 2017) – proposed overhaul of Higher Education Act; passed House but not enacted |
Financial
Net worth: disclosed $3,355,037–$10,450,000 (2023) · estimate
| Schwab Value Advantage Money Fund (SWVXX) | fund · $1,000,001–$5,000,000 · 2023 |
| Pembina Pipeline Corp. (NYSE: PBA) | stock · $100,001–$250,000 · 2023 |
| Note Receivable (Hidden Castles property) | other · $250,001–$500,000 · 2023 |
| Rental property (240 Rime Frost, Watauga County, NC) | real_estate · $100,001–$250,000 · 2023 |
| MVB Bank account | other · $100,001–$250,000 · 2023 |
| Altria Group (NYSE: MO) | stock · 2023 |
Scandals & crimes ledger
resolved — FEC MUR 5424: Non-Federal Funds and Disclosure Violations (Admonishment)
The FEC voted 5-1 (Commissioner Smith dissenting) to find reason to believe that Virginia Foxx for Congress, treasurer Carolyn Aldridge, and Virginia Foxx personally violated 2 U.S.C. §§ 441i(e)(1)(A) (use of non-federal funds) and 439a (disclaimer/disclosure requirements). The Commission determined to take no further action and closed the file, sending admonishment letters to all three respondents. No civil penalty was imposed. The complainant was John B. Whidden V. Conduct at issue included using state senate committee funds to pay congressional campaign phone expenses and paying Yadkin County Chamber of Commerce membership dues with campaign funds.
resolved — FEC MUR 5647: Virginia Foxx for Congress – Campaign Finance Conciliation Agreement
The FEC's Reports Analysis Division (RAD) initiated MUR 5647 against Virginia Foxx for Congress and its treasurer. The commission found violations of federal campaign finance reporting requirements (2 U.S.C. § 434(b)(4)) and entered into a conciliation agreement with a $17,000 civil penalty. The commission voted 6-0 to accept the agreement and close the file on July 13, 2005.
resolved — FEC MUR 5647: Failure to Timely Disclose $135,000 Campaign Expenditure business
Virginia Foxx for Congress and treasurer Carolyn Aldridge entered a conciliation agreement with the FEC on June 20, 2005. The committee violated 2 U.S.C. § 434(b)(4) by omitting a $135,000 advertising/media expenditure — 69% of total disbursements for the reporting period — from the original 12-Day Pre-Primary Report filed July 8, 2004. The expenditure was not disclosed until July 13, 2004, five days later than required. The FEC accepted the pre-probable-cause conciliation agreement and imposed a $17,000 civil penalty. The matter originated as RAD Referral #04L-13 and was opened as MUR 5647.
resolved — House Ethics Committee: $5,000 Metal Detector Fine – Issued and Dismissed on Appeal
On May 13, 2021, Rep. Foxx ran through a Capitol magnetometer while it sounded an alarm, threw her bag under the adjacent table, ignored Capitol Police verbal attempts to stop her, and entered the House floor to vote. After voting she returned and stated 'Good thing no one stopped me.' The Sergeant at Arms issued a $5,000 first-offense fine on May 14, 2021 under House Resolution 73 (security screening rules enacted after January 6, 2021). Foxx appealed the fine on June 1, 2021. The House Ethics Committee voted to grant the appeal and dismiss the fine effective June 29, 2021.